The Madame Alexander Witch of the East land doll is a beloved collectible that captures the enchantment of the iconic character from the Wizard of Oz. This limited edition doll is meticulously crafted to replicate the look and feel of the original Witch of the East, with intricate details that make it a true work of art. The doll is dressed in a stunning ensemble, featuring a black gown with sheer sleeves, a pointed hat, and a broomstick. The attention to detail is extraordinary, with delicate lace trim and meticulous stitching that give the doll a lifelike appearance. The Witch of the East land doll is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Wizard of Oz, and a must-have for any collector or fan of the classic tale. Whether displayed as a centerpiece or cherished as a part of a collection, this Madame Alexander doll is sure to bring a touch of magic to any home.

Witchcraft philippines

South China Morning Post

Two beers from Alamat Craft Brew, an independent backyard brewery where beers and labels pay tribute to mythological creatures of the Philippines. On the left is an IPA named “Mambabarang” after a witch that performs malignant sorcery. Beside it is “Sitan”, named after the guardian and keeper of souls in hell. Photo: AJ Bolando

Whether displayed as a centerpiece or cherished as a part of a collection, this Madame Alexander doll is sure to bring a touch of magic to any home..

Witchcraft in the Philippines: as millennials fall under the spell, businesses are catching on

• The rise of liberal millennials in the Philippines has brought witchcraft and the mystical forces of nature from the fringes into the mainstream
• Businesses are joining in, with themed restaurants, occult bars, and beers celebrating the country’s mythological creatures

Timmy Potenciano first turned to witchcraft as way of life to help her escape from organised religion.

Potenciano, 32, has been practising tarot since 2005. But it was only recently when she started hanging out with other women who practise witchcraft that she began to recognise herself as a witch.

“In recent years, there’s been a boom in esoteric practices in the Philippines, and it’s comforting because I don’t feel so alone any more,” says Potenciano, from Quezon City, who works as a content strategist by day.

With the rise of liberal millennials in the Philippines, and driven by their interests in wellness and New Age spirituality, witchcraft – broadly defined as beliefs and practices anchored in the mystical forces of nature – has been brought from the fringes into the mainstream. And while Philippines is known as a Catholic country, it is not unfamiliar with the concept.

Numerous records indicate that in pre-colonial Philippines, Filipinos worshipped Bathala, the Tagalog supreme deity who created the universe. They believed in engkantos, the spirits of ancestors or guardians of nature who are said to have the ability to appear in human form. Communities were dominated by babaylans (shamans) and mananambals (witches) that practise sacred rituals and magic.

Although these forms of mysticism have been considered taboo since Catholicism was introduced in the 15th century, many Filipino witches still practise. Among them is Mym Valdez, who has been a Wiccan practitioner for 20 years. She identifies herself as a kitchen witch, drawing ingredients from her own garden. She mixes small vials of basil and olives for protection, and prepares salt rubs and spelled chocolates to counter sadness.

“I’m a little like an albularyo [witch doctor, or traditional healer], someone who uses herbs as medicine, knows the magical properties of ingredients and uses it in everyday life,” she says.

Waiters at Agimat Foraging Kitchen and Bar in the Philippine city of Makati put on this wooden carved mask and perform a ceremony inspired by Philippine tradition when serving drinks. Photo: AJ Bolando

Valdez was introduced to the power of nature-based magic by her uncle when she was three years old. She claims that over the years she learnt to talk to spirits and cast complicated spells. She chose to pursue the Dianic path, which focuses on healing and creating health at home.

Inka Magnaye, 29, was first drawn to witchcraft out of a spiritual longing and scepticism towards her religion.

“I discovered witchcraft when I was 10 years old, from books in my school library,” says Magnaye, who is a TV and radio voice actress by day. “I found it so intriguing. I was raised in a Catholic home, went to a Catholic school and sang in a Catholic church for years. While the ritualistic nature of Sunday mass always fascinated me, I never really felt quite connected to the belief of my childhood.”

Magnaye reads tarot cards as a form of divination. She says she creates her own spells and rituals by using candle magic, and meditates to commune with the energies of her surroundings and to recharge her own spirit.

The solitary practitioner, who lives on a beach in La Union, in the Ilocos Region of the Philippines, says that practising witchcraft has made her more sensitive to nature and the vibrations of the earth. She believes the appeal of witchcraft is that it offers a path without judgment.

“It is open to anyone, whatever gender you are, however you identify, whatever your background is. The path you walk is your own. It’s a very personal belief system,” she says.

As Filipinos continue to embrace witchcraft, entrepreneurs have begun riding the mystical wave by using mythology, folklore and witchcraft as the themes of their businesses.

Alamat Craft Brew is an independent backyard brewery where beers and labels pay tribute to mythological creatures of the Philippines.

Branches create eerie lighting and a dark folk ambience at the Agimat Foraging Bar And Kitchen. Photo: AJ Bolando

The lair of Alamat Craft Brew in Marikina City opens up to a “beer rack” which features a display of their India pale ales (IPAs). Hanging on the brick walls are wooden light fixtures and a humongous abaniko, a Filipino folding fan painted with an ancient scripture that reads “biringan”, meaning “where one finds the lost”.

Their IPAs are steeped in limited batches, says Agoni Kama Itachi, co-owner of the brewery. Since 2015, they have come up with more than 16 different variants, one of which is called the “mambabarang”, a dark IPA. This brew was inspired by local folklore about Mambabarang, a Filipino witch who casts malignant magic by hexing insects to infect victims’ bodies.

