Dios nga makagarahum san ngatanan, Ikaw an amay san ngatanan nga langitnon. Ikaw ang tag-iya san ngatanan nga gahum nga mahikikit-an sa ilarum san paypay san langit. Hani ako yana sa imo atubangan, nananawag san imo Diosnon nga ngaran Oh Yahweh __________. Gamhanan nga Amay __________ ___________! Imo itugot Guinoo nga magkamayda gahum ini nga acon guinbubuhi nga orasyon og guinbubuhi nga garamiton cay imo man an kagamhanan ngan himaya san ngatanan nga katuigan. Amen.
Sa ngaran san upat nga elemento nga tinikangan san ngatanan nga hibaro nga mahikikit-an sa ilarum san paypay san langit ______ _______ ______ ______. Ihatag onta sa acon an iyo pagtuyang san acon pagtuman.
Sa ngaran san lima nga mga sagrado nga ngaran nga paragbantay san kagugub-an og katubigan, Oh mga Senyor og Senyora!!! ________ ________ ________ ________ ________.
Sa ngaran san hadi sa camposanto Senor___________. Sa ngaran san hadi san purgatoryo Senor__________. Sa ngaran san hadi san Impyerno Senor__________.
Senor S____________ Senor S_____________ Senor N_____________ Senora__________
Ihatag onta niyo sin may kadagmitan an pag hakit sa acon sini nga mga himbabruan ang acon guin-aadman cay iyo man an kagamhanan ngan himaya san ngatanan nga catuigan. Amen.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Concept of Kulam and Barang: The Visayan Way
Our island is rich in many practices only known to those who wish to learn it. It is my attempt to explore these practices from the point of view of my ancestors. This is my 7th entry and i hope to share what i know about the art of sorcery and others in the near future. Just stand by!!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Tambalan ( Part 2 )
Is it true that a tambalan (or a barangan)has some physical or noticeable attributes?
From the point of view of Waraynons, there is NONE! For you to become a Tambalan, you must undergo a rigid training from a recognized tambalan. No shortcuts except when you're given POWER by a spirit friend( sa ibaba man, sa mundo man ng elemental, o sa langit man na espiritu )I thing there are some people who advocate that tambalans/barangans have physical characteristics. As to what and why, i dont know. Malaki ba dapat ang ilong, may nunal ba dapat sa palad o sa dila, may pigsa ba dapat na tumubo sa noo na mag mukhang mata? May tumubo ba dapat na isang daliri sa may ilong? May buhok ba siya dapat sa tenga na kasing haba ng buhok sa ulo? Di ko po alam ang tungkol sa ganito. But one thing for sure, in our place, tambalans are recognized by the people- a word of mouth.Alam ng tao ang pupuntahan. Walang nahihimatay, walang sinasaniban, walang nagsusuot ng mga mala Moises na attire. Ang mga tambalan sa aming lugar ay mga simpleng magsasaka o mangingisda. Kung ano ang suot ng isang simpleng magsasaka o mangingisda, yun po ang kaanyuan ng isang tambalan sa amin.Kung gusto mong maging Tambalan dapat ay may lahi kayo ng pagiging tambalan.Kung wala kayong lahi dapat ay may magturo sa inyo ng lihim na kaalaman. At ang pagtuturo ay hindi isang araw lamang. Matagal bago ka maging isang ganap na Tambalan.Ito ay isang proseso. May step one, two, three, hanggang sa huling step ay dapat mong matutunan.Mula sa pag-uugali, disiplina, sakripisyo, pagsasa-ulo ng orasyon, mag-ganap at poder, hanggang sa mundo ng mga halaman at ugat ng mga puno. Lahat ito ay dapat mong matutunan. (to be continued )
From the point of view of Waraynons, there is NONE! For you to become a Tambalan, you must undergo a rigid training from a recognized tambalan. No shortcuts except when you're given POWER by a spirit friend( sa ibaba man, sa mundo man ng elemental, o sa langit man na espiritu )I thing there are some people who advocate that tambalans/barangans have physical characteristics. As to what and why, i dont know. Malaki ba dapat ang ilong, may nunal ba dapat sa palad o sa dila, may pigsa ba dapat na tumubo sa noo na mag mukhang mata? May tumubo ba dapat na isang daliri sa may ilong? May buhok ba siya dapat sa tenga na kasing haba ng buhok sa ulo? Di ko po alam ang tungkol sa ganito. But one thing for sure, in our place, tambalans are recognized by the people- a word of mouth.Alam ng tao ang pupuntahan. Walang nahihimatay, walang sinasaniban, walang nagsusuot ng mga mala Moises na attire. Ang mga tambalan sa aming lugar ay mga simpleng magsasaka o mangingisda. Kung ano ang suot ng isang simpleng magsasaka o mangingisda, yun po ang kaanyuan ng isang tambalan sa amin.Kung gusto mong maging Tambalan dapat ay may lahi kayo ng pagiging tambalan.Kung wala kayong lahi dapat ay may magturo sa inyo ng lihim na kaalaman. At ang pagtuturo ay hindi isang araw lamang. Matagal bago ka maging isang ganap na Tambalan.Ito ay isang proseso. May step one, two, three, hanggang sa huling step ay dapat mong matutunan.Mula sa pag-uugali, disiplina, sakripisyo, pagsasa-ulo ng orasyon, mag-ganap at poder, hanggang sa mundo ng mga halaman at ugat ng mga puno. Lahat ito ay dapat mong matutunan. (to be continued )
Monday, November 2, 2009
Biringan City
Biringan City: The Land of Enchantment
( Taken from supernaturalstories.blogspot.com )
In the Province of Samar, the Philippines, the mention of “Biringan” evokes awe, fear, intrigue, knocking on wood and innumerable signs of the Cross.
