Friday, December 20, 2013

So Long 2013!

One Very Happy Memory from 2013 - Training with Ama Guro in Toronto



Well we made it through another year!  And what a year it has been...

- We opened a new school DETROIT KALI SILAT (13939 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn MI)

- We produced a new website www.detroitkalisilat.com

- We welcomed a fine group of beginners to our club

- We welcomed back quite a few old friends from the old days

- We traveled coast-to-coast for seminars with some of the finest martial artists in the world

- We watched our friend, Brother, and mentor - Kuya Doug Marcaida - rise like a meteor in recognition of something we already knew: He's by far one of the best Kali practitioners in our generation!

- We've been able to share the Grace and Beauty of the Southeast Asian martial arts with so many good people this year, it's truly a Blessing (for them and for us).

Next year promises to be even bigger.  If you've been wanting to get involved - come out! If you've been wanting to come back - come back! I personally may be doing less teaching in the coming months as I focus on some larger projects, so grab your sticks, blades, malongs, sibats, tekpis, and get ready to train HARD!

Everyone have a safe and happy Season.  Mabuhay.

JD 

More Great Stuff from Kuya Doug


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Another Great Law Enforcement Seminar

 
Another fantastic class attended by the great men and women of the Law Enforcement community wrapped up this week.  We have been teaching our WARRIOR'S EDGE TACTICAL method of edged-weapon defense and empty-hand close quarter battle for close to 10 years now - and it's a consistent favorite with us, and the students!

Our thanks to "Lt. Ungyo" and Officer Jason "POW-der" for keeping our streets safe and for helping me train yet another fine cadre of Michigan's finest.  Thanks also to our students for their enthusiasm, questions, and willingness to train hard.  I know you have a very dangerous and often thankless job.  The old saying is true "As You Train, So Shall You Fight".  I hope I've given you some insight into being a smarter, more aware, more effective operator.

Just a few of the comments from the Participants-in-Blue:

“Guro Davidson’s training is an outstanding compliment to the PPCT instruction we receive at the Police Academy.  The training is fluid and adaptable.  This is a must for any police officer!” 

- M.J., Wayne County Sheriff Department

Guro Davidson’s class introduces effective martial arts skills that are far superior to those typically taught in the U.S.A.  This course will enlighten the trainee not just to techniques, but an entire philosophy of Defensive Tactics.  I highly recommend this class”

-        - R.L., Oakland County Sheriff Department

“As a long time martial artist, I was very impressed with Guro Davidson and his instructors.  This was the most effective Police self defense class I’ve ever had in my 19 year career.”

-          - M.B., City of Eastpointe Police Department

“I’ve been an officer for over 12 years and am certified in two states as a Police Defensive Tactics Instructor.  The first 2 hours of Jeff Davidson’s class blew the past 12 years of my training away!”

-         - T.P., City of Troy Police Department

“Outstanding!  Clear, concise instruction using natural movements.  This class is a must for all Law Enforcement personnel.  I wish I would have known this prior to getting stabbed on duty years ago.”

- P.M., Sterling Heights Police Department

 “Guro Davidson teaches nothing less than pure survival in its simplest and most effective form”

- D.B., Wayne County Sheriff Department   

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Kali and Silat by The Bay


So sorry for the late update but it's been 'go-go-go' since I stepped off the plane.  I'd like to give a big 'SALAMAT' to my student Dave, to Rick and Dan Ramos, and all of their fine students (including my friend Destry Homes) for sponsoring a fantastic weekend of training in San Francisco.  It was my distinct pleasure to share the Filipino and Malay martial arts with such an enthusiastic and talented group of practitioners.  You all deserve high praise in my book!

I also had the opportunity to cross a few items off of the bucket-list such as:

- SF's Chinatown
- Haight/Asbury street
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Moe's Bookstore in Berkeley

A big thanks also to the BART workers for not going on strike until after I got to the airport to come home.  I'm looking forward to my next trip to the West Coast to hang with the SF chapter of The Brotherhood of the Blade.

MABUHAY! 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Silat for the Whole Family

Bonding over an ancient art

Practical tactics: Prof Dr Azlan Ghanie (right) trains his student Dr Mustafa Bakri and his two sons.
Practical tactics: Prof Dr Azlan Ghanie (right) trains his student Dr Mustafa Bakri and his two sons.











A father wants his family to learn silat because it is not only a form of martial arts, but steeped in the Malay traditions of adab (respect) and adat (customs).


EPIDEMIOLOGIST Dr Mustafa Bakri’s fascination with silat started from watching old Malay films from the 1960s such as Anak Buluh Betong and Dharma Kesuma.
“I was fascinated by how silat invoked the spirit of heroism and justice. But after being introduced to different silat techniques such as silat lintau and silat panji alam in secondary school, I realised martial arts acts in movies were choreographed, be it in Malay, European, Hollywood or Japanese movies.

“Silat teaches the core art of martial arts, minus the fancy moves seen on the big screen. In a real fight, the scenario is entirely different. Silat is thus far one of the best and most practical,” shares Dr Mustafa, 57, who works at the Seremban district health office.

Young exponents: It's good for children to learn silat as it instills discipline in them.
 
Young exponents: It’s good for children to learn silat as it instils discipline in them. 
The Perak-born doctor attends Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9 lessons which he considers one of the most practical self-defence tactics.

“It is one of the few silat systems where students (beginners included) are encouraged to use the keris in both armed and unarmed combat. Silat exponents can use simple yet effective movements to counter attack the opponent.

“To me, Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9 is the most practical silat by far as it combines skill and rigorous exercise. It requires minimal running, pumping or punching unlike other silat forms that I have seen, making it a perfect martial arts form-cum-exercise for me,” he said.

Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9 is an old system in Silat Melayu that can be traced back to the Malacca Sultanate and it is believed Malay warriors used it to fight Portuguese invaders.
The modern version of this form of martial arts was developed by silat exponent Prof Dr Azlan Ghanie, who had learnt it from his father Abdul Ghanie Abu Bakar, who inherited it from his grandfather Abang Salleh Datu Patinggi Borhassan.

Dr Mustafa, who has been learning silat since 2007, is one of Azlan’s students. He was so enthusiastic about silat that he has persuaded his wife Noraishah Mohamed, 49, and his sons Muhammad Syahridwan, 13 and Muhammad Syahriezlan, 11, to participate in Azlan’s classes.

