tabi-tabi po

The phrase "tabi-tabi po" can mean "excuse me please" in English. Filipinos have superstitious beliefs and they believe in the unseen creatures. These unseen creatures are mythological characters like diwata, engkanto, dwende or nuno sa punso and other paranormal creatures. Since they are unseen or cannot be seen by human naked eye (not unless if you have the third eye) it is possible to bump, step on them, invade their property and so on. Thus, as a sign of respect to this creatures, Filipinos utter the word "tabi-tabi po" most especially if the place is estranged or they are new to the place :)

During my younger days, grown-ups taught us to utter this phrase if we feel strange in place. That feeling is a sign that someone unseen is around. However, grewing up I realized that its amtter of faith to feel safe anywhere you go :)