The Living Tradition

Written by William Ubagan—a clairvoyant, faith healer, information security professional (CSP, CISSP, and Ethical Hacker), and longtime author of esoteric texts—The Living Tradition explores the profound and resilient coexistence of ancient Filipino spiritual practices with the demands of contemporary life. Drawing from both his technical analytical systems training and his deep roots in traditional healing, Ubagan investigates why traditions discarded by modern institutions continue to thrive in the everyday choices of ordinary Filipinos.

At its heart, the book demonstrates that Filipino esoteric practices are not static museum pieces or obsolete superstitions, but adaptive, living systems governed by three core pillars: aliw (comfort and emotional easing), paniniwala (a coherent framework of meaning), and ugnayan (deep interpersonal connection). Through an examination of daily customs—ranging from family healing prayers and protective household tokens to digital tawas consultations conducted across international borders via text and video messages—Ubagan reveals how the tradition continually modernizes its tools without losing its core purpose.

Across its chapters, the work provides an observational framework for studying these practices, addresses contemporary challenges like commercialized "fake healers" and generational disconnects, and celebrates the ordinary people who quietly tend to the flame. Ultimately, The Living Tradition offers a bridge between rational skepticism and spiritual heritage, arguing that these ancient practices endure because they fulfill enduring human needs that science and modern institutions alone cannot touch.