The Mountain That Holds Creation
Among the Dumagat people of Sierra Madre, there is a profound belief:
“Creation began in the highlands of Sierra Madre, and the world will end when the lowlands submerge and only the mountains remain.”
This is more than a myth—it is a prophecy and a warning. It speaks of a time when imbalance will lead to great floods, drowning the lowlands, leaving only the mountains as silent witnesses. In today’s world of climate change and environmental destruction, this prophecy feels less like folklore and more like foresight.
Is the Submersion a Flood?
Yes. The Dumagat cosmology envisions water as both the giver and taker of life. When harmony with nature is broken—through deforestation, mining, and greed—the rivers will rise, the seas will reclaim the land, and the lowlands will vanish beneath the waves. The mountains, steadfast and sacred, will endure as the last refuge.
Makidepat: Mediator of Boundaries, Defender of Brotherhood
In this context, Diwatang Makidepat emerges as a vital guide. Known as the Mediator of Boundaries, Makidepat teaches that survival is not only physical but ethical. His two blades symbolize:
- Severance – cutting away what causes imbalance: greed, waste, and harmful habits.
- Union – binding blessings and harmony: cooperation, fairness, and respect for nature.
Makidepat’s message is clear:
What we take, we must return. What we harm, we must heal.
Survival Skills from Sierra Madre to the City
The Dumagat youth learn survival through nature—skills that urban youth can also embrace for resilience:
- Reading Nature’s Signs – Observe weather patterns and environmental cues for safety.
- Water Wisdom – Learn purification methods for emergencies.
- Food Knowledge – Practice urban gardening and sustainable eating.
- Shelter and Repair – Develop basic DIY skills for crisis situations.
- Community Cooperation – Share resources and support each other during disasters.
These are not just wilderness skills—they are life skills for a world facing climate uncertainty.
Why This Matters Today
Urban youth often feel disconnected from nature, yet they face real threats: floods, typhoons, and resource scarcity. Makidepat’s teachings remind us that survival depends on balance and reciprocity—with nature and with each other.
The Dumagat prophecy warns:
If Sierra Madre falls, Luzon will drown.
But it also offers hope: by restoring harmony, we can prevent the flood and ensure life thrives.
Invocation to Makidepat
Makidepat, Mediator of Boundaries, Keeper of Harmony,
Guide us to walk in balance when the world tilts toward chaos.
Cut away the burdens that blind us to truth,
Bind us to blessings that sustain life.
Teach our youth the wisdom of the mountains,
The strength of rivers, the breath of the wind.
When waters rise and lowlands fade,
Let our hearts remain steadfast like Sierra Madre.
In Your name, we vow:
To respect what we take,
To heal what we harm,
To live in harmony until the last dawn calls us home.
So be perfect. So be perfect. So be perfect.
(So Mote It Be./Iwina i matud)
Templong Anituhan 
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