Recently, the Traditional Hilot Society, Inc. (THSI) issued a public advisory warning against the practice of Hilot by individuals and groups not accredited by PITAHC (Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care). While we respect their efforts to professionalize Hilot within the health care system, we must raise a critical concern: Can Hilot be monopolized?
The answer is a resounding no.
🧓 Hilot: A Sacred Tradition, Not a Trademark
Hilot is not a brand. It is a living tradition, a spiritual calling, and a cultural heritage passed down through generations of Filipino healers, midwives, and spiritual leaders. It belongs to the people, not to any single organization.
To claim exclusive authority over Hilot is to erase the ancestral wisdom of countless Manghihilot who have served their communities long before PITAHC or THSI existed.
⚖️ Our Legal and Constitutional Rights
We assert our right to practice Hilot based on the following:
1987 Philippine Constitution
Article XIV, Section 17–22: Protects indigenous cultural communities and their traditions.
Article III, Section 5: Guarantees freedom of religion and spiritual practice.
Article XIII, Section 6: Upholds the right to livelihood and self-determination.
Republic Act No. 8371 – Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA)
Recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples to preserve and develop their traditional healing systems.
Republic Act No. 8423 – Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA)
Encourages the development of traditional health care without monopolizing it.
Affirms the protection of indigenous knowledge and practices.
🛡️ Our Position
We, the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, Templong Anituhan, and independent Manghihilot practitioners, affirm that:
Hilot is a cultural and spiritual practice, not merely a health service.
Manghihilot practitioners, whether PITAHC-certified or not, have the right to practice in accordance with their traditions.
Spiritual and cultural institutions have the right to train and ordain Hilot practitioners under their own customary laws and beliefs.
🤝 A Call for Unity, Not Division
We invite THSI and PITAHC to recognize the plurality of Hilot traditions in the Philippines. Let us work together to honor our ancestors, protect our heritage, and serve our communities—not through exclusion, but through collaboration.
✍️ Final Words
Hilot is not owned. It is lived. It is not regulated by paper alone—it is guided by spirit, breath, and touch. Let us keep it sacred, inclusive, and true to its roots.
For 8 years, Hilot Academy of Binabaylan has been an Educational Ministery of Luntiang Aghama that aims to preserve the Philippine Indigenous Spiritual Beliefs and Practices which goes well. Since Luntiang Aghama is a Religious Corporation Sole and the health of its Chief Priest and Founder which is Rev. Rolando G. Comon or better known as Apu Adman Aghama is not stable due to having stroke last 2022; It has been decided that we establish Bahay SiAdTala Binabaylan through a resolution which you can read below:
Since from 2023, the home residence of our Deputy Chief Priest and Spiritual Healing Arts Director Lakay Magbaya Aghama in Taguig has been utilized as our Training Center for Hilot; Luntiang Aghama Natural Divine Arts Shrine of Healing Inc. has resolved to formally establish it through Charter/ Recognition and obtain its own Certificate of Incorporation to become a Judicial Personality. The main purpose of Bahay SiAdTala aside from being a Training Venue of Hilot Academy are as follows:
To assist members in Rediscovering their own Indigenous Ancestral Spiritual Lineage through Seminar, Training or Workshop.
To provide members means to Reconnect with their own Ancestral Spiritual Lineage.
To enable our Members to Relearn our Philippine Indigenous Spiritual beliefs and Practices; on which Hilot is part of that practices.
From this Resolution, Apu Adman and Lakay Magbaya Aghama becomes co trustee of Bahay SiAdTala Binabaylan.
It was our usual day on May 18, 2024 when a Young Man ask me to a Hilot Treatment for his Father. And I said yes and apply our policy to let the patient come here as we provide donation based hilot treatment. And to my surprise, the young man brought his father on a wheel chair that could not walk on his own because he had stroke last November 2023.
