Under the sweltering hot summer sun, Lumawig, a teenage boy of sixteen, can be seen playing basketball with his three friends Caloy, Empoy and Nonoy. The court where the four friends are playing are what you would call as “makeshift” courts. For starters, the floor is not cemented, it is made of paved soil that gets uneven and muddy during the rainy season, and very dusty during summer. The ring is made of rebar steel shaped to act as a ring. There was no netting for the ring, the board is made from a 12mm thick plywood which they got as a scrap from a construction site. The post, after it was put up is around 3 meters tall and as thick as two adult men’s thighs.

Despite the heat, the four friends are enjoying their two-versus-two game, with Lumawig and Empoy forming one team, and Caloy and Nonoy as the opposing team. The score is 15-16 in favor of Caloy and Nonoy’s team, the ball is at the hands of Empoy, trying to get past Nonoy’s defenses. Giving Lumawig an eye-signal, Empoy suddenly made a crossover move to his right, while Lumawig came and stood beside Nonoy’s left to act as a screen for his teammate. Being free of his opponent, Empoy tried to shoot the ball in his hand to the basket, Caloy, who was with Lumawig at the start tried to block the ball, but he was too late. As the ball hit the board, Empoy and Lumawig waited with bated breath to see if the ball would go through the basket, the ball was spinning around the basket’s rim, then *whoosh* it went inside the basket. The two boys jumped in happiness as they are now in the lead with scores 17-16, but just when the four friends was about to start another round, Lumawig’s lolo (grandfather) called for him from their house that’s around fifty meters away from the basketball court. Although his lolo is already quite advanced in age, his voice still seemed to contain its vigor, as Lumawig can still clearly hear him.

“Apò! Apò! (grandchild) We are going to eat our lunch soon, stop playing basketball and come home so you can cool down!” Lolo Isagani, or as he is more fondly called by the townspeople “lolo Gani”, called.

“Opo, lolo!” (Yes, grandpa) Lumawig answered.

“Let us play again tomorrow. We will just consider that you’ve won this game.” Caloy interjected.

Lumawig and his lolo lived in the rural area of the Philippines. Despite the advancements in technology, their house is still made from traditional materials, like bamboo and nipa. They have no refrigerator and television. They source most of their food from nature, and they get their news from newspaper, which they can then recycle or sell after collecting a certain amount of it. They have electricity, but their only use for it is for the 3 LED lightbulbs they have in their house, and only two of them are used at the same time. However, their simple lifestyle is not an indication of ignorance. Lumawig is already in 10th grade, and he is enrolled in one of the government-sponsored Science High Schools.

Working on the fields since he was younger, Lumawig has already a well-developed body for his age, like his other three friends. He has a dark-brown complexion owing to his exposure to the sun, slightly thick eyebrows, a pair of round, brown eyes, and long, straight eyelashes. His lolo on the other hand is an image of a person who has been through so much in life, someone who has wizened with age. His head is covered with white hair, as well as his eyebrows. But his eyes still look bright, though soft-spoken most of the time, his lolo still has his deep commanding voice; and although he was not fortunate enough to enter high school in his younger days, he is still able to read and write fluently in his native tongue and in English. He is also always wearing an oval-shaped agimat on his neck.

As for livelihood, while he is known as one of the older farmers in the area, Lolo Gani is more well-known as the barangay’s foremost albularyo. As an albularyo, he is knowledgeable about medicinal plants, the ancient art of Filipino Hilot, and he is also believed to have supernatural powers. In their barangay where modern medicine is expensive and mostly unavailable, lolo Gani’s herbal expertise on medicinal plants is very much welcome and appreciated in their barangay. Most town folks with ailments that ranges from common colds to joint pains would go to him for medicine. While some would go to him to avail of his hilot services. A type of massage, that not only does it give a person a feeling of relaxation but also heals them of their ailments. Despite the services he provides, he never asks for payment, but the townspeople would still either pay him with cash or crops or some chicken, which he would reluctantly accept due to the insistence of his patients.