What is Biringan? It is reportedly an undefined location somewhere between Calbayog City and Catarman, Northern Samar, where a mythic city(ies) of indescribable grandeur is/are said to exist, unvisited by ordinary mortals, known only by magnificent folk stories that refuse to die despite the advent of television and the internet. Other reports extend its area to as far south as San Jorge, Samar.
Biringan’s “now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t” quality indicates it is not of the usual land and water terrain in which we live in. It seems to exist in a different dimension, which explains why its boundaries can overlap with known towns and cities of Samar island. On moonless nights, seafarers aplenty have reported seeing a dazzling city of light. In a few minutes, though, the manifestation is no longer visible. Obviously, Biringan is not likely to be shown on any map or atlas. But specialized (infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) satellite mapping photography have reportedly turned up a shining area in the reported general location of Biringan.
They say Biringan is the legendary home of the encantos (enchanted ones) and half-encanto, half-human progeny. The encantos are most likely elementals, as old as the mountains and rivers in the area. They are apparently shapechangers because they have been reported to appear in whatever form they wish, human or not. But in human form, their distinguishing characteristic is the lack of the philtrum, the indentation below the nose and above the upper lip.
The Portals
Portals to and from an ethereal city. There are places in the island of Samar that have been described thus.
There’s one story of a bus plying the night route from Catbalogan City to Tacloban City. Somewhere halfway, when the bus had been emptied of its passengers, the driver and conductor stopped to pick up two young lady passengers. Their stated destination was quite off the main route but the driver consented because the two had offered triple the usual fare. When the two mysterious passengers had alighted, and the driver turned the bus around to get back on the highway. But, to his utter bewilderment, he could no longer distinguish the dirt road they had taken just moments ago. Conceding that they were lost, they decided to spend the night at that very spot. At dawn the next day, they were confounded when they found themselves and the bus at a desolate mountain top. A large tow truck had to be sent through rough mountain trails just to bring the bus back to civilization.
Then there’s the story of a bus that somehow lost its way and the driver stopped to pass the night at some sort of depot. When he and his passengers woke up the next morning they were in themiddle of a clump or bamboos with no roads anywhere around them that would have brought them where they were.
Perhaps the most classic example of these gateways involved two motorcycle riders riding tandem on one bike. They were traveling the highway at night from (Western) Samar to Eastern Samar. It was around nine o-clock in the evening and they were negotiating the foggy, winding passes halfway to Borongan, Eastern Samar. The night air was chilly and only their motorcycle headlights split the dark ahead. The deafening silence was only punctuated by the occasional chirping of insects.
Suddenly, as they rounded a sharp curve, they were suddenly engulfed in a bedlam of sound! It was as if they had entered a very busy freeway, invisible to them but its sound assaulted their ears. Shrill air horns blared from every direction and sudden gusts of wind rocked their motorcycle as if huge trailer trucks were passing them by on all sides. The driver tried his very best to keep the motorcycle handlebar steady.
It was only after they had round the next curve that the noise suddenly died down and the night air was deathly still once more. Still, these two motorcycle riders and scores of other highways travelers will never forget their encounters with Biringan’s portals.
Supernatural Abductions
Supernatural abductions. Quite seemingly out of this world, but reportedly true. Some of the most persistent incidents related to the Biringan phenomenon involve the “relocation” of humans from the mortal world to Biringan.
What happens is, whenever a Biringan inhabitant takes fancy on a mortal (usually a fair maiden or attractive lad), he or she is taken away from the mortal world by was of bugkot (a Visayan vernacular term). The transition usually takes the form of sudden “death” (i.e., accidents, fatal illness lasting a few hours at most, sudden disappearance from any physical location). In reality, the mortal never really dies but his/her consciousness or spirit is taken by the Biringan entity.
The anguished kin of the victim are left with the “lifeless body” where in fact it is not the actual cadaver but a log or similar physical object configured to look and feel like a real lifeless human body. All the while, the victim now resides in Biringan as the wife, husband, or servant of the supernatural being which took her away.
I once knew of a very beautiful lady in Catbalogan City in the province of Samar in the Philippines who was separated from her husband and had three good-looking kids. One day, in the mid-Seventies, the car she was driving suddenly turned turtle on the highway near San Jorge, Samar causing her sudden untimely “demise”. The bereaved family held a decent wake for her and had her body properly buried. Until the present, however, there are persistent recurring reports of this lady being seen in the reported location of Biringan City and she is reportedly now queen of the encantos who live there.
