Republic of the Philippines

MUNICIPALITY OF IBA

Province of Zambales

For a long time, history books influenced by colonial perspectives dismissed the Babaylan as mere “witches” or “folk healers.” But as we celebrate 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, it’s time to set the record straight.

 

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧?

She wasn’t just a figure of myth. In our pre-colonial history, the Babaylan held a status equal to the Datu (Political Leader) and the Bayani (Warrior). She was: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦: A specialist in culture, religion, and medicine. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: The one who balanced the physical and spiritual needs of the people. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭: A woman whose counsel was vital before any major community decision.

 

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚?

Today’s woman doesn’t need a ritual to be a Babaylan. She “Leads like a Babaylan” every time she: Heals her community through 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲. Educates and 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞 and Leads with a heart that 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

We are told to be quiet and modest (mahinhin), yet we are surrounded by a lineage of bold—brilliant women who have been shattering that lie for centuries.

This March, we aren’t just celebrating “women”—we are honoring the Babaylan Spirit that survives in every Filipina leader, mother, professional, and advocate.

 

𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞: Babaylan, ang manggagamot. Detail of Mural “History of Philippine Medicine” by Carlos “Botong” Francisco.