An inquiry into Cultural Competency. Learning from the Indigenous Wellness Program, spending a week in an Indigenous Diabetes Intake

Statement from Hilot Academy of Binabaylan

Hilot Academy of Binabaylan is an autonomous educational institution established under the spiritual authority of Luntiang Aghama Natural Divine Arts Shrine of Healing Inc., now known as Templong Anituhan Inc. As such, we uphold a distinct identity and purpose, separate from government-regulated bodies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC).

Our practice of Hilot Binabaylan is not merely clinical—it is ministerial and spiritual. We reclaim the sacredness of healing by restoring the spiritual dimension of healthcare, making our approach truly holistic. While Hilot has been commodified in spas, resorts, and cruise ships as part of the hospitality and tourism industry, we remain rooted in the ancestral wisdom that views Hilot as a sacred duty of service and compassion.

We recognize the belief that Hilot should be accessible to all. While we do not offer our services for free, we strive to make them affordable and equitable, honoring the tradition of community-based healing. Our standards are guided by the sacred ordination and teachings of Templong Anituhan, not by external institutions or organizations.

Recently, questions have been raised regarding our activities in Hawaii, particularly concerning the cost of a 9-day retreat priced at USD 5,000 (₱291,050). We clarify that this event was organized by a legally established business in Hawaii, and we were invited guests, not the organizers. The pricing was determined by the host organization, based on their expertise and local context. We respect their autonomy as much as we expect ours to be respected.

It is disheartening to be judged as “greedy” or “money-faced” by those who were not present during the founding of Luntiang Aghama, the establishment of Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, or the transition into Templong Anituhan Inc. Autonomy means we walk our own path—not dictated by others, even those who claim to be kapwa. True kapwa walks with you, not ahead of you to judge, nor behind you to criticize.

We affirm our right to receive abundance as a reflection of the value we bring. To assume otherwise is to deny the dignity of our work and the sacredness of our calling. We invite those with concerns to engage in dialogue, not in condemnation.

For clarity, the official websites we maintain are:

🌿 hilotacademy.com
🌿 landasnglahi.com
🌿 siadtala.com
🌿 anituhan.org
🌿 Filipino Magick

Any other site using our name or image without consent does not represent us.

We remain steadfast in our mission. This is but a wave in our journey. We will not be colonized again—not by systems, not by opinions, and not by fear. We walk with the ancestors, guided by the Diwata, and rooted in the sacred land of our people.

Rev. Rolando Gomez Comon
Chief Priest, Templong Anituhan Inc.
Founder, Hilot Academy of Binabaylan

About our Hilot Lineage

My gift of Hilot is a sacred inheritance passed down through generations. On my mother’s side, I come from a lineage of Tagalog healers—my mother herself was a local kumadrona (traditional nurse and midwife), known in our community for her gentle hands and intuitive care. From my father’s side, I carry the wisdom of the Manobo-Mamanwa traditions, where he practiced the healing arts of Binasaya and Mananambal. This convergence of ancestral knowledge—Tagalog and Lumad—flows through my hands and spirit, guiding my path as a Binabaylan and Hilot practitioner.

Hilot is more than a technique—it is a family healing tradition. As there are many families that form our country, each carries a unique style of Hilot, shaped by their own ways of caring and compassion. Even within indigenous communities, healing is deeply personal, passed down as a gesture of love. Just as we cannot regulate how a mother cares for her child, we cannot standardize Hilot. It is an expression of love, and love cannot be confined by rules or forms. To practice Hilot is to embody the spirit of caring, to listen with the heart, and to touch with intention.- Rev. Rolando G. Comon D.D.Min. IFS IFM

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DISCLAIMER

Hilot Academy of Binabaylan promotes Philippine Indigenous Traditional Medicine. We do not claim any Therapeutic Effects from our Treatment Modalities but rather we firmly stand on the Principles that every human being has the ability to heal our selves. We do not intend to replace any medical care provided by your Professional Medical Care Providers.

