Author: Apu Adman Aghama
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As the Full Moon rises and bathes the Earth in its luminous glow, many spiritual traditions around the world gather in reflection, prayer, gratitude, and renewal. Within the evolving spiritual practices of Templong Anituhan and the Hilot Binabaylan tradition, the Full Moon is a time to remember our connection to the greater cosmos, to honor…
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In a world where spirituality is often locked behind the walls of massive institutions, bound by rigid books, and policed by hierarchical priesthoods, a quiet revolution is taking place. Modern seekers are looking backward to move forward, rediscovering indigenous worldviews that treat the cosmos not as a corporate ladder to climb, but as a communal…
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Welcoming the New Guardian of Templong Anituhan for the Moon Cycle of October 10 to November 9, 2026 On October 10, 2026, the community of Templong Anituhan concluded the sacred guardianship of Diwatang Kanlaon of Negros and formally welcomed Diwatang Tungkong Langit as the new spiritual guardian and guide for the lunar cycle that will…
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Preparing the Heart, Mind, and Spirit for the New Moon As the Moon enters its waning crescent phase, we arrive at one of the most sacred moments in the cycle of renewal. The brilliance of the previous moon has faded, and the night sky invites us into stillness, reflection, and release. This is the season…
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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…
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Reflections from Ewa Beach, Hawai’i on Presence, Guidance, and the Mystery of Diwatang Kanlaon As I write these words from Ewa Beach in Hawai’i, the sound of the ocean reaches my room. The waves continuously meet the shore while the wind carries the scent of the sea. Sunlight fills the morning sky, and yet my…
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For centuries, the story of our ancestors’ beliefs has been told through a borrowed lens. When Spanish chroniclers arrived on our shores in the 16th century, they brought with them a worldview built on cosmic warfare—an absolute battle between a distant, heavenly God and a malicious, fallen Devil. Looking at the beautiful, fluid spiritual landscape…
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Introduction: Before There Were Sacred Books When discussing religion, many people instinctively look for a sacred text. Christians have the Bible. Muslims have the Qur’an. Hindus have the Vedas. Buddhists have the Tripitaka. This often leads some people to ask: “What was the holy book of the ancient Tagalogs?” The answer is both simple and…
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How Faith in the Great Creator Reached the Tagalog People Without a Sacred Scripture When discussing faith in the modern world, many people immediately think of sacred scriptures. Christians have the Bible. Muslims have the Qur’an. Jews have the Torah. Hindus preserve the Vedas and Upanishads. Buddhists have the Tripitaka and other collections of teachings.…
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When discussing the origins of the word Bathala, many people immediately focus on its linguistic roots. Scholars have long noted that the term is associated with Sanskrit influence that reached the Philippines through centuries of interaction with neighboring Asian cultures. Yet the story of Bathala is not merely about language. It is also a story…
