Got a long day as we start our day yesterday by 5:00 AM. We went out to meet an important person which I could not name yet in any of our platform. But this person is going to make a big impact to all Hilot practitioners around the world, and I am there to assist in creating this impact to happen that will bring benefit not only to us as members and graduates of Hilot Academy of Binabaylan but also to other Filipino Indigenous Healers.
In this table, Four person was seated. It includes me, Lakay, Ms Nora and the other one that I will not name yet. This person have seen me years ago on a Global Summit of Filipinos in Diaspora that was held at Philippine International Convention Center, Manila on September 27-29, 2011. On that event I was invited to stand up about Hilot. Most of them were Filipino Americans and coming from other countries and have migrated there. What I did not realize is that there are government officials who are also watching me when I speak in front of them. And one of those Government official is the one who have searched for me to help her create a legacy for all Manghihilot not only in our country but also around the world.
Modernizing Hilot
The goal of meeting up with this very important person is to secure the role of Manghihilot in the Healthcare Delivery System as well as to make Hilot a profitable source of income to the practitioner that it may encourage its continuity of practice as part of the preservation and promotion of this Ancient Filipino Healing Arts and Science. It also aim to upgrade the status of Manghihilot by creating a system that will level up their practice from being a Manghihilot into a Doctorate Degree in Traditional Filipino Medicine. Like other form of Traditional Medicine such as in Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy and Naturopathy that has a path that will lead its practitioner into a Doctorate Level.
The process of this development is very critical, as it will highlight all the healing practices of our ethno-linguistic brothers and sister from different part of the country. Standardization of the practice of Hilot maybe impossible, as each individual practitioners of Hilot from the different part of our country is unique, but as part of it’s development we could find a common ground where we can set a standard of practice.
Hilot for Relaxation
I remember that there are argument whether the TESDA Hilot Wellness Massage NC2 Holder must be part of Licensed Massage Therapist practitioners in the Philippines as the graduates of Tesda are showing of a competency skills that is subject for the Massage Therapist Certification and Registration. Though for Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, we have set the difference by showing that Hilot is not a massage as it is intended for healing and treatment of certain condition.
The person that we have talked yesterday brought out her idea to us, giving us situation that when a tourist come to the Philippines and will look for a Relaxation treatment what we should provide? Though the best answer for that is what the Spa Industry in the Philippines is providing. Our country could provide spa treatment such as Swedish Massage to a tourist. And from there, She point out that what we provide is not a Filipino modality but a foreign one which most of us are proficient with.
Though on my stand point, as she also have mentioned, when you have body pain such as stiff neck, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, lower back pain, sprain and such other condition, you will not go to a Spa. And we said and I emphasized that Yes! Because that is what a Manghihilot does.
In my mind, I am seeing a different center where a Manghihilot SHOULD work. It’s either a Manghihilot should work in a Hospital Setting under the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department of the Hospital or in a Hilot Healing Treatment Center which we are going to work out.
But addressing the issue of what we could provide a tourist who comes in our country have a relaxation, is what we are working out right now. From this point, Hilot can be developed and create a standard will shine out our identity to the world and taking our own Pride as Filipino.
With this, if you have a Hilot Organization or you are teaching Hilot either on TESDA, DOH or DSWD, whether you are in the Philippines or living outside the country, I am asking you to get in touch with meby sending me an email at apuadman@hilotacademy.com
I want you to be part of this project and together let us build a better future for all of Manghihilot.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 