Life goes on even with Stroke

As Manghihilot, We are not exempted to any form of illness even to Death. I remember my teacher, Dr. Rueben M. Galang Jr. at the School of Alternative Medicine when he died years ago. Many have asked why he died when he is a great doctor and have treated many patients and made them well but was not able to take care of himself. This is the same question that been playing around my mind when my ,mother died 3 years ago. I am a Manghihilot, why i was not able to take care well of my mother. And now, I am a Manghihilot and why you have stroke. When my mother died, I already planned to stop practicing, but people around me in person even at social media encouraged me not to stop but continue what I have started to do. And this time that I’ve got stroke, I already have mentioned that i plan of retiring but my current students and recent graduates have encouraged me to continue.

One of my current student at Non Contact HIlot: Mind and Spirit work have wrote me a letter of encouragement that says:

I am appreciative of the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan and all that I have learned. Apu has helped me connect to my Filipino identity in a way that feels authentic to who I am, my approach to healing, and my passion around decolonization. In learning the historical context of pre-colonial healing, how hilot practitioners were utilized prior to the introduction of western medicine, and how colonization forced manghihilots to hide or assimilate, I found an even deeper reverence for my ancestors and the manghihilot and babaylan who died because of their beliefs. In this course I was able to connect more to my highest, spiritual self, which I have rarely experienced in any other healing modality I’ve learned, even as a reiki practitioner, and especially as a psychotherapist. What feels special about learning hilot is that it brings me great pride to know that this is a healing practice that looks at the person in their entirety, not just the physical, but also the emotional and spiritual, and it all originated from my homeland, the Philippines! Learning and practicing tawas was extremely helpful because I was able to trust my intuition and the unconditional support of my ancestors. I feel a powerful connection to my inner wisdom and feel more confident as a practitioner after I practiced tawas. I have learned to really trust my instincts, when so much of living in America is focused on logic and achievement. I have not had a chance to finish the remaining course lessons and the assignment due on February 27th, but I plan on going through that material this week and weekend. 

WIth teary eyes, i feel that people value my work even if our Government does not recognize it, but at least my little work on our Culture and Tradition have reached out Far and Wide across the Globe.

I am also thankful to the Universe for teaching me personally to experience Stroke that I may know personally how to handle well stroke patients in the Future

Thank you, Apu, for your love, energy, and time and for sharing your wisdom with us. I am eternally grateful. I hope you heal quickly and get the care and support you need. I look forward to perhaps attending another workshop or course you or Likai provide in the future. With love.