In precolonial Philippine history, disabilities were thought to be possessed by

• A. Spanish era
• B. American Period
• C. Precolonial period
• D. Japanese Occupation

Answer: (C)

In precolonial Philippines, disabilities were understood through a spiritual lens. People believed that physical or mental differences could be caused by possession or influence of spirits, rather than by purely natural or medical factors. Because of this view, ritual specialists like the babaylan (female shamans) or catalonan acted as intermediaries with the spirit world, performing ceremonies to appease or heal affected individuals and restore harmony in the community. This healing-and-spiritual framework characterizes the way disability was interpreted during that period, before later colonial influences shifted explanations toward religious, medical, or institutional approaches.