Him having supernatural powers however has been largely rumors, propagated by the younger generation. This came about when some of the mischievous boys in the barangay saw him kneeling in front of a Balete tree one afternoon chanting in a language they do not understand and holding a medium-sized, triangular, brass agimat. While the older generation told the boys that lolo Gani is just practicing his ancestral prayer rituals and corrected them that lolo Gani’s agimat is oval in shape and is made of wood darkened with fire; the younger generation insisted that lolo Gani must have some supernatural powers due to that ritual.

After coming home to cool down, Lumawig prepared the table so they can eat their lunch. His lolo cooked gurami (gourami), fried and then stewed in coconut milk with lots of ginger, paired with it is a pot of hot, steamy rice. The pair of mag-lolo (grandfather and grandson) then sat down and started eating.

**********

Sitan, the deity ruling the world Kasanaan in the Spiritual Realm is restless. Sitan looks like a skinny, old man with white hair that reaches down to his waist and dressed in a tattered white robes made of animal skins. His eyes look sallow and sinister at the same time. His body is covered in geometric tattoos of ancient Austronesian designs, the most prominent is that of large sun on his chest but is marred with a big scar that runs across from his upper left part of his chest up to the lower right part of his rib cage. He appears to be holding a staff made from kamagong. The staff is a little bit taller than Sitan; the lower end of the staff is narrow and pointed, while the upper end looks like the roots of the kamagong tree, and on the center of these ‘roots’ one can see a red glowing orb of mud-like substance, additionally, the ‘roots’ are shaped in such a way that it holds the orb in place. If one looks closely at the orb, sometimes faces of people that appears to be suffering could be seen.

Sitan had been restless, since the past 400 years. The number of souls he’s been receiving has been dwindling down steadily in the last four centuries, however he knows that in the mortal world, evil and sinful souls has been on the rise, but only a scant few of the hundreds and thousands of these sinful souls are going to his world. With the number of souls continuing to dwindle down on his world, his powers have been severely affected. He has no choice but to change his appearance so that he can conserve his powers. However, if nothing is done, it will only be a matter of time before he fades out of existence; immortal as he is, to be erased from existence is still a source of great fear for him and other spirits.

“This all because of those white-skinned men! They came and ostracized my agents, persecuted and executed my people.”, said Sitan.

Lamenting, he has decided what to do, “I must do something, or my world will become a dead world and I will be erased from existence! I still have not exacted revenge from that blasted Bathala for what he had done to me! I’ll need the support of the other deities and spirits.” Sitan concluded his thoughts, in his eyes however, a look of madness and anger could be seen. He then proceeded to open an old animal skin scroll, in it one can see a map, but this is not a map of the lower world he has been ruling, nor any other lower worlds of the other deities. It is a map that details the portal points he could take so that he can travel to the mortal world and back.

On the map, one can see the names of places in which supernatural beings can use as a portal to the mortal world, these places are called “spirit points”. Places like Biringan, Coguiton, the hidden city of the Tumao, Mt. Makiling, the Vanishing Island of San Juan, Mt. Banahaw, and Siquijor can be seen on the map, their names and the places corresponding to their locations in the mortal world is shrouded in light, signifying that these places can still be accessed by beings of Sitan’s level. While there are places on the map that are slightly dimmed, signifying that creatures of levels lower than Sitan are the only ones who can access them.

“If this was the old times, I can use the spirit point in Makiling; however, with Bathala and his loyal spirit Makiling guarding that place, it will be difficult for me to use that spirit point. Plus, there are scores of babaylan in that place, my agents will not be able to come near the mountain as they will be immediately caught. Banahaw is also risky, there are more babaylan in there as well.” Sitan continued to look at the map and then his eyes finally fell on Lake Sebu, an idea immediately came to him. “I can use this spirit point to enter the mortal world. All that’s left is for me to talk to other gods of the lower worlds.”, said Sitan to himself as a glint of determination appeared in his eyes.

