Get lucky during hungry ghost month

Asians started to observe the Hungry Ghost Month last Aug. 1, as they shy away from business deals, wedding dates, surgery, and other activities that might affect their luck.

This year, the ghost month will take place until Aug. 29, with its peak happening on Aug. 15.

Ghost Month'' is a popular tradition that is widely observed by
neighboring countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam.

In the Philippines, the Filipino-Chinese strictly follow the custom
related to the annual festival which usually takes place on the 15th
day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.

"During this period, the Gates of Hell (or the under world) are sprung
open and the hungry ghosts or lost souls will roam around to visit
their families or find victims among the living,'' says Master Hanz Cua, 
Asia's youngest feng shui master, during an exclusive interview in Mandaluyong City.

"Hungry Ghosts" are those that committed suicide, or died of violent deaths such as murder, rape, and other accidents, when they were still alive. Souls that have been completely ignored by their loved ones are also considered "hungry ghosts.''

"In the ghost month, our goal is to make the hungry ghosts happy, he
says. "In order to make them happy, we should offer lechon (roast
pork), rice, chicken, beer, cigarettes, and candies. We call them
'happy food' because these are some of the food that made them happy when they were still alive,'' said Cua.

"If you make the lost souls happy, they will bring you wealth. The
more paper money (not to be confused with the actual money) you burn, the more wealth you will receive. Prayers are also very important,'' he said.

Cua said some of the rituals or activities to be done and avoided during the festival include wear lots of red, avoid swimming, avoid major surgery, avoid buying condos or houses, avoid signing contracts, avoid construction activities at home, avoid hiring new people for companies, avoid courtship, avoid whistling, etc. 

It is believed that disasters and other bloody incidents are likely to happen during ghost month.

Some of the unforgettable events or tragedies here and abroad that took place during the previous ghost months include the 9/11 terror attacks on US (2001); death of Princess Diana of Wales in Paris, France (Aug. 31, 1997); plane crash involving former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo (Aug. 12, 2012); Manila hostage crisis that killed eight persons (Aug. 23, 2010); Payatas dumpsite tragedy in Quezon City where hundreds were buried alive in a trashslide (July 10, 2000); massive landslide at Cherry Hills Subdivision in Antipolo, Rizal where 60 people died (Aug. 3, 1999); Bocaque, Bulacan pagoda tragedy that left 266 people dead (July 2, 1993); the killer earthquake that rocked Baguio City and other parts of the country on July 16, 1990 which trapped and killed some 1,000 people, among others. - ROBERT REQUINTINA