I assess the situation of the man whose name is Kuya Eddie and found hope that he could be recovered soon. The first thing i do is test kuya Eddie’s sensitivity. next is mobility which i find that his joint were stocked or seems locked up. I also checked on his strength and found it limited and lastly endurance which if i will give percentage, he only have 20-30 %. He complains that he lacks balance and pray that he could stand and walk and do the normal things he does. Unlike other stroke patients, his speech does not have any defects. He could speak well and even have tell me elaborately to what had happened. His memory is clear, though emotionally he is suffering from depression and anxiety. I also learned that he is just my neighbor who lives on the next door. So in his case, I disregard our policy that I my self have come to their house.
I also made it clear to them that they should not worry much in terms of making payment or donation. So, when I do treatment Kuya Eddie’s son is watching and assisting me in doing Hilot. The first day was successful but at the end of the treatment session I sense problem which is called Utang na Loob. The son is shy because he is worried that he could not pay my treatment services for his father. To be honest, I do not make my patient to sign waiver, specially if they are living around the community because they are just our neighbor and we apply the term pakikisama and pakikiapagkapwa. I feel that they are just an extended family to me which I already know their background in terms of finances and life style. So, I gave them my assurance that no single cent will come out of their pocket in the service that I provide to Kuya Eddie.
But on the next day which is our 3rd session, the son was not around and only Kuya Eddie is lying on his bed. At least one of his relative was there that my presence was known in the compound where kuya Eddie lives and know that I will give treatment to Kuya Eddie. So, I finish my 3rd treatment session with him and went back home to the Shrine. Then after a while as I am drinking coffee and having a Chat with Lakay, there was a woman calling for us and looking for the Manghihilot who treats kuya eddie. And I answer her that I am. and I ask back who she was, and she said that she is the Ex Wife of Kuya Eddie. And I ask her what happened and what she wants. She told me that her son would like the treatment to stop as they do not have money to pay me. But I looked at her and saw her that her head was wrapped and has towel on her shoulder, I also asked her what happened to her and she said that she is having a hair treatment on a Salon. In my mind, she have money to spent for her beautification, but she does not have money to sent her ex husband to a proper medical care and she is even the one to ask me to stop treatment to her ex husband.
I really feel so bad though she claim that she is already separated to her husband but as I know there is no Divorce here and only annulment, but in their condition or economic situation, I know that they are not annulled so technically by papers and legality, they are still husband and wife. So, what i feel here is that when you are sick and incapacitated such as stroke and were not able to stand and move by your self, you loose your rights to choose and to have a proper health care. I even hear the son say to me that her mother decides to send her ex husband for a medical check up whenever kuya Eddie is already able to walk again. This breaks my heart and explode my eyes in tears. This situation adds up to my heart break that I had many male patients that had stroke that been left by their wives and family. What happen to love when they first met and also the cause for them to have children? Is it okay to neglect the Father and only honor the mother? This hurts me so much. And I do not have words to describe how hurt I am with the situation that I am encountering with. I feel that I am powerless, that I can only heal the sick person but healing the brokenness of the family is difficult to reset.
I think that this post is just a rant but I hope this can be an eye opener to everyone. We still do not know what lies ahead of us. But through our current action, I believe we can predict what will happen tomorrow and on the following days. If I stop helping Kuya Eddie, he might loose his life. But If I continue to help him, I know by the end of this year he could walk again and restore back what he loose in the past, Kuya Eddie still has the power of choice, unless he is the one who refuse my treatment then I have no power against his own will.
Yesterday April 24,2024-me and Lakay went to Rotary Club District 3780 at Quezon City to meet with the Filipino Bone Setters Inc. 2 of its Board of Directors which is Mr. Gary O. Trinidad and Ms. Ailyn Mea P. Bactol asking me if our Training Program is accredited by PITAHC or Philippine Institute of Traditional Alternative Health Care which is an attach agency of the Philippine Department of Health, which obviously I answer yes as we are the one who made Curriculum for Hilot Philippines Development Center with the Former Secretary of Health, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan through the initiative the former Secretary of Tourism, Dr. Mina Gabor.
