Salamangkero or salamankero, alternatively referred to in the series as sorcerers, are powerful self-taught magicks users.[1] The term covers a broader spellcasting category that do not fall with roles like babaylan.
They normally start off as more practical community healers (albularyo) but quickly turn their usage of herbs in healing to more harmful practices. As they delve deeper into their magicks, they improve their prowess to more clever and subtle methods, casting spells over large distances or greater crowds.[1][2]
The conduits can be inherently magical such as sigils for transformation[3] or powerful artifacts like a buhay na bato[4]. Non-magical conduits can also be utilized. More traditional approaches included ingested food or contact through oils, but modern mediums like stage music, radio waves, or text messages can be utilized. Counter-spells are possible, but would likely require the full name and location of the salamangkero caster.[1]
They are usually depicted as having malevolent or manipulative abilities in the main series. but more neutral magicks users have been also shown.
History[]
The earliest salamangkero mentioned in the series is Bhoy Bankay, a gangster that utilized the power of a buhay na bato to summon a dozen zombies to use as his henchmen.[5]
Raul Lazaro, a powerful salamangkero living in Manila South Cemetery, used multiple buhay na bato to summon an entire horde of zombies from the graveyard. He directed them towards the police outpost on Kalayaan Street, intending to kill then-sergeant Gregorio Revilla. However, he was stopped by Alexandra Trese and the Kambal and was taken into custody.[4]
Ryan Arce utilized a transformation rune used by salamangkero in the creation of Shift Pills.[3]
A salamangkero can be seen DJing at The Dominion, using his motions to weave spells that compel people to stay longer and indulge their vices in the club.[2]