Anting-anting or the Philippine amulet has been used by Filipinos long before the Spanish colonization, when they worshipped anitos, and even in this day and age, some, especially those who live in far-flung areas, continue to consider anting-anting as something that give them power over and protection from those want to harm them. Anting-anting come in many forms, from engraved necklaces to prayers that may be written on pieces of paper that the person need to carry everywhere all the time or written on shirts worn like bullet proof vests.
Anting-anting were used by the Katipuneros when they fought against the Spanish and the Americans, and later on, they were popularized by Ramon Revilla Sr.’s film, Nardong Putik, based on the life of Leonardo Menicio, a real life Robin Hood who used anting-anting to survive multiple ambushes and evade gunshots. Meanwhile, Museo ng Katipunan (Katipunan Museum) has a decent collection of anting-anting used by the Katipuneros.
This entry features the engraved anting-anting. To read about the anting-anting shirts and other Katipunan artifacts, please read Museo ng Katipunan.
For a related entry, please read Dekalogo ng Katipunan, Pinaglabanan Shrine (San Juan City), Ang Tondo ni Bonifacio (Bonifacio’s Tondo), Pagdakila kay Andres Bonifacio, The Katipuneros, Part I, and The Katipuneros, Part II.
Anting-anting. Bronze, flower-shaped with loop, obverse and reverse, depicting the all-seeing Eye surmounted by God the Father and surrounded by cherubim
Anting-anting. Medium, bronze, triangular in shape with loop, obverse and reverse have the same design, all-seeing Eye surrounded by three “A” and “Roma” below
Anting-anting. Small, copper, scalloped with loop, both obverse and reverse have inverted triangle representing “Deus”
Anting-anting. Bronze, oblong shape with loop, obverse side depicting potent cross surrounded by Latin prayers. Reverse side depicting the all-seeing Eye surrounded by Latin prayers.
Anting-anting. Bronze, oblong shape with loop, obverse depicting the Immaculate Conception surmounted by God the Father and surrounded by the cherubim. Reverse depicting St. Joseph.
Anting-anting. Bronze, oblong shape with loop, obverse depicting the Virgin Mary surrounded by cherubim. The image is surmounted by an inverted triangle with the word “Deus” on each of its three sides. Reverse depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ with Latin prayers.
Anting-anting. Bronze, octagonal shape with loop, obverse depicting the Archangel St. Michael defeating Satan and reverse depicting St. James the Greater in the guise of Santiago Matamoros.
Anting-anting. Cloth with faded off-white string necklace with small turquoise blue pouch containing folded paper amulet
Where: Pinaglabanan Shrine, San Juan City, Philippines
When: The Museo ng Katipunan is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm.
How much: No entrance fee but visitors can donate cash.
How: From the Cubao MRT station, ride a jeepney bound to San Juan. Alight the vehicle at the corner of N. Domingo and B. Serrano, walk towards the new San Juan City Hall for 5 minutes. Museo ng Katipunan is near the city hall.
From J. Ruiz LRT Station, ride a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off to the Museo ng Katipunan. Fare is P30.00 (US $0.68).