Some Beliefs and Religious Practices in the Region

Some beliefs and customs related to farming the life cycle, talismans, and divination survive in the consciousness of the contemporary Bicol, even the educated.

There are still pre-hispanic beliefs in the hierarchy of supernatural that the region adopts ranging from bad to good. The comon expression "tabi po, maki-agi tabi" (excuse me please, i would like to passed by) acknowledges the invisible world or the third dimensions.

The Christian God and heavenly host have replaced the supreme god gugurang and the minor deities, each of whom had a special function.

The darker side inhabited by witches and monsters seem to live on the minds of some Bicol Christians. Also some ancestor worship in some areas; post harvest thanksgiving ritual, sagugurang, is retained by bicol farmers by way of offering food to the spirits of their ancestors.

Touching the body of an image of Jesus or other saints was also part of their religious beliefs, wherein they do believe that it can cure their pains and problems.

Beliefs on God, the soul and life after death are strongly held by the people. Related to these, there are annual rituals like pabasa, tanggal, fiestas and Flores de mayo.