Diwa: Buhay, Ritwal at Sining

A profound journey into the beating heart of traditional Filipino culture. Written by legendary essayist Sylvia L. Mayuga and published by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Diwa serves as a vital bridge between the ancient past and contemporary national identity. 

Spanning five overarching themes—Bayan (Nation), Buhay at Kamatayan (Life and Death), Kamag-anakan at Pamayanan (Kin and Community), Lupa (Land), and Kaluwalhatian (Divinity)—this landmark publication meticulously documents the intrinsic thread connecting local daily life, spiritual belief systems, and ancestral arts. From indigenous resistance and life-cycle rituals to communal land laws and animistic traditions, Diwa uncovers the genuine Filipino soul, unburdened by colonial rewriting.

Rich with curatorial insights, rare cultural photographs, and deeply poetic essays, it stands not just as an exhibition catalog for the Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino, but as a permanent sanctuary for the enduring traditions that define who we are as a people.

Published by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1998

190 pages / Paperback