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Major Philippine Deities Overview

The document describes 5 major gods and goddesses in ancient Tagalog mythology: 1) Bathala, the highest-ranking deity who was the creator of everything and ruled from his abode in the sky called Kawalhatian. 2) Dumangan, the god of good harvests who was married to Idianale. 3) Idianale, the goddess of labor and good deeds who married Dumangan and gave birth to Dumakulem and Anitun Tabu. 4) Dumakulem, the son of Idianale and Dumangan who was the guardian of the mountains and later married Anagolay. 5) Anagolay, the goddess of lost

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Shinya Kogami
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2K views4 pages

Major Philippine Deities Overview

The document describes 5 major gods and goddesses in ancient Tagalog mythology: 1) Bathala, the highest-ranking deity who was the creator of everything and ruled from his abode in the sky called Kawalhatian. 2) Dumangan, the god of good harvests who was married to Idianale. 3) Idianale, the goddess of labor and good deeds who married Dumangan and gave birth to Dumakulem and Anitun Tabu. 4) Dumakulem, the son of Idianale and Dumangan who was the guardian of the mountains and later married Anagolay. 5) Anagolay, the goddess of lost

Uploaded by

Shinya Kogami
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Dumagan
  • Dumakulem
  • Bathala
  • Idianale
  • Apolaki
  • Mapulon
  • Anitun Tabu
  • Dian Masalanta
  • Anagolay

ACTIVITY 02 Find the major Gods and Goddesses in the Philippines.

Indicate five
sentences description in each God and Goddess with matching Photographs. (5 Gods
and Goddesses will do)

1. Bathala.
Also known as Abba, this highest-ranking deity was described
as “may kapal sa lahat,” or the creator of everything. His origin
is unknown but his name suggests Hindu influences. According
to William Henry Scott, Bathala was derived from the
Sanskrit bhattara which means “noble lord.”
From his abode in the sky called Kawalhatian, this deity looks
over mankind. He’s pleased when his people follow his
rules, giving everything, they need to the point of spoiling
them (hence, the bahala na philosophy). But mind you, this
powerful deity could also be cruel sometimes, sending lightning and thunder to those
who sin against him.
Interesting fact: Other indigenous groups in Luzon also believed in a creator god, but
they didn’t call him Bathala. For instance, the Bontoks and Kankanays of the Central
Cordillera considered Lumawig the “creator of all things and the preserver of life.” This
deity later sired two pretty daughters–Bugan, the goddess of romance; and Obban, the
goddess of reproduction.

2. Dumangan.

Dumangan was the Tagalog sky-God of good harvest, the


husband of Idianale, and father to Dumakulem and Anitun Tabu.

In Zambales culture, Dumangan (or Dumagan) caused the rice


to “yield better grains.” According to F. Landa Jocano, the early
people of Zambales also believed Dumagan had three brothers
who were just as powerful as him.

3. Dumakulem.

Dumakulem was the son of Idianale and Dumangan, and brother of wind


goddess Anitun Tabu. The ancient Tagalogs revered him as the guardian of the
mountains. He is often depicted as a strong and skillful hunter.
This Tagalog sky-God later tied the knot with another major deity, Anagolay, known as the
goddess of lost things. The marriage produced two children: Apolaki, the sun god, and Dian
Masalanta, the goddess of lovers.

4. Mapulon.
In Tagalog mythology, Mapulon was the god of seasons. F.
Landa Jocano, in the book “Outline of Philippine
Mythology,” described Mapulon as one of the lesser divinities
assisting Bathala.

Not much is known about this deity, aside from the fact that he
married Ikapati/Lakapati, the fertility goddess, and
sired Anagolay, the goddess of lost things.

5. Apolaki.
Arguably the Filipino counterpart of the Roman god
Mars, Apolaki appeared in several ancient myths. The Tagalogs
revered Apolaki as the sun god as well as patron of the
warriors. He shares almost the same qualities with the
Kapampangan sun god of war and death, Aring Sinukuan.

