Babaylan: Full Documentary on Philippine Shamanism (with Interviews from Real-Life Babaylans)

In this documentary I wrote and produced for the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center in 2021 as its support to the Year of the Pre-Colonial Filipinos, I dived into the culture of Babaylan (Balyan or Baylan) of Tagum City in the southern part of the Philippines.
***
The Babaylan tradition in Philippine indigenous communities recognizes individuals, referred to as Babaylans, who have the ability to mediate with the spirit world, possess spirit guides, and are gifted in healing, foretelling, and insight.
Babaylans are ritualists, chanters, and diviners, often called by different names in various indigenous languages. In contemporary contexts, the term Babaylan is embraced by those inspired by the spirit of revolution against colonization, commitment to Sacred Wholeness, love for the mother country, and a desire to serve communities for justice and peace. While the closest non-Filipino term might be "shaman," members sometimes use Western terms but strive to incorporate local terminology. The Babaylan Tradition represents Filipino wisdom and power, empowering individuals and communities.
Those engaged in advocacy, activism, teaching, awareness-raising, healing, spirituality, and justice work may find resonance with the Babaylan tradition. Events and conferences organized by the community are termed "Babaylan-inspired" in respect for the primary Babaylans in the Philippines, fostering exploration and illumination of indigenous wisdom for personal and communal empowerment and the healing and evolution of the Filipino soul.

[@jhake67]

we need more of these documentaries about our pre colonial stories

[@kaihong_]

Thank you for the English subtitle! I am an Indonesian watching this to study about shamanism all over Southeast Asia. It's fascinating to see how close and related we are, especially in our pre-Islamic/Christian spirituality. ❤

[@lindadann9202]

This is a documentary I've been seeking for many years. After being trained in Shamanic practices- a friend told me an amazing story about his experience as a Philippine with shamans. His story tagged in my heart and then this- thanks so much.

[@inavirgosmind]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and meaningful documentary, especially translating it to English as there are many of us that want to learn more about our history and practices but are limited due to language barriers/access to lost history. I know I was meant to see this and have learned so much from such a short video. Very well done - love from the USA ❤

[@staycuriousph]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm equally glad that someone from the US is interested to this piece of Filipino history and culture. I appreciate it a lot! Thank you. ❤️

[@ryanwasawas6602]

Nope we don’t do that.Instead learn another language 😅

[@user-tp4pm4dt7n]

Parang eto na yata hinahanap ko sa KZbin ...thanks so much po.❤

[@MayTaoPobaDito]

Hi, Louie! Thanks for this. As a researcher in the field of ICH, I admire fellow advocates who do field research. I myself is writing a research on the folk healers here in Manila. It's great to bump into your documentary. Kudos to you and your team!

[@staycuriousph]

Thank you! I hope you learned something from this documentary. Salamat!

[@tattoolokalph9691]

More of this kind of documentaries pa po. Subscribed

[@staycuriousph]

Thank you very much. Glad you liked it!

[@madamesuzyvlogs]

Keep it up Louie👏👏👏 I'd love to see more of Philippines' folklore and traditions documentary.

[@staycuriousph]

More to come! Thank you very much for watching.

[@iasked9392]

Nindot kaayo!! More on this please! Kung maghimo mo ug bag.ong documentay like this, please please may i suggest na about sa kingdom/chiefdom of butuan? Ang cinematography og ang pag direct kay *chef's kiss* lupig pa man sa mga tv station. Please, never delete this💙

[@staycuriousph]

Daghang salamat for appreciating!

[@sun.healinggoddexx]

Salamat for sharing po, i cant wait to go to the motherland and have the chance to do my training. Do you know if there is any Leyte?

[@BoyongTV]

Napa-search kaagad ako after kong mapanood yung Episode ni Boss Toyo

[@staycuriousph]

Anong episode ito Boss?

[@WYW333]

Thank you for this ❤🎉

[@staycuriousph]

you are welcome!

[@JonDoeNeace]

I appreciate the fact that the Indigenous spirituality of the Philippines reflects concepts that pre -date Dharmic & Karmic concepts, as well as Abrahamic concepts. The fact that the Abyans are the spirits of the honorable deceased shows that the concept of cyclical reincarnation isn't present. The Indigenous beliefs of the Philippines are more similar to those of other Indigenous groups than to Abrahamic or Dharmic & Karmic concepts.

