The True Essence of a Healer: A Creed for Hilot Binabaylan Practitioners

In a world where healing is often measured by degrees, diplomas, and monetary value, I stand firm in the belief that the gift of knowledge entrusted to me through Hilot is overflowing—not because of wealth or status, but because of the love and compassion that move me to serve.

I do not claim that I can heal every illness a person may suffer. My heart and mind simply tell me to help and share my energy with every individual who genuinely seeks healing. Like all traditional folk healers, I acknowledge this truth: we are not the ones who heal. We are instruments of the Divine, channels through which healing flows.

Traditional medicine teaches that every individual has the innate ability to heal themselves. We, as healers, are catalysts—facilitators of that process. This wisdom was echoed by Doctor Ruben M. Galang Jr., who taught us that healing is a partnership. Even if I were the greatest healer in the land, if the person does not participate in their own healing, no true healing can occur.

As a Hilot Binabaylan, I am deeply grateful to every patient who knocks on my door. Their trust is a sacred gift. I am equally grateful to the Anito and the Diwata for entrusting me with this ability to care—not only with compassion but also with the little knowledge of human science that complements our ancestral wisdom.

Today, I realize that being a healer is not about academic degrees, certificates, or diplomas. It is about the degree of love and care that moves you to heal an individual. Healing is priceless because it springs from the heart.



Why I Heal on a Donation Basis
This afternoon, I spoke with Cris, our custodian who tends to our chickens. I asked him why he thinks I offer Hilot on a donation basis or sometimes for free. He guessed that I do so because I earn through teaching Hilot. While that is partly true, it is not the whole story. Teaching does not always guarantee income—this year, I only had one class in Hawaii last August and one enrollee this December. What they pay is a small amount, enough to sustain our work at the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan.

The real reason is this: if I charged the same rates I once did in Makati—₱1,800 to ₱2,500 per hourly session—many in my community could not afford it. And what I give is priceless. Healing is not a commodity; it is a sacred act of service.



The Creed of Hilot Binabaylan
From this reflection, I offer these guiding principles for all who walk the path of Hilot Binabaylan:

1. We are instruments of the Divine. Healing flows through us, not from us.
2. Healing is a partnership. The patient must actively participate for true healing to occur.
3. Love and compassion are our greatest credentials. Degrees and certificates do not define a healer—the heart does.
4. Gratitude is our foundation. We honor those who seek our help and the spiritual forces that guide us.
5. Healing is priceless. It cannot be measured by money but by the transformation it brings.
6. We serve with humility. Our work is not for fame or fortune but for the well-being of all.


Final Thoughts
To be a healer is to embody love, care, and service. It is to walk with humility, guided by the wisdom of our ancestors and the grace of the Divine. May this creed inspire every Hilot Binabaylan to uphold the sacred calling of healing—not as a profession, but as a lifelong mission of compassion.