utya

The mutya seems to be the Tagalog counterpart of anting-anting. There is, however, a noticeable difference between the two, as the latter has broader functions, while the former has particular applications.

Nowhere is the mutya more defined and elaborate as a concept then to the Marinduqueños. There seems to be a corresponding mutya for every person’s need. Anybody who aspires to become a Houdini should acquire the mutya sa igat, a slippery stone invariably found tucked in the eel’s nape. Possessors of this particular charm acquire the skill of an escape artist.

For those desiring to become invincible in fistic contests, the thing to own is the mutya sa bato. It constitutes of two stones, one much smaller not only lodges inside the bigger stone but also rattles therein.

The businessman is not without a corresponding charm in the mutya sa langka, said to bring luck in business. As its name suggests, its appearance resembles the seed of the jackfruit.

The mutya sa kalabaw provides extraordinary strength, something which the beast of burden (Kalabaw) stands for. A bit shiny, this stone is said to emanate from the carabao’s mouth and, like a tightrope artist, travel by rolling on that is tied to its nose. That is how it is acquired; one must chance upon this peregrination and grab it.

The mutya sa sampaloc appears to be the most popular Tagalog charm. Approximating the tamarind seed in diminutiveness, its similarity is with the stone in regard to hardness. Its function, however, is that of a wishing stone. Any wish that the mutya sa sampaloc possessor makes is invariably fulfilled, or so they believe.

More sought after than all the aforecited are those that bring luck in gambling. One of these is acquired by going into the hills and wining; the dwarfs the sooner they are located. The first dwarf that gets drunk should be captured and cooped into one’s pocket. As one’s mascot, it brings much luck.

Another gambling charm is acquired by going alone to the cemetery in the middle of the night and play cards with ghosts. The winning card that falls into the possession of the lucky ghost must be snatched from it and kept. To succeed in doing so denoted immense luck in gambling.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the Marinduqueño concept of the mutya has something to do with the satisfaction of their inadequacies.