We have worked together since the time of Pandemic on 2020 and finally, we have completed our work with her in establishing Hilot Philippines Development Center upon receiving the Certificate of Accreditation and recognized as the very first Hilot School accredited by PITAHC. Though the accreditation process was a long Journey as PITAHC is just new in doing this for Hilot as it requires more work compared to other Traditional Medicine Modality such as on Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy and Naturopathy as foreign countries already have standards for accreditation which I think they just applied it in our Country; whereas on the Modality of Hilot, they still have no Idea not until we came in and guide them on the process just only to have the Accreditation for HPDC.
My experience of being a Former TESDA (Technical Education Skills Development Authority)) Accredited & Certified Trainer and Assessor on Hilot Wellness & Massage Therapy have helped me how to create a Curriculum based on the Standards ask by a Governing Agency which I am very grateful that I still carry the knowledge that I acquired from TESDA and become very useful in terms of creating Training programs independently for Hilot Academy of Binabaylan which is an Educational Ministry/Seminary of Luntiang Aghama Natural Divine Arts Shrine of Healing Inc. in reviving and promoting Philippine Indigenous Traditional Healing Arts and Science which is popularly known as Hilot.
In Barangay: The 16th Century Philippine Culture and Society written by William Henry Scott on Page 118 that we have 5 general category in treating a Disease, and they are:
Massage which was applied for injured or dislocated muscles or applying pressures to nerve centers
Fumigating or sweating
prescription of herbal medicine
Counter Sorcery
and propitiation of supernatural beings.
With these 5 categories of Treatment, we may see the kind of disease people had during the 16th century which are on the first three treatment modality, it deals with the Physical Illness and the last 2 are Spiritual Illness or Disease. William Henry Scott also mentions about the Mamarukpok which is a masseur that pummeled the back along the area of the spine, which we know now as Bone Setter.
Our History have included the work of Mamarukpok or Bone Setter or now in the 21st century is known as Lagatok as part of the treatment modalities employed by our Ancestors but in this present time is not recognized and included on the Standards and Regulation on the Practice of Hilot by TESDA or even PITAHC-DoH. At this time, this modality of pummeling the back and spine is under the modality of Chiropractic which was developed on September 18, 1895 by Daniel David Palmer at Davenport, Iowa, USA. and on 1990, the first Chiropractic Clinic was established in Metro Manila which is the United Nations Chiropractic Center.
By that time, Bone Setting is considered as Folk Medicine together with Hilot but on 2008, Hilot has been given recognition by TESDA as they see it as employable skills that they created a Training Standard and Curriculum on Hilot as a Wellness Massage on August 29, 2008. under TESDA Board Resolution no. 2008-19 with Qualification code HHCHL208. (I am writing the details here so that, I may not forget).
Though at Philippine Statistic Office in their website we can find the Philippine Standards of Occupation Classification 2012, and there we can find the occupation of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Associate Professionals with Occupational Code Number 3230 which described as:
Traditional and complementary medicine associate professionals prevent, care for and treat human physical and mental illnesses, disorders and injuries using herbal and other therapies based on theories, beliefs and experiences originating in specific cultures.
Their tasks include:
a) examining patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status and the nature of physical or mental disorders or illnesses or other ailments; b) recommending and providing care and treatment for illnesses and other ailments using traditional techniques and medicaments, such as physical manipulation and exercises, blood-letting using natural vessels, and preparations using herbs, plants, insects and animal extracts; c) providing care and treatment for physical injuries such as setting and healing fractured and dislocated bones using traditional methods of physical manipulation and herbal therapies; d) advising individuals, families and the community on health, nutrition, hygiene, lifestyle and other issues to maintain or improve health and well-being; and e) referring patients to, and exchanging information with, other health care providers to ensure comprehensive and continuing care.
Examples of occupations classified here:
Drugless treatment healer
Bonesetter
Faith healer
“Healer of indigenous people (e.g. Mansi-bok (Ibaloi); Mansip-ok (Kankana-ey) in Cordilleras)”
Though here, we cannot see at PSOC the name Hilot, but our work can be classified as Indigenous Healer, Village Healer, Herbalist and Witch Doctor. Maybe soon, you will be surprised that Philippine Schools will offer a course on being a Witch Doctor! 😛 Unfortunately, PITAHC and TESDA does not recognize the practice of Bone Setting as part of Hilot Practice even Historically it is part of Hilot Modality.
