In Philippine mythology, a diwata, based on Sanskrit devata (देवता) and also known as encantada from Spanish, are deities in pre-colonial Philippines. When the Spaniard conquered and subjugated the Philippines the term is reduced from goddess to dryad-like spirit which is benevolent or neutral and invoked ritually for positive crop growth, health, and fortune; they may also incur illness or misfortune if not given proper respect. They are said to reside in large trees, such as acacia and balete and are the guardian spirits of nature, casting blessings or curses upon those who bring benefits or harm to the forests and mountains. They have their origin in the Devata beings included in Hinduism and Buddhism. The Laguna Copperplate dated 900 AD also makes mention of a Chief of Medang in Java, Indonesia referred as representative of the Chief of Diwata in Butuan, Mindanao island.
The term "diwata" has taken on various levels of meaning since its concept's assimilation into the mythology of the pre-colonial Filipinos. It is sometimes loosely used to refer to a generic type of beings much like "elf" or "fairy," or very specific ones as mentioned above. It has been noted that the term "diwata" is synonymous to "anito," and that the usage of the word "diwata" is more prevalent in the Southern Philippines, while "anito" takes its place in the Northern areas.
"Diwata" ("Fairy") is a song by Filipino rapper Abra featuring Chito Miranda. The single released in early 2014, and the music video was released on December 31, 2014, via YouTube. "Diwata" is the second hit song from Abra after "Gayuma" in 2012.
The music video features Abra and General Luna vocalist Nicole Asencio (granddaughter of late Vice-President Salvador Laurel). Abra plays a college student who is frequently bullied by his schoolmates, but he is always defended by Asensio. Also in the video Chito Miranda plays numerous jobs at the university like security guard, professor, canteen staff, librarian and jeepney driver. At the end of the video, Asencio transfigures as a fairy or diwata.
Diwata was the Number 1 OPM charts for 2014, especially on Brgy. LS 97.1. On its music video release, it was Number 1 on the MYX Hit Chart.
Diwata-1 also known as PHL-Microsat-1 is a Philippine microsatellite to be launched in early 2016. It is the first Philippine microsatellite and the first one to be built and designed by Filipinos.
Hokkaido University and Tohoku University of Japan initiated a project to send 50 microsatellites into space by 2050 which will be used to photograph aftermaths of natural disasters partnering with governments, universities and other organizations based in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Two satellites are commissioned for the Philippine government.
Diwata-1 is the first satellite of the venture and is also a part of the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Micro-Satellite (PHL-Microsat) Program which was initiated in December 2014 by the government agency. The satellite is an updated version of the Raijin-2 which was developed by the two Japanese universities.
There were two Philippine satellites before Diwata-1, Agila-1 and Agila-2 (later renamed ABS-3) but both were owned and operated by private firms.
Ilang oras pa lamang nang tayo’y nag kita
Sa’yong mga yakap agad nangungulila
Ikaw ang sigla na humapahaplos sa’king
Buhay pag nalulumbay
Ang ‘yong mga labi’y humahalimuyak
Pag nasisilayan parang ginto at pilak
Ikaw ang diwatang tumapak sa lupa
Na wala nang papantay
Tumatanaw sa’yo ang langit
Ang ‘yong ganda’y ka-akit akit
Pangarap ko’y ikaw…...
Dalangin ko ay mahagkan ka
Sa pag lipas ng panahon
Ang tinig mo’y parang agos ng sapa
Hinding hindi mag wawagas ang pag-ibig
……Mahal kita
Ang ‘yong mga mata’y
Kasing kulay ng punong mahinhin
Sumasabay sa agos ng hangin
Tumatanaw sa’yo ang langit
Ang ‘yong ganda’y ka-akit akit
Pangarap ko’y ikaw…...
Dalangin ko ay mahagkan ka
Sa pag lipas ng panahon
Ang tinig mo’y parang agos ng sapa
Hinding hindi mag wawagas ang pag-ibig
……Mahal kita