Page "Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur" Paragraph 73

The Ilocanos, then as now was also known for his religiosity, expressed in his worship of anitos, spirits and gods, the supreme god being Kabunian.

Certain aspects of these early religious practice survive even today the term buniag ( ie baptism ), it is said comes from Buni or Kabunian, and, until more recent years, in Santa Maria some professed belief in spirits inhibiting fields and trees, in whose honor half-cooked rice, betel nut and chicken meat were offered.