TOUCH THE WORLD WITH HILOT

When we start Hilot Academy of Binabaylan on 2016, I know from that time that our Hilot will be different from what the people know about it and even on how the Philippine Government promote it to the Public. I would say that our Hilot reflects the vision of my Teacher, Dr. Rueben M. Galang Jr., MD who is the founder of the School of Alternative Medicine at St. Francis Divine College in Novaliches, Queson City that he says:

The power of Health to the hands of the People and one manghihilot in every Filipino Home.

In the Philippines, we have approximately 116.79 million as our total population this 2025 and if the average household compose of 4 to 5 persons, then we will have approximately 28.5 million families. And aside from the Philippines Filipino can also be found in the United States of America, which according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 4.45 Million Filipinos living in USA especially in:

California that has 1,705,090 Filipinos
Hawaii that has 369,479 Filipinos
Texas that has 231,992 Filipinos
Washington that has 194,965 Filipinos
Nevada that has 184,225 Filipinos
Florida that has 178,012 Filipinos
Illinois that has 174,442 Filipinos
New York that has 160,566 Filipinos
New Jersey that has 152, 507 Filipinos
Virginia that has 119,497 Filipinos

Though this map only shows the number of Filipino that can be found in the United States of America, this will also serve as our road map in reaching out to our Kababayan in remembering our Indigenous Healing Arts and Science. Mostly Filipinos in United States of America are immigrants and either 2nd to 3rd Generation Filipino American.

Next to the United States of America, there are also large Filipino Community that can be found in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia mostly Overseas Filipino Worker that works in Construction Firm, Health Care and House Hold Services. In general, there are 898,014 Filipinos in the entire kingdom that can be distributed on the following provinces:

Riyadh there are approximately 250,000-300,000 Filipinos
Jeddah there are approximately 150,000 – 200,000 Filipinos
Al Kobar and Dammam (Eastern Province) there are approximately 120,000- 150,000 Filipinos
Mecca and Medina there are approximately 50,000 – 70,000 Filipinos

Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia are increasingly diversified, with many now employed in private sector jobs, including healthcare, education, retail, and even small business ownership.

Next will be in Canada which many Filipinos have Migrated for permanent residency, work and Education. It is estimated that there are around 1 million Filipino migrated in Canada which is shown below:

Ontario: There are 363,655 Filipinos
British Columbia: There are 216,710 Filipinos
Alberta: There are 174,280 Filipinos
Manitoba: There are 94, 320 Filipinos
Saskatchewan: There are 43,760 Filipinos
Quebec: There are 44,880 Filipinos
Nova Scotia: There are 6,615 Filipinos
New Brunswick: There are 5,190 Filipinos
Newfoundland and Labrador: There are 2,265 Filipinos
Yukon: There are 1,945 Filipinos
Northwest Territories: There are 1,665 Filipinos
Prince Eduard Islands: There are 1,760 Filipinos
Nunavut: There are 310 Filipinos

Fourth in our list is the United Arab Emirates where there are significant numbers of Overseas Filipino Workers which approximately in 700,000 making up 6.8% of the country’s population.

In Dubai, there are already 450,000 Filipinos which roughly accounts to 21.3% of Dubai’s population. Filipinos here work in hospitality, healthcare, retail, construction, and other service industries.
Abu Dhabi: Estimated ~150,000 Many are employed in government services, oil and gas, and education.
Sharjah, Ajman, and other emirates: ~100,000 combined These areas host Filipinos working in manufacturing, logistics, and domestic services.

Next is in Japan, where Filipinos work in caregiving, entertainment and technical fields. There are many Filipino Japanese Families. Approximately there are 341,518 Filipinos Living in Japan.

As shown, the largest Filipino communities are in:

Tokyo (~72,000)
Aichi (~42,000)
Kanagawa (~39,000)
Osaka (~36,000)
Saitama (~31,000)

Nest to Japan is Australia which has a growing population of Filipino, especially in Sydney and Melbourne due to skilled migration and education. Approximately 361,860 Filipino-born people living in Australia, making them the fifth-largest migrant community in the country. This represents about 1.4% of Australia’s total population.

State/Territory	Filipino-born Population
New South Wales (NSW)	98,510
Victoria (VIC)	75,480
Queensland (QLD)	60,360
Western Australia (WA)	35,120
South Australia (SA)	18,740
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)	4,880
Northern Territory (NT)	2,800
Tasmania (TAS)	1,700

After Australia we are also in the United Kingdom on which Filipinos work in healthcare, especially as nurses and caregivers. As of 2025, there are approximately 165,000 to 200,000 Filipinos living in the United Kingdom

1. This includes both:

Philippines-born residents: Around 164,962 as of the 2021/22 census 1
Ethnic Filipinos (including those born in the UK or with Filipino ancestry): Estimated to be over 200,000

🇬🇧 Filipino Population by Region

Here’s a breakdown based on available data:

Region	Filipino Population
England	149,474
Scotland	6,245
Wales	5,542
Northern Ireland	3,701

🏙️ Areas with Significant Filipino Communities

London: Home to about 40% of the UK’s Filipino population
English Midlands
North West England
South East England

Filipinos in the UK are active in sectors such as healthcare (especially nursing), hospitality, education, and domestic services.