No wonder a portion of the population of the city are half-encantos, half-human. It is these progeny who are reportedly fond of frequenting places where mortals abound for relaxation and entertainment (i.e. parks, beaches, nightspots). This is a direct result of all the cases of supernatural abductions
Heavy Equipment for an Invisible City
Heavy equipment for an invisible city? Uncanny but true. In the Sixties, Tacloban City in the province of Leyte, the Philippines was the commercial hub of the Eastern Visayas region. It was the natural port of call of passenger and cargo ships plying the Visayas-Manila route. Who could ever imagine that manifestations of Biringan’s existence would take physical form?
One particular incident which is still word-of-mouth to this day involved the arrival of a large lot of first-class heavy equipment from the United States. The shipment consisted of bulldozers, graders, payloaders and hauler trucks. Post officials were astounded when they examined the freight documents and discovered the entire consignment listed the destination as Biringan City. Since the fabled city’s reputation had spread far and wide in the Eastern Visayas region, people were in a tumult of speculation as to who will claim the equipment.
Following prescribed port rules, the heavy equipment were unloaded and neatly parked in the concrete confines of the Tacloban port under heavy guard. Months passed and still no one came to claim the shipment. The elements were taking their toll on the equipment. Conflicting reports have it that the entire lot was either sent back to the shipper or hauled to the junkyard. Was this a matter of mistaken port of delivery of heavy equipment for an invisible city?
The Japanese Venture Into Biringan Territory
In the late Eighties through the Nineties, the Japanese ventured into Biringan territory. They conducted rural development work focused on the town of San Jorge, Western Samar. The implementing agency was the Japanese International cooperation Agency (JICA). The entire Samareño population was perplexed as to why the Japanese would concentrate on San Jorge when there were a lot more towns in the province which needed the development work more. To implement the project, the Japanese brought in tons of equipment (vehicles and machinery) and Japanese engineers and field personnel descended on San Jorge in full force.
One story involved a team of Japanese who went into the forest accompanied by a Filipino guide. Inexplicably, the guide lost track of the terrain. The Japanese promptly whipped out a very detailed satellite-generated map of the area and the team immediately found its bearings again. A related report had it that infrared, ultraviolet, or similar satellite pictures of the area kept registering a shimmering effect right on the location where the JICA was concentrated. This led to further reports that an enormous deposit of uranium is embedded deep in the bowels of the earth beneath that particular area. Others speculate that a mother lode of gold has been detected in the area. The thickest deposits are reportedly under the San Jorge area with the ends tapering as far a San Juanico Strait to the South and the San Bernardino Strait to the North.
Could there be a connection to the reported location of Biringan in the area? In Philippine folklore, elementals supposedly guard vast treasures hidden deep in the forests or deep underground.
Nevertheless, the Japanese left the area without any tangible results of their “rural development” work. That ended the Japanese Venture Into Biringan Territory.
Conclusion
What really is Biringan? Is it a city or kingdom existing in a parallel dimension with ours? Do these two dimensions interpenetrate at times, causing the meeting of inhabitants from ours with encantos? Does this explain the ethereal now-you-see-it, now-you don’t quality of Biringan and its denizens?
To this day, Biringan remains a mysterious part of Philippine folklore. In addition, everyday stories of encounters with Biringan’s residents continue to be told. If these had simply been figments of the imagination, these stories would have died down a long time ago, what with the advent of 100+ channels cable television and the Internet. Still, fresh stories continue to crop up.
Stories such as spirit possession by Biringan’s encantos over ten school children just because their school Principal unwittingly made a bonfire next to the large balete tree in their school yard. How was the poor teacher to know that the huge tree looming large near the old school building was the abode of a Biringanon? And that she had unknowingly injured the youngest child of the invisible occupants of the tree abode?
Even modern-day kids in the Philippines, well-versed on the Japanese animé sagas of the new century, still believe in the existence of the legendary kingdom of Biringan. This is an undeniable fact. Despite all the terror attacks, all the coup rumors, the hunger, the droughts, the floods, and everything, only one thing remains unshaken by it all … Biringan.
( Taken from supernaturalstories.blogspot.com )
In the Province of Samar, the Philippines, the mention of “Biringan” evokes awe, fear, intrigue, knocking on wood and innumerable signs of the Cross.
What is Biringan? It is reportedly an undefined location somewhere between Calbayog City and Catarman, Northern Samar, where a mythic city(ies) of indescribable grandeur is/are said to exist, unvisited by ordinary mortals, known only by magnificent folk stories that refuse to die despite the advent of television and the internet. Other reports extend its area to as far south as San Jorge, Samar.
Biringan’s “now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t” quality indicates it is not of the usual land and water terrain in which we live in. It seems to exist in a different dimension, which explains why its boundaries can overlap with known towns and cities of Samar island. On moonless nights, seafarers aplenty have reported seeing a dazzling city of light. In a few minutes, though, the manifestation is no longer visible. Obviously, Biringan is not likely to be shown on any map or atlas. But specialized (infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) satellite mapping photography have reportedly turned up a shining area in the reported general location of Biringan.
They say Biringan is the legendary home of the encantos (enchanted ones) and half-encanto, half-human progeny. The encantos are most likely elementals, as old as the mountains and rivers in the area. They are apparently shapechangers because they have been reported to appear in whatever form they wish, human or not. But in human form, their distinguishing characteristic is the lack of the philtrum, the indentation below the nose and above the upper lip.
The Portals
Portals to and from an ethereal city. There are places in the island of Samar that have been described thus.