All of Alamat’s beers are black, from the bottles to the caps. They also feature labels with self-made artwork of the creatures they embody. A gallery showcasing the original illustrations that appear on the labels can be found on the second floor of their den, which is yet to open to the public.

As a kid, my parents would often take me to an albularyo whenever I was sick. He would tell me that I was sick because I had offended a duende, a mischievous elf

Kama Itachi, who is clad in a goth get-up when we meet, with black-framed spectacles and skeleton rings hugging his fingers, says the concept fits their interest in folklore and dark music and arts.

“Since most of us are members of a metal band, we thought of venturing into something dark and ‘astig’ [cool],” the brewmaster says. “At the same time, we wanted to embrace the rich culture of the Philippines by introducing people to the mystical creatures that are little known to them.”

Kama Itachi hails from Marinduque, an island in the Philippines where various tales of supernatural occurrences are often mentioned.

“As a kid, my parents would often take me to an albularyo whenever I was sick. He would tell me that I was sick because I had offended a duende, a mischievous elf,” he says.

Gayuma is a restaurant located in the hip Poblacion neighbourhood in the city of Makati. Gayuma is a Filipino term which means a potent potion intended to attract a mate.

The restaurant’s colourful aesthetic draws inspiration from witchcraft all over the world, particularly the French Quarter in New Orleans. Foliage and coloured bottles cover the ceiling and on its walls are displays of “love potions” and books of spells.

“The idea is to spark curiosity among customers, whether they believe in the power of gayuma or not,” says brand manager Joaqui Mendoza. “We do this by providing magical ambience and serving them with food infused with aphrodisiac ingredients.”

Among their bestsellers is a pasta made of crab fat topped with balut, or a fetal duck egg – a popular Filipino delicacy often regarded as an energy booster that is said to enhance one’s stamina and sexual performance. Their signature drink is a vodka-infused cocktail served in a huge glass bowl that looks like a potion.

Just a stone’s throw away from Gayuma is another portal to the mystical realm, the Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen.

Chef Kalel Demetrio, one of the co-owners, says the watering hole draws inspiration from “agimat”, an enigmatic amulet in the Philippines known for possessing great power and warding off evil.

Chef Kalel Demetrio is a self-taught bartender with a passion for foraging and using local ingredients. Photo: AJ Bolando

All the ingredients used in their exotic craft cocktails and complex dishes are foraged by the chef from all over the country.

“I go to different parts of the country to seek ingredients,” Demetrio says. “I go to the mountains, the jungle, talk to local people, including witch doctors who are known to have knowledge about rare ingredients found only in our land. It is through them that I learned to respect all that nature provides. I was inspired by them to transform these ingredients into something that would be enjoyed by whoever comes here.”

Demetrio fondly refers to Agimat as the modern house of a shaman. An ambience of magic has been created: burnt red candle wax lines the stairs; wooden charms, antique decorations and exotic wall hangings appear throughout; and fascinating rituals and chants accompany cocktail preparations.

“If Filipinos were to put up bars in the early days, this would have been how it looked like,” Demetrio says.

Unraveling the supernatural: Examining elements of modern Filipino witchcraft

Magic, sorcery, and the supernatural are only the tip of the iceberg in witchcraft.

• Post author By Jamie Sanchez, Kazandra Vargas, Lizelle Villaflor
• Post date October 29, 2021
• No Comments on Unraveling the supernatural: Examining elements of modern Filipino witchcraft

Deep within dense forests, a bubbling brew of spells and supernatural powers comes to life. Accompanied by their black cats, they fly into the night to spread misfortune among innocent and unsuspecting bystanders. In the moonlit sky, they cackle and howl to signify the end of their malicious mission. This image comes up most often when people think of witchcraft. But unknown to many, it is a sacred connection with nature, other people, and oneself through the use of sorcery or mystical means.

In the Philippine context, witchcraft used to be a common practice due to our polytheistic belief systems. However, more than 300 years of Spanish colonization led to the transfiguration of pagan beings and practices, making witchcraft a taboo topic in the now predominantly Catholic country.

Fortunately, the rise of “WitchTok” videos and Facebook community groups in the past year allowed people to rediscover witchcraft. With these platforms, conversations about precolonial and modern witchcraft are more openly discussed—a long overdue discourse. Damien Roh and Lester Agaloos, mentors of the “Philippine Witches” Facebook group, unravel this often overlooked tradition.

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Reviews for "Madame Alexander's Witch of the East Land Doll: An Icon of Pop Culture"

1. Sarah - 1 star

I recently purchased the Madame Alexander Witch of the East Land doll for my daughter, and I am extremely disappointed with the quality. The doll arrived with a missing arm, and the paint on the face was smudged. I reached out to customer service for a replacement, but they were unhelpful and unresponsive. Overall, the poor craftsmanship and lack of customer support make this doll a huge disappointment.

2. Michael - 2 stars

I was excited to add the Madame Alexander Witch of the East Land doll to my collection, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The doll's dress was poorly sewn, with loose threads hanging everywhere. Additionally, the hair was frizzy and tangled, making it difficult to style. For the price, I expected better craftsmanship and attention to detail. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this doll to other collectors.

3. Emily - 2 stars

I purchased the Madame Alexander Witch of the East Land doll as a Halloween decoration, but it didn't impress me. The doll's face paint was uneven, giving it a strange and off-putting appearance. The clothes were also poorly made, with loose stitching and fraying edges. While the concept of a witch doll is fun, the execution falls short in terms of quality and design. I would suggest looking for other options if you're in search of a witch doll for your collection.

Investing in Madame Alexander's Witch of the East Land Dolls: A Wise Collectible Choice