Early people of Pangasinan claimed that Apolaki talked to them. Back


when blackened teeth were considered the standard of beauty,
some of these natives told a friar that a disappointed Apolaki had
scolded them for welcoming “foreigners with white teeth.”

In a book by William Henry Scott, the name of this deity is said to


have originated from apo, which means “lord,” and laki, which
means “male” or “virile.” Jocano’s Outline of Philippine Mythology details
how Apolaki came to be: He was the son of Anagolay and Dumakulem, and also the
brother of Dian Masalanta, the goddess of lovers.

1. Idianale
If Bathala was the boss, the other lesser deities who lived with him in
the sky were his assistants. Each of these lower-ranking gods and
goddesses had specific responsibilities. One of them
was Idianale (Idiyanale or Idianali in other sources), the goddess of labor and
good deeds.

There are varying accounts as to what specific field Idianale was worshiped for.


Historian Gregorio Zaide said that Idianale was the god of agriculture, while other
sources suggest that she was the patron of animal husbandry, a branch of agriculture.

Idianale married Dumangan, the god of good harvest, and later gave birth to two more
Tagalog deities: Dumakulem and Anitun Tabu.

2. Anitun Tabu
Among ancient Tagalogs, Anitun Tabu was known as the “fickle-
minded goddess of the wind and rain.” She’s one of the two
children of Dumangan and Idianale.

In Zambales, this goddess was known as Aniton Tauo, one of the


lesser deities assisting their chief god, Malayari. Legend has it
that Aniton Tauo was once considered superior to other Zambales
deities. She became so full of herself that Malayari reduced her rank
as a punishment.

The Zambales people used to offer her with the best kind
of pinipig or pounded young rice grains during harvest season. Sacrifices that made use
of these ingredients are known as mamiarag in their local dialect.

3. Ikapati/Likapati
Probably one of the most intriguing deities of Philippine
mythology,  Ikapati (or Lakapati) was the Tagalog goddess of fertility. F. Landa
Jocano described her as the “goddess of the cultivated land” and the “benevolent
giver of food and prosperity.”

Some sources describe Lakapati as androgynous, hermaphrodite, and even a


“transgender” God. In William Henry Scott’s “Baranggay,” Lakapati is described
as a major fertility deity represented by a “hermaphrodite image with both male and
female parts.”

4. Dian Masalanta
If the Greeks had Aphrodite, our Tagalog ancestors had Dian Masalanta. The
patron goddess of lovers and childbirth, this deity was the brother of the
sun god Apolaki to parents Anagolay and Dumakulem.

5. Anogolay
Pre-colonial Tagalogs who were hopelessly looking for their missing stuff
prayed to Anagolay, the goddess of lost things. She was the daughter of
two major Tagalog deities–Ikapati and Mapulon.

When she reached the right age, she married the hunter Dumakulem and
gave birth to two more deities: Apolaki and Dian Masalanta, the ancient gods
of sun and lovers, respectively.

Interesting fact: In September of 2014, the Minor Planet Center (MPC), the
international agency responsible for naming minor bodies in the solar
system, officially gave the name (3757) Anagolay to an asteroid first
discovered in 1982 by E. F. Helin at the Palomar Observatory.

Common questions

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The union of Dumakulem, the guardian of mountains, and Anagolay, the goddess of lost things, illustrates the integration of different life aspects represented by mythological domains. Their marriage signifies the intertwining of physical protection and the quest for recovery within human experiences, reflecting a balance between stability (Dumakulem) and the resolution of chaos or disorder (Anagolay). This interplay underscores the complex interrelations within the mythological ecosystem where deities' domains often complement each other .

