In Progress

Marianita (Girlie) Villariba is a sociologist who practises ‘babaylan’ (mystical women) work. Girlie, as she is fondly referred to in Isis, talks about the indigenous ways of remembering and honoring personal and community wellness. She is in the midst of gathering bouquets of remarkable lives and presenting them in ways where common people can claim them as part of the legacies. This one-on-one with Girlie, tells of the origins of babaylans in the Philippines, the practices among babaylans that made such women powerful and significant parts of ancient indigenous Philippine society. And presents seven values for discovering babaylan consciousness.