Silat master Dr Azlan Ghani training his students. RAYMOND OOI / The Star Aug 31, 2013.
Hidden in the palm: Students learn to use anak badik, a weapon used by women in self-defence. 

“Since my wife and sons do not do much physical activities, the classes help to keep them active,” said Dr Mustafa who has six children.

Noraishah, a homemaker, was inspired to join silat classes due to its simplicity and practicality. “We learn self-defense tips for women, be it in public spaces or at home. It is especially useful as I am a housewife and I am home alone most of the time,” said Noraishah, who has been a silat student for two years.

Quick and fast moves: Dr Mustafa Bakri, 57, and wife Noraishah Mohamed, 49, testing their sparring skills during silat class.
 
Quick and fast moves: Dr Mustafa Bakri and wife Noraishah Mohamed testing their sparring skills during silat class.

Muhammad Syahridwan’s interest was sparked by his father’s enthusiasm. “My parents have been silat enthusiasts and their interest rubbed off on us. I enjoy my silat lessons as they build confidence and discipline. It is also a good form of exercise,” said the secondary school student. Dr Mustafa works in Seremban but travels back to be with his family in Rawang during weekends. Every Saturday, his family travels from Rawang to Setapak, Kuala Lumpur for their silat lessons.

Students start their classes with Senaman Melayu Tua, an ancient form of physical exercise that focuses on breathing techniques, stretches and movements to strengthen the body. After the warming up session, students learn different forms of loks (a Malay term for the curve on the blade of the keris).

Exciting: Audience members were captivated by the martial arts performance by Silat Sendeng Betawi Malaysia.
Exciting: Audience members were captivated by the martial arts performance by Silat Sendeng Betawi Malaysia. 

There are five loks (numbered one, three, five, seven and nine) to be learned to complete the basic syllabus. Learning the loks is the key to the principles of fighting in armed and empty hand combat. The basic syllabus takes two years of regular training to complete.

Dr Mustafa adds that besides an art of self defence, silat also places emphasis on adab (respect) and adat (customs). Traditional Malay values are maintained throughout classes where students are taught how to respect their elders and each other. Students are also taught how to confront danger (with or without weapons) which is useful for different age groups and gender.

“Silat practitioners are taught to respect our opponents and training tools. Before each session, we have to bow a little to shake hands with partners and kiss our weapon as a sign of respect. This traditional martial arts form teach us to avoid trouble and protect ourselves from danger. Being able to handle the keris during practice has helped boost my sons’ self confidence,” explained Dr Mustafa, adding that plastic or wooden knives are also used during sparring sessions.

Traditionally, the keris is regarded more than just a weapon and the adab (manners/ rules of behaviour) surrounding this art is extremely important. The keris is a symbol of the ancient Malay culture and must be respected, and those who own a keris carry heavy responsibilities. Learning the customs and traditions associated with the keris is an integral part of the syllabus.

Another benefit of learning silat is that it is good for health as its practitioners learn how to regulate their breathing. “Some silat students with asthma and shortness of breath are now more aware of proper breathing techniques. Learning how to improve breathing is among the core essentials of silat,” said Azlan, who charges RM50 monthly for his silat classes.

Azlan has also further developed Senaman Tua – a traditional exercise system based on the movements found in Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9. He had turned to this exercise form after he suffering from a stroke at 32, which left him partially paralysed.

“Although I sought all sorts of treatments ranging from modern to traditional, I didn’t show signs of improvement. I eventually started to practise various techniques of Senaman Tua (which I had learnt from my father) and my health gradually improved,” recounted Azlan, who is the founder and editor of Seni Beladiri, a monthly magazine dedicated to the Malaysian martial arts scene.

Dr Mustafa hopes more youngsters will learn silat as it is a self-defense art passed down from the warriors of the olden days. “Sadly, some feel that silat is out of fashion and not a necessity. Hopefully more students will sign up for classes as it is a powerful martial arts form that stresses on team spirit and confidence.”


*For more details on Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9, go to senibeladiri.com.my.

Monday, September 02, 2013

Second Part of Anting-Anting Article

And you shall be as gods: The culture of the anting-anting (Part 2)

By Dennis Villegas
The Philippine Online Chronicles 
 
The arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines in the 16th century proselytized the Filipino’s concept of God. To easily conquer the archipelago and introduce the Roman Catholic religion without antagonizing the superstitious and religious beliefs of the Filipinos, the Spanish friar missionaries presented the God of Roman Catholicism to be the same ancient Filipino God Bathala. The synthesis of the Roman Catholic religion and the pre-colonial religious and superstitious beliefs of the early Filipinos created a new kind of religion called Folk Catholicism, the religion of many millenarian groups in Southern Luzon, as well as the religion of anting-anting believers.

anting anting 6
The Trespicio medallion of the Infinito Dios and the Tres Personas

The trinitarian dogma which is the most important of all Catholic doctrines gave way to the mythology that God, a spirit being, is an eye contained in a triangle. The triangle (or in anting-anting parlance, trespico), is the perfect representation of God, as it contained three equal sides or three equal corners, consistent with God’s three equal personalities. The triangular medallion, therefore, becomes one of the most popular of all the anting-anting. It symbolizes the oneness of the Infinito Dios and the Santissima Trinidad. Those who keep and faithfully believe in the trespico anting-anting can achieve oneness with the Infinito Dios and the Santissima Trinidad.

2antinganting__roma
The Trespico medallion, believed by anting-anting faithful as an effective protector against evil because it contains the image and names of God. The symbols in this medallion include the Eye, representing the Infinito Dios, and the initials A.A.A which are the initials of the names of the Santissima Trinidad: Avetillo, Avetemit, Avelator (other names of the Santissima Trinidad are Aram, Ardam, Adradam). The ROMA is the initial of the title and name of God which means Rex Omnipotentem Macmamitam Adonay.
2antinganting_trespecio_seal_libre
One of the Trespico Seals of the Revolutionary Government of General Emilio Agunaldo in 1899.

anting anting 5 anting anting 5 anting anting 5
The Trespico as seen in the altar of the religious sect Tres Personas Solo Dios in Mount Banahaw by the author in 2010.