**********

The mag-lolo was quite quiet eating their lunch, lolo Gani was not a talkative guy, he prefers to be left alone in his own thoughts, while Lumawig respects his lolo’s quiet nature. Though sometimes, he would start a short conversation with him. One of these conversation was about his dream.

“Lo, I have been having this dream in the past week. Last night it happened, though most of it is hazy, and I cannot really tell what is happening.” Lumawig told his lolo in a light-hearted mood. When his lolo heard him mention about his dream, his body froze for a moment, looked at Lumawig and asked,

“Are you really having the same dream for the past week?”

“Yes, I cannot remember the sequences happening in the dream, the events are all hazy especially the ones where I was talking or listening to someone. I have been even trying to recall the words that person was telling me, but I am unable to do so.”, explained Lumawig, seemingly oblivious to his lolo’s reaction.

After hearing Lumawig’s words, lolo Gani hurriedly finished his meal that he almost choked on his food. Lumawig finally noticed his lolo’s reaction, and was just about to ask, but his lolo said,

“Just finish eating for now, and we’ll talk later. I have to do something.”

Lolo Gani then went to the only bedroom in their house and began to rummage in his old baul (clothes chest). He is looking for his librito, a small book that contains oraciones (prayers), he is looking for his agimat, one that is different from the oval shaped agimat he is always wearing. He also took out a bottle of lana (coconut oil)

“So, he also has the gift?”

Muttered lolo Gani, softly. On his face you can see excitement and a hint of worry.

“I must help him prepare. This is just the beginning.”

Lolo Gani continued muttering. Looking outside the window, lolo Gani was as if looking and talking with someone, his looks were distant.

“Inang (grandmother) Selia, he also has the gift. I can only help him prepare, just like how you helped me before. Please watch over him when the time comes when he has to fully accept his gift.”

Lolo Gani then went outside and went to the lone balete tree near the place where he usually ties his carabao during noontime. There he kneeled and opened his librito and started chanting.

Meanwhile, Lumawig, who was left all alone at the table continued eating, but in a more hurried pace. When he was done, he immediately cleaned the dishes and went outside their house to look for his lolo Gani. He found his lolo Gani kneeling in front of the balete tree, chanting in a language he has never heard. Lumawig did not disturb his lolo, and just stood a distance away from him, just observing his lolo. A moment later and a strong gust of wind blew, on a summer heat, this gust of wind is a welcome presence. However, there is something peculiar with this gust, when Lumawig looked around, he saw that only the balete tree’s leaves and branches are dancing together in this gust of wind, the other trees near them are as still as a rock. Lumawig was shocked, confused and slightly afraid, however, at this time he heard his lolo’s voice,

“Come here apò. Sit by my side and close your eyes. No matter what happens do not open them!”

Lumawig has always trusted his lolo’s words. As his only living relative in this world, Lumawig never failed to heed of his lolo’s warnings and other teachings. A few moments passed and Lumawig felt something warm envelop his whole body. It was not invasive; it is more like a mother’s gentle caress.

“Do not be afraid and accept your gift. Your story will only begin once you fully accept your gifts.”

Whispered a woman’s gentle voice in his ears. After hearing the voice, everything went silent. Lumawig could no longer hear the rustling of leaves and the creaking of the branches, the strong gust of wind that suddenly appeared vanished just as fast. He began to doubt if what happened earlier was just his imagination.

“Mawi, did you hear anything?” asked lolo Gani.

*Author’s Note: “Mawi” is lolo Gani’s nickname for Lumawig. Henceforth, whenever lolo Gani would talk to him, he will either be called “apò” or “Mawi”

“Yes, it was a woman’s voice. She whispered something, she said –“ Lumawig tried to explain somewhat absent-mindedly but was then cut short by his lolo.

“You don’t have to tell me what she said. I know.” the old man said.

