Philippine E-Journals

EL RENASCIMENTO: UNVEILING THE METAPHORICAL MEANING OF BATHALA

Palmo R. Iya

Discipline: Religion

 

Abstract:

The author attempts to unravel the tenets of modernism versus the tenets of postmodernism and how the principles of the latter become popular especially with the onset of post colonial studies. This paper explores the effects of the proliferation of postmodernist paradigm that led to the creation of various indigenization movements to those societies which were once colonized like the Philippines. It mainly highlights the revival of the ancient Filipino system of belief on Bathala (Bahala), the ancient Filipino Supreme God through the interpretation of the symbols of Baybayin, the ancient Filipino system of writing. This paper finally addresses the need for a discourse on the renaissance of the precolonial culture in the Philippines particularly in the field of religion. Thus, by uncovering the meaning of Bathala, this author believes that the present Filipino generation will be able to understand and appreciate the roots of their spirituality.