The Pista ng Katutubong Gamutang Pilipino 2025 presentation is a powerful celebration of Hilot, the indigenous Filipino healing tradition that has endured through thousands of years of cultural evolution. From prehistoric Kalinga to the modern wellness industry, Hilot has remained a vital expression of ancestral wisdom, spiritual resilience, and community-based care.
Tracing the Roots of Hilot
The presentation begins with archaeological evidence of early healing practices dating back 709,000 years ago, when ancient Filipinos used rhinoceros parts for food and medicine. It then highlights the role of Babaylan, Manghihilot, and Albularyo—spiritual healers who used herbal medicine, massage, and rituals to treat physical and emotional ailments.
Hilot Through the Ages
Hilot’s journey spans multiple historical eras:
- Pre-Srivijaya and Pre-Islamic Periods: Rooted in animistic and shamanic traditions.
- Islamization Era: Hilot adapted and coexisted with Islamic healing practices.
- Colonial Periods: Despite marginalization, Hilot remained the primary healthcare system in rural communities.
- Japanese Occupation and Liberation: Hilot served as a lifeline for guerrilla fighters and civilians.
- Martial Law Era: Hilot survived underground, preserving indigenous knowledge through oral tradition.
Modern Recognition and Institutional Support
The passage of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 (RA 8423) and the TESDA NC II certification marked a turning point in Hilot’s formal recognition. These milestones helped integrate Hilot into the national health and vocational systems, opening doors for professional practice in wellness centers, spas, and tourism.
🌀 Addendum: Reclaiming the Full Spectrum of Hilot Binabaylan Practice
While Hilot is now recognized as a wellness modality, key ancestral practices—such as spiritual healing, bone setting, and traditional midwifery—remain excluded from current regulations. This exclusion risks erasing the holistic essence of Hilot as practiced by our ancestors.
⚠️ Current Regulatory Gaps
- Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) are prohibited from conducting home births in many localities due to safety concerns and lack of formal training.
- Bone setting, a core skill of Manghihilot, is not included in TESDA’s Hilot Wellness Massage NC II curriculum or PITAHC standards.
- Spiritual healing, though central to Hilot, is often sidelined in favor of clinical approaches. [Pista ng K…ipino 2026 | PowerPoint]
🌿 Why Inclusion Matters
To preserve the authentic form of Hilot Binabaylan, we must reintegrate these ancestral practices into a regulated, culturally respectful framework. This ensures that Hilot remains a complete healing system, not just a massage technique.
🔧 Proposed Integration Strategies
- Expanded Curriculum and Certification
- Develop specialized modules on traditional midwifery, bone setting, and spiritual healing.
- Partner with institutions like Templong Anituhan and Hilot Academy of Binabaylan to offer culturally grounded training.
- Community-Based Health Integration
- Recognize Hilot Binabaylan as community health workers, especially in underserved areas.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration
- Utilize the mandate of RA 8423 to involve TESDA, CHED, DepEd, and PCHRD in creating short courses and degree programs.
- Ethical and Safety Standards
- Establish guidelines to ensure safe practice while honoring indigenous knowledge.
✊ A Call for Cultural Justice in Healthcare
The exclusion of bone setting and traditional birth practices is not just a technical issue—it is a cultural justice concern. By reclaiming the full spectrum of Hilot Binabaylan, we affirm the value of indigenous wisdom and ensure its rightful place in the modern healthcare delivery system.
🌺 Closing Reflection
Hilot is more than a healing technique—it is a living embodiment of Filipino ancestral wisdom. As we move forward, let us ensure that Hilot remains whole, respected, and empowered. Through education, advocacy, and cultural preservation, we can continue to heal, educate, and uplift our communities with the sacred wisdom of Hilot Binabaylan.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 