There’s one story of a bus plying the night route from Catbalogan City to Tacloban City. Somewhere halfway, when the bus had been emptied of its passengers, the driver and conductor stopped to pick up two young lady passengers. Their stated destination was quite off the main route but the driver consented because the two had offered triple the usual fare. When the two mysterious passengers had alighted, and the driver turned the bus around to get back on the highway. But, to his utter bewilderment, he could no longer distinguish the dirt road they had taken just moments ago. Conceding that they were lost, they decided to spend the night at that very spot. At dawn the next day, they were confounded when they found themselves and the bus at a desolate mountain top. A large tow truck had to be sent through rough mountain trails just to bring the bus back to civilization.
Then there’s the story of a bus that somehow lost its way and the driver stopped to pass the night at some sort of depot. When he and his passengers woke up the next morning they were in themiddle of a clump or bamboos with no roads anywhere around them that would have brought them where they were.
Perhaps the most classic example of these gateways involved two motorcycle riders riding tandem on one bike. They were traveling the highway at night from (Western) Samar to Eastern Samar. It was around nine o-clock in the evening and they were negotiating the foggy, winding passes halfway to Borongan, Eastern Samar. The night air was chilly and only their motorcycle headlights split the dark ahead. The deafening silence was only punctuated by the occasional chirping of insects.
Suddenly, as they rounded a sharp curve, they were suddenly engulfed in a bedlam of sound! It was as if they had entered a very busy freeway, invisible to them but its sound assaulted their ears. Shrill air horns blared from every direction and sudden gusts of wind rocked their motorcycle as if huge trailer trucks were passing them by on all sides. The driver tried his very best to keep the motorcycle handlebar steady.
It was only after they had round the next curve that the noise suddenly died down and the night air was deathly still once more. Still, these two motorcycle riders and scores of other highways travelers will never forget their encounters with Biringan’s portals.
Supernatural Abductions
Supernatural abductions. Quite seemingly out of this world, but reportedly true. Some of the most persistent incidents related to the Biringan phenomenon involve the “relocation” of humans from the mortal world to Biringan.
What happens is, whenever a Biringan inhabitant takes fancy on a mortal (usually a fair maiden or attractive lad), he or she is taken away from the mortal world by was of bugkot (a Visayan vernacular term). The transition usually takes the form of sudden “death” (i.e., accidents, fatal illness lasting a few hours at most, sudden disappearance from any physical location). In reality, the mortal never really dies but his/her consciousness or spirit is taken by the Biringan entity.
The anguished kin of the victim are left with the “lifeless body” where in fact it is not the actual cadaver but a log or similar physical object configured to look and feel like a real lifeless human body. All the while, the victim now resides in Biringan as the wife, husband, or servant of the supernatural being which took her away.
I once knew of a very beautiful lady in Catbalogan City in the province of Samar in the Philippines who was separated from her husband and had three good-looking kids. One day, in the mid-Seventies, the car she was driving suddenly turned turtle on the highway near San Jorge, Samar causing her sudden untimely “demise”. The bereaved family held a decent wake for her and had her body properly buried. Until the present, however, there are persistent recurring reports of this lady being seen in the reported location of Biringan City and she is reportedly now queen of the encantos who live there.
No wonder a portion of the population of the city are half-encantos, half-human. It is these progeny who are reportedly fond of frequenting places where mortals abound for relaxation and entertainment (i.e. parks, beaches, nightspots). This is a direct result of all the cases of supernatural abductions
Heavy Equipment for an Invisible City
Heavy equipment for an invisible city? Uncanny but true. In the Sixties, Tacloban City in the province of Leyte, the Philippines was the commercial hub of the Eastern Visayas region. It was the natural port of call of passenger and cargo ships plying the Visayas-Manila route. Who could ever imagine that manifestations of Biringan’s existence would take physical form?
One particular incident which is still word-of-mouth to this day involved the arrival of a large lot of first-class heavy equipment from the United States. The shipment consisted of bulldozers, graders, payloaders and hauler trucks. Post officials were astounded when they examined the freight documents and discovered the entire consignment listed the destination as Biringan City. Since the fabled city’s reputation had spread far and wide in the Eastern Visayas region, people were in a tumult of speculation as to who will claim the equipment.
Following prescribed port rules, the heavy equipment were unloaded and neatly parked in the concrete confines of the Tacloban port under heavy guard. Months passed and still no one came to claim the shipment. The elements were taking their toll on the equipment. Conflicting reports have it that the entire lot was either sent back to the shipper or hauled to the junkyard. Was this a matter of mistaken port of delivery of heavy equipment for an invisible city?
The Japanese Venture Into Biringan Territory
In the late Eighties through the Nineties, the Japanese ventured into Biringan territory. They conducted rural development work focused on the town of San Jorge, Western Samar. The implementing agency was the Japanese International cooperation Agency (JICA). The entire Samareño population was perplexed as to why the Japanese would concentrate on San Jorge when there were a lot more towns in the province which needed the development work more. To implement the project, the Japanese brought in tons of equipment (vehicles and machinery) and Japanese engineers and field personnel descended on San Jorge in full force.
