Philippine Culture, Healing Traditions, and Historical Struggles

Vocabulary flashcards covering Filipino beliefs about the afterlife, traditional healing methods, and various forms of historical and contemporary struggles.

Kabilang-buhay

The afterlife or state of existence of a person after death, where the soul is believed to continue its journey.

Bathala

The Supreme Creator God according to ancient Tagalogs, also known as Maykapal.

Laon

The Supreme Creator God according to ancient Visayans, also referred to as Malaon, meaning ancient.

Kabunian

The Supreme Creator God according to ancient Ilocanos.

Gugurang

The Supreme Creator God according to ancient Bicolanos.

Anito

Spirits of ancestors, nature, household, or village in traditional Filipino beliefs that require respect and offerings.

Babaylan

A female spiritual leader and mediator between the human and spirit worlds among ancient Visayans.

Catalonan

A spiritual mediator among ancient Tagalogs who performed healing, rituals, and prayers.

Manunggul Jar

An ancient burial jar with a lid featuring two figures on a boat, symbolizing the soul's journey to the afterlife guided by a boatman.

Aswang

A mythical creature in Filipino folklore believed to harm or consume people, particularly at night.

Anting-anting

An amulet or charm believed to provide protection against danger or evil spirits.

Pagtatawas

A traditional diagnostic ritual using melted candle wax dropped in water to identify the spiritual cause of an illness.

Himulso

A traditional diagnostic method of feeling a patient's pulse to detect energy imbalances in the body.

Pasubay

A traditional divination practice using stones or leaves to determine the root cause of an illness before treatment.

Tayhop

A traditional healing practice involving gently blowing breath over an affected body part to transfer energy or remove negative elements.

Tutho

A traditional healing technique involving spitting saliva accompanied by prayers to cure a patient.

Hilot

A traditional massage technique used to restore physical body balance and alleviate bodily pain.

Tapal

A herbal-biomedical healing method involving the application of pounded leaves or herbs directly onto an affected area of the body.

Lagundi

A DOH-approved medicinal plant proven effective for relieving coughs and colds.

Sambong

A DOH-approved medicinal plant used for dissolving kidney stones and serving as a diuretic.

Akapulko

A DOH-approved medicinal plant known for its anti-fungal properties used to treat skin ailments like ringworm (an-an) and scabies (galis).

Albularyo

A traditional village healer and cultural leader who maintains ancestral medicinal wisdom and restores physical and spiritual wellness.

Bak"

The root word of pakikibaka, meaning to fight or strive.

Pakikibaka

Collective or individual effort to confront challenges, fight oppression, and defend rights or causes.

Kamalayang Pilipino

National consciousness formed through history, shared experience, and collective struggles, representing awareness of identity and social responsibilities.

Imagined Community

A concept introduced by Benedict Anderson describing a nation as a socially constructed community imagined by people who perceive themselves as part of a collective group.

Pakikibakang Kultural

Cultural struggle aimed at preserving and reviving native culture, arts, and literature against colonial suppression.

Pakikibakang Pampolitika

Political struggle involving resistance for national independence, democracy, and self-determination against foreign control or abusive governments.

Pakikibakang Pang-ekonomiya

Economic struggle directed against exploitation, feudalism, and economic injustice, such as movements for land reform and fair labor practices.

Pakikibakang Panlipunan

Social struggle led by marginalized sectors, such as women and indigenous groups, to achieve equality and social justice.

Kapuwa

A core Filipino value referring to a shared identity, shared humanity, and mutual care between individuals.

Bayanihan

A core Filipino value demonstrating communal unity, cooperation, and collective strength to assist members of the community.

Karangalan

A core Filipino value denoting honor, dignity, and determination to reject degradation and maintain self-worth.

Kilusang Propaganda

An intellectual reform movement led by Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena using literature to resist colonial injustice.

Katipunan

A revolutionary movement founded in 1892 under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio to achieve Philippine independence through armed revolution.

Hukbalahap

An anti-Japanese guerrilla resistance group that later became a peasant movement advocating for agrarian rights and land justice.

People Power Revolution (1986)

A peaceful civilian-led movement that overthrew a dictatorship to restore democracy and human rights in the Philippines.

Kultura

Customs, traditions, rituals, or practices recognized and performed by a community as part of their lifestyle or beliefs, which do not require a supernatural explanation.