God’s Plan of Salvation
God’s plan for the world is to save it from the clutches of the Devil. For this reason, one of the Santissima Trinidad has been assigned to go down to earth to save humankind. Only through his sacrifice and death can humankind be saved. But since God is immortal and cannot die, he must assume a human form, and before he must be born a human, he should be conceived by a woman.

God being born as a human by a human mother is again one of those concepts that cannot easily be understood, especially among the early Filipinos who have a simple pre-colonial belief in the existence of God who is the first being in the universe. But for God to become human, and for God to be born by a woman, is something complex, especially if Catholicism teaches that the woman is the Mother of God, instead of just a blessed human person assigned by God to bear his human form.

The woman–the Virgin Mary–conceived God in her womb. The official Catholic doctrine on her personality is stated clearly in the official Catholic book Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church published by the Vatican:

Mary is truly “Mother of God” since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.

The image of a Mother God therefore plays an important role in the theogony of the anting- anting. In Filipino society, the mother of the family is viewed as the “ilaw ng tahanan” who provides her children with proper care, upbringing and education. Moreover, the early Filipino society, although strongly patriarchal, viewed women as mediators to God. As proof, the early priests were women called babaylan.

The veneration of the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God is therefore consistent with the Filipino view of the important role played by the mother in Filipino family and society. The babaylan priesthood still exists at present in many folk Catholic religions in Southern Tagalog, most especially in the Ciudad Mistica de Dios and the Tres Personas Solo Dios in Mount Banahaw, where the religious leaders and priests are women.

The idea of a Mother God was accepted by the early Filipinos as a given. Thus the Virgin Mary eventually took her place as an important God in the pantheon of the Gods among Filipinos. Monotheistic though the Catholic religion is as claimed by the Vatican, to the simplistic views of the pre-colonial Filipinos, the Infinito Dios, the Santissima Trinidad, and now, the Virgin Mary constitute a polytheistic religion.

In the theogony of the anting-anting, the Virgin Mary must therefore be elevated from her role as a simple bearer of God in her womb to become the Infinita Dios, the female equality and counterpart of the Infinito Dios. The emergence of the Infinita Dios in anting-anting symbols also gave way to the belief that God does not have a sexual gender preference.


anting anting 7 anting anting 6
The medallion of the Infinita Dios. Author’s collection.

Thus the emergence of the myth of the Infinita Dios was established:

Before God created the universe, He decided to have someone help him in his task of creation. While thinking, five shining letters sprang forth from His mind that became the five petals of a beautiful flower (mayuming bulaklak). This flower is called the Gumamela Celis which means the Flower of Heaven or Flower of the Earth (Rosa Mundi). The five letters are none other than the beautiful name M-A-R-I-A, which in Syrian language is Miriam, which means the highest. The original name of Maria before God created the universe was Bulaklak.

Maria was thus the first being that emanated from God. In short, Maria was even first to appear than the 16 spirits, the seven Archangels, Luzbel (Lucifer), and the Santissima Trinidad. The Virgin Mary was thus elevated from her former status as bearer of God in the flesh, into a God that first sprang forth from the mind of God.

Then again, one should not be confused. The Infinito Dios, the Santissima Trinidad, and the Virgin Mary all share in the equality of their divinity. No one is more or less than the other. This is quite difficult to understand, so one can imagine how the early Filipinos had a hard time embracing this set of beliefs about God. Clearly, even a child can understand that there are five Gods being spoken here: the Infinito Dios, the Santissima Trinidad that is composed of three persons, and the Virgin Mary.
anting anting mandirigma anting anting mandirigma
The medallion of the coronation of the Virgin Mary by the Santissima Trinidad. (Author’s collection)
2_antinganting_panyo_ng_kabalistiko_ng_infinita_dios

Panyo ng Kabalistiko ng Infinita Dios. The sacred words spoken by the Infinita Dios forming her image.

However, to be consistent with the Catholic teaching that God is One even though there are clearly five of them sharing the One divinity, the early Filipinos simplified this complexity by inventing the God called Cinco Vocales: A-E-I-O-U.

A is Bathala/Infinito Dios
E is Mother God (Virgin Mary/Infinita Dios)
I is God the Father
O is Jesus Christ
U is the Holy Spirit.

The Cinco Vocales is the DAEIOUS AEIOU (daeious is pronounced as deus), the final enumeration of the pantheon of Filipino Gods as a result of the synthesis of the complex doctrine of the Roman Catholic religion and the simplistic pre-colonial religion of the Tagalogs. The Cinco Vocales, as all anting-anting faithfuls believe, is the highest God, because it is the complete composition of the five highest Gods.

anting anting 3

Consistorio ng Kadeusan ng Anting-anting
The pantheon of the Gods “DAEIOUS AEIOU” or Cinco Vocales. From left to right: InfinitoDios, Infinita Dios, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. This is believed by many folk Catholic millenarian sects and anting-anting believers as the true enumeration of the One True God, again consistent with the Catholic doctrine that there is only one God.

To this pantheon of Gods, however, we must add a newcomer: Amang Gat Dr. Jose Rizal, whose name among anting-anting believers is Jove Rex al, meaning, God King of All. To many anting-anting believers, Rizal is the second incarnation of God. The first was Jesus Christ. Most, if not all, Rizalistas are also believers in anting-anting. Inversely, many anting-anting believers are also Rizalistas.

anting anting 4
Photo: Medalyon ng Amang Gat Dr. Jose Rizal. Author’s collection.



mandirigma.org
 
Taladro ng Kadeusan ng anting anting. The pantheon of Gods among the Rizalist anting anting believers. The pantheon consists of the Infinita Dios, the Infinito Dios, the Santissima trinidad, and Amang Gat Dr. Jose Rizal.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Kali De Leon and The Brotherhood of the Blade - August 2013




We’re very happy to have logged yet another fantastic training experience with the great Ama Guro Jun De Leon of Kali De Leon in Toronto.  This seminar was exclusively for members of The Brotherhood of the Blade – who came with lightning speed and enthusiasm from Detroit, New York, San Francisco, Maryland, and even Lebanon to study at the feet of The Master.  The event was coordinated in large part by the indefatigable Kuya Doug Marcaida – who is never one to shy away from such tasks as organizing people from all over the United States to attend an event being held in another country.  Well done Kuya!

