Author: Apu Adman Aghama
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Introduction When discussing the ancient religion of the Tagalog people, the name Bathala is often recognized as the supreme deity of precolonial Tagalog belief. However, a deeper exploration of history raises an intriguing question: What did the ancient Tagalogs call the Supreme Creator before the title Bathala became widespread? Long before the arrival of Hindu-Buddhist…
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Reflections on Leadership, Criticism, Trust, and the Deep Work of Renewal Yesterday marked an important transition in my spiritual journey. After formally bidding farewell to Diwatang Makaako of the Kinaray-a people, I stood before the Kapulungan ng mga Diwata and asked for a new guardian and guide for Templong Anituhan Inc. For the coming lunar…
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August 12, 2026 – Templong Anituhan At the turning of a new lunar cycle, Templong Anituhan marks a significant spiritual transition. After offering gratitude and a formal farewell to Diwatang Makaako, who served as the guiding presence during the previous moon cycle, a new chapter begins. At approximately 6:00 PM, during the observance of the…
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Today is the final day of the Waning Crescent Moon. Tomorrow, we enter the New Moon, and once again we shall stand before the Council of the Diwata to seek a new Guardian and Guide for the coming lunar cycle. As this sacred cycle comes to a close, I find myself reflecting upon the guidance…
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For centuries, the vibrant heartbeat of pre-colonial Philippine spirituality was systematically silenced. Colonial forces demonized our ancestors’ relationships with the Anito (spirits and ancestors) and the Diwata (nature deities), replacing local cosmologies with Western, Abrahamic structures. The rich traditions of the Catalonan and the Babaylan were pushed to the margins of history, leaving a deep…
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Since the New Moon of July 14, 2026, a profound journey of remembrance has unfolded before me. As part of our sacred observance within Templong Anituhan Inc., we stood before the Council of the Diwata and sought guidance regarding the spiritual guardian who would accompany our community for the next cycle of growth. It was…
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In our spiritual journey, we often look outward for strength, forgetting that the ultimate shield and guide reside within our own consciousness and ancestral lineage. This post traces our deep dive into the core of Visayan and ancient Filipino spirituality—from foundational prayers to the cosmic forces that shape our soul, or dungan. Here is a…
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In the modern spiritual landscape, crystals have become ubiquitous. From yoga studios to social media feeds, polished towers of amethyst and smooth palms of rose quartz are celebrated as ultimate tools for healing, peace, and spiritual development. But beneath the serene, aesthetic glow of our modern altars lies a dark, systemic secret. By tracing the…
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In an era defined by ecological crisis, economic strain, and geopolitical tension, humanity is forced to confront a sobering reality: our current way of living is breaking the planet. In the Philippines, the symptoms of this fracture are everywhere—from the scarring of the Sierra Madre and the exploitation of Sibuyan Island to the rising tides…
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The ongoing 2026 climate crisis has brought the Philippines to a critical crossroads. As of July 21, 2026, Angat Dam—the primary water source for Metro Manila and Bulacan—has breached its critical threshold, dropping to a historic all-time low of 152.19 meters. Across provinces and urban centers, cracked earth and dry taps have sparked severe municipal…
