When the Spaniards came to Bantayan, the people already had some form of
religious convictions and worship, such as animism, shamanism, evocation and
magic. They easily conceived the idea of evil spirits, good spirits, witches
and ghosts. In order to please these imaginary creatures’ people often resorted
to charms, vows, sacrifices and self-harm. It was a common belief among the
illiterate people of the past that cholera and other fatal diseases were caused
by poison which an evil spirit had put into the wells and that the people could
be saved from the dreaded disease only by chanting prayer and holding
processions