Ama Guro Jun continues to be a great inspiration to us not only for his utterly unsurpassed skill as a practitioner and teacher – but he is also the very epitome of the virtues which every serious student of our Arts strives to cultivate.  After all, it is very easy to be overwhelmed with Ama Guro’s skills; you can appreciate those skills even by watching a video.  What you may not realize – if you have not been blessed with the opportunity to train under the Master -is that those skills emanate from a solid core of Honor, Integrity, Humility, and Compassion.  I don’t care how hard or fast you can swing a baston, the “secret” of true power is Character.

Thank you for everything Ama Guro.  We’re looking forward to the next one!

Monday, August 19, 2013

"Tips for Learning Silat" - from Mohd Nadzrin Wahab


Please take a moment to digest this excellent article by my brother Mohd Nadzrin Wahab of Malaysia - JD

When I was a silat instructor, several matriculation students asked me what tips I had to help them study. I decided to give them what worked well for me.

Tip No. 1. Know and adapt to your lecturer's expectations
When I took Introduction to Anthropology, no one in IIUM history had achieved an 'A' in that particular course. This was because Dr. Aris Othman was considered an eccentric and 'killer' lecturer.

However, I took note of something he said very early on in his lectures. He said, "Follow my instructions to the letter". I was scared spitless of the man, so, throughout the semester, I made it a habit to do as he said.

He asked for a five page assignment based on a statistical survey of our choice with questions of our own choosing to be submitted on the 25th of October 1997. I, of course, forgot. On the 24th of October, I realised that I was going to be screwed (you know the sudden heart drop feeling), so at about 11pm, I quickly typed up a smoking survey, printed out 50 copies and ran around my dorm forcing friends to answer them.

At about 12am, I ran back to my computer and began drafting my assumptions based on the results. The information was so scant, and I knew Dr Aris would know if I made something up, so I decided to reach for just the 5 pages he asked for. I filled all five pages by 5am, with an extra page for the bibliography, waited until 8am for the stationery shop to open, got it bound and ran to his office, hoping he hadn't arrived.

I panicked because I couldn't push it under his door. His office floor was full of assignments. Suddenly, he turned around the corner, and I, white as a ghost, handed it to him and ran in the opposite direction.

A week later, it was time for the moment of truth. People started getting their assignments back. Almost the whole class got a zero. I got 29/30. I could feel the girls burn a hole in the back of my head with their stares. How the hell did the laziest guy in the class get 29/30? I remember Dr Aris' words to this day:

"I asked for 5 pages. All of you gave me 6, 7, you sisters gave 15 pages, with pictures of bunnies and smelling of perfume. I asked you to submit it on the 25th, but no, you gave it to me days before. I only accepted those I found on that morning. You want to know how to do it right," he suddenly pointed at me, "ask him".

I became very unpopular that semester.

Another time, he said, "I want to see, everything I tell you, come back to me in the exam. If I don't get it, I won't like it. Keep it short and straight to the point".

Something in me said, "Keep to the line, man!" So, I did. For the mid terms and finals, for every question on the exam paper, I repeated his exact words verbatim from class (it helped to have an auditory memory and fast writing skills). Each answer came up to 3 paragraphs and took up half a page.

My classmates hated me anyway, so after 30 minutes into each exam, I left the exam halls.

It paid off. I was the first person in the Anthropology Dept's history to get an 'A' for the most 'killer' introductory course.

I repeated this process for Dr Mumtaz Ali Jaafar's course (Islamic Aqidah) and Dr Susan Zaharah Ardis Keeney's course (Inter Cultural Communication).

Dr Mumtaz preferred a clean exam answer sheet with a skipped line between the writing and Dr Susan wanted critical thinking (so instead of answering her exam questions, I criticised the validity of her question, deconstructed it, proposed a more valid question and answered my own question). I got A's for both of those courses.

Understanding requirements and expectations is an important part of managing and fulfilling them, with your family members, your clients, your colleagues and even your participants. Knowledge is power, and knowing wins half the battle.

Tip No 2: Never backbite the fountainhead of your knowledge
This second tip was controversial, because I managed to make myself very unpopular with the girls when I shared it.

A sister asked me, "How is it possible that while we girls come to class early, take notes, discuss with our lecturer, while you guys saunter in late, tak mandi, fall asleep in class and still manage to get high grades like us?"

It was a strange phenomenon in IIUM, that the scruffiest guys in class could also be the smartest.

I gave my opinion to them, and whatever husband potential I had in their eyes went flying out the window.

"The only reason we get by, is because, we never talk about our lecturers the way you do."

(FYI, I was an introverted nerd for most of my life and stood in the background. I grew up observing people and eavesdropping on conversations).

"Every time you girls start talking about a lecturer you don't like, you go all the way, making fun of him or her, their dress sense, calling them names and make enough ketupat (menganyam ketupat= mengumpat) to last several Hari Rayas [you can tell this was translated from Melayu]."

"You take knowledge from them, but you disparage the fountainhead it comes from. I don't think Allah likes that".

Tip No 3. Take courses that share a similar level, theme or resources
This third tip has more to do with course selection than anything else. It needs a bit of research and asking around, but the effort is totally worth it.

In my first semester at the IIUM Main Campus, I noticed that all the introductory courses had a common thread in them, in that they were all first level Human Sciences syllabi.

As such, the themes that were discussed were similar. It was at this level that the essence of individuality, relationship, society, interactions and power are discussed.

Although the word "society" is defined differently in Communication, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology and History, taking all of these courses at the same time gave me an appreciation and focus of the same theme.

Therefore, the books I borrowed from the library actually cross-referenced each other nicely, and instead of thinking of the courses as separate subjects, I felt like I was studying only one subject.

As a result, in the exams, I actually used the same example to illustrate the same concept of society in my Intros to Political Science, Communication and Anthropology papers, but modified to suit the perspectives of each field.

An analogy for this would be referencing the same Quranic ayat or Hadith for different Islamic studies exam papers, or the same precedent for different Law papers, or even debriefing the Traffic Jam activity for different learning programs.

That first semester was my benchmark and I carefully selected my courses in every semester to find complementary themes and resources, so I won't have to study too many different topics. I had an advertising/marketing semester, and a creative writing/journalism semester and even a law semester where I took as many law electives as possible.