Rolando Portfolio Download

2026 Activities

January 4- June 21, 2026- Hilot Binabaylan Alignment Training Program (for locals/ stay out)

January 11-20, 2026- Masters in Ministry on Hilot Binabaylan Practice (Taguig)

February 18- March 4, 2026 Hilot US Tour

February 20-22, 2026- Conscious Life Expo at Lax Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA

February 25-26, 2026 at Sacramento, California, USA

February 27, 2026 at Philippine Consulate Los Angeles

February 28- March 3, 2026 at Las Vegas Nevada

March 18-27, 2026 Masters in Ministry on Hilot Binabaylan Practice (Taguig)

June 21, 2026 Graduation and Ordination Ceremony of Hilot Binabaylan Alignment Training

Sacred Healing, Sovereign Practice: The Hilot Binabaylan Tradition

Hilot, as a traditional Filipino healing art, has evolved into various forms—some institutionalized under government regulation, and others preserved as sacred spiritual traditions. Among these, the Hilot Binabaylan Practice stands distinct. While PITAHC and TESDA have developed regulatory frameworks for Hilot as a health and wellness modality, Hilot Binabaylan remains a spiritual, ministerial, and indigenous practice—autonomous and protected under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

1. Hilot Binabaylan: A Sacred Spiritual Ministry

* Hilot Binabaylan Practice, as taught by the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan under Templong Anituhan Inc. and Bahay Siadtala Binabaylan Inc., is not merely a wellness technique. It is a sacred vocation rooted in the cosmology, rituals, and ancestral wisdom of the Filipino Indigenous Spiritual Tradition.

*It involves rituals, orasyon, anito communication, and diwata invocation.

*Practitioners are ordained as Dayang, Lakan, Hilot Tanglaw, or Doctor of Ministry in Hilot Binabaylan Practice (D.Min.HBp).

*The practice is ministerial, not clinical, and is not subject to PITAHC or TESDA regulation.

2. PITAHC and TESDA: Regulatory Frameworks for Hilot

PITAHC (Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care)

Under RA 8423, PITAHC regulates Hilot as a complementary health modality. It has established:

Competency standards

Certification processes

Accreditation of training centers

Code of Ethics for Hilot practitioners

PITAHC recognizes two types of practitioners:

*Formally trained (from PITAHC-accredited centers)

*Community-recognized Manghihilot

Certification requires documentation of 100 patient cases, training credentials, and community endorsements.

2. TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)

TESDA offers Hilot (Wellness Massage) NC II, a vocational course focused on:

Massage techniques

Wellness program planning

Client care and hygiene

Basic first aid and infection control

TESDA’s approach is industry-standard, competency-based, and designed for employment in the wellness sector, not spiritual ministry.

3. The Autonomy of Hilot Binabaylan Practice

Hilot Binabaylan is not a wellness service—it is a spiritual calling. As such, it is not subject to PITAHC or TESDA regulation.

This autonomy is grounded in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which guarantees:

Article III, Section 5:

“No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.”

This constitutional protection affirms that:

*Spiritual healing practices like Hilot Binabaylan are expressions of religious freedom.

*The State cannot regulate or restrict the practice unless it violates public safety or order.

*Ordination, training, and certification within Hilot Binabaylan are governed by spiritual authority, not state agencies.

4. Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding the difference between regulated Hilot and Hilot Binabaylan is essential for:

*Practitioners: To choose the path aligned with their calling—whether vocational or spiritual.

*Patients: To understand the nature of the healing they are receiving.

*Institutions: To respect the autonomy of Indigenous Spiritual Practices and avoid overreach.

Conclusion

While PITAHC and TESDA play important roles in professionalizing wellness services, Hilot Binabaylan Practice stands as a sacred, constitutionally protected spiritual tradition. It is not a massage service, but a ministerial act of healing, rooted in the ancestral wisdom of the Filipino people. As such, it must be respected, preserved, and allowed to flourish—free from external regulation, in accordance with the freedom of religion enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.

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Rev. Alvin Sentin Hilot Portfolio Download

Continuing Education Program

Master Class on Understanding Pilay and its corresponding Hilot Treatment
Pilay Usog Spiritual Illness
Fertility Hilot
Family Care/ Hilot Treatment for Special Needs
Hilot Healing/ Ministerial Healing Center Administration & Management

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