Master Hanz Cua with Melai Cantiveros, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Jolina Magdangal on the set of morning talk show 'Magandang Buhay' on ABS-CBN. (Facebook)

Asians will observe the ghost month from Wednesday, Aug. 16, until Sept. 14, as they avoid activities that could affect their luck.

According to feng shui master Hanz Cua, the annual Asian tradition is something not to be afraid of. "It is an occasion to remember our departed loved ones and friends."

"Hindi ito dapat katakutan pero ito ay isang tradition para maalala rin natin ang mga yumao nating kamag-anak, kaibigan o kakilala," said Cua, who regularly appears in the morning talk show "Magandang Buhay" on ABS-CBN, in an exclusive online interview. (This should not be feared, but it is a tradition so that we can also remember our deceased relatives, friends, or acquaintances.)

The Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines firmly upholds the age-old tradition of jubilantly commemorating the annual festival, which traditionally takes place on the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar.

In this festival, it is strongly believed that the Gates of Hell (or the underworld) are unleashed, granting passage for hungry ghosts or lost souls to wander freely. They embark on a poignant journey to reunite with their families or search for vulnerable souls among the living.

"If you make the lost souls happy, they will bring you wealth. The more paper money (not to be confused with the actual money) you burn, the more wealth you will receive. Prayers are also essential,'' he said.

Cua added: "People may offer food such as pork, chicken, pork, beer, rice, soft drinks, liquor, and even cigarettes starting at 9 a.m. As soon as the flame of the lighted candle is out, you can eat the food you offered. Don't forget to change plates."

During the festival, there are various rituals and activities to follow. These include adorning oneself with vibrant red or joyful colors, refraining from swimming, avoiding any major surgeries, abstaining from purchasing condos or houses, refraining from signing contracts, avoiding construction work at home, refraining from recruiting new employees for businesses, abstaining from courtship, and avoiding whistling, among others.

"If you have started construction activities before Aug. 16, you may continue throughout the ghost month. It is not good to start such activities during the Hungry Ghost festival based on ancient beliefs," Cua said.

In some Asian countries, people put up theater shows to entertain the hungry ghosts. "They will perform in front of empty chairs allotted for the hungry ghosts."

It is also believed that disasters and other bloody incidents will likely happen during ghost month.

Some of the unforgettable events or tragedies here and abroad that took place during the previous ghost months include the 9/11 terror attacks on US (2001); the death of Princess Diana of Wales in Paris, France (Aug. 31, 1997); plane crash involving former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo (Aug. 12, 2012); Manila hostage crisis that killed eight persons (Aug. 23, 2010); Payatas dumpsite tragedy in Quezon City where hundreds were buried alive in a trash slide (July 10, 2000); massive landslide at Cherry Hills Subdivision in Antipolo, Rizal where 60 people died (Aug. 3, 1999); Bocaque, Bulacan pagoda tragedy that left 266 people dead (July 2, 1993); the killer earthquake that rocked Baguio City and other parts of the country on July 16, 1990, which trapped and killed some 1,000 people, among others.