DaBaddest Radio

Episode: Filipino Superstition Survival Guide: A Spooky Ooky Special

Host: Bretman Rock
Date: October 30, 2025

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this special Halloween edition of DaBaddest Radio, Bretman Rock and co-host Ms. K (Kiefer) embrace their Filipino heritage by diving deep into the world of Filipino superstitions, ghost stories, and personal experiences with the supernatural. The episode features a lively mix of personal anecdotes, listener-submitted spooky stories, cultural discussion on Filipino beliefs, and humorous banter—all with Bretman’s signature boldness and warmth. Listeners also enjoy the show’s recurring segments and Bretman’s enthusiastic product recommendations.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

Fun Halloween Vibes and Song Game (00:22–05:17)

• Bretman and Ms. K discuss Halloween costume plans, joking about farm animal costumes (“I’m a chicken today.” “I’m a cow.” 00:40)
• Lighthearted song association game: The duo plays a Filipino version of the ‘Song Association’ game, trading off “love” songs.
  • Notably, they reference typical episodes of impromptu singing and lyric invention.

"We should do a whole podcast of how we always play the song game." —Bretman (01:37)

Filipino Superstitions: Beliefs & Personal Experiences (05:18–09:14)

• Common Filipino superstitions discussed:
  • Cutting nails at night/weekends brings bad luck.
  • Do not hang or pick up clothes outside at night.
  • Bouncing a ball at night brings centipedes out.
  • Gifting shoes means the recipient will “walk away from your life.”
  • Don’t wash your hair at night (“you’ll go blind”).
  • Throwing lost teeth on the roof instead of under the pillow.
  • Itchy palms as a sign of incoming money.
  • Don’t whistle at night or you’ll beckon spirits.
  • Eating pancit (noodles) for long life.
  • The pagpag ritual (don’t go straight home from a funeral to avoid spirits following).
  • Black cats bring death if crossing your path at night.
  • Do not walk under ladders or you’ll have bad luck.
• Lively back-and-forth on how these beliefs shaped childhood, and playful fact-checking with each other’s experiences.

“One thing I hate about superstitions is you can’t cut your nails at night.” —Ms. K (05:37)

Audience Engagement: Segments & Side Stories (09:14–18:33)

• Segment: Taste Test

  • Ms. K makes Bretman a “mango guava with li mui and ice cream” shake (09:21–10:16).
  • Playful review and friendly critique over the intense flavor.
  • “I would give it an 8 out of 10.” —Bretman (10:03)

• ‘Tea of the Week’ Segment

  • Ms. K shares a viral “interdimensional traveler” story from social media (10:30–12:08), prompting talk of conspiracy theories and mysterious disappearances.
  • Bretman recounts a similar anecdote about a man arriving from a non-existent country (11:27–12:08).

"What if it's the same guy from the 70s and he's back as a trans woman?" —Bretman (12:17)

• Journal Entry Segment
  • Bretman shares a personal story about shopping with his mom, their relationship, and reflections on style (“I’m in my mixed metal, two tone era”) (13:27–15:29).
  • The joys and challenges of eating out with their picky Filipino moms.

Listener-Submitted Spooky Stories: Filipino and Southeast Asian Ghostlore (22:58–54:13)

Bretman and Ms. K read and react to an array of crowd-sourced supernatural experiences, adding commentary, cultural context, and empathy.

Highlights & Quotes

1. Doppelganger at the Church (24:03–27:33)

• Listener V recounts seeing her uncle drive past in an ambulance the exact moment he was dying, even though he was already in the hospital.
  • Discussion on doppelgangers in Filipino folklore and spirits saying goodbye.

“That experience was so real, so vivid, that it’s been engraved in my mind ever since.” —Listener V (24:22)

2. The Asthmatic Brother’s Call (27:54–29:31)

• A haunting voice outside a bedroom turns out not to be the brother, but something demonic.
• Fear mixed with confusion over the reality of the experience.