Anitun Tabu, originally regarded as a high-ranking deity, signifies the fluctuating nature of divine hierarchy within Philippine mythology. Her story of being demoted by Malayari after becoming arrogant highlights the mythological narrative's emphasis on humility and obedience among deities. This dynamic showcases a system where deities are subject to consequences, reinforcing a moralistic view within myths that resonate with the societal values of respect and reverence .

Idianale's role as the goddess of labor and good deeds, married to Dumangan and mother to Dumakulem and Anitun Tabu, unveils a structured portrayal of familial and hierarchical responsibilities in Tagalog mythology. The lineage implies an ordered progression of roles, each covering essential societal functions such as agriculture, hunting, or climate control, which mirror the societal value placed on labor and productivity. This highlights a mythological basis for understanding organized labor's importance and the divisional duties within society .

Bathala is considered the highest-ranking deity in Philippine mythology, known as the creator of everything. His role signifies the importance of the divine in the creation and sustenance of the world. Bathala's influence is observed in the 'bahala na' philosophy, where people trust that everything will work out according to his will. As an expression of his power and moods, he can be benevolent, providing for the needs of his followers, but also exhibits wrath by sending down lightning and thunder to those who disobey him .

Anitun Tabu's demotion by Malayari for her arrogance underscores a cultural ethos highlighting accountability and ethics in leadership. This concept of punishment reinforces the belief that authority comes with responsibility and modesty, illustrating the consequences of hubris. The cultural implication is clear: leadership is viewed not just as a position of power but as a role of stewardship, where moral failings can lead to loss of status, impacting how leaders are perceived and are expected to conduct themselves .

Dumangan is distinct in his role as the god of good harvest, signifying agricultural abundance and prosperity. In Tagalog mythology, he is revered for his association with the sky and agriculture, differing from many deities who often have broader or less specific domains. Moreover, Dumangan's cultural representation includes regional variations, such as being associated with better yield in rice crops, especially in the Zambales culture .

Apolaki's duality as a sun god and patron of warriors underscores the cultural values of vitality, strength, and protection. The sun's symbolic presence as both life-giving and dominant complements the warrior's attributes of bravery and leadership. This relationship suggests a cultural valorization of resilience and honor, with the sun’s consistency paralleling the unwavering dedication required of warriors. His role also reflects a societal appreciation for protection, both from external threats and in maintaining celestial order .

Dian Masalanta, the goddess of lovers and childbirth, embodies the dual themes of love and protection in Tagalog mythology. Her role connects emotional bonds with the physical act of birthing, suggesting an inseparable relationship between affection and familial safety. This duality signifies love as a protective force, fostering life and continuity. Through her divine protection over childbirth, she reinforces the concept of nurturing, underscoring motherhood’s protective essence and its vital role in the continuation and wellbeing of communities .

The narratives of Bathala and Lumawig illustrate diverse regional beliefs regarding creation within Philippine mythology. Bathala is central to Tagalog mythology as the creator deity, overseeing humanity from Kawalhatian. Contrary to this, Lumawig, in the Cordilleras, is seen not just as a creator but also as a preserver of life. These variations reflect the nuanced local differences in understanding the divine’s role, influenced by geographical, cultural, and sociopolitical factors impacting regional myths and practices .

Ikapati/Lakapati's androgynous representation symbolizes the unity and harmonious balance of dual forces necessary for fertility and prosperity. As both male and female, this deity transcends traditional gender roles, embodying the life-giving and nurturing qualities essential for agriculture. This representation aligns with the belief in the interconnectedness of different aspects of life and the balance required for successful cultivation and abundance .

ACTIVITY 02 Find the major Gods and Goddesses in the Philippines. Indicate five sentences description in each God and Goddes
This Tagalog sky-God later tied the knot with another major deity, Anagolay, known as the goddess of lost things. The marri
was Idianale (Idiyanale or Idianali in other sources), the goddess of labor and good deeds. There are varying accounts as to
Pre-colonial Tagalogs who were hopelessly looking for their missing stuff prayed to Anagolay, the goddess of lost things. She

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