in the philippines, amulets are called agimat or "anting-anting". according to folklore, the most powerful "anting-anting" is the "hiyas ng saging" (directly translated as pearl or gem of the banana). the hiyas must come from a mature banana and only comes out during midnight. before the person can fully possess this agimat, he must fight a supernatural creature called "kapre". only then will he be its true owner. during holy week, devotees travel to mount banahaw to recharge their amulets.