Embracing What's Precious
Maharlikang Bahandi, a pool of artists and spiritualists, speak about leading the good life
* Doing yoga in solitude on top of a big rock, near the beach or under the tree, is a typical relaxation for the members
"Maharlika" is the Filipino word for fellowship and community. "Bahandi" refers to something that's precious.
Maharlikang Bahandi is an organization of persons who pooled their talents to uplift their lives and that of others as well as the environment. It is a nationwide community of musicians, visual artists, sculptors and spiritualists, among others. The writer came across this group during an accessories-hunting spree in Robinsons Place Iloilo one weekday. Marlon Monteroso, one of those who was manning the stall, gave the writer and her The News Today companions a palm and card reading.
Their Iloilo Chapter was founded three years ago by Deo Palma, whom the group calls as Dada Diwa. All of them have Sanskrit names and were assigned by the 'dada' based on their personalities. There are 30 active members in Iloilo.
They are protectors of the environment, they are vegetarians and they practice yoga. "By being vegetarians and yoga practitioners, we are given the strength and courage to lead our lives and help others better," said John Hill, whose Sanskrit name is Jiivan Muktah, which means "liberator of life."
"We use our talents to serve people. We teach music, arts and spirituality," said Aron Pielago, whose Sanskrit name is Ammucidie, which means "fight and struggle."
As environmentalists, they make use of indigenous materials in music and arts. "What's garbage to others, we convert to art," said Ammucidie. Their drums, for example, are made of animal skin while the flutes are made of bamboo. They make their own accessories from precious stones found in their numerous travels. They sell these and use the proceeds for the group's projects.
Ammucidie is into sculpting terracotta, wood carvings, paintings, accessories and henna tattoo. Jiivan is a master in terracotta and wood carving, too. Marlon aka Mdhuder or "sweet lord", on the other hand is into fortune telling, magic and stone healing.
Being a group of nature lovers, Maharlikang Bahandi has helped during the MT Solar 1 oil spill in Guimaras and supported the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by planting trees in the national highways. They individually or as a group, commune with nature as much as they can. Doing yoga in solitude on top of a big rock, near the beach or under the tree, is a typical relaxation for the members.
"Take care of yourself. Your way of life affects your body and mind. By taking of ourselves, we don't easily fall down and we could understand other people," Jiivan advises the public.
Physical, emotional and spiritual balance is key to a good life," Ammucidie, Jiivan and Mdhuder concluded.