One story involved a team of Japanese who went into the forest accompanied by a Filipino guide. Inexplicably, the guide lost track of the terrain. The Japanese promptly whipped out a very detailed satellite-generated map of the area and the team immediately found its bearings again. A related report had it that infrared, ultraviolet, or similar satellite pictures of the area kept registering a shimmering effect right on the location where the JICA was concentrated. This led to further reports that an enormous deposit of uranium is embedded deep in the bowels of the earth beneath that particular area. Others speculate that a mother lode of gold has been detected in the area. The thickest deposits are reportedly under the San Jorge area with the ends tapering as far a San Juanico Strait to the South and the San Bernardino Strait to the North.
Could there be a connection to the reported location of Biringan in the area? In Philippine folklore, elementals supposedly guard vast treasures hidden deep in the forests or deep underground.
Nevertheless, the Japanese left the area without any tangible results of their “rural development” work. That ended the Japanese Venture Into Biringan Territory.
Conclusion
What really is Biringan? Is it a city or kingdom existing in a parallel dimension with ours? Do these two dimensions interpenetrate at times, causing the meeting of inhabitants from ours with encantos? Does this explain the ethereal now-you-see-it, now-you don’t quality of Biringan and its denizens?
To this day, Biringan remains a mysterious part of Philippine folklore. In addition, everyday stories of encounters with Biringan’s residents continue to be told. If these had simply been figments of the imagination, these stories would have died down a long time ago, what with the advent of 100+ channels cable television and the Internet. Still, fresh stories continue to crop up.
Stories such as spirit possession by Biringan’s encantos over ten school children just because their school Principal unwittingly made a bonfire next to the large balete tree in their school yard. How was the poor teacher to know that the huge tree looming large near the old school building was the abode of a Biringanon? And that she had unknowingly injured the youngest child of the invisible occupants of the tree abode?
Even modern-day kids in the Philippines, well-versed on the Japanese animé sagas of the new century, still believe in the existence of the legendary kingdom of Biringan. This is an undeniable fact. Despite all the terror attacks, all the coup rumors, the hunger, the droughts, the floods, and everything, only one thing remains unshaken by it all … Biringan.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Tambalans
The next topic that i would like to discuss is all about the tambalan and its origin.This is a very important institution in Samar in the old days. The Tambalan is regarded as an authority in the local setting. He is well respected by the community. His words are like laws that people should follow and listen. Is it easy to be a Tambalan? Is it true that Tambalans have physical attributes? What can you say about the Tambalan as an institution? How does a Tambalan practice healing? What are the tools used by Tambalans in Samar? Do they follow strict rules and rituals in healing? How do they view "illness"? What is the relationship between tambalans and barangans?
1. The origin of Tambalan
It is difficult to trace the origin of Tambalans. But according to my grandfather, in the ancient times, no doctors can be found in Samar. That is why the elementals/fairies of the spirit world opened their gates and chose someone the "Art of Folk Healing". It was the fairies/elementals who taught us. It was THEM who laid down the rules and procedures for the different rituals used by babaylans in the ancient times and the tambalans in the contemporary period.It was THEM who taught us orasyon and the rules to awaken it.(The original Visayan/Mindanao orasyon cannot be understood and should not be understood. From the point of view of original "Latin", used by the Church in Rome, Italy, the orasyons in Visayas and Mindanao differ. It was actually a mixture of Latin,Spanish,Visayan, and some unintelligible words only understood by the spirit world. Invoking it would produce effect because of the interconnection of humans and other elements of nature through air(hangin).Everything is actually governed by two elements-the hot(mapaso) element and the cold (mapinit)element.The power of orasyon given by the spirit world will neutralize/balance the two elements in the body.)
After the first pact (pacto), the ancient babaylans/tambalans wrote everything in a libreto to be passed on to the next generation. In my family, I am part of the 9th generation. From our ninuno named Baba Makalinog to Baba Barahel to Baba Bersola to Baba Crispulo to Baba Dalugdog to Baba Oyan to Baba Lilo to my father and to me. My father wasn't interested that's why my grandfather taught everything to me. As I see it, Tambalan in Samar is different because the ability to heal is just passed on to one or two members of the family. Outsiders are not permitted to learn the process. Maliban na lang kung ikaw ay pagkakatiwalaan ng isang Tambalan, I think ito lang ang exception.
If you have already the orasyons then, the next step is the so called "Pagmayaw". Here you have to go to the different steps or stages. You need to know the right formula/ingredients or else your "Pagmayaw will not take effect. Worst, as soon as the spirit/fairies/elements notice that you do not know the exact procedure, they will give you a big problem- maaring masira ang ulo mo o paglaruan ka nila o patayin ka nila. Marami na ang na-aral sa amin na nabaliw dahil mali ang kanilang ginawa sa ritwal na pagmamayaw. The rule is definite and precise. You have to know the rule. (to be continued)
1. The origin of Tambalan
It is difficult to trace the origin of Tambalans. But according to my grandfather, in the ancient times, no doctors can be found in Samar. That is why the elementals/fairies of the spirit world opened their gates and chose someone the "Art of Folk Healing". It was the fairies/elementals who taught us. It was THEM who laid down the rules and procedures for the different rituals used by babaylans in the ancient times and the tambalans in the contemporary period.It was THEM who taught us orasyon and the rules to awaken it.(The original Visayan/Mindanao orasyon cannot be understood and should not be understood. From the point of view of original "Latin", used by the Church in Rome, Italy, the orasyons in Visayas and Mindanao differ. It was actually a mixture of Latin,Spanish,Visayan, and some unintelligible words only understood by the spirit world. Invoking it would produce effect because of the interconnection of humans and other elements of nature through air(hangin).Everything is actually governed by two elements-the hot(mapaso) element and the cold (mapinit)element.The power of orasyon given by the spirit world will neutralize/balance the two elements in the body.)
