There are songs that entertain, and there are songs that remember.
Our recently created Kanlaon Chant belongs to the second. It is not merely music intended for listening. It is a sacred reflection upon origins, existence, and humanity’s relationship with the Great Ancient One known as Kanlaon.
Within many Indigenous Filipino traditions, mountains are not simply geological formations. They are places of power, memory, revelation, and sacred presence. A mountain does not need to speak loudly to command respect. It stands silently through generations, witnessing the rise and fall of peoples, kingdoms, and civilizations.
In our spiritual contemplation, Kanlaon emerges as a symbol of the Ancient Presence that existed before all beginnings.
Before the Beginning
The central declaration of the chant is simple yet profound:
“I am Kanlaon.
I am the Beginning before the beginning.
I am the Breath before the first breath.
I am the Light before the first dawn.”
These words invite us to imagine a reality before form, before time, before the movement of the stars and the turning of the seasons.
Who was present before the first sunrise?
What existed before the first living creature took breath?
The chant answers by proclaiming Kanlaon as the primordial source from which life emerges and to which life remains connected.
This is not merely a statement about creation. It is a statement about relationship.
The Sacred Breath of Life
Modern life often encourages us to live disconnected from ourselves, our ancestors, our environment, and the sacred forces surrounding us.
Yet every breath reminds us that we are participants in a greater mystery.
When the chant speaks of Kanlaon as the Breath before the first breath, it reminds us that life itself is sacred.
The air we inhale is shared with the forests, the mountains, the oceans, and all living beings.
In this understanding, spirituality is not separate from daily life.
To breathe consciously is already a sacred act.
To walk upon the earth is already participation in the living mystery of creation.
Keeper of Time and Space
One of the themes that emerged strongly in the composition of this chant is the understanding of Kanlaon as the Lord of Time and Space.
Every human being lives within time.
We celebrate births.
We mourn deaths.
We remember ancestors.
We hope for the future.
Yet Kanlaon stands beyond these measurements.
The mountain remains while generations pass.
The sacred endures while human concerns come and go.
In the chant, Kanlaon speaks:
“From Me flowed time.
From Me emerged life.”
This imagery encourages us to see our lives within a larger spiritual story.
Our struggles are real.
Our victories are meaningful.
But they are also part of a much greater journey unfolding through the ages.
A Call to Remember
The chant is ultimately a call to remembrance.
Not remembrance of fear.
Not remembrance of domination.
But remembrance of belonging.
Many people today feel isolated, disconnected, and spiritually homeless.
The wisdom carried within Indigenous traditions teaches another path.
We belong to the earth.
We belong to our ancestors.
We belong to our communities.
We belong to the sacred web of life.
When the chant proclaims:
“You all come from Me.
You all are part of Me.”
it reminds us that separation is often an illusion.
The same life-force flows through all existence.
Why We Created This Music
The mission of Filipino Magick is not only to preserve stories and rituals but also to create new expressions rooted in ancestral wisdom.
Music has always been one of humanity’s oldest spiritual technologies.
Before books, there were songs.
Before temples, there were chants around fires.
Before written prayers, there were voices rising together beneath the sky.
The Kanlaon Chant is our humble contribution to the continuing revival of Indigenous Filipino spirituality and sacred arts.
It is a bridge between ancient inspiration and modern expression.
Support Our Work
If this article, our teachings, and our music inspire you, please consider supporting our mission.
Your support helps us:
- Research and preserve Indigenous Filipino traditions
- Create educational content about Filipino Magick
- Produce articles, music, and spiritual resources
- Document ancestral wisdom for future generations
- Continue sharing teachings with Filipinos around the world
Every cup of coffee helps keep this work alive.
☕ Support Filipino Magick:
https://buymeacoffee.com/filipinomagick
Together, we can ensure that the songs, stories, and wisdom of our ancestors continue to speak to future generations.
Announcement: Bansagan Talatanda Naming Ceremony
To those awaiting the Bansagan Talatanda Naming Ceremony, thank you for your continued patience and support.
I am currently completing ministry work in the United States and am scheduled to depart San Francisco, California on October 31, 2026, arriving in Manila, Philippines on November 2, 2026.
Upon my return home to the Philippines, I will begin organizing the next schedule of Bansagan Talatanda Naming Ceremonies during the month of November 2026.
Further details regarding dates, preparation requirements, and registration procedures will be announced soon.
May Kanlaon, the Ancient One, bless your path with wisdom, purpose, and sacred remembrance.
Mabuhay ang Diwang Mapagpagaling.
Mabuhay ang Karunungan ng mga Ninuno.
Mabuhay si Kanlaon, ang Sinaunang Isa. 🌋✨
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