But now as of this writing, I have hope for Filipino Bone Setter Inc. and the practice of Bone Setting in the Philippines can be recognize by the government accrediting body. As the FBS seeks to be regulated for the safety of their patients. But the problem is both Tesda and Pitahc won’t accept their practice as part of Hilot but instead referred them to Chiropractic modality. And to be honest, when I saw them conducting their training, the model is near to the Chiropractic practice. Their teachings were heavily scientific and modern, which is good though I have not heard any indigenous and traditional concept from them except that they desire to preserve the identity of healing modality aligned to our Philippine Culture and Tradition. And also the fact that there are many Bone Setter who call them self as Hilot Lagatok in Social Media that is not licensed and Certified that may bring dishonor to the practice of Hilot.
So as lead advocate of Hilot in the Philippines, I am standing up to help the Filipino Bone Setters Inc. so that they may have their own recognition and be regulated by our government accrediting body for the safety of patients and avoid confusion in terms of the Healing Modality. Though as Hilot Binabaylan, I desire to reclaim back the practice of Mamarukpok or Hilot Lagatok that has been separated to us together with Hilot Paanak or Traditional Birth Attendant that has an occupational code of 3222 acording to this website. https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psoc/unit
So last night, I Assess and evaluated them to confirm their bone setting practice as I ask them the following questions which pertains to the practice of Traditional Bone Setter.
in accordance to Philippine Culture and Society on 16th Century, the Mamarukpok or Bone Setter of that time do pummel the back and Spine.
Bone Setter are expected to do Joint Manipulation.
Reducing Joint Dislocation
Reset Bone Fracture
and treat Musculo Skeletal Injuries
Out of 5 questions, they said no to the most important one of the work of Bone Setter which is resetting bone fracture which is quite understandable these days as indeed it requires more of medical attention rather than of primary healthcare. Though this could be work out if we can develop competency that may boost their confidence in performing the task, I believe they could do that as Traditional Bone Setter of Ifugao that is still known up to this date as Mun’apyuh do it.
With that, I drafted for them a Sample Standard that they may use for to update their Curriculum.
Course Title: The Practice of Filipino Bone Setter
Objectives:
To define the practice of Bone Setting in the Philippines and its history and scope of practice.
To Identify the Health Benefits of Bone setting and its contraindications.
To apply the practical knowledge of Human Anatomy and Pathophysiology in the Practice of Bone Setting.
To Formulate Code of Ethics/conducts on the Practice of Bone Setting in accordance to its Principles and Philosophy.
To create a therapeutic environment for the Bone Setting Practice & Treatment Session
To observe the Bone setting Diagnostic procedures prior to the treatment session,
To conduct pre conditioning warm up to patients prior to the Bone Setting Treatment.
To apply Bone Setting Treatment Manipulation Techniques to patients.
To conduct post treatment assessment feedback
To provide supplementary/self-care treatment for continues improvement of Bone Setting Patients at home.
And through these, Hilot Academy of Binabaylan is looking forward to work collaboratively with Filipino Bone Setters Inc. in reviving our Very own Ancestral Healing Arts and Science. As we bring back practice of Bone Setting in the Philippines to Hilot, I pray that soon we could also bring back the practice of Hilot Paanak or Traditional Birth Attendant to Hilot once more and maintain it firmly into our hands.
Year 2023 is almost about to end and up to now, there are many people who inquire about our Hilot Online Training and unfortunately we have stopped providing it as the world is operating again normally after the Covid Era.
Our Hilot Online Training has been helpful to us as Training Institution as well as to learners in Diaspora who was confined at home during the Pandemic Era of Covid 19. And we are proud to say that we have successfully produced Non Contact Hilot Provider which focusses on the Spiritual Diagnostic Method of Hilot thus making them as Psycho- Emotional Therapist and Adviser. Since this method of Hilot does not require physical touch to the client and the client is not required to be Physically present in front of our Manghihilot.