HONGKONG

As of January 2024, there are approximately 201,104 Filipinos living in Hong Kong, most of whom are employed as foreign domestic helpers (FDHs)

1. This makes Filipinos the largest ethnic minority in Hong Kong, comprising 55.6% of the total FDH population.

🇭🇰 Filipino Presence in Hong Kong

Primary Occupation: Domestic work, caregiving, hospitality, and retail
Community Hubs: Central (especially around Statue Square), Victoria Park, and areas in Kowloon and the New Territories
Support Services: Numerous Filipino churches, consular services, and community organizations are active in Hong Kong

SINGAPORE

As of 2025, there are an estimated over 220,000 Filipinos living in Singapore, based on growth trends from previous years

1. This includes:

Work permit holders (majority)
Permanent residents
Singapore citizens of Filipino origin (though not officially counted separately)

🇸🇬 Filipino Presence in Singapore

Occupations: Domestic work, healthcare, education, IT, finance, hospitality, and retail
Community hubs: Lucky Plaza (Orchard Road), East Coast, and areas near churches and consular services
Cultural footprint: Active Filipino churches, community groups, and events like Independence Day celebrations

SOUTH KOREA

As of 2025, there are approximately 70,000 Filipinos living in South Korea

1. This includes:

Permanent residents: Around 6,000
Undocumented individuals: Estimated 14,000–15,000
Temporary workers and students: The majority of the population

🇰🇷 Filipino Communities in South Korea

Filipinos are primarily concentrated in:

Seoul – Especially in areas like Hyehwa-dong and Dongsung-dong in Jongno-gu
Busan – A growing community of workers and students
Incheon, Daegu, and Daejeon – Smaller but active Filipino populations

Filipinos in South Korea are engaged in:

Manufacturing and industrial work
Healthcare and caregiving
Education and entertainment
Religious and community services

ITALY

As of 2025, there are approximately 165,000 Filipinos living in Italy, making them one of the largest non-EU foreign communities in the country

🇮🇹 Filipino Population by Region

According to the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies:

Lombardy: ~34.8% of the Filipino population (~57,420 people)
Lazio: ~27.4% (~45,210 people), including Rome
Emilia-Romagna: ~8.6% (~14,190 people)
Other regions include Tuscany, Veneto, and Piedmont with smaller but active Filipino communities.

Filipinos in Italy are primarily employed in:

Domestic work and caregiving
Hospitality and services
Healthcare and education

SPAIN

As of 2025, there are approximately 200,000 Filipinos living in Spain

1. This includes:

Filipino citizens: Around 40,000 officially registered in municipal records
Filipino-born residents: Estimated 57,498
Spanish citizens of Filipino ancestry: Making up the rest of the estimated total

🇪🇸 Filipino Population by Region

Here’s a breakdown of Filipino citizens by region:

Region	Filipino Population
Community of Madrid	17,471 (43.39%)
Catalonia	12,239 (30.40%)
Andalusia	3,372 (8.37%)
Balearic Islands	2,357 (5.85%)
Canary Islands	1,782 (4.43%)
Valencian Community	1,011 (2.51%)

Filipinos in Spain are active in sectors such as domestic work, caregiving, hospitality, education, and healthcare, and many are long-term residents or descendants of earlier migrants due to historical ties between the Philippines and Spain.

Through these, we envision to reach out all Filipino in Diaspora and call them back to walk to the Path of our Race on which Hilot can be a doorway in reconnecting them back to their ancestral root by embracing our own heritage and culture.

Embracing Life and Death: A Manghihilot’s Perspective

In our Code of Ethics, we have mentioned that we are Healthcare providers whose goals consist of prevention of premature death and disability, maintenance or improvement of life, maximization of
personal growth and development, and preparation for a good death.

As a manghihilot, our role is not to promise a long life to our patients. Instead, we offer something deeper—we help them embrace life fully, with all its challenges and transitions. We guide them to find comfort, meaning, and joy in every moment, no matter how difficult.

We do not see death as an enemy to be fought. Rather, we recognize it as a gentle guide—one that reminds us to live with purpose, to cherish our relationships, and to find peace in the present. In our healing practice, death is not the end, but a companion that helps us appreciate the beauty of life.

“It has been taught to us as Manghihilot, our role in caring is from the time of conception to the moment of transition from this plane of existence to the next life.”

In our tradition as Manghihilot, healing is not just a profession—it is a sacred calling. We are taught that our responsibility begins at the very start of life, even before birth, and continues until the final breath. Our care spans the entire human journey, from conception to transition, from the womb to the world beyond.

More Than Healing the Body

Our work is not limited to treating physical ailments. We are called to listen deeply—to the body, the spirit, and the emotions. We understand that true healing involves the whole person, and that pain can come not only from the body, but also from the heart and mind.

Honoring Life and Death

As Manghihilot, we do not fear death. We do not see it as something to fight or avoid. Instead, we recognize it as a natural part of life’s sacred cycle. We walk with our patients through every stage of life, including the final one, offering comfort, peace, and dignity.

A Tradition That Evolves

Our practice is rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors, but it is not stuck in the past. We continue to learn, grow, and adapt—bringing Hilot into the modern world while staying true to its spiritual essence. We believe that healing is a lifelong journey, and our presence is a gift of love and service from beginning to end.