After the first pact (pacto), the ancient babaylans/tambalans wrote everything in a libreto to be passed on to the next generation. In my family, I am part of the 9th generation. From our ninuno named Baba Makalinog to Baba Barahel to Baba Bersola to Baba Crispulo to Baba Dalugdog to Baba Oyan to Baba Lilo to my father and to me. My father wasn't interested that's why my grandfather taught everything to me. As I see it, Tambalan in Samar is different because the ability to heal is just passed on to one or two members of the family. Outsiders are not permitted to learn the process. Maliban na lang kung ikaw ay pagkakatiwalaan ng isang Tambalan, I think ito lang ang exception.
If you have already the orasyons then, the next step is the so called "Pagmayaw". Here you have to go to the different steps or stages. You need to know the right formula/ingredients or else your "Pagmayaw will not take effect. Worst, as soon as the spirit/fairies/elements notice that you do not know the exact procedure, they will give you a big problem- maaring masira ang ulo mo o paglaruan ka nila o patayin ka nila. Marami na ang na-aral sa amin na nabaliw dahil mali ang kanilang ginawa sa ritwal na pagmamayaw. The rule is definite and precise. You have to know the rule. (to be continued)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Anu-ano ang magiging hadlang sa iyong matagumpay na pag-aaral ng lihim na karunungan?
Unang una nais kong ilagay sa panulat ang mga katuruan ng aking Lolo. Mula ng ako ay bata pa, napakaraming mga impormasyon ang ibinigay nya sa akin tungkol sa aspeto ng mga sinaunang kaalaman. Isa sa mga lagi nyang ipinakikintil sa akin ay ang paghahanda sa pag-aaral ng mga bagay na tinatawag niyang "Kalalake".
Anu-ano ba ang mga bagay na magiging kalaban ng mga taong nagnanais na matuto sa aspeto ng "Kalalake"?
1. Hadok ( Fear ): Ang isang mag-aaral ng mga Sinauang Kaalaman ay dapat magtaglay ng katapangan.Maraming pagsubok na iyong susuungin upang makamtan mo ang nais mong maabot. Pagpasok sa kuweba, pagdaan sa gubat, pagpasok ng kamay sa isang maliit na butas sa loob ng kweba, pagluhod na nakaharap sa umaagos na tubig sa itaas ng talon. Ilan lang ito sa mga maaaring makaharap ng mga taong nagnanais na matuto ng mga Lihim na Karunungan. Isipin lang ninyo ang mga bagay na maaaring magpakaba o magpatakot sa inyo. Yan ay mga pagsubok na iyong haharapin. Ika nga sa Ingles, "No pain, No gain" . Kaya mo ba?
2. Liya ( Noise ): Ang isang mag-aaral ng Lihim na karunungan ay dapat matutong manahimik at tumahimik sa mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa Lihim na Karunungan dahil ang katahimikan ay kapangyarihan. Posibleng pareho kayo ng orasyon ngunit sa bisa o pagtalab ng orasyon magkaiba ang resulta.Dahilan? Posibleng ang isang nagtatangan ay tahimik, masikreto, malihim, misteryoso, at may paggalang sa orasyon. Ngunit ang isan naman ay parang isang loro na halos lahat ng tao sa buong barrio o sa buong bayan ay nakaka-alam ng lahat ng kanyang ginagawa at parang isang baliw na namimigay ng orasyon na sya mismo ay di kayang patalabin.Sa inyong palagay sino ang may taglay na kaalaman. Silence is power!
3. Hambog ( Boastful )Ang isang taong nagtataglay ng isang matinding kaalaman ay dapat mapagpasensya at hindi mayabang. Minsan, kahit ikaw ay matapang at tahimik, may mga pagkakataon na dahil sa taglay mong kaalaman ay gusto mong maka isa sa iyong kapwa. Ginagamit mo ang kaalaman mo upang makalamang sa iba. Tandaan ang konsepto ng KARMA! In every action, there is a corresponding reaction. The Law of Cause and Effect is here and there whether you believe it or not!
Kaya ba ninyong talunin ang 3 ito? Kaya ba ninyong labanan ang takot, kadaldalan, at kayabangan? Posibleng sa una ay oo, ngunit ang ikalawa at ikatlo kaya mo ba? Pagnilayan ninyo ang aking sinabi.Maraming salamat!
Anu-ano ba ang mga bagay na magiging kalaban ng mga taong nagnanais na matuto sa aspeto ng "Kalalake"?