Such as, during the Pandemic Era, the Conventional Medicine practitioner also devised a diagnostic method through Electronic Consultation which people can download an App or go online to talk with a Medical Doctor and tell them their condition. The Pandemic of Covid 19 have changed a lot of things to the world, even that the world government imply quarantine and social distancing, but through Internet and Social Media, almost all the people around the world seems to draw even closer.
Since January 16, 2023- Hilot Academy of Binabaylan have resumed its normal operation on accepting students who wish to learn Hilot Binabaylan Techniques and so far since January up to September we have produced 10 Hilot practitioners from different parts of the world just to learn our Hilot Techniques.
Hilot Binabaylan of Concord California USA
First Hilot Binabaylan in Ontario, Canada
As we move forward, Hilot Training will be maintained in person and face-to-face specially on its treatment methodology which requires in person and face-to-face actual touch. But we will still offer Webinar occasionally and as well as recorded video lessons on the topic of Tawas Spiritual Diagnostics, Kilubansa Elemental Name Energetic Balance Analysis, so as with Sibulan Adlaw Tala Baybayin Mystic Oracle. And before this year of 2023 End we are going to make update to our website and add a Book Store where you can purchase our Ebooks and Video Lessons. But in learning the treatment methods of Hilot, we firmly encourage you to learn it in person with us here or you might want to invite us there in your area to conduct Hilot Binabaylan Training whether local or International.
Early this morning we have fetch Christine Quynh Vy at Naia Terminal 3 for her 8 days study of Hilot Binabaylan Training. I ask her who recommend her to study Hilot Binabaylan and I was so glad to hear that one of our Graduates from Hawaii which is Dayang Gulaon, a vessel and Hilot Binabaylan of Diwatang Gugurang and Diwatang Laon. Dayang Gulaon aka Julz Bolinayen of Lakapati’s Legacy we among the last student of who took the in person 8 days training of Hilot Binabaylan before the lock down of Pandemic of Covid 19. From January 2019 when she took the Class, Dayang Gulaon have taken pride to the Ancestral Wisdom of Filipino Healing Arts and Science that she offers it through Lakapati’s Legacy in Hawaii. She is a Hilot Binabaylan that specialize in Tattoo Ritual, Divination, Serenade, Energy Healing and Death Doula- Ship. And she is the beloved Medium of Kilubansa the Filipino Diwata of Healing which Hilot Academy enshrined as our Patron Guide.
Quynh Vy is a receives Kilubansa Reading from Dayang Gulaon that later on they became friends. And Quynh Vy learned about the Academy through her. We were glad to meet Quynh Vy in person, and we have learned that she is a Vietnamese- American. Though she came to us to learn Hilot so that she could acquire some tools in her quest to uncover Vietnamese Culture and Tradition.
In the past, I have received some advice to limit accepting students to only Filipino or those with Filipino Blood. But I reject that Idea as it will violate the Ethics of Hilot that states:
“…as Manghihilot we do not discriminate an Individual, we do not look at them of their nationality, their political and religious affiliation, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, Social Classification whether they are rich or poor, We do not look at their color whether they are white, black or brown; we do not see them if they are young or old; but rather we see them as Soul that is within their body that needs healing from us.”
Hilot Gamutan: A fundamental Guide on Hilot Treatment Methodology by Rev. Rolando Gomez Comon CP MH-SOLA
So as a Teacher of Hilot, we do not discriminate also on whom we are going to Teach Hilot as Hilot is not exclusive to a certain person only but it is always available for all who are in need of.
Have you remember that our parents have said that we should study hard so that we may land into a better paying job. Is this still true today?
In 2008 Technical Education Skills Development Authority have seen Hilot as employable skills that they created Hilot Training Standards and Regulation so that they may conduct National Assessment and Certification to manghihilot. With that they provide training to those who want to learn Hilot through schooling and for those who are unschooled but well skilled in Hilot they need to be assessed in order to be certified.