(I failed badly in that one. I can never understand law. Law students must be crazy peoples, I thought)

Tip No 4: Use visualisation, audio memory and muscle memory for facts
Long before I learned about VAKOG (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory, Gastro), I had already been practicing some basic methods surrounding it. When I was in Form 4, Lawrence Walter Ng came to my school to promote his Art of Learning methodology. During his short talk, he introduced us to visualisation.

He hypnotised everyone in the hall to imagine seeing a can of Coca Cola that he 'held' in his hand. I was impressed, because when he took his hand away, the can was still there, hanging in the air. I never did go and learn from him, but I used that method successfully in my SPMs.

I 'copied' the Van Der Walls device, the human digestion system, the map of ancient Melayu civilisations and many more diagrams in front of me. It was so vivid that to this day, when I look to the top left corner, the Van Der Walls is still there, the digestive system with all its labels and enzymes are on my top right and the map is behind me (I can visually pull it from the back like a cloak). Others, I've managed to delete, but I decided to keep these for future reference.

For facts that are difficult to diagram, I used audio memory by repeating it to myself and sitting quietly during group discussions and debates. I discovered this technique while watching a comedy where Joey Lawrence played an idiot who tried to cheat on his exam, so he wrote hundreds of cheat sheets to sneak in to the exam hall. In the end, he never used them because, "I wrote it down so many times, that I actually wrote it all in my head!" to which his brother quipped "That's called remembering, Joey".

I was never the smart kid, but I sat next to the smart kids during lunch, when they were studying in the dorms or in class. That way, I eavesdropped and stole many a tip and repetition.

Once, a totally unintended fluke, during an Arabic group study session, I actually fell asleep while they continued discussing. Everything they discussed was 'recorded' in my brain and I could actually summon the whole discussion and replay parts of it during the exam, even when I didn't understand what I was writing  

When I was studying silat, I was introduced to the concept of muscle memory which implies that with enough repetition, the nerves, independent of the brain, can groove a neural path that creates a second nature reflex. I found that when I paired up my physical movements with the visual and audio techniques, I could easily access any data I memorised.

So, not only did I memorise the Van Der Walls, I could also play with it. I could dissect the organs of the human anatomy (once, I even crushed the model's heart and it died :P) and I could rotate the map of the peninsula and zoom in to each kerajaan (long before Google Earth). When I saw Minority Report with Tom Cruise, I rolled over laughing, because that's exactly how my friends saw me doing it in exam halls (and thinking I was crazy).

I relearned this technique while in Accenture, when Mahan Khalsa of FranklinCovey, who called it the holographic method said: "If you can see yourself do it and hear yourself say it, your brain takes these three inputs and records it as a hologram in 4 dimensions in your brain".

So, why did I get A's in some subjects and none in others even when the techniques were so powerful? Simple answer. I was malas, and only had passion for the subjects I was interested in.

Tip No 5: Hype yourself up for the battle
My roommate Zulfadhli Hamzah, was the son of a retired army major and conducted his life with a regime. He would shine his shoes once a week (you could see your face in them), ensure there were iron lines in his shirts and pants.

But during exam time, he ramped it up. He woke up earlier, put on a solemn face, ironed his shirts and pants for the day and shined his shoes, every single day. He would stand at our room door, take a deep breath, and literally march out to the exam hall.

I asked him why, and he said, he was preparing for war. And a good soldier is ready for anything. He was a good scorer. When I look at my other friends who just serabai-ed their way to their exams, I decided to follow Zul's example. I was going to find my war preparation.

So, I experimented for a couple of semesters, and found my formula that worked to strengthen my spirit, reduce my stress and prepare me for battle. This is what I use, so determine what's best for you.

A. Solat hajat 2 rakaat with as much servanthood as possible, as if it was my last solat on Earth. My friends noted it took me almost 30 minutes to complete it, but I never noticed the time. All I felt, was a surging of my spirit.

B. A theme song to walk out and strut my way to the exam with. In the beginning, I experimented with playing Bonnie Tyler's "I Need A Hero", then "Eye of The Tiger" and halfway through singing the song, I'd walk out of the room still singing it. Finally, I settled on the Imperial March Theme from the throneroom final scene in Star Wars: A New Hope. I'd still hum it throughout the day. Later, I actually brought my Walkman along, and the song accompanied me all the way to the exam hall. My heart was beating with purpose and I had a determined look on my face. People thought I was crazy. But I had a theme song and I strutted!

C. At the exam hall, I stayed away from the other kids, because most were sitting outside doing last minute studying and that would always screw with my confidence: "Hah? Itu masuk exam ke? Eh, ada ke belajar benda ni? Kenapa aku tak ingat?". So, I just hung out far away with my Walkman playing with my VAK 'friends'.

Tip No 6: Promote and Prevent with Chemicals
Yeah, take this tip with a pinch of salt and always keep updated on scientific studies (and I don't mean watching the Discovery Channel). It all started while in school, I read in The Star that bananas are effective destressers, especially for exams because it helps manage the fight-or-flight mechanism from blocking your brain functions.

So, I'd always bring a banana to the hall and eat it while the other kids were busy reading. I might have sent some wrong messages along the way. Anyway, it was very effective and I have never felt anxiety in an exam ever since, except when I really didn't study for it.

Another thing I discovered about my physiology is that I fall asleep when I drink coffee and I stay up, hyper with ideas and imagination when I drink tea after 8.30pm (yes, I made recorded observations. So, I'm weird. Sue me).

So, I took to drinking teh tarik which would keep me up until 3am or ice tea until 6am to study (tidur the next day :P) I haven't had to use this tea thing since university as I've found mental switches to achieve the same effect. Still eat bananas though.

Again, read as much as you can about food and drinks that can help with your studying. Now, there's a ton of research and new products that aid memory and stuff, so I'd say students now are better off than 10 years ago. Just be careful. That's all.

Tip No 7: Make peace with the people you love and who love you
When I was studying silat, a friend of mine kept finding it difficult to perform a particular technique properly. Even after weeks of training, he just couldn't get it right. The instructor went up to him, and asked him a few questions and then my friend ran off for about 20 minutes. After he rejoined training, suddenly, he could got the technique perfectly.

