Mitolohiya: Filipino Deities and Where to Find Them

◈ Tagalog Deities

"Anito" to the Tagalogs has three meanings.

First being "deity," the gods and goddesses including Bathala and the lower deities living and not living in Kaluwalhatian.

The second is "non-ancestral spirits," the beings sent by Bathala along with the deities to aid mankind in everyday life. These beings can either be formless or possess forms of various beings.

Lastly, it could mean "ancestral spirits," referring to the souls of human beings who have passed on. They can be summoned by Bathala to aid their relatives and descendants in special cases, usually through dreams or flickers of light.

Did you know that the Tagalogs also believe in trinities? But unlike other religions though, where the members of the trinity are retained all throughout, the Tagalog trinities have been changing.

The first trinity comprises of Bathala, Ulilang Kaluluwa, and Galang Kaluluwa. Ulilang Kaluluwa was later killed by Bathala, while Galang Kaluluwa died from an illness.

The second trinity was composed of Bathala, Aman Sinaya, and Amihan. Aman Sinaya then chose to dwell underneath the ocean while Amihan chose to travel the middleworld.

The third trinity comprised Bathala, Lakapati, and Meylupa. Meylupa was later replaced by Sitan after Meylupa chose to become a hermit. Bathala was said to have died (or went into a deep slumber according to other sources), while Lakapati continued her role as the pantheon's major fertility deity.

The final trinity comprised Mayari, Apolaki, and Sitan.

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THE DEITIES OF KALUWALHATIAN
(the sky realm)

FIRST GENERATION

BATHALA (aka Abba, Lumilikha, Bathala Maykapal)
He is supreme god, creator of man and earth who lives in Kaluwalhatian together with the lesser gods and goddesses. Researchers have suggested that his name is of Hindu origin from the Sansckrit word, "bhattara," meaning noble lord. He is said to be a giant being who controls thunder, lightning, flood, fire, thunder, and earthquakes.

Aside from these lesser divinities, he would send his anitos (ancestral spirits of mankind) in order to assist the daily lives of human beings. "Anito" here can also be used to describe deities, as ancestors can be "deified" (turn to deities).

Bathala provided everything mankind needed, to the point where he sometimes spoiled them too much. Hence the Tagalog philosophy, "bahala na," which means, "what comes will come, let it be."

However, despite his intense kindness and love for mankind, he is also capable of punishing mankind through famine, disease, and calamities.

When he went into a deep slumber, he let Apolaki (his grandson, who would later be known as his son), and Mayari (his daughter) to rule in his place. This action led to the pre-colonial Tagalog notion that the younger generations also have the capability to become leaders. Other children of Bathala include Hanan, Tala, Hangin, Kidlat, Tag-ani, Liwayway, and Bighari.

In some accounts during the Spanish occupation, it was said that Bathala was not in deep slumber, but that he had died instead. This source was said to have been crafted by Spanish friars so that the Tagalogs at that time would stop believing in Bathala, and instead embrace the Christian God who the friars branded as "undying," and therefore "more powerful."

An interesting part of history says that when most natives were converted to Chrisianity during the Spanish era, "Bathala" was referred interchangeably by many as the Christian God, as the natives would not let his name be forgotten despite threats from Spanish colonialists and friars.