Recently, a graduate of the Hilot Academy asked me whether we have any documented cases involving palliative care or end-of-life care within the practice of Hilot. Regretfully, I had to respond that we do not. The graduate pointed out that other traditional healing modalities have such documentation, while Hilot appears to lack it.

This absence is not due to a lack of experience or wisdom among Manghihilot, but rather a reflection of how our tradition has been preserved. Most Manghihilot have not been formally educated in colleges or universities. Their knowledge is deeply rooted in oral tradition and lived experience. They act rather than write. Their learning is carried in the mind and heart, passed down through narration and demonstration, not through modules or modern training materials.

This way of transmission is sacred and powerful, but it also means that much of our healing work remains undocumented. As we move forward, perhaps it is time to begin bridging the gap—honoring our oral traditions while also finding ways to preserve them in written form, so that future generations may continue to learn, grow, and share the wisdom of Hilot.

**“In the sacred silence between life and death, the Manghihilot does not surrender—he pleads, he prays, and he offers his soul in service, asking for one more chance to heal.”**

For the sake of documentation, I want to share a personal experience on how I, as a Manghihilot, have cared for a dying patient.

First and foremost, it is never our intention for a patient to die under our care. If that were the case, why would we devote time, energy, and spirit to preserving life? Our role is rooted in the belief that life is sacred and worth fighting for—even in its most fragile moments.

When a patient is facing a serious illness, it may seem that death is near. But as Manghihilot, we do not simply accept this. Instead, we plead with death—asking it to grant the patient another chance to live. It is a spiritual negotiation, a bargaining of life with death.

And if death allows the patient to stay, a promise must be made and fulfilled. This promise is not just a ritual—it is a sacred commitment to honor the life that was spared. In this way, our healing practice becomes not only physical but deeply spiritual, rooted in reverence for both life and the mystery of death.

**“In the quiet moments before farewell, the Manghihilot becomes not just a healer—but a guide, preparing the soul for its sacred journey home.”**

I remember my 80-year-old neighbor, Tata Piyo, who was undergoing dialysis for a kidney condition. His daughter, Ate Belen, came to me one day and asked for help in caring for her father. Despite his age and fragile condition, we chose to fight for life. As a Manghihilot, I did everything I could to ease his suffering—applying hilot pahid to relieve his pain, performing suob and paligo, and even designing a special diet to support his condition.

One day, Tata Piyo was in great pain. Ate Belen rushed to my house, asking me to attend to him. When I entered his bedroom, he looked at me and said in Tagalog, “Ihatid mo na ako.” I responded in a light-hearted way, “Where do you want me to send you? Don’t worry, when you regain your strength, we’ll go to Jollibee.” He laughed, gathering all his remaining strength, and replied, “Hindi, ihatid mo na ako sa ating Ama sa langit.”

I wasn’t prepared for those words. But I kept my composure and gently asked Ate Belen to call the rest of the family. I told them that Tata Piyo was asking to rest, and that the decision must come from them—not from me.

Together, we discussed whether to continue fighting for his life or to let him go peacefully. The family, acknowledging his age, his weakened body, and their readiness to accept his passing, decided to let him go. They remained composed, not wanting Tata Piyo to see them cry.

Everyone began preparing his clothes—underwear, socks, pants, t-shirt, and barong. I clipped his fingernails and toenails and gave him his last bed bath, ensuring he was clean and dignified for his journey.

At exactly 6:00 PM, Tata Piyo took his final breath.

This experience reminded me that as Manghihilot, our care extends beyond healing—it reaches into the sacred space between life and death. We do not just treat the body; we honor the soul. And in moments like these, we become witnesses to the most profound transitions of life.

Working with Hilot out of Love

Last May 18, 2025- we have shared to our Hilot Binabaylan Alignment Trainee the Hilot Treatment which everyone knows as Bentusa Fire Cupping. Everyone had the opportunity to place bentusa cup on their own skin by sharing different methods on how to apply it. What I emphasize how to make vacuum using fire.

Coin and Paper Method

In this procedure, the manghihilot prepare an old coin and tissue paper. Then wrap the tissue paper along the old coin. The coin will serve as a stand and place it on the area you are to place the bentusa cup. then burn the paper and as it burn carefully place the bentusa cup in order to create vacuum to suck the skin.

2. Cotton and Ginger Method

In this procedure, you will need to slice a ginger which is wide enough to fit the mouth of our bentusa cup. Then soak a piece of cotton to 70% ethyl alcohol (which I prefer to recommend rather than Isopropyl alcohol). Then place the ginger slice on the area where you are going to place the bentusa cup and the soaked cotton. After that light it on fire and gently place the bentusa cup on the area to be treated.

DISADVANTAGE OF PAPER AND GINGER METHOD

Aside from safety concerns, the burnt paper or cotton placed over the area will produce smoke. That will be trapped inside the bentusa cup when it already created a vacuum or reverse pressure. It is said that burning tissue paper releases several chemicals including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide which both contribute to air pollution. additionally, burning paper can produce dioxins, which are highly toxic and can have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

While burning soaked cotton on 70% Ethyl Alcohol have a health hazards such as:

Respiratory Issues – Inhaling the fumes can cause irritation to the lungs, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Prolonged exposure may contribute to respiratory damage.
Skin and Eye Irritation – Ethyl alcohol and its combustion byproducts can cause skin irritation or eye discomfort, especially if direct contact occurs.
Toxic Exposure – Incomplete combustion can release carbon monoxide (CO), which is highly toxic and can lead to headaches, nausea, or even unconsciousness in high concentrations.
Carcinogenic Risk – Burning organic materials may produce aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which have been linked to long-term health risks
Neurological Effects – Exposure to high concentrations of ethanol vapors can cause dizziness, confusion, or impaired coordination

Health Hazards of Burning Tissue Paper.

