The Worship of the Tagalogs

Back then, there were no temples or churches, however ceremonies and worships are celebrated in the
house of the dato which they call simbahan. The house was quite big since the purpose of it is to house
the people of barangay during celebrations. The sibi was constructed at the sides of the house to protect
the people from the rain. The sorhile are the small lamps on the post of the house and they put a big lamp
in the center of the house. Further, the worship of our ancestor is called the nagaanitos.

One of the many idols that they worship is Bathala. The author believed that the name Bathala signifies
“all powerful” or “maker of all things”. They also worship the sun, moon, stars (Tala ), constellations
which they name Balatik and Mapulon, Dian Masantala who was patron of lovers and of the generation,
Lacapati and Indianale patron of the lands and of husbandry, and crocodiles (Buaya ) which they fear
from.

Years, Months, and Days are determined through observing the soil, flowers, fruits, and leaves. And,
there were only two seasons present which are the sun-time and water-time.

In terms of offering sacrifices, it is through festival that they offer it to the devil what they had to eat.
This was done in front of an idol which they anoint with fragrance perfumes and sung poetic songs led
by the priest or Catotolan.

Reasons for offering sacrifices and adoration:

1. For the recovery of the sick person

2. For prosperous voyage of those embarking on the sea
3. To have a good harvest
4. For a propitious result in war
5. Successful delivery in child birth
6. A happy outcome in married life
 DISTINCTIONS MADE AMONG THE PRIESTS OF THE DEVIL

In the religious customs of our natives they have distinguish 12 kinds of devils priest:

Catolonan
- was either a man or a woman. This office was an honorable one among the natives, and was
held ordinarily by the people of rank, this rule being general in all the islands.

Mangangauay
- wishes who deceived by pretending to heal the sick. These priests even induced
maladies by their charms, which in proportion to the strength and efficacy of the witchcraft, are
capable of causing death.

Manyisalat
- These priests had the power of applying such remedies to lovers that they would abandoned
and despise their own wives, and infact could prevent them from having intercourse with the
latter.

Mancocolam
- whose duty was to emit fire from himself at night, once a month.

Hocloban
- Without the use of medicine, and by simply saluting or raising the hand, they killed whom they
chose. But if they desired to heal those whom they had made ill by their charms, they did so by using
other charms.

Silagan
- whose office it was if they saw anyone clothed in white, to tear out its liver and eat it, thus
causing his death.

Magtatanga
l- his purpose was to show himself at night to many persons, without his head or entrails. In such
wise the devil walled about carried, or pretended to carry, his head to different places: and,
in the morning, returned it to his body remaining, as before, alive.

Osuang
- equivalent to sorcerer, they say that they have seen him fly, and that he murdered men and ate
their flesh.

Mangagayoma
- They made charms for lovers out of herbs, stones, andwood which would infuse the heart with love.

Sonat
- which is equivalent to preacher. It was his office to help one to die, at which time he predicted
the salvation or condemnation of the soul. It was not lawful for the functions of this office to be fulfilled by
others than the people of high standing, on account of the esteem in which it was held.

Pangatahojan
-was a soothsayer, and predicted the future.

Bayoguin
- signified a cotoquean a man whose nature inclined toward that of a woman.
 MANNER OF BURYING THE DEAD

Tagalogs
The deceased is buried beside his house. When it’s the chief or datos he’s buried beneath a little
house or porch we is specifically made for this purpose. The dead is mourned for four days and four
nights. If the deceased is a warrior, a living slave is tied beneath his body until he dies and the relative
will sing praises about his good quality. This grief is accompanied by eating and drinking.

Aetas or Negrillos
They dug a deep hole and place the deceased body in it with its head or crown unburied
covering the head with a coconut as a shield. Then they hunt an Indian for retribution of their Negrillo.
They wear a certain token on their neck until they have procured the death of the innocent one.