The Dumagat Tribe and Their Spiritual Worldview
The Dumagat people, an indigenous community of Luzon, Philippines, live in harmony with the mountains, rivers, and forests that sustain them. Their spirituality is deeply animistic and ecological, rooted in the belief that nature is sacred and life is interconnected. Instead of temples or idols, the Dumagat honor the divine through rituals, oral traditions, and ecological stewardship.
At the center of this worldview is Makidepat, the Supreme Diwata regarded as the Source of Life, Moral Order, and Keeper of Balance. Makidepat is not a distant ruler but a living presence in the natural world, guiding humans to live in favor of what is necessary for harmony.
Who is Makidepat?
The name Makidepat carries profound meaning:
- “Maki” = to be with, to align, to favor.
- “Dapat” = what must be, what is right, what is necessary.
Thus, Makidepat represents alignment with what must be done to sustain life and balance. This deity embodies the Dumagat ethic: life is communal, morality is ecological, and harmony is sacred.
Erratum Notice
Subject: Correction of the Name of the Dumagat Supreme Diwata
In previous references, the name of the Supreme Diwata of the Dumagat people was incorrectly stated as Makapated.
The correct name is Makidepat, revered as the Source of Life, Moral Order, and Keeper of Balance in Dumagat cosmology.
We sincerely apologize for any confusion this error may have caused and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the integrity of indigenous spiritual traditions.
Becoming a Devotee of Makidepat
Devotion to Makidepat is not about rigid rituals or exclusive membership. It is a way of life, expressed through the Code of Conduct for Devotees:
- Live in Favor of What Must Be
Align actions with truth, necessity, and harmony. - Honor Nature as Sacred
Protect rivers, mountains, forests, and all living beings. - Respect Ancestral Wisdom
Offer prayers to Anito and preserve oral traditions. - Practice Ecological Ethics
Take only what you need; share resources generously. - Uphold Moral Order
Act with fairness, honesty, and compassion. - Express Gratitude
Pray and make offerings in natural sacred spaces. - Seek Balance in All Things
Care for body, mind, and spirit; avoid greed and excess.
Blessings of Makidepat
Those who live by this code experience blessings that reflect natural and spiritual harmony:
- Life and Vitality – Health and strength through balance.
- Abundance – Fertile lands, safe rivers, and thriving forests.
- Peace and Protection – Freedom from calamities caused by imbalance.
- Guidance – Wisdom through ancestral spirits and nature’s signs.
Why Pray to Makidepat?
Prayer is an act of gratitude and alignment. People pray to:
- Thank Makidepat for life and sustenance.
- Seek harmony during illness or conflict.
- Restore balance after ecological or moral transgressions.
Prayers are often accompanied by offerings of food, water, and herbs, performed in riversides, forest clearings, or mountain paths—places where Makidepat’s presence is felt most strongly.
Invocation Prayer
Makidepat, Source of Life and Keeper of Balance,
We honor Your name and walk in Your ways.
Guide our hands to protect the earth,
Bless our hearts with peace and abundance,
And keep us aligned with what must be.
So be it.
Templong Anituhan 
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