Burning tissue paper can pose several health hazards, including:

Respiratory Issues – The smoke contains fine particles and harmful gases that can irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Incomplete combustion releases carbon monoxide (CO), which can cause dizziness, headaches, and even unconsciousness in high concentrations.
Toxic Chemical Exposure – Burning paper can release dioxins, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may contribute to long-term health risks.
Skin and Eye Irritation – The smoke and ash can cause eye discomfort and skin irritation, especially in enclosed spaces.
Carcinogenic Risk – Some chemicals released during burning, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been linked to cancer.

There are other methods which Manghihilot employ in order to place the Bentusa Cups over the body but the one that Hilot Academy recommend is the Torch Method. In this method you will need a forceps, cotton, 70 % Ethyl Alcohol, Kidney Basin, Lighter or lighted candle. Before you place the bentusa cup over the body, be sure to lubricate it with Lana healing oil. Then soak the cotton with 70 % Ethyl Alcohol clipped with a forceps then put it in fire then place it inside the bentusa cup which is positioned near the area to be treated and manually place the cup over the area to be treated.

Since the torch method also involve burning of cotton which has biochemical health hazards, let us explore other form of bentusa cupping.

Though using Plastic Bentusa cups does not burning paper or cotton, it still has health hazard because of the plastic meterials being used. So, here are its health hazards:

Chemical Leaching – Some plastics contain Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach into the skin when exposed to heat, potentially disrupting hormones.
Microplastic Exposure – Over time, plastic cups may release microplastics, which can be absorbed by the body and may contribute to inflammation and toxicity.
Skin Irritation – Certain plastics may cause skin reactions, especially if they contain chemical additives that interact with heat or oils.
Reduced Effectiveness – Plastic cups may not create a strong vacuum compared to glass or silicone, leading to less effective therapy.
Environmental Impact – Disposable plastic cups contribute to plastic waste, which can harm ecosystems and increase exposure to pollutants.

So, if all of these have health hazards, what other material we can recommend using?

But before we go further, bentusa has primary purpose of stimulating blood flow, relieving muscle tension and promote healing. Other health benefits of having bentusa are the following:

Muscle Pain Relief – Helps alleviate chronic muscle pain, stiffness, and tension.
Improved Blood Circulation – Enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles, speeding up recovery.
Detoxification – Draws toxins to the skin’s surface, aiding in their removal through the lymphatic system.
Relaxation & Stress Relief – The gentle suction and warmth reduce stress and promote relaxation.
espiratory Benefits – Can help with asthma, colds, and respiratory infections by loosening tight muscles around the chest.
Skin Health – May improve skin conditions like acne and eczema by increasing circulation.
Headache & Migraine Relief – Helps relieve tension headaches and migraines.
Holistic Healing – Addresses emotional and energetic imbalances, promoting overall well-being

Thats how powerful bentusa can be specially paired with Hilot Pahid or Massage.

In the video above, we have seen that the material being used for cupping is Carabao horn. This kind of cupping treatment is known as Tandok,though it seems similar to Bentusa, it has different purpose which is to remove venom, rabies and tetanus from wound using animal horn, such as those from deer, goat or carabao.

It is said that Tandok has the following health benefits for the receiver of the treatment:

Detoxification – Practitioners believe it helps remove toxins from the body.
Pain Relief – Some claim it alleviates muscle pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness.
Improved Circulation – The suction effect may stimulate blood flow Removing blood may stimulate the production of new red blood cells, potentially improving circulation
Traditional Healing – Used in rural areas where modern medicine is less accessible.
Iron Regulation – Bloodletting can help reduce excess iron levels in the blood, which may be beneficial for individuals with hemochromatosis.
Lower Blood Pressure – Some studies suggest that donating blood regularly may help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Detoxification – Traditional practitioners believe bloodletting helps remove toxins from the body.
Migraine Relief – Some historical accounts suggest bloodletting was used to alleviate headaches and migraines.

TAWAK

We could say that Tawak is the mother of all these treatment method that requires suction. This treatment involve direct suction by the mouth of a traditional medicine practitioner known as mananawak, to remove venoms, toxins or infections from wounds caused by animal bites. But these technique or treatment method also has been used by poor people who has no money to send their children to proper medical care facility to remove mucus from their infant child by directly sucking the mucus that obstruct the passage of air to provide relief.

