Maharlika had names for major deities like:
- Bathala of the Tagalogs
- Kabunian of the Ifugao
- Makaptan of the Bisaya
We unify these with a subtler name as Abba.
This leads to the phrase “Aba!” which means “Oh God!”
This is proven in local prayers such as “Aba Ginoong Maria”.
Pigafetta
Magellan asked their religion. They replied that they worshiped Abba by raising their clasped hands and their face to the sky
More commonly, it means “Oh!” or “Hey!”