Templong Anituhan

July 16, 2026

The transition from one lunar cycle to another is always a sacred moment within the tradition of Templong Anituhan. It is a time of gratitude, reflection, renewal, and commitment to the path laid before us by the Diwata.

On July 14, 2026, we formally offered our thanks and farewell to Diwatang Pawi, the Forest Deity of the Agta People, who had served as Guardian and Guide for the previous moon cycle. As His stewardship came to an end, His final blessing seemed clear: ensuring that the temple and its people were cleansed of the weeds, parasites, and unnecessary burdens that had attached themselves during the previous cycle. Just as a forest must periodically be cleared to flourish, so too must our spiritual community be purified for continued growth.

Later that afternoon, we once again stood before the Councils of the Diwata to seek guidance for the coming lunar cycle. It was there that Diwatang Makaako, a deity honored among the Kinaray-a people of Panay, accepted the sacred responsibility of becoming Guardian and Guide of Templong Anituhan for the new moon cycle.

At dawn on July 15, 2026, as Chief Priest and Punong Binabaylan of Templong Anituhan Inc., I offered the light of an oil lamp before the altar of the Councils of the Diwata in honor of Diwatang Makaako. In prayer, I asked Him to walk with us throughout the day, to protect us from harm, and to guide our actions until the arrival of the next new moon.

The Question of Existence

As the deity associated with existence itself, Makaako’s guidance came in the form of a simple but profound question:

“What already exists in your life?”

In reflection, I realized how much has already come into being through years of dedication, prayer, and service.

From our mother organization, Luntiang Aghama Natural Divine Arts Shrine of Healing Inc., emerged two institutions that now carry forward the vision of reviving Indigenous Filipino Spirituality:

• Templong Anituhan Inc.
• Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc.

Together, these organizations have become vessels through which Indigenous Filipino wisdom, spirituality, healing traditions, and cultural identity continue to be preserved and shared.

From this vision also arose several educational and spiritual initiatives:

• Hilot Academy of Binabaylan
• Sibulan Adlaw Tala Baybayin Mystic Oracle
• Various clergy and ministerial formation programs

One significant development is the creation of the Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Filipino Healing Arts and Science, structured through four progressive certification levels:

Diploma in Indigenous Filipino Healing Arts and Science

Level 1: Hilot Magtatawas

Foundation studies in traditional assessment and energetic observation.

Level 2: Hilot Manggagamot

Development of traditional healing competencies and applied practice.

Level 3: Hilot Albularyo

Advanced training in folk healing traditions and community wellness.

Level 4: Hilot Mandadalumat (Spiritual Healer)

Leadership in spiritual healing and indigenous therapeutic practice.

These four levels collectively form the Diploma in Indigenous Filipino Healing Arts and Science.

Graduates may then continue toward the Master of Ministry in Hilot Binabaylan Practice, becoming Hilot Tanglaw, individuals entrusted to serve as mentors, supervisors, and assessors for future practitioners walking the path of Hilot Binabaylan.

Beyond this, a three-year doctoral program has been envisioned for advanced practitioners, preparing them for responsibilities in:

• Clinical Administration
• School Administration
• Mentor Supervision
• Temple Administration

Likewise, within Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc., the formation pathway of the SiAdtala Binabaylan has been established through four initiatory levels:

The SiAdtala Initiation Path

Level 1: SiAdtala Baybayin Oracle Mystic Attunement

Level 2: Sibulan Initiation

Level 3: Adlaw Initiation

Level 4: Tala Initiation

Alongside these is a transitional integration process designed to unite all initiatory teachings into lived spiritual practice.

Beyond the programs themselves, significant physical foundations now exist. The training center in Taguig has been established, and the physical temple of Templong Anituhan now stands as a place where Indigenous Filipino Spirituality may be practiced, taught, and preserved.

What Do We Still Need to Bring Into Existence?

Makaako’s second question followed naturally:

“What do you still want to exist in your life?”

My answer was deeply personal.

I shared my desire to bring home the ashes of my father, who continues to rest in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. I wish to unite his ashes with the remains of my mother, allowing them to rest together once again.

I also hope to complete the transfer of my parents’ properties into the family’s name, ensuring that their legacy is protected for future generations.

If permitted by my siblings, I dream of constructing a mausoleum within the grounds behind Templong Anituhan. Such a place would serve as a perpetual memorial honoring the lives, sacrifices, and love of our parents.

