Indigenous Voices

Reconnecting to indigenous ways and to our ancestral heritage can be done.

What is tacit knowing, talinghaga, metaphorical sight and understanding? What is the balance of Masculine and Feminine Principle? What is pakikipagkapwa? What is the indigenous worldview?

Let's learn from each other and from centering ourselves and going to the Source.

We can also learn from our local elders---talk to them.

And we can learn and remember from elders from around the world.




Fr. Albert Alejo of Ateneo de Davao University told this story to Leny Strobel (and a group of California teachers) during their Fulbright trip to the Philippines:

One day he was invited to a meeting with indigenous leaders in Mindanao. At lunch time as they were about to eat, one of the leaders said – since we have a priest with us, perhaps we should say a prayer and Fr. Alejo said—if I am not with you, will you be saying a prayer? The answer was: No, Father, because you see we gave thanks to the land when it received the seeds, we gave thanks to the seeds when they sprouted and yielded, we gave thanks when we harvested, we gave thanks when we cooked . . . so by the time the food is served, Father, it is already sacred.

Fr. Alejo told us this story to remind us that indigenous peoples and their sense of the Sacred Whole is intact. Their consciousness is not split into secular and sacred... everything and everyone is sacred.

---Leny Strobel, Editorial of Babaylan Issue, Our Own Voice

Going back to indigenous values can heal us, society and the world.




(Thanks to Sarah Queblatin for sharing this video and reminding us and helping us find the words for our experiences.)

Norman De Los Santos, Baybayin Font artist, and creator of Anak Bathala

“Anak Bathala World is a celebration of our cultural heritage that weaves together rich elements of Philippine mythology, culture, beliefs, folklore and values. It also pays homage to the golden age of comic makers with its artistic approach and graphic illustrations. It aims to carry out a renewed appreciation to Filipino art and works…” says Mr. Erwin Arroza in his Welcome Remarks [at the launch of Anak Bathala world in Quezon city. ]

--- August 2011, Street Smart Chic

If you're any one of the following---a baybayin enthusiast, online gamer, cartoon fan, Filipino myths lover, Philippine culture-enthusiast---here is a treat for you!

Anak Bathala World is an epic fantasy adventure of Kalem that showcases rich Philippine mythology and culture. It exhibits native Filipino beliefs and folklore intertwined with values.

The work of conceptualizing, creating and producing Anak Bathala world is in itself epic, spanning a five part graphic novel series and 5 online games that you can play right now at the Anak Bathala web site. 

Norman de los Santos aka Nordenx  researched and pieced together the beginnings of the Anak Bathala story. He is one of the pillars of creating the original Anak Bathala concept and is working with BHM Publishing House Inc., BHM Games Studio Inc. and Shinen Media Technology Corporation to produce it.

Norman was born and raised in Mindoro, Philippines. He later immigrated to the United States in 1989 when he was 18 years old.

Norman graduated from college with a degree in Computer Science and later went on to finish another associates degree in Computer Networks Systems Technology.

In 2000, he partnered and co-founded a small IT business in Southern California where he and his team offers IT services, developed networks, software, and websites for small businesses and larger companies and corporations. He also spearheaded a LAN games project that developed simple multiplayer games, applications, and game Mod tools. The business was running smoothly for four years until the partnership broke up for differences in creative vision. Disappointed from the loss, Nordenx vowed to start another company on his own when he can afford to do so. Between looking for a job and taking care of his family, he found comfort in his private research and hobbies.


Norman is an active and prolific Baybayin font designer and artist and is one of the early Filipino Baybayin Font developers to offer free modern Baybayin fonts online. As the founder of the Anak Bathala Project he uses modern technologies such as digital art, typography, video games, and commercial applications to promote awareness of Filipino Heritage and the Baybayin Script . 


Go Nordenx!

• Nordenx @ DeviantArt
• Nordenx's Baybayin Blog
• Nordenx's Merchandize Store
• Nordenx's Asylum
• Wild Whirled West
• Giant Monster Mayhem!
• Filipino Whirled