3. The Camp Song That Returned (30:05–33:22)

• A Malaysian camping trip turns terrifying when the night is filled with the ghostly reprise of their camp song—and a faceless woman is glimpsed at the window.

4. The Kitchen Capre (34:01–36:39)

• Childhood encounter with a capre (tree giant) handing over a glass of blood; family later learns their house is protected by two capres following a series of misfortunes.

5. ER Elevator Child (37:42–38:49)

• An ER nurse relates an elderly patient’s insistence there’s a phantom child in the elevator, even ensuring the nurse doesn’t “squish” the spirit.

“Can you move aside, there’s a child.” —ER Nurse’s patient (38:16)

6. Funeral Push and Filipino Mourning Practices (38:56–41:02)

• Bretman recalls being pushed off a rock at a wake; kids may possess heightened sensitivity to spirits.
• Explores differences in Filipino versus American funeral customs.

7. Haunted Highways: Malaysian and Hawaiian Lore (42:33–45:33)

• “Karak Highway” tale: repeated apparitions of a ghost child and the spectral yellow Volkswagen Beetle reflecting similar Hawaiian ‘Hitchhiker’ legends.

“If you stop to help him, some say you look in your rearview mirror and he'll be sitting in the back of your seat.” —Shamita (43:52)

8. Shadows Beneath the Court (46:27–51:33)

• A high school volleyball team experiences escalating supernatural activity on a court built over a cemetery—unexplained bruises, shared visions, and leaping shadow entities.

Reflections: Spirits, Childhood, and Houses with Histories (51:39–54:13)

• Philosophical question: “Would you move into a house if you knew someone died there?”
  • Bretman and Ms. K reflect on their own experiences and the importance of blessings and knowing the departed’s story.
  • Bretman: “I always say that I used to see... more... ghosts when I was a child.” (53:45)
  • Emphasis on respect for the departed and cultural rituals for blessing new homes.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & QUOTES

• On Filipino Superstitions:
  “That’s why the whole, like, fairy, tooth fairy thing has always been so confusing to me. Because we’ve always, like, thrown… like, throw it up in the roof.” —Bretman (06:41)

• On Seeing Ghosts as Children:
  “I believe that kids can see ghosts.” —Ms. K (41:11) “I used to see them more or experience… seeing ghosts… as a child.” —Bretman (53:45)

• On Culture and Family:
  “You guys, when you’re out shopping—take your mom on a shopping spree, or just take her out. Mother-daughter day.” —Bretman (21:35)

• On Supernatural Experiences:
  “The song grew louder and louder until it sounded like it was coming from our living room. And suddenly. Knock, knock, knock…” —Camping Story (31:45)

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Song Association & Halloween Chat: 00:22–05:17
• Filipino Superstitions Deep Dive: 05:18–09:14
• Segment: Taste Test & Tea of the Week: 09:14–12:17
• Shopping with Mom Reflection: 13:27–15:29
• Listener Supernatural Stories Begin: 22:58
  • Doppelganger: 24:03
  • Asthmatic Brother: 27:54
  • Camp Song: 30:05
  • Capre Story: 34:01
  • ER Elevator: 37:42
  • Funeral Push: 38:56
  • Haunted Highway: 42:33
  • Shadows on the Court: 46:27
• Discussion: Moving Into Haunted Houses: 51:39
• Product of the Week: 54:13

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

• Ms. K’s Product: About Face creamy lip liners (54:40)
• Bretman’s Product: Coach Kiss lock bag (“like a grandma coin purse...but make it chic!” 55:08)

FINAL NOTES

Bretman and Ms. K round out the episode with fun Halloween wishes, enthusiastic calls for listener engagement on future themes (Thanksgiving horror stories anyone?), and a dance break to “Milkshake.”

“We hope you guys liked our Halloween episodes. We cannot wait for next season!” —Bretman (57:11)

The episode blends affectionate nostalgia, deep cultural roots, spooky chills, and comedic chemistry—making it both an entertaining and insightful listen for those wanting to explore the intersections of Filipino culture, the supernatural, and queer joy.