[@MB_Gaminggg]

Never forget our culture

[@anthonycabrera8497]

Sir good day. Informative kaayo imong documentary. actually sir sauna pa ko gakaexperience ug naay gabisita sa ako sa damgo nga mga spirits. natingala ko nga di man unta ko tribo pero halos tanan nga giexplain nila about sa baylan kay ako na naexperience except sa pagpang ayo sa may sakit. Is there a way to connect with those people na imong giinterview? gusto pa ko makabalo ug dungag about it. Gusto ko makabalo nganong naa ko ani nga dili man tana ko linya sa mga tribo. thanks kaayo sa tubang. God bless.

[@guynouri]

Super excellent good prospective

[@staycuriousph]

Thanks a lot. I'm glad you liked it

[@Actinides666]

How Can I contact them?? Mdaming tanong sa isip ko kung bakit every 3am may nagpapakita sakin...at bakit sakin pinapakita ang mga mangyayari pa lang? Like earthquake,floods,if sino ang mamamatay etc. At minsan gising ako may nkikita akong anino,minsan sunog na mukha after 4hrs nasunog ang bahay ng kapitbahay namin🥵pwedi nyo ba ako e guide?

[@FaithinCatholic]

This has been a tradition and practice on earth for thousands of years even before Jesus Christ was born. One of His desires in His teachings is to eliminate these practices for these are the practices against God. It is neither good spirits that they thought they were helping them. These spirits were the fallen angels. So sad that despite the Philippines being one of the largest Catholic countries in the world, teaching the true words of Jesus Christ, there are still some parts of it that practice these detestable practices.

[@ericnaz1041]

In race Kadazan Dusun in Sabah, north Borneo...we called it BOBOLIAN

[@JonDoeNeace]

In the traditions of Indian people in America, there are rituals and ceremonies to the evil ones that are used by some in times of war and stress. But they take a toll, the rageful spirit which empowers the medicine person ends up being used to exact evil ends on another person, for the sake of survival or vengeance, the medicine person's actions become deeply offensive to the good spirits and they distance themselves from that medicine person. However, the wiser medicine people who follow their old beliefs do not engage in those ceremonies and call them taboo and witchcraft. So while they're available, they're considered taboo practices. So for the woman who fears to become Baylan because it will exact a negative toll, it must be understood that choosing to engage in ceremonies which empower the good spirits has to become a lifelong responsibility if you wish to avoid the toll it may take.

[@isaganirosario118]

❤💯 salamat kaayo, new subscriber here.

[@staycuriousph]

Thank you very much. Hope you liked it!

[@JonDoeNeace]

So whether the good or evil spirit "wins" the ritual to inhabit the body of the shaman, it's her own qualities attracting her to one or the other, if she is repeatedly more attracted to evil than good she would need to find why that is if she wants the toll of the use of negative energy not to have to be paid.

[@raymundbalce4550]

Mas muangay pko na mutuo sa mga kinaraang pamaagi sa atung mga katigulangan, apan sila ang hinungdan kung ngano nakakat-on kami na mga maayohon nga batasan matud sa isig katawo ug sa kalikasan.

[@staycuriousph]

Daghang salamat sa pagtan-aw!

[@sonnyboythehitmanmolijonvl4269]

Hanging ngayun nandito pa din Ang mga babaylan. Sailing lahi yn hndi mawawala

[@JonDoeNeace]

In the traditions of Indian people in America, there are rituals and ceremonies to the evil ones that are used by some in times of war and stress. But they take a toll, the rageful spirit which empowers the medicine person ends up being used to exact evil ends on another person, for the sake of survival or vengeance, the medicine person's actions become deeply offensive to the good spirits and they distance themselves from that medicine person. However, the wiser medicine people who follow their old beliefs do not engage in those ceremonies and call them taboo and witchcraft. So while they're available, they're considered taboo practices. So for the woman who fears to become Baylan because it will exact a negative toll, it must be understood that choosing to engage in ceremonies which empower the good spirits has to become a lifelong responsibility if you wish to avoid the toll it may take. The conflict between which spirit will enter the body, good or evil, will be won by the one the shaman is attracted to based on her own qualities, so one would strive to empower the good spirits with intent.

[@staycuriousph]

Thank you for the additional inputs!

[@candymaeyunting3913]

I believe in babaylan po♥️

[@staycuriousph]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-pe2yy1pq3f]

Where did Babaylans Leave.🙏🙏🙏

[@BoboyjhonBalinosbos]

Asa no dapit pwedi patambal diraa?

