RIZALISTA CULTS

By: Alexandra Ann Alaba

FACTS

• Groups in the Philippines• Believes in Rizal’s divinity• Most are based in Calamba Laguna, foot of Mt. Banahaw and

some are in Quezon Province• Some have chapters in other countries• Usually gathers during June 19 and December 30• Approximately 300,000 rural believers• Pacifist in Nature

ORIGIN

• His death galvanized the ongoing revolution against Spain• “The pride of the Malay Race”

– Has a high educational attainment– Great Nationalism

• This esteem for Rizal paved way to many post-war Rizalista Cults

• Urban Peasants need some sense of belongingness and a place where their cries can be heard

SECTORS• Bathalismo• Watawat ng Lahi• Iglesia Sagrada Flilipina• Iglesia Sagrada ni Lahi (Holy Church of The Race)• Banner of the Race Church –Largest Group• Samahan ng Tatlong Persona Solo Dios • Ciudad Mistica de Dios• Adamista• Espiritual Pilipino Catholic Church• Knights of Rizal• Kababaihang Rizalista• Lapiang Malaya

BELIEFS

• “KRISTONG KAYUMANGGI”• Parallelism of Rizal to Jesus Christ• Indentified as the second CHRIST• Indentified as the god of pre-Spanish Malay religion• “Messiah of the Philippines”• “He’s Alive and will Return.”• “To deliver his followers from poverty and Oppression...”• “Amang-Doktor”• “Engkanto de Dios”– God Enchanter

BELIEFS

• Four Persons-for Filipino Folk Theology (Father, Mother, Son and Holy Spirit)• A spirit• An Avatar• A saint• A Prophet• A God and A man• Following Rizal’s teachings will result to country’s

advancements• Withdrawal from the world for the coming end times

PARALLELISM OF CHRIST & RIZAL

• Both Morally Upright• Both Possess extra-ordinary character• Both have purest intention in pursuing their missions• Both Pious and Asians• Both from a country under colonial rule that time• Both advocates of solidarity, equality, and peace• Both healers and great visionaries

PARALLELISM OF CHRIST & RIZAL

• Both advocate reforms in peaceful means• Both denounce prejudice, apathy, immorality and cruelty• Both victims of trial and mockery• Both teachings influence people around the world• Both executed by the enemy• Both died for a noble cause

PRACTICE

• Folk Catholisism-Synthesize Roman Catholic Rituals, images and organization With Traditional Filipino Elements

• Oath of Chastity• Dressed modestly in white• Abstain from eating meat• 6-8 Hours a day on their knees• Nationalism, integral part of their religion• Draw inspiration from Rizal’s Writings

PRACTICE

• Panghihilot (Faith Healing)• Anting-Ating (Amulets)• Babailanes (Priest and Priestess)• Catalonans (Mediums)• Central Observance: December 30• Sacred Sites: Calamba and Luneta Park

A PRAYER

“Receive, Oh God, the sacrifice which we are offering to Your Majesty, in honor of Our Father Rizal, the Christ of the Tagalog region.

…Rizal is the Christ of the Tagalog region. He is the Lord of the whole world. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Because in Him is given by the Holy Bible the Spirit of God Almighty.”

-Bathalismo

SOURCES• http://www.uv.es/EBRIT/micro/micro_505_91.html• Constantino, Renato. Rizal's Real Detractors. Manila Chronicle, 31 December 1970• Ocampo, Ambeth R. Rizal Without the Overcoat. Pasig: Anvil Publishing, Inc, 1990.• Rosero, Edgar V. ed. Popularizing Rizal in Briefs. Quezon City Oregem International Publishing, Inc., 1992.• Valeriano, A.B. Rizal and Christ: An Analogy, Sunday Time Magazine• Interview with Isabela Suarez (Ciudad Mistica de Dios) and Leonor Gutierrez (Espiritual Pilipino Catholic Church) of Mt. Banahaw (fieldwork)