Realization dawned on Lumawig’s eyes. He realized that what happened earlier was not just his imagination, he also realized that the rumors circulating amongst the younger generation about his lolo might be true after all. Above all, he realized that his lolo has been hiding somethings from him all this time. Almost as if reading what was inside his apò’s head lolo Gani explained,

“I’m sure that you have realized somethings by now. You are a smart kid, so it should not be too hard for you to piece some things together. However, I still must explain things to you, as thoroughly as I can. First, I am not just a simple albularyo nor a farmer. In fact, being an albularyo and a farmer are just my disguises. I am a Babaylan.”

“Babaylan?” Lumawig interjected, his curiosity has been piqued. In one of their classes in Araling Panlipunan, Lumawig’s teacher has discussed the babaylans, but his lolo, when he mentioned that he is a babaylan, Lumawig felt something different. It felt like the word “babaylan” that his lolo said has a weight.

“Yes, a babaylan. Before I tell you anything about the Babaylans, you have to promise me that you will devote your full attention to what I am going to say.” lolo Gani told Lumawig. Understanding the significance of what his lolo will tell him, Lumawig nodded in agreement. After looking at the eyes of his apò and seeing the sincerity in them he began explaining,

“Since the ancient times, before the Spaniards came to our country to colonize us, our people have been living together with the spirits. In today’s times, they have many names, engkanto, maligno, diwata and many more, but in the babaylan’s eyes, they are all spirits. These spirits have helped us for a very long time. They were the ones who taught our ancestors farming, fishing and hunting. They have guided our ancestors in order to live a moral life, with laws that not just to protect our people but also the environment. They will, at times, also help our ancestors in wars by sending plagues and sickness to our enemies. But sometimes, they will punish us if we commit mistakes that would endanger the environment, or things that displeases them.”

Lolo Gani patiently explained to Lumawig.

“However, these spirits are usually not visible to normal people.” continued lolo Gani, “They are all around us, but most people cannot see them. That is where the babaylans come in. We act as bridges to connect the mortal realm to the spirit world. Through divinations we can consult the spirits and the stars about the future and our fates. Sometimes we can invoke the spirits to possess our bodies so they can directly tell the people what they need to speak about. Then we also consult the spirits so we can know which plant we can use as medicine to relieve whatever ailment our people have.”

“As a babaylan, we are also tasked to guard our people’s culture and history and ensure that it will be passed down through generations. With the help of the spirits, our ancestors were able to pass down their culture, traditions and history to the next generation. However, as the colonizers came, the babaylans were ostracized and persecuted. Many were even killed. The colonizers have demonized our ancestors’ noble role in the society, by aligning our rituals and the spirits that has helped us for many generations as evil.”

When lolo Gani reached this point in his story, a great sadness could be seen on his face. However, lolo Gani knew that it is important that he finishes telling his apò the story of the Babaylans, so he composed himself and continued.

“The foreigners also abused and hurt our mountains, forests, rivers and seas. Using the trees from our ancient forests to build those gigantic ships, they carved out our mountains to sculpt their stone saints and fill their houses with marble stones, scoured our seas for corals to be used on their giant churches, and polluted our rivers for their technologies. The spirits, deeply hurt by how they lost their homes in this world, and how quickly the people lost faith in them and instead became mesmerized by the white men’s teachings, began to leave the mortal realm. Some of them tried to stay and regain back the support of the people, however, they all failed. These spirits became the “devils” in the colonizers religious stories. Evils that were defeated by their wooden and stone saints. It was the darkest period for our people – for the Babaylans. However, some of the Babaylans were able to hide among the common people, after all, we can also do farming and other manual labors. Through hiding we continued to practice our traditions and culture, intertwining our history with those of the colonizers. The spirits, though few, have also helped us by becoming part of the people’s folklores and urban legends. Thus, maintaining a delicate balance, barely securing the connection between our two worlds.”

Lolo Gani then ended his story to his apò’s disappointment. He stood up and started walking back to their house.

“In the next five days, you have to prepare yourself. I will help you receive your gift and start your training to become a babaylan.” Lolo Gani told Lumawig without looking back at him.