1. Hadok ( Fear ): Ang isang mag-aaral ng mga Sinauang Kaalaman ay dapat magtaglay ng katapangan.Maraming pagsubok na iyong susuungin upang makamtan mo ang nais mong maabot. Pagpasok sa kuweba, pagdaan sa gubat, pagpasok ng kamay sa isang maliit na butas sa loob ng kweba, pagluhod na nakaharap sa umaagos na tubig sa itaas ng talon. Ilan lang ito sa mga maaaring makaharap ng mga taong nagnanais na matuto ng mga Lihim na Karunungan. Isipin lang ninyo ang mga bagay na maaaring magpakaba o magpatakot sa inyo. Yan ay mga pagsubok na iyong haharapin. Ika nga sa Ingles, "No pain, No gain" . Kaya mo ba?
2. Liya ( Noise ): Ang isang mag-aaral ng Lihim na karunungan ay dapat matutong manahimik at tumahimik sa mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa Lihim na Karunungan dahil ang katahimikan ay kapangyarihan. Posibleng pareho kayo ng orasyon ngunit sa bisa o pagtalab ng orasyon magkaiba ang resulta.Dahilan? Posibleng ang isang nagtatangan ay tahimik, masikreto, malihim, misteryoso, at may paggalang sa orasyon. Ngunit ang isan naman ay parang isang loro na halos lahat ng tao sa buong barrio o sa buong bayan ay nakaka-alam ng lahat ng kanyang ginagawa at parang isang baliw na namimigay ng orasyon na sya mismo ay di kayang patalabin.Sa inyong palagay sino ang may taglay na kaalaman. Silence is power!
3. Hambog ( Boastful )Ang isang taong nagtataglay ng isang matinding kaalaman ay dapat mapagpasensya at hindi mayabang. Minsan, kahit ikaw ay matapang at tahimik, may mga pagkakataon na dahil sa taglay mong kaalaman ay gusto mong maka isa sa iyong kapwa. Ginagamit mo ang kaalaman mo upang makalamang sa iba. Tandaan ang konsepto ng KARMA! In every action, there is a corresponding reaction. The Law of Cause and Effect is here and there whether you believe it or not!
Kaya ba ninyong talunin ang 3 ito? Kaya ba ninyong labanan ang takot, kadaldalan, at kayabangan? Posibleng sa una ay oo, ngunit ang ikalawa at ikatlo kaya mo ba? Pagnilayan ninyo ang aking sinabi.Maraming salamat!
Ang Aking Lolo
Isa sa pinaka mahalagang tao na humubog sa akin ay ang aking namayapang lolo. Tatawagin ko siya sa pangalang Apoy Lilo (Ang pangalan na ito ang gagamitin ko sa lahat ng aking mga kwento tungkol sa aking pinaka-mamahal na lolo) Bata pa lang ako ay lagi na nya akong binabahaginan ng mga kwento tungkol sa aking mga ninuno at tungkol sa kanyang ama. Si Apoy Lilo ay kilalang tao sa aming bayan sa Samar. Halos lahat ng mga matatanda sa aming lugar ay iginagalang siya. Mayaman man o mahirap, lahat ay nagbibigay ng respeto sa aking lolo. Hindi ko maintindihan noon kung bakit laging may tao sa amin na hinahanap ang aking lolo. May mga panahon na may dala-dala silang pagkain na inihahandog sa aking Apoy Lilo. Hanggang sa sya ay tumanda at umabot sa edad na 90 ay nandoon pa rin ang paggalang ng mga tao sa kaniya. May mga panahon pa nga na gusto syang hiramin ng aking mga kamag-anak o mga kababayan para tumira sa kanilang lugar. Dito ako humanga sa aking Apoy Lilo. SaTV at mga magasin, pag tumanda kana, itinuturing kang pabigat sa pamilya. Ngunit iba ang Apoy Lilo ko. Sa huling araw ng kanyang buhay sa mundong ito ay nandoon pa rin ang aming paggalang at pagmamahal sa kanya. Sana sa pamamagitan ng blog na ito ay maipadama ko sa aking Apoy Lilo ang aking pagmamahal sa kanya. Mahal na mahal ko ang lolo ko at sana ay maging kagaya rin nya ako sa mga susunod na panahon. Para po sa inyong kaalaman, ako po ang napag-iwanan ng aking Apoy Lilo ng kanyang mga natatagong kaalaman. Isang bagay lang ang gumugulo sa aking isipan. Ngayon na nandito ako sa Maynila at napapalibutan ng mga modernong teknolohiya at kaalaman, may puwang paba ang mga ganitong kaalaman? Isa ito sa bumabagabag sa akin. Kailan ko kaya mabibigyan ng panahon ang pag-aaral ko sa mga kaalamang naituro sa akin ng aking lolo?
Tungkol sa Akin
Magandang araw po sa lahat! Ako nga po pala si Baba Sayab-Sayab. Hindi ito ang totoo kong pangalan ngunit ito ang aking pinili dahil ito ang pangalan ng isa sa aking mga ninuno. Ako nga pala ay isang guro dito sa Maynila. Sa mundong aking ginagalawan, aklat at bata ang nasa sentro. Araw-araw, mula ika-7 ng umaga hanggang ika-6 ng hapon, pagtuturo at paggawa ng kung anu anong kagamitang biswal ang umuubos sa aking panahon. Darating ako sa aming bahay sa pagitan ng 7 o 8 ng gabi.Kakain, magbibigay ng 1 oras na "quality time" sa aking anak, at pagkatapos ay dali-dali na akong tatakbo sa higaan para matulog. Yan po ang "routine" ng buhay ko mula Lunes hanggang Biernes.
