Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

One of the many healers and mystics I encountered during my stay in Banahaw. Here he explains me the power of the anting-antings (see my related post here) and he also gave me a lecture on the cabalistic drawings in his holy book.

He told me stories about UFOs and of people being abducted by aliens. He even showed me the place where aliens from outer space are landing.

He told me about a Golden Cathedral buried deep inside the Holy Mountain which is accessible only through astral projection. During some particular nights you can hear the ringing of the bells deep down inside the earth. 

I know that many of you will express amusement about those stories but among the local people this isn’t laughing matter at all. Most of them will confirm that extraordinary events are happening here.

 

Comments

[dave]

Did you photograph the alien landing site?

[Rach (Heart of Rachel)]

I think it's very interesting and quite captivating to hear this kind of stories. I've heard a lot about anting antings and the power they have.

[eric aka senor enrique]

Incredibly fascinating, Sidney! Thanks much for sharing!

[luna miranda]

i was treated by an 'arbularyo' when i was about 5 yrs old when prescribed meds didn't work. an amulet was brushed on my tummy, my mother told me, then my grandmother found small stems of guava on the bowl of water she prepared for the healer, and i was 'cured'. :D

i'm not a believer of amulets and faith healing, but i find it fascinating.

[Michael Rawluk]

Another terrific series. I think it important to document life like you do because of the way the world is changing.

[joy]

Indeed not! I think it's sad when people judge others' beliefs just because they don't coincide with theirs.

Say for instance amulets - how many of us have some kind of 'lucky' object - be it a dress, a pen, a hat?

[pieterbie]

Religion and mystery are the salt on the patatoes for many.
And why shouldn't we hear the bell toling?
Great photos!

[Ashish Sidapara]

Beautiful images of artist!!

[AC]

Great examples of local crafts and artisans. Like the carvings on the amulets.

[don]

Very interesting images of these amulets. The comment certainly speaks to the diversity of beliefs around the world... each to be given due regard.

[vera]

very interesting stories about this area, you make photo reportage... thanks!

[dodong flores]

Hi, Sidney!

I missed a lot of your posts. But at least I am able to cope with. Interesting places you've been to. I think your site is the best Philippine blog there is. I should share this anting-anting posts to the blue lady of www.bughaw.com. She has special interest for this stuff :)

[Gérard]

Ce que je crois c'est que ta deuxième photo est d'une netteté impressionnante

[jms]

Croire ou ne pas croire... tel est la question... heureux les pauvres d'esprits, il iront tous au paradis... peut-être...

[Laetirature]

Croire pour oublier
Condition d'humain
Car qui a-t-il donc après

[Toe]

This is so amazing Sydney! Magic and mysticism... they still exist in the Philippines.

[lagal[og]]

strange as they may seem, these are beliefs we ought to respect. so this was part of your laguna loop trip sidney?

[verns]

Being Catholic, I also don't believe in faith healers. But when I was little, there were actually some cases where a faith healer would go to our house to "treat" us from minor illnesses.

There was a time I got red spots all over my legs. I took some anti-histamine meds but it didn't work so my mother called T'yay Marit, a faith healer. She would whisper a prayer (sometimes it's the Lord's Prayer) in my head and then burn some coconut leaves blessed during Ash Wednesday and incense. Then she would hold my leg on top of the smoke created by the burnt leaves and incense for a minute or two. Trust me, the smell is so great that I would keep on inhaling it hehe

I don’t know the scientific explanation behind it but we always get healed by T’yay Marit.

[objectif-plume]

intéressantes ces médailles!

[lawstude]

interesting. these amulets are really fascinating. i remember seeing someone defying the sharpness of jungle bolo hacked in him and he neither incur pain or produce blood. really amazing.

[Cléa]

Beliefs are an interesting phenomena. Sometimes it's best not to argue.

[tina]

"Belief creates experiences". says an unknown person.which actually makes sense this time..

[Otto K.]

How very interesting.

[Eric]

I just happened to drop by and you have a very nice collections of photos...

[lasiate]

les illusions collectives ne font pas des vérités mais tu as réussi là un superbe reportage.