Another aspiration close to my heart is the rebuilding of our ancestral home. I envision a house where siblings, nephews, nieces, and future generations may gather under one roof and remain connected through family, memory, and shared heritage.

Personally, I also prayed for good health and long life.

Not for comfort alone, but so that I may complete the work still before me:

• Finalizing the curriculum for the Aghamic Divinity and Ministry Course
• Writing educational modules for future ministers and practitioners
• Developing the Pangdumduman (Remembering) Classes of Templong Anituhan
• Continuing the preservation of Indigenous Filipino Spirituality for generations yet to come

Why Do I Live and Work?

Today, July 16, 2026, while sharing lunch with Lakay, another question entered my thoughts:

“Why do I live and work?”

I reflected deeply before answering.

At the most basic level, I live for survival.

But beyond survival, I live for service.

The work of Indigenous Filipino Spirituality is far from complete. Anituhan remains in the process of establishment and restoration. Across the Philippine archipelago there remain numerous Diwata, Anitu, stories, traditions, rituals, and cultural memories that have yet to be fully recognized, documented, and honored.

There are also millions of Filipinos around the world who continue to search for their roots and cultural identity. Many seek a deeper understanding of who they are as a people and how the wisdom of their ancestors may continue to guide them in the modern age.

For me, this work is ultimately about remembrance.

It is about reminding Filipinos that we possess our own sacred heritage, our own traditions, our own spiritual pathways, and our own cultural treasures worthy of reverence and preservation.

As I reflected upon Makaako’s questions, I realized that existence is not merely about creating something new. It is also about recognizing what has already been brought into being through dedication, sacrifice, and faith.

The institutions exist.

The programs exist.

The temple exists.

The vision exists.

The question now is how faithfully we will nurture these seeds so that they may continue growing long after we ourselves are gone.

Under the guidance of Diwatang Makaako, may this lunar cycle become a season not only of creation, but also of appreciation, stewardship, and purposeful existence.

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A Prayer to Diwatang Makaako, Cause of Existence

O Diwatang Makaako, Cause of Existence, Ancient One honored by the Kinaray-a People, Guardian of Becoming, Source of Manifestation and Fulfillment,

I stand before You with gratitude for all that already exists in my life.

Thank You for the foundations that have been laid: for Luntiang Aghama, for Templong Anituhan, for Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan, for Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, and for every student, elder, healer, minister, and seeker who has walked this path beside me.

Thank You for every Diwata who has guided us through the cycles of the moon, for every challenge that strengthened us, for every blessing that sustained us, and for every lesson that helped bring our visions into reality.

Makaako, You asked me what already exists. I have seen the fruits of many years of labor, sacrifice, prayer, and devotion.

Yet You also asked me what I wish to bring into existence.

Therefore, I place before You the desires of my heart.

Help me bring home the ashes of my father and reunite him with my mother in peace and honor. Guide our family as we preserve the properties and legacy entrusted to us by our ancestors.

If it is in harmony with the will of the Diwata and acceptable to my family, may a place of remembrance be established where my parents may be honored for generations to come.

Grant me the opportunity to rebuild our ancestral home, that my brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and descendants may always have a place to gather in kinship and love.

Bless me with good health, clarity of mind, strength of body, steadiness of spirit, and length of life, that I may complete the sacred works still before me.

Give me wisdom to finish the Aghamic Divinity and Ministry curriculum. Inspire me as I write the modules of Pangdumduman, the art of remembering. Help me train leaders who shall continue this work long after my own journey is complete.

Most of all, strengthen my commitment to the revival of Indigenous Filipino Spirituality.

May the names of the Diwata be remembered. May the wisdom of the ancestors be preserved. May the healing arts of our people continue to flourish. May Filipinos in every land remember who they are and where they came from.

If my life has purpose, let that purpose be service.

If my work has meaning, let that meaning be remembrance.

If my legacy has value, let that value be found in the people who are inspired to walk this path after me.

O Makaako, Cause of Existence, help me recognize what has already been given, manifest what is still needed, and release what is no longer meant to remain.

May every seed planted bear fruit. May every worthy vision find form. May every act of service contribute to the well-being of the people, the ancestors, the Diwata, and the generations yet unborn.

With humility, gratitude, and devotion, I offer this prayer before Your light.

Mabuhi ang mga Diwata. Mabuhi ang mga Ninuno. Mabuhi ang Bayan.

Mayari Na! PagAsatin!