[@ezzavaldez4121]

Saan ko po puwede makuha ang babaylan na Kanta?

[@raneilalonzo]

Salamat! Eto bang mga tradition na ito ay pre-islamic pa? Kung pre-islamic bakit kaya sinabi noong isang babaylan si allah? Di ba dapat si bathala?

[@Muhammad-HarDick]

Allah means God, khit po sa Arab nation khit ndi po muslim ang tawag nila Allah.

[@BoboyjhonBalinosbos]

Asa dapit da tagum

[@llebolle3557]

Excuse me po whats the song at the end called 🤧

[@staycuriousph]

I forgot the name of the song but I'm sure it's included in the credits at the end part of this video.

[@user-cc6ow8yw2s]

Sad lang kasi konti nalang ung nakakaalam bilang babaylan. Kaya mas madami nang trahedya now kasi wala na gaanong namamagitan sa gitna ng spirits at human

[@Muhammad-HarDick]

Not really, kahit dati pa may mga lindol na bagyo unos etc. mas aware lng tayo ngaun kase may internet.

[@user-cc6ow8yw2s]

@@Muhammad-HarDick yes bat di ganun ka lakas.

[@user-ep4dd5sh4l]

There's no connection between spirits (Elementals) with humans. Only the one God. Tragedy is unpredictable walang kinalaman sa relating between human and spirits. Additionally, these "Abyan" or "Elemental spirits" are Demons walang ibang spirito na mentioned sa BIBLE kundi ang Holy spirit lamang

[@user-ep4dd5sh4l]

Don't be deceived by Satan. Remember Satan is the master of deception

[@user-ep4dd5sh4l]

Demons can also perform miracles. So don't be deceived... Hindi kayo matatawag na kristyano kung hndi kayu sumusunod sa Turo ni Jesus Christ.

[@user-tu6zr8yn8z]

Im baybalan also

[@staycuriousph]

This is super nice to know!

[@tartagliaiii564]

Im a sangre also, keeper of the fire gem..

[@nheilonggasenas9561]

Ngayun ko lng nalaman may babaylan pla na mga Muslim?. Na curious lng ako sa islam kc hndi naniniwala sa mga faith healer.

[@staycuriousph]

Ang tradisyon pong ito ay nasa kanila na bago pa man naipalaganap ang Islam sa Pilipinas.

[@EnthusiasticLemur-pq3yt]

Akong abayan Makita ko sa samen Kay deli Nako dawaton Sige man siya mososonod Nako abayan Nako daghan man sila nako😢😢😅

[@staycuriousph]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[@Actinides666]

Wla bang ibang historyador na pinoy? Talagang CHINESE pa tlga ang kinuhang historian?😢

[@JanineClaire-kp6ti]

women choose to be submissive because it was the right thing to do and second because of love. in return men protected them, the higher the status you have in the society the more attracted to you are from trouble.

[@alisinajon2674]

This a form of satanism.

[@user-tu6zr8yn8z]

No babylan is good you don't know if sick babylan gives healing to people sick

[@user-tu6zr8yn8z]

Babylan is good don't know if sick go 😊

[@MarkJustinLaurente]

You're just colonized bro.They are already there way before the colonization.They were there first so who are you to tell that they're practice is Satanism lol. 4:58 am 4-21-2024

[@gungatz6696]

Yea you Alisinajon Are Satan's hoe. Respectfully you are a betch, Morally you have none so your going to Hell, Factually you believe in nothing, but what's currently popular. And truthfully speaking stop blaming Satan for your Sins and Faults like a coward. If anything you should admit to your own transgressions not find scapegoats in denying them. Follower of Christ or not, you are an awful person and is no doubt going straight to your so called Hell.

[@JenelySugelan]

Sa mga sinaunang mga ninuno Hindi nila Kilala c Satan o si Jesus I c Allah dahil noong panahon na Wala pang Muslim at christiano dumating sa pinas Ang kinilalang dios Ng mga sinaunang ninuno kay c bathala, at Ang diwata sa mga tubig, sa hangin, sa kagubatan atbp.. Ang satanas na kinikilala Ng mga sinaunang panahon Kay Ang evil spirit... Kaya kunti nalang naniniwala sa ganyan dahil nahati Ang paniniwala Ng mga nakatira sa pilipinas Ng dumating Ang christiano at mga Muslim..

[@BoboyjhonBalinosbos]

Asa dapit da tagum