2.4.1the Spritual Self (Supplementary)

Learning outcomes:
The students should be able :

1. to explain the concept of soul from the Filipino
standpoint
2. to identify various supernatural beings in the
Filipino folklore and narrate stories related to their
manifestations
3. to explain the role of religion (and possibly magic
and witchcraft) in creating and in giving meaning
to life
Etymological meaning:
From the Latin word “religare” which means “the
bond between man and God”; Latin “religio” which
means obligation, bond, reverence
Religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices

relative to the sacred and the profane, which unite
into one single moral community called church and
all those who adhere to them.
In the prevailing religious view among Filipinos is that
Man is a tripartite being:
• Body
• Soul
• Spirit
Others would regard the human person as a

dualistic being composed of the body (material)
and soul-spirit (spiritual).
The concept of “dungan” spirit or soul
In Western philosophy:
• soul is the principle of life in man
• body is the matter, soul is the form
As long as body and soul are one unit, man is alive.

The ‘soul’ or spirit of a person is called:
Kaluluwa by the Tagalogs

Gimokud by the Bagobos
Makatu by the Bukidnons
Dungan by the Ilonggos when the person is alive;
“kalag” or “detached”, “free”, when he is dead.
The ‘soul’ or spirit of a person is called:
Ikararuwa by the Ibanags

Kadkadduwa by the Ilokanos when the soul is in the
physical body and karuruwa when it departs
Death is the separation of the soul from the body.
The body cannot stay alive without the soul.
But the soul lives without the body.
Freed from the body, it ceases to experience thirst

and hunger, cold and heat.
As spirit, the soul is the opposite of the body which is

matter.
The dungan or soul is not normally seen by the human eye.
Sometimes, it comes out of the body and takes on a visible
form such as that of an insect or animal.
The dungan or soul is not normally seen by the human eye.
Sometimes, it comes out of the body and takes on a visible
form such as that of an insect or animal.
The dungan may leave the body voluntarily as when the
person us asleep.
When a person can see himself in his dreams it means that
his “other self” has left the physical body.
Another involuntary departure of the soul happens when it
is lured or captured by bad spirits or engkantu to be lured
out by a skillful shaman
Sickness is the temporary loss of the soul. Its permanent

loss is death.
The dungan is ethereal – something light and airy since it
travels with the air or the wind.
Prior to its entry and habitation of a human body, the

dungan is believed to inhabit the region above the surface
of the earth
It takes a special interest in the “unborn” being, usually a

relative, which it has chosen to inhabit.
The Bisayan dungan has a secondary meaning of “willpower.”
A strong dungan is the intellectual and psychological capacity

to dominate or persuade others to one’s way of thinking.
A person with a lot of willpower is said to “have a strong
dungan.”
Two people under one roof may lead to a spiritual

competition between the two dungan
- defeat (and sickness) of the one with the weaker dungan
SUPERNATURAL BEINGS IN PHILIPPINE FOLKLORE
ASWANG
Filipino ghouls
and
shapeshifters.
ASWANG
Filipino ghouls
and
shapeshifters.
The myth of Aswang is

popular in the Visayas,
particularly in the
provinces of Capiz,
Antique and Iloilo. The
aswang is also known as
wakwak, tiktik, bal-bal,
soc-soc, and yanggaw.
Tiyanak impakto,
it is a baby who
died before
receiving baptism
rites.
White Lady
Dressed in
white. Long hair.
Beautiful face
covered in
blood. Woman
foating on air…
Tikbalang
(also tigbalang,
tigbalan,
tikbalan,
or demon horse)
Manananggal
Kapre
Engkanto
Sigbin
Nuno sa Punso
1. Prayer – As thanksgiving, request, or
Ways to demand, prayer is generally distinguished
Interact with from ordinary use of language by a special
the gesture, often archaic, speech patterns.
Supernatural 2. Music – Musical instruments, singing,
chanting, and dancing are variously used for
their integrating effect on the people as well
as on the spirits.
3. Physiological Experience – Drugs, sensory
deprivation, mortification of the flesh, etc.
4. Exhortation or Preaching – The person
Ways to Interact with who acts as intermediary between the
the Supernatural
people and the gods acts in two directions.
5. Reciting the Code – Many religious
have myths that relate the activities of the
gods and describe codes of moral behavior
expected by the gods
6. Simulation – Voodoo employs
Ways to Interact with simulation, or the imitation of things.
the Supernatural
7. Mana and Taboo – The idea that power
reside in things that should be touched (the
power of man) and things that should be
avoided (things that are taboo).
8. Feasts – The eating of the sacred meal –
Ways to Interact with for instance, Holy Communion as a
the Supernatural
simulation of the last supper – is found in
many religions.
9. Sacrifices – Some societies make
sacrifices to a god in order to influence the
god’s action, either to divert anger or to
attract good will.
10. Congregation – the main function
of religion is social.
Ways to Interact with
the Supernatural 11. Inspiration – The gods pick
favored people to communicate with.
12. Symbolism – Religious symbols
can be direct representation of deities
in the form of paintings, icons, statues,
or masks.
1. Shaman – usually a part-time male
Types of specialist who has fairly high status
Religious in his community and is often
Practitioners involved in healing.
2. Sorcerers and Witches – In
contrast with shamans who have
fairly high status, sorcerers and
witches of both sexes tend to have
fairly low status.
3. Mediums – They tend to be
Types of females. These part-time
Religious practitioners are asked to heal and
Practitioners are divine while in possession
trances-which when they are
thought to be possessed by spirits.
4. Priests – They are generally full-
time male specialists, who officiate
at public events.
FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION
• It satisfies the emotional and spiritual needs of

the individual.
• It legitimizes the foundation of the society’s
culture and integrates the value system of the
society.
• It integrates and promotes group solidarity.
• It reinforces moral norms by adding sanctions to
the secular means of social control.
FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION
• It provides one with an explanation for his

strivings and helps him to rationalize his
frustrations and sufferings.
• It provides guidance and becomes a means of
social control.
• It performs welfare and recreation functions.
• It helps us find the meaning in life.

2.4.1the Spritual Self (Supplementary)

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Learning outcomes:

The students should be able :

Religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices

Others would regard the human person as a

As long as body and soul are one unit, man is alive.

The ‘soul’ or spirit of a person is called:

Kaluluwa by the Tagalogs

The ‘soul’ or spirit of a person is called:

Ikararuwa by the Ibanags

The body cannot stay alive without the soul.

But the soul lives without the body.

Freed from the body, it ceases to experience thirst

As spirit, the soul is the opposite of the body which is

Sickness is the temporary loss of the soul. Its permanent

Prior to its entry and habitation of a human body, the

It takes a special interest in the “unborn” being, usually a

A strong dungan is the intellectual and psychological capacity

Two people under one roof may lead to a spiritual

The myth of Aswang is

• It satisfies the emotional and spiritual needs of

• It provides one with an explanation for his

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