Love potions and antidotes in Quiapo were in high demand among Filipinos as they celebrate the Day of Hearts in a country rich in superstitions and folklore.
Vendors in the district said that they have been seeing a rise of Pinoys asking and buying love potions or “gayuma” as of last week.
Ruben, who has been selling gayuma for almost four decades, said that one bottle costs P500.
It contains seven types of plants and rolled papers with Latin incantations.
“Lalagyan namin ng langis, pabango. Ngayon, tatago mo ‘to sa bulsa mo. Pipindutin mo siya, para lumabas ‘yung pabango nito,” Ruben said to GMA Network’s “Unang Balita” on February 10.
“Ilagay mo sa kamay mo tapos i-ano mo sa kanya, padampi mo sa kanya. Maaamoy niya na ‘yon,” he added.
Ruben also gave a piece of advice to buyers of love potions and spells.
“Huwag daanin sa dahas. Kasi lalapit at lalapit at magugustuhan at magugustuhan ka rin nun,” he said.
Antidotes against the gayuma are also being sold for P500 per bottle. It contains an idol or “anito,” stingray’s tail or “buntot pagi,” and different plants.
In Philippine mythology, there are people called “manggagayuma” who creates charms for lovers out of herbs, stones, and wood which would supposedly infuse the heart with love.
They have been around since pre-colonial times.