I asked him what had happened. He said the instructor discovered that the last time he met his mother, he had forgotten to salam her as he was late for class. The instructor told him to give his mother a call (from a public phone) and ask her for her forgiveness and blessings for his studies.

Lo and behold, all was well, and he gained a greater respect for his relationships since then.

So, an exam is just another challenge in your life, and the people who want the most to see you succeed in life are your teachers, your mother and your father. Nurture, preserve and protect these relationships and you'll find life becomes easier in many ways.

Friday, August 16, 2013

More on Anting-Anting

And you shall be as gods: 

The culture of the anting-anting (Part 1)

The Philippine Online Chronicles (www.thepoc.net)


anting anting anting anting anting anting 6 
 
Deep in the night of May 20, 1967, around 400 curiously-attired men congregated on Taft Avenue in Manila, near what is now Vito Cruz, with the intent to march to Malacanang Palace to ask for President Marcos’ resignation. The men wore anting-anting and colorful vests with mixed Latin and Tagalog inscriptions on them. Seemingly at odds with their appearance, they were also wielding daggers and three-foot-long jungle bolos signifying their rebellious intent. They were part of the millenarian sect called Lapiang Malaya (Freedom Society), a quasi-religious political society led by the charismatic 86-year-old Supremo Valentin delos Santos, a former Catholic priest, trained auto mechanic, one-time circus performer, and failed candidate in the past three presidential elections at that time.Early in May 1967, Tatang Valentin, as the Supremo was called, had demanded that Ferdinand Marcos step down. He also wanted the Philippine Armed Forces to surrender their arms to him. Deeply disillusioned by what he termed as the oppression of the poor and the continuing evil influence of foreigners in the Philippines, Tatang Valentin decided it was time to establish a new government, with him as the new Supreme Commander, Commander-in-Chief, and President of the Republic of the Philippines. President Marcos promptly rejected Tatang Valentin’s demand. 
As the kapatid (“brothers,” as Lapiang Malaya members were called) started to arrive from the provinces to gather in the society’s compound in Pasay, the Philippine Constabulary cordoned off the area to prevent more members from joining the already frenzied group.

Then at around 12:30 in the morning of May 21, as the tension between the Lapiang Malaya members and the constabulary heightened, mock gunfire rang in the air, allegedly shot by a prankster. A violent skirmish between the kapatid and the constabulary followed – one that was so one-sided it was later to be called a massacre. As the constabulary opened fire, 32 of the kapatid were killed and some 40 seriously wounded. The constabulary had one mortality: a soldier who was hacked to death. In addition, five constabulary soldiers were wounded by bolo hacks, and three civilians hit by stray bullets.

antinganting_2_-_lapiang_malaya_killed
One of the kapatid killed in the Lapiang Malaya massacre of May 21, 1967. Note the sacred vest and scarf he wears that gave no protection against bullets. Purist anting-anting believers would later say that those killed lacked faith in their anting- anting.


This massacre of the Lapiang Malaya was one of the bloodiest episodes in recent Philippine history. As the front-line members of the Lapiang Malaya fell to gunfire, many other members realized their anting-anting would not protect them. Dispersing in many directions, they were later arrested and charged with rebellion.
Later that morning, Tatang Valentin surrendered to the constabulary. He was brought to the National Mental Hospital, together with 11 of his high-ranking lieutenants. All of them were subjected to psychiatric evaluation and pronounced lunatic. Following his diagnosis, Tatang Valentin was confined to a cell together with a violent patient, who allegedly mauled the old man into a coma. He never regained consciousness and was declared dead in August 1967. The official medical report stated he died of pneumonia.

After Tatang Valentin’s death, the Lapiang Malaya was officially dissolved by the government, with most members either pardoned or sent back to their respective provinces. Most of these were peasants, laborers, and common folks from Southern Tagalog who believed in Tatang Valentin’s promise of a new government based on “true equality and true liberty.” They also subscribed to Tatang Valentin’s promise of supernatural powers once they wore their anting-anting and sacred vests. He convinced them that the bullets of the enemies would turn into snakes and fall around them. But as it happened, and as proven in the bloody morning of May 21, the amulets they wore were no match for the automatic gunfire of the constabulary. The bullets easily tore through their vests, flesh, and bones.

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Tatang Valentin delos Santos surrenders to the Constabulary

In retrospect, the Lapiang Malaya massacre is just one of the many episodes in the history of the Filipino mass movements whose combined quest for freedom and faith in the anting-anting led them to fight the oppression of those in power. The revolt of the Cofradia de San Jose in 1840, the Katipunan in 1896, the Colorum rebellions of Southern Tagalog in 1897, the Philippine Revolution of 1899, the Makario Sakay and Felipe Salvador rebellions during the early years of the American occupation, and the Sakdal and the Hukbalahap movements – these are all examples of uprisings driven not only by nationalistic fervor but by religious and superstitious beliefs as well.

The leaders and members of these movements invariably kept an anting-anting to protect them in their battles against the enemies. General Emilio Aguinaldo was known to possess the medallion of the Santissima Trinidad, Andres Bonifacio used the Santiago de Galicia amulet, Felipe Salvador wore the medallion of Christ’s resurrection, and General Macario Sakay went around in an anting-anting vest with the inscribed Caravaca cross design. General Antonio Luna, Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, and General Miguel Malvar were also known to possess an anting-anting.

The anting-anting likewise figured prominently in the lives of folk heroes and bandits, such as Tiagong Akyat, Nardong Putik, and Kapitan Eddie Set, whose life stories were made into movies by actor Ramon Revilla. But for all the presumed power of the anting-anting they wore, most of these folk heroes and villains ended up being killed by gunfire in encounters with the authorities.
Even former President Ferdinand Marcos, the man Tatang Valentin wanted to overthrow, was known to believe in the anting-anting. Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, reportedly a firm believer in anting-anting, was said to have embedded an anting-anting into the former president’s skin.  Could it be that Marcos’ anting-anting was more powerful than Tatang Valentin’s?

Did Tatang Valentin and his men truly believe that the anting-anting had the power to turn bullets into snakes? If so, why did the anting-anting fail to stop the bullets from penetrating through cloth and flesh? Was Tatang Valentin truly a messiah from God as he claimed he was? Or was he simply, as the government asserted, a madman? What is it in the anting-anting that attracts many Filipinos into believing in it? Where did it come from? What is its history? More importantly, why would some Filipinos suspend logic and place their lives in peril just because they possess an anting-anting?

