Beliefs and Faith in Filipino Culture and Heritage

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the evolution of beliefs, faith traditions, cultural rituals, and history in the Philippines.

Paniniwala

The mind's acceptance that something is true or exists, based on personal experience, knowledge, culture, or learned information.

Pananampalataya

Wholehearted trust, surrender, and hope in God or a Higher Power even without physical sight.

Anito

Invisible spirits that ancient Filipinos believed surrounded homes, fields, mountains, rivers, and seas.

Animismo

Derived from the Latin word 'anima' (breath or soul); the belief that everything in nature possesses its own spirit or soul.

Paganismo

A broader term for polytheistic religions that worship multiple gods and goddesses, such as ancient Greek or Roman mythology.

Sanduguan

A blood compact ritual of friendship performed by Ferdinand Magellan and Rajah Humabon in Cebu on March $29$, $1521$.

Fr. Pedro de Valderama

The priest who led the first Holy Mass in Limasawa on Easter Sunday, March $31$, $1521$.

Rajah Humabon and Reyna Juana

The rulers who, along with approximately $800$ people, were baptized on April $14$, $1521$, and were offered the image of the Santo Niño.

Labanan sa Mactan

The battle on April $27$, $1521$, where Ferdinand Magellan died, temporarily halting the Spanish mission.

Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna

Leaders who performed a Sandugo (blood compact) in Bohol on March $16$, $1565$.

Diocese of Manila

Established on February $6$, $1579$, as the first diocese in the Philippines.

University of Santo Tomas

A Dominican educational institution established on April $28$, $1611$.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Also known as the Aglipayan Church, proclaimed on August $3$, $1902$, by Isabelo de los Reyes and Bp. Gregorio Aglipay.

Iglesia ni Cristo

A religious group established by Felix Ysagun Manalo in Punta, Sta. Ana on July $27$, $1914$.

Cardinal Jaime Sin

A key religious figure, associated with Radio Veritas, who played a significant role in the $1986$ People Power Revolution.

World Youth Day–Manila

A major Catholic gathering held on January $10$–$15$, $1995$, attended by approximately $5,000,000$ people at the Luneta.

Tuan Masha’ika

An Arab missionary who arrived in Sulu around $1175$, considered one of the founders of Islam in Sulu.

Makhdum Karim

A Muslim missionary from Malaysia who established the first mosque in the Philippines, the Sheik Karimul Makhdum Mosque, in the $1280s$–$1300s$.

Sharif ul-Hashim

The founder of the Sultanate of Sulu in $1450$.

Sharif Kabungsuan

A prince from Johor who expanded Islam to Maguindanao between $1475$ and $1515$.

MNLF

The Moro National Liberation Front, founded by Nur Misuari in the $1970s$ to advocate for Muslim self-governance.

MILF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a group that split from the MNLF in $1984$ under Salamat Hashim.

BARMM

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, established in $2019$.

Anting-anting

Amulets used for protection against misfortune or to provide strength during rituals.

Talian

The Bukidnon term for amulets usually worn by heroes.

Akosan

Used by women in Bontok and Tinggian communities, these items are believed to have a connection to cosmology.

Ginhawa

Refers to the breath or life of a person, which along with the body and soul, forms human identity.

Kaitasan

The upper part of the cosmos or sky where the primary spirit, the sun, resides.

Kailaliman

The underworld inhabited by the primary serpent spirit, such as a dragon, crocodile, or naga.

Galura

A giant bird in Higaonon belief that causes strong winds on Earth when it flaps its wings.

Intumbangel

The large serpent in the underworld that Higaonon belief credits with causing earthquakes when it moves.

Gimokud

The Bagobo term for the soul, divided into 'Kaliwa' (evil soul) and 'Kanan' (good soul).

Likha or Larawan

Statues carved from stone, gold, or ivory to honor the memory of the deceased.

Sipa

An ancient Tagalog mourning rite involving fasting and limiting food intake to vegetables only.

Balata

A mourning practice where relatives do not end their grief until the death of the loved one has been avenged.

Tibaw

A play performed during the 'Pasiyam' on the ninth night after death to honor the deceased.

Marabay

A Bisayan mourning custom where the bereaved stays beside the corpse without eating for $3$ days.

Larao

A mourning rite for a 'datu' where disputes are forbidden and spears are held with blades pointing downward.

Kanyao

An Ifugao burial ritual for the wealthy that lasts from one week to as long as $2$ months.

Ibol’l

The deity in Mandaya belief who lives underground and is said to take the lives of those who die.

Ugsuban

One of the three parts of the Mandaya universe, referring to beings living underground.

Mandal’luman

The Mandaya term for the world of humans.

Pagawanan

The part of the Mandaya universe that includes the heaven or sky.

Ato

Megalithic communal stone platforms used by the Igorot for religious ceremonies.