12 Years ago, i made a video compilation of the tawas that I made and uploaded it to Youtube. At that time, this is how we understand the work of an albularyo.
During those time, the knowledge that i have was shrouded with mysteries as i perform the task through faith through the use of orasyon. But as time goes through our persistent dedication to master our craft, we found science beyond the mysteries that enveloped the practice of this craft as folk medicine of the Filipino People. Through continues studies and research with perseverance, we found that the work of Magtatawas and Albularyo are different from one another but they are on the same umbrella of Filipino Healing Arts and Science which is known as Hilot.
Modern people may think of Hilot as a form of Filipino Massage using touch manipulative techniques that is indigenous to the Filipino. But Massage around the world has same quality of touching the skin and giving pressure to affect cure. The massage of indigenous Filipino requires application of oil to the body surface before performing massage thus the Massage techinique of the Filipino is called as Pahid. And Hilot is much more than massage because it aims to affect cure. And the illness that hilot aims to cure is not limited on the Physical Illness of Man but it also extend to the emotional, mental, social and spiritual aspect of man. Thus this Healer is called as Manggagamot. While the Albularyo is the one who literally creates the medicine. The medicine that comes from nature. They are the traditional pharmacist who concoct medicine to affect cure to the person who is ill. And the medicine that an albularyo formulate thus not limit on taking it internally but it also have external application.
Early this morning as i open up my pc, i received an Email from UP Repertory Company asking for Partnership in promoting their upcoming event which is a Virtual Stage Play that will highlight the life of Traditional healer in the Philippines throughout time.
Their perfomance will happen on July 17, 2021 and the play is written byAldrich Gerald Gatbunton and Winona Eunice Alindongan. You can view their virtual presentation on their Facebook Page which is at UP Repertory Company. More details will be posted soon!
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 