Uses and Beliefs

Practitioners believe Tawak can help extract poison from snake bites, rabies from dog bites, and toxins from wounds.
It is often used as an alternative to modern medical treatments, especially in areas where access to hospitals and vaccines is limited.
Some communities still rely on Tawak due to cultural beliefs and the high cost of medical care

Concerns and Risks

Medical experts warn that Tawak is not scientifically proven to cure rabies or venomous bites.
Direct suction can expose both the healer and the patient to infections and diseases.
Delaying proper medical treatment can lead to serious health risks, including untreated rabies, which is fatal

Answering Questions of Medical Channel Asia

Health Care requires trust from the people that will receive it. That is why Hilot has been the most trusted Healthcare modality in the Philippines since before the Colonization Period. Modern Medicine is only a recent introduction to the Filipino People especially to those who are living in the rural areas and in a far-flung community where modern Health Care doesn’t reach. And besides, the introduction of modern medicine was only available for the rich people who can afford it. While Hilot can be easily availed by any one as it does not cost much. Traditionally, Hilot can be obtained from Family Members such as mother, aunties or even grandmother. The Principle of Loving Care is applied in Hilot Treatment that does not require monetary payment. Here are my answers to your questions:

What skills and training are necessary for someone to become a trusted manghihilot, and how do you ensure safety in your practice? The Skills of Manghihilot in treatment is based on Traditional Healing Principles.

DIAGNOSTIC. Manghihilot uses different diagnostic methods to determine if the illness is caused by Physical Mean or Spiritual Mean. That is why there is a Finger Alignment Method (pantay daliri) to determine if the illness is caused Spiritually or Physically. Then if the cause of illness is caused by the Spirit, the Manghihilot employs Tawas which can be likened into a Psycho- Emotional Assessment. Hilot Academy redefined Tawas from being Spiritual Diagnosis to Traditional Alternative Wellness Analytic System.And if the illness is caused Physically, the Diagnostic Method employed is called Pasubay which observed the patient using 5 senses to determine the disorder of the patient. And if the person has internal problems which are caused by the imbalance of the organ, the manghihilot employs himulso or pulse reading analysis.

CLEANSING. Whether the illness is caused spiritually or physically, we believe that the person becomes impure that it needs to be cleansed. The water is employed in cleansing whether internally or externally.

REPAIR. After cleansing, the manghihilot will address the problem by repairing it. There are different treatment techniques to be employed on different illnesses. Even if there are 2 persons suffering from similar illness, the treatment is uniquely different from each individual.

STRENGTHENING. After treatment, whether be it simple illness to chronic disease, the Body gets weak that is why the manghihilot will provide herbal tea to drink and prescribe food to eat to recover the patient’s strength; and lastly

MAINTENANCE: The manghihilot will provide to the patient some home care remedies, amulets and charms and even instructions of physical activity that the person may prevent from getting sick from the same ailments.

In terms of Training, the Authentic Manghihilot are not schooled. The Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitude of Manghihilot are being taught through observation and experience either through apprenticeship from a Hilot Master or out of compassion, just like a mother that her child gets sick will find a way to apply cure to her child. Though as Manghihilot, we do not claim that we can cure, but we believe that all individuals have the ability to heal themselves, and we as manghihilot are only the facilitator that helps the individual to achieve their own healing through the medicine we provide that is by employing the powers of the elements such as herbs, heat, light, water and time. As manghihilot, we are translators more than communicators. We listen to the voice of the Spirit and their body and relay to the individual what they do not understand and after that we seek help from nature to have medicine for the sick.

How do you ensure safety in your practice? This is a personal question on how I personally ensure the safeness of my practice. So, I will respond to this in accordance with our Code of Ethics. In the book i write which is titled as Hilot Gamutan: a Fundamental Guide in Hilot Treatment Methodology, i will quote on page 9, that states:

“As manghihilot, we do not treat patients that have conditions that are beyond our understanding. We refer them to proper healthcare professionals as necessary.
As manghihilot, we are trained to treat Traditional Filipino Ailments known as Pilay, and our works only revolved in treating this illness.
Our limitation as manghihilot is bound only to what we know, so in order to overcome this limitation we should be open for learning and face the modern challenges of life; as time evolves into modernity we will bring hilot all along so that future generations may still benefit from it.”

That is how I observe safety in my practice of Hilot.

2. How do you address criticism that Hilot may cause complications, especially in cases where professional medical intervention is needed?

Just like what it is stated in our Code of Ethics, we limit our practice in Treating Pilay which is our Traditional Illness. But with the advent of modern medicine and colonizing indigenous tribes, the illness of brought by colonizers such as the cry of one dumagat chieftain, when the government enters the forest, new illnesses have been found in their tribe that originally there are only 10 common illnesses that comes to them which they can solve. So, they are asking for help from the Government to send medical doctors in the forest, but unfortunately, there are only few Honorable doctors who will take that challenge to live among the indigenous people and adopt their culture.

3. What role do you see Hilot playing in a modern healthcare setting? Should it complement or stand apart from mainstream medicine?

Hilot plays a primary role in Health Care as we are the grass root of Modern Medicine. Common People who live in rural areas trusted Hilot more than the modern healthcare professionals. We can bridge that gap by educating the people to trust modern medical practitioners, unlike the modern doctors who discriminate against us in our practice. In the lessons about the Generations of Healers the Modern Doctors are 4th Generation healers as ordained by the Supreme Divine Creator who is the First genration healer, next was the Babaylan, third, during the coming of the colonizers the healing abilities of Babaylan are distributed to the Manghihilot and Mananambal, the fourth is the Modern Doctors, the Fifth is the Hilot Binabaylan which we belong and the 6th generation in prophecy are the Integrative Medical Doctors who combined the Modern Science and the Ancestral ways of Filipino Healing.