This year, we have participated in the talk between Philippine Institute of Traditional Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in terms of Certification of Hilot. But the current talk as of now revolves on the quality of services that a manghihilot provides. Well in terms of training it should be TESDA who will provide training just like in Commission on Higher Education they are the one who teach and Train the students and after they graduate they will apply license to Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC). The later was suggested by Dr. Isidro Sia former Director General of PITAHC. So let us let them who belongs to who but our main concern here is the future of our Manghihilot.
Let us be honest here, the skills of touching other people can be done by anyone such as in doing Massage. When I was a child I’ve been asked by parents to give the Hilot Massage either on head or legs. Everyone has a gift of touch when in times of emergency it is automatically activated. So as in our home, our parents have secret herbal formula that they use in times we are sick and out of budget going to the doctor. Having said this Regulating the Practice of Hilot by making its practitioners be Certified will give security towards public health but it will also give burden to our practitioners. But how is the manghihilot now-a-days even if they are certified? On what Industry will they fall if they received Standardized and Regulated Training? As I hear them out, these experts still think that a Manghihilot together with Massage Therapist work in a Spa which is a Hospitality Industry which is covered by the Department of Tourism.
Well it seems that our effort in telling that Hilot is part of Healthcare industry is wrong if all our graduates will fall into Spa Industry. But these must be properly addressed not only in terms of which industry should a graduate of Hilot must work? The issue here that i want to raise is to secure a Job for all manghihilot whether they are trained or recognized through assessment that upon compliance based on the Standards and Regulation, all manghihilot must have a descent job to work.
As of this moment, there are still many manghihilot who works at home in a donation basis system. Some who are schooled landed on a Spa where they do massage and other spa treatments. If they apply abroad their skills in Hilot is converted into massage so as if they apply in a cruise ship. These government agencies think of HIlot that is something to be proud of that they need to offer it to foreigners just to say that we have our own brand. Indeed we have but unfortunately we falsely advertise it by showing the wrong modality. As you browse on internet, you can always see articles telling Hilot as a Filipino Massage and there are some people in abroad call themselves as Hilot either because they are Filipino or have lived in the Philippines for a decade or two but what they make is Massage and not Hilot.
If a Manghihilot will be schooled at least at the end of schooling, they should land a better job which can give them security in their future. A schooled Manghihilot should have a Job that pays for their Social Security, Health Assurance and Pagibig Fund. Though some of our current practitioners have it by doing voluntary payment for their own SSS, Philhealth, and Pagibig.
If i have a right or authority, i do not want a manghihilot to work in a spa but instead they should be hired in Government Health Centers where people can avail the service of Hilot even that the people will not pay, PhilHealth insurance will cover it for the people.
The Work of Manghihilot
In reality, not all time people will need a manghihilot. Unlike Massage, Hilot can only be availed if you have a Pilay which is a condition that been treated with Hilot. Like what i’ve said, not everyday there are people who have pilay, so what other work can a manghihilot will do?
If our Government is really serious on uplifting the status of Hilot in the Philippines, aside from giving treatment, a Manghihilot can be a partner of PITAHC in conducting field research on Herbal Medicine. As field researcher they should be:
responsible in documenting herbs that is available in their respected barangay by going house to house and take pictures of the herbs that grow in their yard.
Take sample of the herbs and send it to PITAHC to further conduct research on the medicinal properties of the collected herbs.
Cultivate the sample herbs in the Barangay Botanical Garden.
Process the approved herbs into herbal medicine such as in making oils, soap, tea, capsules, syrup, etc. in PITAHC Laboratory.
becomes a sales partner of PITAHC in distributing approved herbs.
With that being said on the possible job that a manghihilot should perform, when schooled the manghihilot should be properly equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude in performing the said job description.
So when a Manghihilot is properly Certified a secure jobs awaits them in the Philippines. And these will also grow as there are a lot more jobs that a manghihilot can do in the Field of Philippine Traditional and Indigenous Health Care.
It is very common now-a-days to have a massage at the Comfort of our Homes. I think that is okay if your Massage provider is a Family Member such as you husband, wife, son or Daughter. But hiring a Massage Therapist to indulge you in your home or hotel room is Illegal.
