The spiritual life in the

barangay was led by the local

spiritual leader called babaylan
in Visayas and catalonan in
Luzon, particularly in Tagalog
areas.
The position was usually
obtained by a female but a
male could also serve as one;
however he must act and dress
a female.
The babaylan led the barangay in
all rituals, particularly those
involving sacrifices for the local
deities and spirits to gain favors—
as she was believed to have the
power to transcend to the spiritual
realm.
Accounts vary in the use of the
terms for these deities due to linguistic
and geographical differences. Visayans
called them diwata while the Tagalogs
used anito. These dieties were
manifested by the forces of nature but
they can also be represented through
wooden carvings and other inanimate
objects.
Early Filipinos believed in a
soul, and life after death. They
also believed in karma.
In all the villages, or in other parts
of the Filipinas islands, there are
no temples consecrated to the
performing of sacrifices, the
adoration of their idols, or the
general practice of idolatry.
Among their many idols there
was one called Badhala, whom
they especially worshipped.
The title seems to signify “all
powerful,” or “maker of all
things.”
They also worshiped the sun,
which, on account of its beauty, is
almost universally respected and
honored by heathens.. They
worshiped, too, the moon,
especially when it was new, at
which time they held great
rejoicings, adoring it and bidding it
welcome.
Some of them also adored the
stars, although they did not know
them by their names, as the
Spaniards and other nations know
the planets- with the one
exception of the morning star,
which they called tala.
Primary Sources
1. Relation of the Worship of the Tagalogs, Their Gods,
and Their Burials and Superstitions by Fray Juan de
Plasencia.
2. Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas by Antonio de Morga
3. Relacion de las Islas Filipinas by Miguel de Loarca
4. Relacion de las Islas Filipinas by Pedro Chirino
5. “The Creation of the World,” a Bicol Origin Myth