As Hilot Binabaylan, I am looking forward for this to happen as of this moment, there are no Modern Medical Doctor who practice Hilot in Health Care, even Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan who advocates hilot does not practice it instead do acupuncture nor Dr. Isidro Sia former Director General of Pitahc also practice Acupuncture and Dr. Anabelle Pabiona De Guzman, another Pitahc Director General who established the Naturopathic School in Far Eastern University Manila. Dr. Mina Gabor who is former Department of Tourism Secretary has established Hilot School at International School of Sustainable Tourism can not be considered as Integrative Doctor as she is not a medical doctor by profession nor a manghihilot.

4. What steps do you think should be taken to modernise Hilot while preserving its cultural significance

First is, we have Republic Act 8423 that establishes Philippine Institute of Traditional Alternative Health Care or PITAHC. This law has the objective to promote and advocate the use of traditional, alternative, preventive and curative healthcare modalities that have been proven safe, effective, cost effective and consistent with Government standards of medical practice. But as we can see, PITAHC only put aside the promotion of Hilot and relied much on the Department of Tourism. Hilot is not a Hospitality Service but we must be included in Health Care Services. Hilot is not for Entertainment. You ask every living lola and lolo right now on how they remember Hilot, they will tell you that when they get sick, their mother will send them to a manghihilot.As Manghihilot, we do not rely on Pharmaceutical but instead we create our own medicine by harvesting it to our Garden. This is the reason why we do not charge money, because the medicines we formulate are from our own backyard. Manghihilot Cultivates the land where it produces our medicine. By that you can see we are not just a body worker, but we are also an Earth Steward. But as I go back to the steps in modernizing Hilot and preserve its cultural significance, Hilot should be put out in the Spa Industry but instead be employed in Public Health Care Facilities. Trained Hilot in Schools can work as Field Researcher in documenting Herbs, trees, flowers that grow in their Barangay. And from what they gather, they will send it to a more advanced Facility in Pitahc to conduct more intensive research to find the medicinal value of the plants. Then, upon finding its medicinal value, they can cultivate and propagate. Harvest then manufactures finished products such as tea, tablets, syrups, liniments, oils, etc. that can be distributed to the barangay constituents.

Pitahc should be included in DOH Offices that have Regional, Provincial, Municioal/ City and Baranggay Health Center. Since we are the grass root of health care, Modern Medicine and Traditional Medicine can work together hand-in-hand in caring for the health of the people.

I pray that I answered all of your Questions.

(Please do visit Medical Channel Asia for more Modern Health Care Contents and how it could help to integrate the Traditional Medicine into the modern health care practices in Asia.)

History of Hilot

1300 BC is part of the Iron Age in prehistory. Though we all know that the first recorded History of the Philippines was dated April 21 year 900 AD on the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. But when I searched the World Wide Web, I found in Wikipedia the name Amaron which is said to be a Legendary Supreme Ruler of the Philippines who ruled during 1300 BC.

Of Course, If Amaron is a leader in 1300 BC that means he has constituents to lead on. And these constituents are composed of people who reside in the area where Amaron was supreme. And these people have a life to live. And living their life, they have a system in taking care of their health to maintain life force in their physical body.

So, Hilot does not start during the influence of the Sri Vijayan Empire, it even dates back far beyond the Birth of Jesus Christ.

And there is also another ruler named Gat Pangil, on which is believed where Pangil, Laguna has derived.

The process of Repair

The Space where I stay already have existed for 24 years already, and through the time it has keep us safe and was able to do activities such as doing our community Hilot. And lately, it started to tear down and when it rains or if there is a strong typhoon, water droplets fall in our ceiling. It is very inconvenient.

So, this year, we raise fund so that we could do some house repair and renovate the whole space where we are staying. I decided to make a loft that will serve as our bedroom. So that the whole ground floor can be an activity area where I can accommodate people that seeks for Hilot.

Last September 30, 2024- we started to make renovations. The thinking of making our house look new again is very exciting but what I am thinking is the End Goal already. But when it already started, the construction workers started to remove old materials in my house and somewhat destroy old materials so that they could rebuild something new. Well, I am trusting these process that is happening now, as I know best result will Suprise me in the end.

Just like in Hilot, you come to be fixed because you know to yourself that there is something that is broken within you. During the treatment process, you feel pain rather than pleasure. Process of repair undergo 2 types of pain which is the destructive pain and the constructive pain.

But the destructive pain in Hilot is not like the pain that will totally harm you. I remember Ate Olivia Mir, once asked me during her Hilot Daloy Training in California if I am doing bone setting. Well, jokingly I said to her that I am doing bone breaking first, so that I could do Bone Setting. But that was a joke. What I really saying is that the process of repair. The person must be broken first before repair could be done. And that is what our Grandparents do, whenever they are sick, they come to Hilot for Repair. Unlike this present time, people have thought Hilot as Massage, they come for relaxation. But real Hilot is Painful on which it destroys old patterns and construct new patterns that will lead into optimum health and wellness.

