When colonization downgraded Filipino women to a much lower status, the “babaylan” spiritual leader lost not only her job, but also her political standing. So, the exalted spiritual leadership role was assigned to the feminine gender, and not exclusively to the female sex. Unfortunately, the colonial order superimposed by the Spaniards could not accommodate women spiritual leaders. This “benevolent” colonial enterprise also had no room for women spiritual healers. Sadly, women leaders paid a steeper price to keep it going.