The culture of the anting-anting
antinganting_4_vest


One of the vests of Tatang Valentin delos Santos (Author’s collection)

Every culture has produced its own set of talismans and amulets, and the Philippines is no exception. While some cultures may regard amulets merely as magical accessories to protect one against harm and bad luck, the culture of the Filipino anting-anting may be different, being so ingrained as to be regarded as a religion in itself. Notably, the anting-anting invariably contained mixed symbols of the ancient Filipino religion, Roman Catholicism, the Christian Orthodox church, and Judaism.

For those who believe in its divine properties, the anting-anting is one of the few man-made objects that can make man closer to God or even achieve the qualities of God. It is a long-held belief among the mystics, both in the East and the West, that amulets serve as temporary or even constant habitation of God and other divine spirits. The animist belief that inanimate objects can become receptacles of dwelling of the divine is shown through the ancient worship of statues, relics, beads, portraits, tombs, and of course, amulets.
Before the coming of the Spaniards, the early Filipinos were already known to keep amulets, talismans, charms, and various other objects to protect them from harm, the elements, and the evil spirits. Crocodile tooth, gems, odd-shaped stones, and even fossilized remains of animals were the earliest known examples of anting-anting used by the early Filipinos.

The anting anting has many other names in the Tagalog lexicon: bertud, agimat, gamit, talisman, mutya, or galing. It also comes in many forms. It can be a medallion, a small book, a piece of paper, a tattoo, a crocodile tooth, a meteorite, a vest or scarf inscribed with oraciones, and many others. No one is quite sure how the word anting-anting came to be. According to Lorna Montilla, anting-anting may have evolved from the Latin word “anti,” and thus means “anti-anti” or “against-against.” Indeed if the present belief in the popular use of anting-anting is to be considered, Montilla may be correct, since the anting-anting is mostly used to protect its wearer against harm and illness. But there are also some who put forward the theory that the term is actually derived from the Javanese word “anting-anting” which means ear pendants. Anting-anting may also have been derived from the Bahasa Melayu word “anting” that means “dangling” or “swinging.”

antinganting_5_medallions_in_quiapo
Anting-anting medallions in Quiapo

The enigma and promise of the anting-anting
Part of the attraction of the anting-anting lies in its esoteric nature. Basically, man is attracted to the unknown, to the mysterious. Most anting-anting pieces are puzzling because of their cabalistic figures, mysterious oraciones, and hidden initials. Many people who possess these are very secretive and would not want to reveal what they keep, except maybe those pieces they wear around. They believe that the mystical nature of the anting-anting–their own covenant with the gods–is what makes it powerful. Once revealed to others, its power diminishes or disappears altogether.

The secret symbols and initials are part of the original mystical theogony of the Tagalog. The oraciones—the prayers summoning the divine—are mostly hidden in initials. I found that many of these initials are the numerous names of God and the words God had spoken. For instance, the initials M.M.M. and A.A.A. appear on many medallions which, according to anting-anting believers, are the initials of the true names of the Santissima Trinidad (Holy Trinity). We will unlock these secrets later in this article as we examine each of the medallions.

Many of the symbols are connected with the Filipinos’ concept of God. The most commonly seen symbol is the Eye contained in a triangle, which represents the Bathala or the Infinito Dios, the ancient Filipino God. This symbol appears in many emblems, banners, and seals of many millenarian groups in Southern Tagalog.
The connection of God to the anting-anting, therefore, is key to understanding its nature. To unlock the secrets of the anting-anting’s hidden meanings, myths, and symbolisms, one must be able to understand the Filipino’s concept of God. The anting-anting is the Filipino’s way to approach God, and to contain God within a medallion or vest, and thereby achieve a divine connection which will give him the qualities of God.

Another attraction of the anting-anting is the promise it gives to its possessor. Many who keep them believe that the anting-anting gives them spiritual power that can protect them from material harm. Many of the people who put their faith in the anting-anting, such as the kapatid of the Lapiang Malaya, held the notion that they gain supernatural powers through the anting-anting. They can become invisible to enemies, impervious to bullets and knives, escape mortal dangers, be in two places at the same time, perform miracles, and so on. Therefore, the anting-anting endows them with the attributes of the gods.

With all these attributes of power and promise, many people who believe in the anting-anting spend most of their lives searching for the most powerful ones. They go to the most remote places in search of the anting-anting. They undergo great sacrifice and peril to hunt them. For example, in the past, it was a common belief that an unchristened fetus, recently aborted or miscarried, must be exhumed from the cemetery, put into a bottle or jar, soaked in liquor, and eaten one tablespoon everyday for a whole year. The pickled fetus is still believed powerful by some of the most radical faithful in the Tagalog region. This author knows of a person who fell gravely ill after eating pickled fetus for a week.

There are also people who swallow the anting-anting, in the belief that once ingested, its powers are absorbed by the body. This is called the subo (swallow), still being practiced by many believers. Another extreme is the baon, in which the anting-anting is embedded into the believer’s skin, like what Marcos was said to have had inside the skin of his back.

The theogony of the anting-anting
The ancient Filipinos believed in the existence of God. In Tagalog mythology, God is the Bathalang Maykapal or Bathala, the creator of the universe. Although the name Bathala may be Tagalog, it has counterparts in other parts of the Philippines. Bathala rules the world. He provides man with his needs and protects the world against evil. There are other deities in the ancient religion of the Tagalogs, but Bathala is the highest and most powerful.

To make the conquest easy and readily convert Filipinos into the new religion, the friar missionaries interpreted Bathala to be the same Spanish God of the Roman Catholic religion. Rather than erase the old belief in the Bathala, the friars simply adapted the Bathala into the new faith. The friars may have even encouraged local beliefs and superstitions among the Filipinos, including the belief in anting-anting, to create a market for similar objects like scapulars, scarves, relics, medallions, and rosaries.

The veneration of material objects, long a tradition among the Filipinos, has thus been encouraged and fused with Roman Catholicism. The Filipinos then created their own interpretations of these objects to suit their beliefs. Thus, many of the symbols that can be seen on the anting-anting are fusions of the Roman Catholic faith and the pre-colonial religion of the Filipinos.

