In this week’s episode of “Pinoy True Stories: Hiwaga,” Atom Araullo tries to demystify and understand the stories behind a belief surrounding “usog” or “balis,” where a person can become sick or come to harm if a stranger gives him or her a compliment.

In the case of Vev, whose daughter Reinna was three years old at the time of her experience of “usog,” none could be more nerve-wracking than seeing her daughter get sick without explanation and shouting “demon!” at the sight of the image of Jesus after someone outside the church commented how beautiful Reinna was.

Can “usog” be the doing of evil spirits? Or is “usog” just coincidence?

Don’t miss the full story in “Pinoy True Stories: Hiwaga,” anchored by Atom Araullo this Friday (Mar 8), 4:45 p.m. after “A Gentleman’s Dignity” on ABS-CBN. For updates on the program, visit www.abs-cbnnews.com/currentaffairs.

Watch the other “Pinoy True Stories” produced by ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, such as “Bistado” with Julius Babao every Monday, “Engkwentro” with Karen Davila every Tuesday, “Saklolo” with Maan Macapagal and Dominic Almelor every Wednesday, and “Demandahan” with Anthony Taberna every Thursday.