Notes on Anitismo - The Ancient Religion of the Philippines by Isabelo de los Reyes.
Keep in mind - this was written a while back.
Ancient Chronicles written by the Jesuit hispanic Friars state that at the that the first spaniards set foot in the Philippines from the coast of visayas to Manila there was a considerable population of Muslim converts
This was especially true for Mindanao due to conversion by Islamic teachers from Borneo
De los Reyes argues that because of this, to find native Filipino religion at its purest, we must look to the North
Distinguishing native religion without outside influence such as from Islam, Hinduism, Christianity etc can be tricky
However he argues that the traces of Native Filipino religion can be found in the stories superstitions and advice that belong to various Filipino ethnic groups (Tagalogs, Bicolanos, Zambalenos etc)
From the South of the country in Mindanao to the extreme North like Luzon, De los Reyes argues then native Filipino religion was consistent
This religion was Anitism or the Cult of Anito, meaning souls of the ancestors.
Anitism is not a monolithic religion and hosts a broad pantheon ranging from Gods to animals, nature, elements and space.
The Philippines had its own modern spiritism and De los Reyes argues this may have been the origins of the cults of "Romanist Saints" (Catholic saints) in the Philippines. By this I think he means that Filipino spirituality influenced how Filipinos proceeded with Catholic worship.
The oldest chronicles about the Philippines can be found in various museums and libraries (such as the National Library of Madrid, Covenant of St Augustine in Manila)
We can follow these chronicles, from when the Jesuit Pedro Quirino provided news of religion in the Philippines in 1604, followed by reproductions by others like the Jesuit Colin in 1663 and others such as Fr. Morga, Gonzalez de Mendoza, Aduarte etc.
Fr Morga said that Filipinos practised Anitism in certain regions like Camarines and Cagayan.
Some traditions would say that Manila and its regions were not originally native to the island - they were from Malayan islands and other remote areas.
Before the Spaniards arrived, Islamic teachers from Borneo came to preach and interacted with the locals
Their teachings and beliefs spread quickly throughout the Philippines
Fr. Grijalva writes that they (Filipinos) started adopting their traditions and took on their names.
De Los Reyes argues that Spanish conquistadors' arrival/conquest was delayed because Filipinos were already familiar with various religions and beliefs and also because of the hands of Datu Lapu Lapu. What I believe he is arguing is that Datu Lapu Lapu and the previous exposure Filipinos had to different religions at first delayed Spanish influence from spreading so quickly.
Other islanders who weren't under the control of the government in the Philippines has their beliefs influenced by religious preachers who travelled to them from the Straits of Malacca and the Red Sea.
An account, dated April 20th 1572 (preserved in the archives of India) which is from the conquest of Luzon details "In these towns, closest to the sea, they do not eat any pork, which the moors taught them. But if you ask them, they say they do not know Muhammed or his law." This account was reproduced by Wenceslao Retana.
In actuality, very few Filipinos could understand/read the teachings of the Koran despite the Islamic influence.
In Filipino traditions, reverence and worship was given to nature and the elements, and this was usually consistent throughout the islands.
Native Filipino religion beliefs include elements, animals, stars and ancestors.
Filipino religion in Manila and nearby areas was a mixture or Anitism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam brought by the Malays of Borneo.
Vocabulary included Sanskrit and Malay terms such as Bathala, meaning Lord.
However these terms are not used in Northern provinces.
De Los Reyes argues that Itnegs and other mountain tribes conserved and maintained the purest form of Filipino religion
In the Ilocos, Cagayan, Isabela and other provinces of Northern Luzon, native Filipino religion was more prevalent
Hindus and Buddhists converted many in Java and Malaysia.
However Muslim influence became dominant in 1478 - 60 years before the Dutch invasion.
According to Javanese legends, Hindus arrives in Java 78 years before Christ.
The first Malays came from the Minangkabau river region to establish cities in Malacca , Ojohor and Singapore in the 12th century, as per Malacca records.
In the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, there were various Malaysian emigrations reaching the Philippines
De Los Reyes argues that Filipinos may have also populated the islands of Malaysia, and emigrations could have originated from strong winds coming down from the North.
The first Spaniards found the son of Lakandula, King of Manila, when they went to Borneo.
The emperor's master of ceremonies from Japan (Mr Fujita) argued that emigration likely came from the north and that Filipinos may have some relations to the Japanese.
According to Geographers and Historians of the Mariana Islands, what De Los Reyes calls the "know it all Spanish" - had no idea about interesting ruins found in Oceania, one of which was a prehistoric statue that was being held in the British museum.
He argues there may be hidden megaliths, artefacts, and remnants of lost civilisation in the Philippines, as seen in various locations such as : Butacan caves, Pangibalon Hill, Madias de Iloilo and Nasso.
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