Philippine Constellations
The constellations serve as a map during the early years and it tells about countless stories about heroes and monsters, thru the years of humankind and cultures. Like in other countries, our Filipino ancestors did worship stars before as their gods, they have their own version of names, prayers, and stories depend on what region they from.
The origin of names of different astronomical bodies some from deities in ancient Philippine mythology. “Tala” is a very good example and very common to hear. “Tala” is a goddess of the stars. Other examples are; “Mayari” is a goddess of the moon, and “Hanan” the goddess of the morning, they are the daughters of “Bathala” and a mortal woman. Another example is “Apolaki” who is the god of the sun, he was the son of “Anagolay” and “Dumakulem”.
An artist’s view of Tala, Hanan, Miyari, & Apolaki. (trixdraws.deviantart.com)
The constellations and their movements, and as the season and time changed, our ancestors somehow practiced following the star movements as a sign of good harvest, fishing, hunting, and other activities in the tribe. It’s either a good or a bad omen when something is changing in the night sky.
Philippine Constellations and Asterisms
There is a book called “Balatik: Etnoastronomiya, Kalangitan at Kabihasnang Pilipino” by Dr. Dante L. Ambrosio. It is about the link between astronomy and ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines (known as Ethnoastronomy).
“Moroporo” is connected to sea navigation but, like “Balatik”, it was primarily used to signal the beginning of the planting season.
Here are some of the constellations and asterisms commonly known in the Philippines.
“Tres Marias” (The Three Marias) in Tagalog, “Magbangal” in Bukidnon, and “Seretar” in Teduray, “Balatik” is composed of perfectly aligned and evenly spaced stars which act as the belt of the constellation of Orion. In Palawan and Ibaloi however, “Balatik” is seen as both the sword and belt of Orion. Start of planting and setting of traps to protect the crops from animals.
“Supot ni Hudas”, “Mapolon” in Tagalog, “San Apon” in Ibaloi, and “Kufukufu” in Teduray. In western, it is known as the star cluster Pleiades (The Seven Sisters) located in the constellation of Taurus. The Tagalogs consulted this star cluster to know the shifting of time and season. Start of the planting season.
“Lepu”, by the “Matigsalug Manobo” of Bukidnon. In the western equivalent, it is known as the constellation of Aquila. It signifies the time to clean or clear the fields while waiting for the harvest time.
Tagalogs had a constellation called “Talang Batugan” (Lazy), named for its characteristic of slow motion, large size, and low brightness and usually known as a guiding star for shepherds.
In Bicol, there are stars such as “Pogot” used as a sign for fishing and incoming storms, “Soag” is a four-star that resemble a four-sided figure, which signals the beginning of night time, and “Torong” three stars that show an approaching storm.
“Sipat” and “Tudong” are mentioned in a ritual known as “kentan” conducted by ethnic groups in the Cordillera to bless rice seedlings. “Binabbais”, another star named by the people of Cordillera, is heard in prayers chanted during their ritual sacrifice of a chicken.