The important change instituted by the friar missionaries had something to do with the concept of God among the Filipinos. Although Bathala is interpreted by the friars to be the same Spanish God of the Roman Catholics, Bathala’s monotheistic being was changed, as he was now viewed as consisting of three persons. This is the Doctrine of the Santissima Trinidad (Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).

This doctrine is the most important dogma of Catholicism. In the book Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church published by the Vatican, the doctrine is stated:
The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but One God in three persons. The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire.
antinganting_6_tres_personas
The Tres Personas or Santissima Trinidad.  This image is now banned in Roman Catholic churches, but is still being used in many altars of Folk Catholic religions in Southern Tagalog, such as the Tres Personas Solo Dios and the Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi.  It is also frequently used on anting-anting medallions and vests.


The early Filipinos may have difficulty understanding this concept of the Santissima Trinidad. How can the Bathala be One and Three at the same time? To solve this theological crisis, and to retain the easier concept that the God is only One, the Tagalogs created the mythology of the Infinito Dios. In this new theogony, Bathala is again One, but his name has become the Infinito Dios, and immediately below him—but also Gods in their own right —are the Santissima Trinidad: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The concept of the Bathala/Infinito Dios existing before the Santissima Trinidad may seem easier to understand for the early Filipinos. Here, the line is clear: the Infinito Dios is the One and Only God. He retains his role as the creator of the universe, the provider of mankind, and the protector against evil.

The later arrival of the Santissima Trinidad into the Filipino theogony created the myth that the Santissima Trinidad, a newcomer in Filipino theogony, wanted to baptize, i.e., convert, the Infinito Dios, not knowing that the Infinito Dios was already existing even before the Santissima Trinidad existed. The Infinito Dios is higher than, although one with, the Santissima Trinidad.
antinganting_7_santissima_trinidad
The altar of the religious sect Tres Personas Solo Dios. In the pantheon of Gods, the Infinito Dios (Bathala) sits on a higher level than the Santissima Trinidad. The Infinito Dios and the Santissima Trinidad are One, however, consistent with the Roman Catholic teaching that God is One in three persons.


The Mythology of the Infinito Dios

antinganting_8_medallion_infinito_dios

The medallion of the Infinito Dios. The central figure is that of Bathala/Infinito Dios being baptized by Jesus Christ, one of the Santissima Trinidad.  (Author’s collection)

The world of the Philippine anting-anting is mainly based on the mythology of the Infinito Dios. The Infinito Dios is represented by a single eye in a triangle. This symbol is still widely used in many folk Catholic religions in the Tagalog region, such as the Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi, Ciudad Mistica de Dios, Tres Personas Solo Dios, to name a few. Even the Katipunan of Andres Bonifacio and later the revolutionary government of General Aguinaldo—both of whom were known to have kept an anting-anting–used this symbol in many of their official seals and banners.
antinganting_9_the_eye

The Eye, symbol of God found in many anting-anting medallions and scarves. This one was seen by the author on the foothills of Mount Banahaw and Dolores, Quezon.

In the beginning, there was a bright light that covered the entire universe. This light was called the Infinito Dios. There is no God other than the Infinito Dios. He was the Animasola (Lonely Soul), a winged eye wrapped in a shawl, forever changing his form while floating in space. Soon the Infinito Dios decided to create the world. He pulled the light in order to give way to the darkness. His light receded until it became a small ball of light. The ball of light suddenly had a gash on the lower portion that became a mouth. On top of the mouth a line appeared that became the nose. On top of the nose emerged two holes that became eyes. From these eyes came forth bursts of flame. Parallel to the eyes, on the sides, two holes appeared that became the ears. In short, the Infinito Dios, the ball of light, became a figure resembling a man’s head.
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Animasola, the Winged Eye.This symbol is used in the altar of the Ciudad Mistica de Dios, a religious millenarian group located on Banahaw.

The Infinito Dios decided to create beings to assist him in his task of creation. While thinking, the Infinito Dios suddenly had perspiration on his right side. When he wiped his right side, the droplets became 16 spirits. Two of these spirits became Uph Madac and Abo Natac, the two elders who reside in the two corners of the Earth and are the guardians of the Sun and the Moon. The next six spirits became the beings who reside outside the earth. They did not want to receive any blessings from the Infinito Dios. Their names are Elim, Borim, Morim, Bicairim, Persulatim and Mitim. The next seven spirits became the unbaptized Archangels named Amaley, Alpacor, Amacor, Apalco, Alco, Arago, and Azaragoe.

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The first 16 spirit beings that emanated from Infinito Dios


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The six spirit beings that did not want to take any authority from the Infinito Dios


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The seven archangels, unbaptized


The last spirit was called Luzbel, a spirit whose name means light of heaven. His name is Becca, the being who will later rebel against the Infinito Dios. His other name is Lucifer.

Meanwhile, the Infinito Dios decided to create other beings. While thinking, he suddenly perspired on his left side. Wiping the perspiration, the droplets became eight spirit beings. Five of them became the beings who went to Jesus Christ while he was nailed to the cross to ask for his blessing. But before he could give his blessing to these five spirits, Jesus expired. The five spirits never received their blessings and therefore retained their original names of Istac, Inatac, Isnatac, Tartaraw, and Sarapao.

The last three spirit beings became known as the Tres Personas, or the Santisima Trinidad. The Infinito Dios gave them the task to create the world and its inhabitants. On each of the eyes of the Tres Personas can be seen the letter M, which is the initial of their names: Magob, Mariagob, and Magogab.(1)

In the above mythology, one can gather that the Infinito Dios was the beginning of everything. No one created the Infinito Dios. He was there from the start, a floating Eye within a triangle wrapped in a shawl. From him emanated the other spirit elders, the archangels, Lucifer (Luzbel), and the Santissima Trinidad.
The Infinito Dios is the highest God in the theogony of the anting-anting. Sometimes He is called the Nuno, or the oldest being from whom everything emanated. For this reason, the Infinito Dios is a separate entity from the Santissima Trinidad (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), although the latter emanated from his body as perspiration, along with the other first beings of the universe. The Infinito Dios gave the authority to create the world to the Santissima Trinidad.