HABI: Weaving the Soul of Filipino Healing into the World

In 2016, the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan was born with a vision to preserve and elevate the ancient healing arts and spirituality of the Filipino people. Though originally envisioned as Hilot Academy of Binabaylan International, the name was refined to HABI—a powerful acronym that not only stands for Hilot, Academy, and Binabaylan, but also evokes the Filipino word habi, meaning “to weave.”

This weaving is not merely symbolic. It reflects the Academy’s mission to interlace the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual fabrics of life into a holistic tapestry of wellness. Through its teachings, HABI has become a loom where ancient wisdom and modern practice converge, creating a healing tradition that transcends borders.

From Local Roots to Global Reach

Despite initial limitations in naming, HABI has organically grown into an international movement. Since its founding, over 80 ordained and certified Hilot Binabaylan Practitioners have emerged across the globe—from the United States, Canada, Chile, Italy, France, London, Austria, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, to its sacred homeland, the Philippines.

These practitioners began their journey seeking knowledge of Filipino healing arts. Yet, through their studies, they unearthed a deeper connection to precolonial Filipino spirituality—a sacred path that predates the Abrahamic religions of Islam and Christianity. In doing so, they became not just healers, but weavers of ancestral memory, restoring threads of indigenous wisdom long buried under colonial narratives.

Healing Beyond the Physical

At the heart of HABI’s philosophy is the understanding that true healing begins with the soul. The Academy teaches that health, illness, and wellness are not isolated phenomena within the body—they are reflections of our relationships, our environment, and our connection to the divine.

Through the lens of Kapwa, the Filipino concept of shared identity and interconnectedness, HABI practitioners recognize that healing must extend beyond the individual. It must encompass the community, the land, and the unseen energies that flow through all things.

Thus, the practice of Hilot Binabaylan includes:

– Rituals and offerings (atang) to harmonize spiritual energies 
– Prayer in motion, where movement becomes medicine 
– Sacred foods and drinks that nourish both body and spirit 
– Environmental energy weaving, ensuring balance and clarity in the spaces we inhabit 

These methodologies are not mere supplements—they are central to the healing process. They restore the flow of life force (hininga), clear disruptions, and prevent illness from taking root.

The Loom of the Future

As HABI continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the resilience and relevance of Filipino indigenous knowledge. It is a loom of transformation, where healers become leaders, and tradition becomes a living force for global wellness.

Through its graduates and teachings, HABI is not just reviving a practice—it is weaving a new world, one where healing is sacred, interconnected, and deeply rooted in the soul of the Filipino people.