BATHALA
God of creation
Symbol: God-almighty, faith, Philippine faith, power, The Maker
The term Bathala is believed to be from the sanskrit bathara, or "noble lord". In Philippine mythology, Bathala is believed to be the son of Kaptan (sky god) and Maguayen (sea goddess). He is also believed to be the brother to Diwata (goddess of beauty) and Minukawa (god of darkness) in some Filipino legends.
The Bathala belief has similarities with that of Christian creation stories. As with the Christian God, he is considered to be the supreme being and creator of all. Another similarity is is progeny through a mortal woman.
Bathala is believed to have sired 3 children through his mortal wife. From this union came Apolak (the sun god), Mayari (the moon goddess) and Tala (the star goddess).
In other Philippine creation stories, Bathala and Aman Sinaya had to outdo each other through countless battles. Bathala with his lightning bolts, thunder and boulders - while Aman Sinaya with her typhoons and giant waves. A third deity, Amihan(the North wind), served as mediator. The third deity succeeded in having the two gods come to peaceful terms.
It is from this peace and aftermath that the Philippine archipelago is believed to have emerged. As Bathala's boulders became the thousands of islands that are scattered around the Philippine archipelago.
Bathala is the maykapal (maker). Bathala is the hand that molds.