Top 5 Ghost Month Superstitions in the Philippines Debunked

Debunk ghost month myths and superstitions in the Philippines. Learn the truth about marriage, travel, business, and health during Hungry Ghost Month.

August 22, 2025
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As a predominantly Christian nation, the traditional observance of honoring our dearly departed is in November. Filipinos are also exploring non-Christian and local cultural influences, especially those from our Chinese roots. One of the Chinese beliefs gaining traction in recent years involves ghost month myths.

In traditional practices, the belief is that the barrier between the afterlife and daily life becomes thinner during what’s often called Hungry Ghost Month or Festival, allowing ghosts and various spirits to walk among us.

While in Chinese beliefs this period, often falling around August through September, is one of paying respects to departed ancestors, assisting wandering spirits toward the afterlife (hence the offering of food so they don’t go hungry on the journey, which partly explains how the festival got its name), and seeking protection against malevolent forces, there are many ghost month beliefs focusing on taboos.

We look at five common Philippine ghost month superstitions and discuss why they no longer apply today, or why they shouldn’t worry you.

Myth No. 1: The Taboo on Marrying

Fact: Weddings in August and September are common in the Philippines. Data shows no increase in misfortune for couples married during ghost month.

Myth buster: While the ghost month tradition discourages marriages, the Philippine Statistics Authority data shows that November, not August or September, has the lowest wedding numbers. December is one of the most popular months, which suggests many couples still marry during ghost month. No evidence shows these marriages face unusual misfortune.
What you should do: Plan your wedding based on personal, financial, and logistical reasons, not superstition.

Myth No. 2: Big Business Plans On Hold

Fact: Philippine businesses report lower activity in Q3, but this is due to seasonal and economic factors, not ghost month.

Myth buster: The slowdown is tied to typhoon disruptions affecting agriculture, production, and office operations, plus financial rebalancing after school enrollment costs. These explain the dip far more than any superstition.
What you should do: Schedule business plans with awareness of seasonal and economic conditions, not ghost month beliefs.

Myth No. 3: Freeze Hiring

Fact: Major Filipino-Chinese companies continue to hire during ghost month, with no ill effects reported.

Myth buster: The SM group, one of the country’s largest Filipino-Chinese companies, held job fairs in August and hired over 200 employees on August 7 alone. If ghost month truly caused harm, leading businesses would not proceed with such hires.
What you should do: Proceed with recruitment based on business needs. Avoid delaying job opportunities due to superstition.

Myth No. 4: Health- and Life-Related Issues

Fact: Health-related risks during ghost month are practical, not supernatural.

Myth buster: Myths warn against swimming, going out at night, or undergoing surgery. The reality is more practical: late-night travel is risky year-round, swimming cramps often stem from poor nutrition, and surgeries should follow medical advice, not superstition. Doctors’ expertise outweighs traditional taboos.
What you should do: Follow medical guidance and safety precautions. Make health decisions based on professional advice, not myths.

Myth No. 5: Travel Ban

Fact: Tourism numbers in the Philippines remain strong in August, showing no negative impact from the ghost month.

Myth buster: From January to October 2023, tourist arrivals in August were equal to or higher than in other months. This proves ghost month does not discourage travelers, nor does it bring added risks. No official reports link ghost month to accidents or problems among tourists.
What you should do: Travel when convenient. For added peace of mind, secure travel insurance for protection against real risks.

For safer travel during ghost month, you can refer to our handy guide you can consult.

Protection That Goes Beyond Superstition

Whether you practice ghost month beliefs or not, many of the concerns brought up by this period can be mitigated by the protection offered by insurance policies for health, property, travel, and even businesses.

We at Reliable Insurance Brokers offer you a wide selection of plans for the protection you need, with options that expand your coverage for various contingencies, even those considered Acts of God. Just give us a call, and our agents are ready to assist with your concerns.