A Philosophy of Panagatang: The Case of Vizcayano Ilokanos

This paper explored the copious meaning of panagatang. The paper also looked into the philosophical thoughts and originary meaning (punget a ramut) behind the common beliefs about panagatang through phenomenological reflection. The study found out that Ilokanos commonly believe in the existence of unseen beings that proliferate the surroundings. When inadvertently hurt, thereby causing illness, these unseen beings should be appeased through the ritual act called panagatang. This also recognizes the belief in kararwa or kararma of dead family members. Through the process, the following insights about human existence are drawn: (a) human existence is coexistence; (b) human existence is cosmic; (c) the soul of man is immortal. In conclusion, panagatang, as a ritual, is performed on different occasions even though the original and formal way of doing it may have changed over time.