This is the main reason of the existence of Hilot Academy of Binabaylan which is to preserve the Authentic Hilot Tradition. Because there are many Hilot Schools right now, not only in the Philippines but also in foreign countries that teach Hilot as Relaxing Massage. But Hilot is Painful, and I remember Sassy who is a Mexican American friend in California says that is a good pain on which she remembers her grandmother healing her when she was a child.

November as Philippine Traditional Health Care Month

Imagine how do we live now if our Ancestors did not know how to care for themselves. Our History as Filipino People does not start from the coming of Spain in our Archipelago. When Ferdinand Magellan arrives, he was welcomed by Rajah Humabon on March 21, 1521. This only signifies that prior to the coming of Spain in our Archipelago, human beings (which is part of our ancestry) already existed in our land. So, imagine at that time, how do the Spanish Colonizer found our Ancestors, how do they look like? and how do they live before they came? Actually, they already have their Civilizations. People know how to wear clothes, they have jewelries and other accessories, they eat and drink. They also have mode of transportation and so as politics and government system. That is why we all know that there is also Lapu Lapu who killed Magellan. But that is different story to tell. What I want to point out here that our ancestors are already Civilized.

Though we may connect the lineage of Rajah Humabon to the 10 Bornean datu who fled and find refuge to our country during the 13th century. But even though these Bornean datu take refuge to our land, they are also welcomed by native inhabitant of our Archipelago which is an Aeta Chieftain named Datu Marikudo. And historically it is known that the Negrito Groups are the first inhabitants of our Archipelago which is now known as the Philippines which can be dated back 47,000 years ago.

And according to archeologist, the first human existed in our Archipelago besides from the Negrito group are the ones that can be found in Callao Cave in Cagayan. Their existence gives us idea on how they live 67,000 years ago. Of course, we do not look like them now, but their wisdom on survival still exists as of this day. And Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, credit our Hilot Healing Modality to them. As the way of Hilot is how to maintain life within our physical body and to keep us safe. Our Work as Manghihilot is not just to heal illnesses and ailments, but also to protect our Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social and Spiritual Body from harm.

And through this, aside from the Historical Evidence of our Ancestral Healing Arts and Science, the month of November has been declared as Traditional and Alternative Health Care Month by the virtue of Republic Act 8423 or the Philippine Traditional Alternative Medicine Act of 1997. and through this, Hilot Academy of Binabaylan will provide a month- long Free Webinar on the Fundamentals of Hilot Practice that will happen on the following dates and the topics to be discussed:

November 2, 2024 – Definition, History, Philosophies and Principles of Hlot
November 9, 2024- Hilot concept of Life, Health, Illness & Wellness
November 16, 2024- Faculties and Aspect of Man
November 23, 2024- Traditional Health Care Delivery and Hilot Treatment Methodologies
November 30, 2024- Laws, Policies, Standards and regulations on the Practice of Hilot & Hilot Code of Ethics

To those who are interested to attend, kindly fill out the form through the link below. We are going to issue Certificate of Attendance to those who will attend the online class which can be credited to our Alignment Program on becoming a Hilot Binabaylan.

REGISTER NOW

Catching up with our people

Its been more than a month that I left my community in Phase A, Brgy. Francisco Homes Narra. I came back to the Shrine last Monday and had dinner with my siblings as a Home Coming.

Then yesterday, I had an online meeting with a company that invite us for a retreat on February 2025. And today, i thought was just an ordinary day but to my surprise as the sun setting down this had happened.

These people really missed me and have said that they always check on me if I will open up the Shrine as they need healing hands of Hilot.

Welcome September and Thank You August 2024

Actually, it was July 26, 2024, when I left the Philippines to go in California for a mission. And as of writing it is already the 1st of September and I am still here in the US to complete my mission. I am just counting days to go back home. But on the 5th of September by 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, I will complete my mission and will go back home to our Mother Land.

It was a Dream come true that my prayers have brought me to the United States of America specifically in the States of California courtesy of our Soul Sister from Spreadkindness.org and Danville Yoga and Wellness Center.

All I thought it was summer season in the US but when I arrived at San Francisco International Airport it was Freezing Cold and has been picked up by the Haswell Family headed by Mark, Maria and their sonAs Ryan.

Arrival at San Francisco International Airport

As I arrived at the Haswell home, my sponsor in coming the United States, I was welcomed with Warm Arozcaldo specially prepared by my Soul Sister Maria Haswell. On my first day time in California, I acclimatize myself to the environment and spend most of the time at the Garden Altar with Ganesh and Gautama Siddartha “Buddha” and speak my thoughts with them as I connect to the Spirits of the Land. Indeed, the place is beautiful though the land where I stand are the same soil which is part of Mother Earth. The only difference I notice is the temperature of the atmosphere which is quite colder than I used to feel in our motherland which is a Tropical country. I also have experience warm weather temperature just like in the Philippines. But not that too often and most of the time, it’s cold for me. And the other thing that I notice, since its summertime is that the sun still up until 8:00 PM and after that darkness will cover the sky. Whereas, in the Philippines, 5:30 PM will start to get dark in the Sky and by 6:00 PM it will be officially nighttime. Though during my stay here, I always catch up with the Sunrise which is by 6:00 AM, which its light already spread out throughout the land. So, if we are going to follow the movement of the Sun from Sunrise to Sunset, the Sun works providing his light in California for almost 15 hours a day. Not that bad as per natural law or law of Nature, we have 16 hours to be awake and do our work. But time will change when season turns. At least I have experienced Summer Season in California.

