An applicant seeking to join Tadtad had to go under an
initiation rite to be able to join the group. Their inner arm had to be struck with a sharp sword at least 12 times. If the individual don't exhibit any visible cut, the applicant is deemed fit to become a member; if the sword made a cut, it is considered as a sign that the applicant has a dark side and therefore unfit to join. The group's members hold their founder Sagrado Sade Jr. with high reverence and calls him Papa Sagrado. Members pray to Sade similar in a way
Catholics ask for
intercession of the saints. According to the Tadtad, when Sade was baptized as an infant the priest sensed "something holy" about the baby which led him being named "Sagrado" (Sade was supposedly to be named "Ramonito"). Sade grew up to becoming a
faith healer and gained reputation in Mindanao after reportedly curing many before he founded the Tadtad. Many members are also Catholics themselves and go to mainstream churches and observe the relevant religious holidays despite their affiliation with Tadtad. Tadtad members hold do additional observances which set them apart from mainstream Catholicism. They pray every three hours on their own and on Fridays, they congregate in their chapel to pray together. They consider acts such as smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling as sinful. The Tadtad are also known for their usage of
amulets along with their prayer and faith to protect themselves from bodily injury including those caused by bullets. Adrian Malonzo ==Armed activity==