The practice of Massage in the Philippines has been established through the Presidential Decree 856 or known as The Sanitation Code of the Philippines.
According to this law:
NO Masseurs shall be allowed to practice their profession without first securing a Certificate of Registration issued by the Committee of Examiners of Massage Therapy.
Sec 4.1.1 Chapter 13 Sanitation Code of the Philippines
Aside from Certificate of Registration of Masseurs, the law also prescribed the workplace where a Registered Masseur should render their Services. In Section 3 of Chapter 13 in 3.1 it is said that:
No Massage Clinic or Sauna Bath establishment shall open and operate for public patronage without a Sanitary Permit issued by a local health officer. It even state that in 3.2. that Any extension or additional construction or alteration in an establishment shall require a new sanitary permit before it could be operated.
This mean the clients room unless it is part of your massage clinic must be inspected first and applied for a sanitary permit before you can render massage.
In Section 5 of the law, it states the Structural Requirement in establishing a Massage Clinic that includes:
Standard Flooring
Walls
Ceiling
Lighting
Ventilation
Change Rooms
Reception Rooms
Treatment (Massage) Rooms
Home Service Massage Workers do not comply on this government requirements in providing their Massage Services thus in accordance to the law: Any person who shall violate, disobey, omit or neglect to comply with any of the provision of this rules and regulation shall be guilty of misdemeanor that is punishable of 6 months imprisonment.
Hilot has been mentioned in the work of William Henry Scott Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society. According to his book at page 118 Hilot is described as a person who apply massage for injured or dislocated muscles, or pressure put on nerve centers. And they were known as Physical experts.
But to the eye of a Catholic Priest as mentioned in the book, Hilot according to Fr. Sanchez as a form of massage in a woman’s abdomen to cause miscarriage or abortion. Though through out time in our History, Hilot evolve so as our definition of Hilot change.
In Hilot Academy, we want to establish the Identity of Hilot as an umbrella term for Philippine Traditional Medicine. As the practitioners throughout the country has their own native practices that is known in their own local dialect. And in promoting it to the world it must have a name which people would know.
In 2012, the Philippine Statistic Authority has conducted survey on different occupational groups of the working population The Philippine Standard Occupation Classification is primarily used as basis for manpower and educational planning, program formulation, policy decision-making and serves as useful guide for statistical operations and activities, such as censuses and surveys.
In this survey we do not find the word Hilot but instead Traditional and Complementary Medicine Associate Professional. They describe this occupational category as follow:
Traditional and complementary medicine associate professionals prevent, care for and treat human physical and mental illnesses, disorders and injuries using herbal and other therapies based on theories, beliefs and experiences originating in specific cultures.
a) examining patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status and the nature of physical or mental disorders or illnesses or other ailments; b) recommending and providing care and treatment for illnesses and other ailments using traditional techniques and medicaments, such as physical manipulation and exercises, blood-letting using natural vessels, and preparations using herbs, plants, insects and animal extracts; c) providing care and treatment for physical injuries such as setting and healing fractured and dislocated bones using traditional methods of physical manipulation and herbal therapies; d) advising individuals, families and the community on health, nutrition, hygiene, lifestyle and other issues to maintain or improve health and well-being; and e) referring patients to, and exchanging information with, other health care providers to ensure comprehensive and continuing care.
Examples of occupations classified here:
Drugless treatment healer Bonesetter Faith healer “Healer of indigenous people (e.g. Mansi-bok (Ibaloi); Mansip-ok (Kankana-ey) in Cordilleras)” Herbalist Scraping and cupping therapist Village healer Witch doctor
Last October 20, 2021- I attended the Public Consultation with Philippines Institute of Traditional Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) regarding the passing of the Proposed Bills in the Senate which are Senate Bill 1308 authored by Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao and Senate Bill 2127 authored by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. which aims to strengthen the Role of Pitahc to have a regulatory power regarding the Practice of Traditional Medicine in the Philippines.
Though the said meeting focus on the practice of Hilot in our Country, and the video below will explain our position regarding this proposed bill.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 
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