Then Sister Maria have shown me our workplace which is at Danville Yoga and Wellness Center that can be found at Town and Country Drive which is just 10 minutes away from San Ramon where I stay and have rest. She also toured me around in San Damiano Retreat Center which is also located at Danville, California then also showed me to her or rather I say our new Location at San Ramon, California for the Kapwa Wellness. Sister Maria have joked me that I am the bringer of Change, because the location of Danville Yoga and Wellness Center is about to close. But amazingly, she has found a new place nearby her house and much better one which can be found in Crow Canyon Court.

Then my first class came by August 2-7, which consisted of 3 students, and they are Olivia Zapanta Mir, Lawrence Pau and Dayang Liwayway Inocentes of Hilot Daloy Class which is a continuing education as they already have completed the Mind and Spirit Working Class that consist of Hilot Diagnostic. The class went well in 6 days, and I feel so much comfortable as all of them speaks fluently in Tagalog that I forget that Lawrence from Hawaii does not understand that much Tagalog and speak only little of Ilonggo or Hiligaynon. Nevertheless, It was a great class with them that they have successfully completed the required skills, knowledge, attitudes and abilities of being a Hilot Binabaylan.

On their training, we conduct brief review on Tawas Diagnostic then a comprehensive training on Pulse Reading Analysis, Physical Assessment & Evaluation, Hilot Cleansing Rituals and Hilot Treatment Methodologies such as Pagsasala, Dagdagay, Bentusa and Hilot Pahid or the massage aspect of Hilot. We also have shared to them Fertility Hilot so as our Bae Akuma which is our Sister Maria Haswell have provided them individual healing sessions started with Olivia Zapanta Mir then Lawrence Pau and lastly Dayang Liwayway. Even though they are just a small group of people, it seems that the work we provide are great, that their response to us is also Amazing! Through their training with us, it is affirmed that they are now official Hilot Binabaylan and have received their rank of Dayang and Lakan and as Member of Luntiang Aghama Natural Divine Arts Shrine of Healing Inc.

Then right after their Graduation, we start the orientation for the Hilot Tanglaw Mentors certification with Lawrence Pau and Liza Bustillo, which have assisted me in conducting training for 21 individuals who are fresh learner on the ways of Hilot Binabaylan which started on the 9th of August and ended up by 17th of August 2024.

This Hilot Binabaylan Training was the first training that I conduct in Hilot Academy of Binabaylan that gain massive participation coming from different states in America such as in Georgia, Maryland, Washington, Hawaii, New York and California. Many of them are second to third Generation of Filipino American. Through this group, I encounter different challenges that I adjust my teaching styles just to meet their expectations. One of the admirable challenges that I share with them on becoming a Manghihilot in the United States of America is regarding the law of the Land in terms of practicing Hilot. I am grateful to the Assistance of Celine Barrica who is a licensed Acupuncturist in California, USA for sharing her insights on the legalities on the practice of Fire Cupping. Indeed, that this class is not just an ordinary training session but a passionate sharing of experiences from one another. It is not only them that learn from me, but all of them shares their knowledges that comes from their collective memories not because they have read it somewhere but they firsthand experience it from their families and loved ones.

I love to see each one of them as they receive their first jar of lana oil. I see in their eyes their joy and purity of their heart in receiving the gifts coming from our ancestor’s wisdom on healing arts.

Seeing them happy to what I am sharing to them is very rewarding that makes my heart happy.

Tolerating Emotional Pain

Pain is usually indicates the presence of an illness to a person. But be reminded that it is just only one of the many signs of illnesses that we need to verify. Usually, Heartache is also a sign of illness whether it comes from Physical illness or emotional illness. But most of Filipino do endure Physical and Emotional pain.

I remember my teacher at School of Alternative Medicine have taught us, Dr. Reuben M. Galang Jr., that anything that give us limitation is a sign of an illness. But that statement is very wide to understand. But in terms of the capacity of an individual to exercise life such as movement and actions of the Physical body, that is where we are directed to look out for limitations. That is why we are taught to assess Physical Body Range of Motion. But in my personal practice of Filipino Indigenous Traditional Medicine, the limitation in exercising and enjoying life does not only be seen in Physical Body but also in their mental and emotional body. Though, we observed that many Filipino have High Tolerance in Pain that they can endure the situations they have just to obtain what they want to achieve in their life. And that is enduring Physical Pain. They wont stop unless they will fall down and not able to stand up again.

Sometimes, in their life they will just ignore emotional and mental pain or illness. What matter’s to them is to have a means how to earn money to buy for their food and support their family. But what they did not realize is, this kind of tolerance of having emotional pain due to betrayal of ones partner affects how they interact with other people and how they work. Keeping the past painful memories like betrayal makes it a negative energies or as old pinoy would say as evil spirits that make them suffer by having usog, bati or even kulam. Even though, this person have claimed that he was healed before by a magtatawas, there is still residue of negative energies that make him bounded in a chain of past memories that inflict him that also affects the lives of his children.

Mental and Emotional Illness is hard to deal if the person is not willing to be freed from the chain of negative memories. This person needs to be cleansed not only in its physical aspect but also in his mental and emotional state that may improve his social aspects in life.