Hilot Binabaylan is an autonomous religious and cultural healing practice, self‑governed within its own spiritual tradition and operating independently of state credentialing or regulatory bodies such as TESDA and PITAHC. This autonomy, however, does not imply the absence of standards. On the contrary, it demands unwavering discipline, accountability, and integrity.
The standards that guide Hilot Binabaylan were established and continually strengthened by Apu Adman through decades of practice, study, and research. These standards are deeply rooted in his family lineage and further enriched by the wisdom of local healers and communities with whom he has worked over the years. They arise not from convenience or compliance, but from lived tradition and ancestral responsibility.
Hilot itself is neither owned nor created by Apu Adman, the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, nor Templong Anituhan. Equally, it is not owned, developed, or defined by any government agency or private organization. Hilot is the collective heritage of the Filipino people. We therefore stand not as proprietors, but as trustees and stewards of the sacred healing arts and sciences entrusted to us by our ancestors.
Prior to the establishment of the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, many sacred components of Hilot were gradually set aside in order to conform to modern social, medical, and institutional systems. Traditional birthing knowledge and practices, once integral to Hilot, were separated and absorbed into clinical settings, now primarily handled by licensed nurses and midwives in lying‑in and birthing centers. Traditional bone‑setting practices likewise yielded to osteopathic and orthopedic disciplines. More recently, even Hilot diagnostic practices have faced increasing pressure and risk of discontinuation due to perceived conflicts with prevailing religious beliefs in the Philippines.
In response to this steady erosion, Apu Adman took a deliberate and principled stand. Through sustained research and discernment, he formally established the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan on April 5, 2016, as a dedicated source and sanctuary of authentic Filipino indigenous and traditional healing arts and sciences—preserved in their original spirit and form, and not altered merely to fit modern trends, market demands, or institutional convenience.
As I continue to share the sacred knowledge and wisdom of our Filipino ancestral healing arts and sciences, it is my earnest intention that the practices transmitted through this lineage remain faithful to the teachings from which they arise. While Hilot Binabaylan has not yet been formally recognized by government agencies, it has gained resonance, legitimacy, and influence through the communities and practitioners we have formed both locally and internationally.
In this spirit, I call upon all practitioners of Hilot Binabaylan and Hilot Tanglaw to honor their vows and commitments, and to uphold the credibility, integrity, and living essence of this sacred practice.
Standards of Practice and Governance
- All practitioners of Hilot Binabaylan shall render practice only under the guidance and supervision of a duly accredited Hilot Doctor.
- Hilot Doctors are accredited authorities empowered to administer healing services, conduct formal training, and transmit teachings within duly recognized clinics and ministerial centers.
- Hilot Tanglaw practitioners shall possess demonstrable competence in knowledge, skills, abilities, and mentoring disposition. All mentoring activities must be conducted under the supervision and governance of an accredited Ministerial Center administered by an ordained and accredited Hilot Doctor.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 