The Right to Identity: A Call for the Recognition of Anituhan as an Indigenous Spirituality of the Philippines

A Statement from the Templong Anituhan

Introduction: The Unseen Voice in the Digital Age

With the rise of digital governance in the Philippines—particularly through mobile platforms designed to unify government services—we expect that every citizen will be recognized according to their true identity.

However, at present, there are Filipinos who remain unseen within these systems—especially practitioners of Indigenous spirituality, including Anituhan.

As members of the Templong Anituhan, we take this stand:
👉 Our faith should not disappear in the records of the nation from which it was born.

Anituhan as a Living Heritage

Anituhan is not merely an “alternative belief system.”
It is a living tradition rooted in the ancient wisdom of our ancestors.

It:

Recognizes the Anito as ancestral guides
Honors the Diwata as forces of nature
Upholds the sacred relationship between humanity, nature, and the Divine

In this light, Anituhan forms part of the cultural and spiritual identity of being Filipino.

If various religions—whether local or foreign—are recognized in our systems,
👉 why not the spirituality that originates from our own land?

Rights Under the United Nations

Our call is not based solely on personal sentiment—
it is grounded in international human rights principles.

Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):

Every person has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
This includes the right to manifest and practice one’s belief
No one should be compelled to hide or misrepresent their faith

Likewise, under the spirit of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP):

Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, express, and develop their spiritual traditions
They have the right to be recognized within state institutions

👉 In this context, the absence of Anituhan in official systems creates a form of non-recognition of these rights.

Rights Under the Philippine Constitution

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines clearly affirms:

✅ Freedom of Religion

No law shall be passed restricting the free exercise of religion.

✅ Separation of Church and State

The State does not control religion—but it has the duty to respect all beliefs.

✅ Equal Protection of the Laws

Every citizen, regardless of belief, must be treated equally under the law.

👉 Therefore, when a government system offers only limited religious options,
it may result in unequal representation.

The Issue of Representation in Digital Governance

Digital platforms, such as government applications, are not merely technical tools—
they are reflections of who the State recognizes.

When a belief system is:

absent from official lists
given no space to be declared
or replaced with something inaccurate

👉 it results in:

erasure of identity
inaccurate public data
continued invisibility of Indigenous spirituality

Citizens should not be forced to adjust to the limitations of a system.
👉 The system must reflect the full reality of its people.

A Call from the Templong Anituhan

We respectfully call upon government agencies, particularly those responsible for digital governance:

✅ Recognize Anituhan as a legitimate religious identity

✅ Include it in official religion options

✅ Provide an “Others (please specify)” field

✅ Conduct consultations with Indigenous spiritual communities

This is not merely a system update—
it is a step toward a just and inclusive society.

A Stand of Spirit

We are not asking for privilege.
We are asking for recognition.

We do not need to change our faith
to fit within the limitations of a system.

Because our belief:

is not confined to a dropdown menu
cannot be erased by the absence of options
lives in the hearts of those who carry it

👉 Anituhan lives.
👉 Anituhan exists.
👉 And Anituhan deserves recognition.

Conclusion: A Light for All

At every sunrise, light shines upon all—
not only those who are recognized, but also those who remain unseen.

May the time come when:

every Filipino is reflected in the systems of their nation
every belief is respected
every identity is acknowledged

For it is in recognizing our diversity
👉 that we truly embody a just and free society.

Rev. Rolando Gomez Comon
Templong Anituhan
San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan