Comprehensive Guide to Philippine Indigenous Beliefs, Values, and Healing Traditions, and Psychology

Bathala: This is the highest and most powerful deity according to the ancient Tagalogs.
Laon or Kan-Laon: A goddess associated with creation and nature, specifically linked to Mount Kanlaon.
Kabunian and Lumawig: These are the primary deities worshipped by the Cordilleran and Ilocano people of Northern Luzon.
Gugurang: The god of fire who is believed to reside within the Mayon Volcano.
Allah: This is recognized as the supreme deity within the Islamic faith.
Babaylan: The general term for the spiritual and social leader of ancient Philippine communities. This person acted as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Katalonan: The specific term used by the Tagalogs to refer to their spiritual leader or Babaylan.

Ancestor Worship: A deep-seated belief system centered on the spirits of one's ancestors.
Animism: The philosophical and spiritual belief that every element of nature—including plants, rocks, and water—possesses its own spirit.
Anito: The specific term used to refer to the spirits of deceased ancestors.
Alay: A traditional practice involving offerings made to spirits or deities to request blessings or seek forgiveness.
Panghahula: A method or ritual used to discern and understand the will or desires of the spirits.
Begnas: An agricultural ritual specifically practiced by the communities in the Cordillera region to ensure a good harvest.
Agimat or Anting-anting: These are physical objects believed to possess supernatural powers that provide the wearer with good luck and spiritual protection.

Suob: A traditional healing method that utilizes smoke to treat various ailments.
Tuob: The Bisayan term for a healing process that involves both smoking and inducing sweat in the patient.
Hilot: A widespread traditional medical practice in the Philippines that uses specialized massage techniques.
Bugaw or Laway: A traditional method of healing that involves the application of saliva.
Bulong or Oracion: The use of spiritual prayers or incantations as a primary tool for healing.
Pagta-tawas: A diagnostic and healing method involving the use of melted candle wax or alum crystal (tawas).

Belief (Paniniwala): The act of accepting something as true or real based on supporting evidence or personal experience.
Faith (Pananampalataya): A strong and firm conviction in something, even in the absence of tangible or sufficient evidence.
Popular Religiosity (Folk Catholicism): A form of faith practiced by the general public that may incorporate indigenous elements and differ from the official, orthodox teachings of the Church.
Fiesta: A religious celebration specifically dedicated to a patron saint or a traditional Christian event.
Festival: A large-scale celebration focusing on local culture, historical events, or the annual harvest.
Simbang Gabi: A significant religious tradition consisting of a series of dawn masses leading up to Christmas.
Sinulog: A famous religious and cultural festival held in Cebu to honor the Sto. Nio.
Pahiyas: A colorful harvest festival celebrated in Lucban, Quezon, characterized by decorated house facades.

Kapwa: A core Filipino value representing the recognition of the "other" as an equal; it signifies a shared identity.
Utang na Loob: A cultural value referring to a deep debt of gratitude that one owes to another person.
Delicadeza: A value that emphasizes a person's sense of propriety, decorum, and standard of behavior.
Bahala na: A complex value that can be interpreted as faith coupled with action and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Paninindigan: A value that denotes a firm commitment to truth, goodness, and standing up for one's principles.
Virgilio Enriquez: Identified as the Father of Filipino Psychology (Sikolohiyang Pilipino); he placed significant emphasis on the concept of Kapwa.
Zeus Salazar: An influential scholar who defined the concept of Kapwa specifically as a "shared identity."
Leonardo Mercado: A scholar who provided an extensive definition of the term "Kapwa" in the year $2005$ .

Home and Family: This is the primary factor where a person's belief system begins to take shape from early childhood.
Church and Religion: An institutional factor that shapes beliefs through formal religious doctrine and practice.
Community: A factor that influences beliefs through social interactions and integration into local society.
Education and Schooling: A factor that shapes beliefs through formal study, critical thinking, and academic learning.
Personal Experience: The individual factor where beliefs are formed based on a person's unique life events and subjective encounters.

Tabi-tabi po: A traditional phrase used as a sign of respect and an apology when passing through areas believed to be inhabited by nature spirits.
Mano: The traditional act of taking the hand of an elderly person and pressing it to one's forehead as a sign of respect.
Soul Location: Traditional beliefs suggest the soul or spirit resides in the head.
Ginhawa (Life Force): The life force or essence of life is traditionally believed to be located in the stomach or abdominal region of the body.
Nuno sa Punso: A mythical creature or spirit believed to live in and guard anthills (punso).
Balete Tree: A large, distinctive tree often believed to serve as the dwelling place for various spirits.
Tolerance and Respect: These are cited as the most critical values when studying and engaging with diverse systems of belief and faith.