Noon, pagdating ng Sabado o Linggo, panahon naman ito ng aking pakikipagkwentuhan sa aking pamilya. At ang pinaka- paborito kong kakwentuhan ay ang aking butihing lolo. Mula pagkabata hanggang sa aking pagtanda, sya na ang aking naging parang ikalawa ama. Kung anu-anong kwento ang kanyang ipinakikintil sa ang kaisipan. Mga kwento ng kababalaghan, mga agimat at mutya, mga orasyon, kulam at barang, panggagamot sa pamamagitan ng lihim na kapangyarihan at ang kapangyarihan ng halaman.
Lahat ito ay bumusog sa aking kaisipan. At lahat ng ito ay nasa isang maliit na baul na aking iniingatan hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Ngayong wala na ang aking pinaka mamahal na Apoy Lilo, minsan iniisip ko kung kailan ko sisimulan ang lahat ng kanyang mga naituro sa akin. Aaminin ko na may mga kaalaman ang lolo ko na napag-aralan ko na at napakain ko na ngunit masasabi ko rin na hindi pa lahat ay aking nabibigyan ng panahon. Sa mga galing ng lolo ko na tumatalab na sa akin, masasabi ko na talagang mabisa ito. Ngunit, ang mga matataas na kaalaman ay nangangailangan ng mas mahabang panahon ng debosyon at sakripisyo. Sa aspetong ito ako sumusuko. Hindi ko minsan kaya na mapakain ang mga kaalaman na naituro sa akin ng aking lolo dahil wala akong oras dito.
Kaya bago ako matulog, pag nakikita ko ang aking baul na naglalaman ng mga katuruan ng aking lolo at mga kagamitan na iniwan nya sa akin bago sya mamatay, ako'y napapatigil at nanghihinayang. Kailan ko kaya ganap na mabibigyan ng pansin ang mga kaalamang itinuro sa akin ng aking lolo na galing pa sa aming mga ninuno?
Ito ang nagbunsod sa akin na gumawa ng blog, upang kahit papaano ay may paraan ako na maipahayag ko ang aking mga saloobin tungkol sa mga paksa ng hiwaga at mga lihim na karunungan habang ako ay gumagawa ng powerpoint presentation o visual aids sa harap ng computer. Dalangin ko na may makabasa nito na taga Samar o sa ibang parte ng Visayas at Bicol na nakatira dito sa Maynila. Gusto kong magkaroon ng kaibigan na may ganitong interes din. Mga taong propesyonal sa umaga ngunit may kakaibang libangan- Ang Pag-aaral ng Lihim at mga Sinaunang Karunungan.
Noon, pagdating ng Sabado o Linggo, panahon naman ito ng aking pakikipagkwentuhan sa aking pamilya. At ang pinaka- paborito kong kakwentuhan ay ang aking butihing lolo. Mula pagkabata hanggang sa aking pagtanda, sya na ang aking naging parang ikalawa ama. Kung anu-anong kwento ang kanyang ipinakikintil sa ang kaisipan. Mga kwento ng kababalaghan, mga agimat at mutya, mga orasyon, kulam at barang, panggagamot sa pamamagitan ng lihim na kapangyarihan at ang kapangyarihan ng halaman.
Lahat ito ay bumusog sa aking kaisipan. At lahat ng ito ay nasa isang maliit na baul na aking iniingatan hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Ngayong wala na ang aking pinaka mamahal na Apoy Lilo, minsan iniisip ko kung kailan ko sisimulan ang lahat ng kanyang mga naituro sa akin. Aaminin ko na may mga kaalaman ang lolo ko na napag-aralan ko na at napakain ko na ngunit masasabi ko rin na hindi pa lahat ay aking nabibigyan ng panahon. Sa mga galing ng lolo ko na tumatalab na sa akin, masasabi ko na talagang mabisa ito. Ngunit, ang mga matataas na kaalaman ay nangangailangan ng mas mahabang panahon ng debosyon at sakripisyo. Sa aspetong ito ako sumusuko. Hindi ko minsan kaya na mapakain ang mga kaalaman na naituro sa akin ng aking lolo dahil wala akong oras dito.
Kaya bago ako matulog, pag nakikita ko ang aking baul na naglalaman ng mga katuruan ng aking lolo at mga kagamitan na iniwan nya sa akin bago sya mamatay, ako'y napapatigil at nanghihinayang. Kailan ko kaya ganap na mabibigyan ng pansin ang mga kaalamang itinuro sa akin ng aking lolo na galing pa sa aming mga ninuno?
Ito ang nagbunsod sa akin na gumawa ng blog, upang kahit papaano ay may paraan ako na maipahayag ko ang aking mga saloobin tungkol sa mga paksa ng hiwaga at mga lihim na karunungan habang ako ay gumagawa ng powerpoint presentation o visual aids sa harap ng computer. Dalangin ko na may makabasa nito na taga Samar o sa ibang parte ng Visayas at Bicol na nakatira dito sa Maynila. Gusto kong magkaroon ng kaibigan na may ganitong interes din. Mga taong propesyonal sa umaga ngunit may kakaibang libangan- Ang Pag-aaral ng Lihim at mga Sinaunang Karunungan.
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