It has been an intense past 4 years. I’ve been on a healing journey with lots of tears and breakthroughs. I’ve been able to remember the not so good things that happened to me and through deep work forgive.
There is much to be grateful for. I’m grateful for my
therapists, healers, family, and community who have supported me along the way.
I’m grateful to God, Mother Earth, my ancestors, and spirit guides. I’m
grateful for the indigenous practices that have been shared with me.
Learning and participating in indigenous practices from
other cultures made me want to understand the indigenous practices of my own
homeland in the Philippines.
This is where I learned about the Babaylan, ritual
specialists, priestesses, healers, spiritual leaders in the community. But were
mostly wiped out by the Spanish colonizers. Despite this, Babaylan still live
today.
I felt compelled to want to learn from the Babaylan as well
as be more grounded in the land, in Mother Earth.
It was as if everything fell into place. I found myself
meeting a new friend who connected me with someone in the Philippines who
happens to be a scholar of Philippine shamanism and has done research, work, writing,
and singing with the Babaylan.
Dr. Grace Nono invited me to visit her, and I immediately
booked a flight to spend two weeks with her.
Grace was doing a keynote for the Climate Change Commission
and her recent book, Babaylan
Singback, recently won a National Book Award. I got to celebrate Grace
while I was in Manila.
Then we headed to her home where she introduced me to her
land, animals (dogs, cats, chickens, ducks), and practices.
I was able to meet Baylan Boyet (who lives in a floating village in the marshlands), Baylan Jolito Fernando, Baylan Irenio Fernando, Baylan Dilliam Fernando, and Lucy who leads their indigenous tribe. I was able to better understand the great responsibility that is being a babaylan.
I also better understand how the land and taking care of the
land – and each other – is important to understanding we are interconnected, living
in Oneness and love for each other. It’s so different from the competitive
control that I had been taught.
I also realize how much strength and support I have from my
ancestors, homeland, culture, and spirit. We are never alone no matter the challenge.
So very grateful and feeling much clearer and centered on my
purpose. Love.
Baylan Boyet's Fight to Protect the Marsh
Baylan Boyet carries the wisdom and responsibility of his grandfather, a guiding spirit who continues to help him today. During his grandfather's time, there were five Baylan—spiritual leaders. By his father's generation, there were none. Now, Baylan Boyet is the only one from his generation.
His grandfather told him he was chosen as Baylan because protecting the land is a sacred duty. It’s not easy. There are strict rules—no vices allowed—and even he and his wife were tested.
Baylan Boyet shared how his grandfather’s presence remains strong. Once, a fisherman had a massive catch, but when his grandfather asked for a fish, the fisherman refused. Afterward, the fisherman’s home went dry.
Today, Baylan Boyet faces a different kind of challenge. Companies and even the government want to profit from the marsh, trying to buy or rent the land. When he said no, they ignored him. Desperate, he turned to God and his grandfather for help. Soon, the logging companies encountered so many problems that they had to pause. But now, a bridge is being built, threatening the land again.
The biggest challenge, Baylan Boyet says, is keeping the people united. Faith in the Babaylan and his leadership is weakening. Temptations are everywhere. Companies and government officials show up with bribes—free food and gifts—that make people more willing to say yes. Baylan Boyet urges his people to resist, to stay strong together, because once they’re divided, the marsh will be lost.
At the same time, he knows partnerships are necessary. He’s worked with the government to negotiate a deal: his people can stay in the marsh as long as they follow the rules.
Baylan Boyet’s wife once told him, “When you have a position, we will have wealth.” But he replied, “Our wealth is this water and us being alive.”
For Baylan Boyet, the fight isn’t just about the land. It’s about staying true to his ancestors, protecting the marsh, and reminding his people that their real wealth lies in unity and the life the marsh provides.
I had the opportunity to meet with not just one but three Babaylan - Baylan Jolito Fernando, Baylan Irenio Fernando, and Baylan Dilliam Fernando. The main Baylan is Dilliam whose spirit is from the creator. His mother was a major Baylan who almost ascended to heaven. Irenio and Jolito have other spirits from the land.
Their tribe was celebrating Ronalyn and Eli who have been married for 8 years and hope to have their first child.
The ceremony was 2 days long. We started at 5pm with a ceremony for the land spirits where we sacrificed a rooster. Then we were about 80 in a hut we connected to the creator, offered beetlenut, and sacrificed a pig. We paused at midnight and then had another ceremony where people made requests. The couple was told they needed to get a golden, orange haired pig. Lucy and June Ray got help with their sicknesses.
Lucy isn't a babaylan but related to the 3 babaylan and the leader for this indigenous group. She was told that she carries a big weight, especially with having to facilitate and act as judge for really tough tribal cases (including murder!). This is impacting her health.
Lucy shared with us that even with her responsibility being a Babaylan is an even bigger responsibility. So many people come to them for help. She said that the key is to be connected to source and pray. We can give thanks and ask for help, guidance and strength. We are never alone.
The three Babaylan spent time with us and shared stories. For example, there was one story about a snake and a monitor lizard. Both agreed to tattoo each other. But after the lizard tattooed the snake with a beautiful tattoo, the snake said he had to leave. So that’s why the lizard doesn’t have such a vibrant pattern as the snake.
The Babaylan also shared with us that their tribal color is red. Red means love and war. The tribe used to be much more war-like but has now turned more towards love. But even with the focus on love, he said that war is like water and can find a way. So we need to be oriented to love always. In the past, Bonifacio, Rizal, and other leaders also had spirit guides.
The Babaylan also shared how there was a female teacher who was sick, but they didn’t realize it. Sadly, she passed. Which is why they try to stay connected to people so they can help.
Even when they are tired, they say they will always help. It is their responsibility. The oldest Babaylan was over 70, with arthritis, deaf, can’t see very well, and has a hard time moving around. But when he is taken by the spirit (he has a celestial connection), he jumps around for hours, singing and dancing. They will chant a todum where it’s the spirit not the human chanting in an archaic language. It’s incredible!
We
asked about how Babaylans work with religion, and Lucy shared that she doesn’t see
conflict. Catholicism now has a policy of non conversion. They see it as a
dialogue of life, interfaith.
Grace is working on an article about gender and healing and asked Lucy about how the tribe reacted to COVID. Lucy said that the tribe was forced to get the vaccine. Even so, Lucy got sick from COVID and the only way she healed herself was seeing in a dream a specific plant that would help her. Her spirit guides showed her where the flower was and that she should eat the smallest one. Because of this, Lucy said she was cured. Lucy also shared that she will only see a doctor if her spirit guide tells her to.
Lucy said that for healing, it’s about faith. If
you don’t have faith, there is no point to seeing a Baylan.
For a Babaylan, it’s not about healing but about praying. They are chosen, usually get sick or insanity signs. A Baylan will confirm whether this person truly is a Baylan by asking their spirit.
