ORO PLATA MATA – Here are some important things you need to know about this Filipino superstition in home construction.
Oro, Plata, Mata” is a Filipino phrase that translates to “Gold, Silver, Death” in English. reflects the socioeconomic hierarchy present in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
“Oro” represents gold, symbolizing the affluent class; “Plata” stands for silver, representing the middle class; and “Mata” means death, representing the impoverished or lower class. The belief in the power of words to influence destiny or attract certain energies is common.
Many believe that Oro, Plata, Mata is a superstition, but the truth is, that it originated from esteemed architects in Europe, where they constructed infrastructures that remain sturdy and aesthetically pleasing to this day.
These beliefs are not just a superstition, as the staircases built by the Spaniards in our country are large adobe stones molded and polished to adhere to the Laws of Geometry.
The arrangement of stones in constructing staircases also involved a formula from the field of chemistry to ensure strong adhesion.
Upon careful examination, all corners and angles of the staircase are precisely calculated. This proves that the construction of Spanish staircases is not merely a superstition, as many Filipinos mistakenly believe.
So, Oro, Plata, Mata stems from the architectural wisdom of Europeans, where the first step should start with Oro or gold, and the last step should not end at ‘mata’ or ‘death.’ This means that the last step can be either silver (pilak) or gold (ginto).
There is another truth about Oro, Plata, Mata that goes beyond staircase construction. It is also applied in arranging chairs or seating in homes or offices.
Starting from the doorway, the first step is Oro, the second step is Plata, and it continues until where the chair is placed at the office table. If the last step aligns with Mata, change or adjust the table and chairs.
This method is not only for employees with office tables but should also be practiced by business owners to ward off misfortune in their businesses.