Pamahiin

Beliefs or practices based on the idea that good or bad events will occur due to supernatural powers, lacking scientific evidence.

Kabilang-buhay

The state or life of a person after death, where the soul continues according to traditional Filipino beliefs.

Bathala

The Supreme Creator God recognized by the Tagalogs.

Laon

The Supreme Creator God recognized by the Visayans, meaning ancient.

Kabunian

The Supreme Creator God recognized by the Ilocanos.

Gugurang

The Supreme Creator God recognized by the Bicolanos.

Anito

Spirits of ancestors, nature (diwata), or households and villages in traditional Filipino spiritual beliefs.

Babaylan

A female spiritual leader among the Visayans who mediates between humans and spirits using rituals, offerings, dances, and prayers.

Catalonan

A spiritual mediator among the Tagalogs responsible for healing, performing rituals, and offering prayers.

Aswang

A mythical creature in folklore believed to harm or devour humans, particularly at night.

Tiyanak

A spirit that assumes the form of a baby to lure and frighten individuals.

Multo

The soul of a deceased individual believed to appear or manifest to the living.

Anting-anting

An amulet or object believed to provide protection against danger or evil spirits.

Manunggul Jar

An ancient burial jar featuring a lid with two boat riders symbolizing the journey of the soul to the afterlife.

Ritwal-Espiritwal na Lapit

A traditional healing approach focused on spiritual beliefs and rituals to restore spiritual balance and overall well-being (ginhawa).

Herbal-Biomedical na Lapit

A healing approach bridging ancient indigenous knowledge and modern science by utilizing plants and natural resources to treat physical illnesses.

Pagtatawas

A diagnostic ritual that drops melted candle wax into water to determine the spiritual cause of an illness.

Himulso

A traditional diagnostic technique of feeling the pulse to detect energy imbalance in the patient.

Pasubay

A traditional divination method using stones or leaves to determine the root cause of a disease.

Tayhop

The gentle blowing of breath onto an affected area to transfer energy or remove negative elements.

Tutho

A healing practice involving spitting or blowing saliva accompanied by prayers to treat ailments.

Tapal

The direct application of pounded leaves or herbal remedies onto an affected body part.

Hilot

Traditional massage technique used to restore physical balance and relieve body aches.

Lagundi

A DOH-approved herbal plant used for relieving coughs and colds.

Sambong

A DOH-approved herbal plant used to dissolve kidney stones and assist in diuresis.

Akapulko

A DOH-approved herbal plant effective as an anti-fungal treatment for skin conditions like ringworm (an-an) and galis.

Pakikibaka

Collective or individual struggle and action to confront challenges, resist oppression, and advocate for rights and welfare.

Kamalayang Pilipino

Deep national consciousness and identity forged through shared history, collective experiences, and ongoing struggles.

Imagined Community

Benedict Anderson's concept defining a nation as a socially constructed group imagined by citizens who feel a shared sense of belonging.

Pakikibakang Kultural

Struggle focused on preserving and reviving native culture, language, and art against foreign colonization.

Pakikibakang Pampolitika

Political struggle fighting for national independence, self-determination, and democracy against oppressive regimes.

Pakikibakang Pang-ekonomiya

Economic struggle directed against labor exploitation, feudalism, and social injustice to achieve fair wages and land reform.

Pakikibakang Panlipunan

Social struggle led by marginalized sectors (women, indigenous groups, LGBTQ+) to achieve equality and justice.

Bakâ

The root word of pakikibaka, meaning to fight or strive.

Kapuwa

A core Filipino value representing shared identity and human connectedness that fosters mutual empathy.

Bayanihan

A Filipino core value denoting communal unity, cooperation, and collective strength.

Karangalan

A Filipino value of honor and self-dignity that drives individuals to uphold self-worth and oppose humiliation.

Kilusang Propaganda

An intellectual movement led by Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena using literature to advocate for reforms.

Katipunan

An organization founded in 1892 under Andres Bonifacio that initiated an armed revolution to secure complete independence from Spain.

Hukbalahap

A World War II anti-Japanese guerrilla group that transformed into a peasant movement fighting land injustice.

People Power Revolution (1986)

A peaceful civilian-led movement that successfully ended dictatorship and restored democratic governance in the Philippines.