How is everyone doing? I already have 38 days before i can step back to American Soil. It is not my first time to come to the US as last year 2023, i have been to Chicago Illinois as I attend the Parliament of World Religion that was held at McCormixk Place along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois. Though it was only a short 9 days of convention representing our Indigenous Filipino Spirituality and I am very glad that our Sister Maria Haswell was able to accompany me in conducting a Ritual on which I speak in Tagalog and she translate it to English. You can watch how i do with sister maria through this link.
And through that, the thought of coming back to the United States was born and now becoming a Reality as we manifest it. Last year it was all american and other nationality that i mingled with and I only see one Filipino who sings that i approached. And i was so relieved to find a Kababayan sharing our Culture and Tradition in the foreign land. But this year as I come to Danville, I know i will be more comfortable because the one that I will meet has a Filipino Spirit inside each one of you. Whether you are First Gen, 2nd Gen or 3rd Generation Filipino, I will be glad to reconnect you back to our mother land by sharing our Ancestral Healing Arts and Science and that is through Hilot.
I pray that everyone is settle now in your accommodation where you will stay. By the way we have a whats app group so that you can connect with each other and talk about cost sharing on rooms.
It was April when our Last Hilot Binabaylan Training was conducted at Bahay SiAdTala in Taguig City and it was Ale Sison from Columbus, Ohio who is our latest initiate in the practice of Hilot Binabaylan. And this coming August 2024, we will initiate and ordain 12 individual coming from different states in America that will come to Danville Yoga and Wellness Center.
Yes! There are 12 official candidates who made their reservation for our Hilot Binabaylan Training though there are total of 31 registrants. But I believe that there are more people that will be added to our 12 candidates that will undergo our Hilot Binabaylan Initiation. So, I am waiting for you until June 12, 2024 to make your downpayment so that I may include you to our list of candidates.
I have prepared many training activities for August 9-17, 2024 and that includes the following subjects:
Day 1 Saturday August 10, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:00 AM Definition and History of Hilot
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Generations of Healers
11:00 AM- 12:00 NN Hilot Philosophies and Principles
12:00 NN- 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM- 2:00 PM Concept of Life, Health, Illness and Wellness
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM Faculties and Concept of Man
3:00 PM- 4:00 PM Traditional Health Care Delivery System
4:00 PM- 5:00 PM Hilot Code of Ethics/ Laws/Policies concerning the practice of Hilot
Day 2 Sunday August 11, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:00 am Hilot Diagnostics
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Dimensions of Reality & Plane of Existence
11:00 AM- 12:00 NN The Seven Souls according to our Indigenous Filipino Ancestors
12:00 NN- 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM –2:00 PM Traditional Alternative Wellness Analytic System (TAWAS)
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM Spiritual Diagnosis
3:00 PM- 4:00 PM Finger Alignment
4:00 PM- 5:00 PM Finger Poking
Day 3 Monday August 12, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:00 AM Hilot Profiling
10:00 AM- 12:00 NN Physical Assessment and Evaluation using Senses
12:00 NN- 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM- 2:00 PM Pulse Reading Analysis
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM Locating Pulse Site
3:00 PM-4:00 PM Collecting Information from Pulse
4:00 PM- 5:00 PM Analyzing Pulse and giving remarks
Day 4 Tuesday August 13, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:00 AM Hilot Cleansing Ritual
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Internal and External Cleansing
11:00 AM- 12:00 NN Demonstration & Practice
12:00 NN- 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM-3:30 PM Demonstration of DagDagay/ Kulis Filipino Traditional Foot Stick Massage
3:30 PM- 5:00 PM Returned Demonstration/ Supervised Practice
Day 5 Wednesday August 14, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:30 AM Demonstration Banana Leaf Scanning
10:30-12:00 NN Return Demonstration /Supervised Pratice
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM Hilot Manipulation on Head, Face & Chest
3:00 PM- 4:00 PM Hilot Manipulation on Feet, Legs and Thigh
4:00 Pm- 5:00 PM Hilot Manipulation on Abdomen & side Lying Position
Day 7 Friday August 16, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:00 AM Hilot Fertility Rituals
10:00 AM- 12:00 NN Hilot Fertility Ritual for Male
12:00 NN- 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00- 5:00 PM Hilot Fertility Ritual for Female
Day 8 Saturday August 17, 2024
9:00 AM- 10:00 AM Review/ Q & A
10:00 AM- 12:00 NN Assessment & Evaluation of Learning
12:00 NN- 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM- 3:00 PM Graduation Ceremony
Aside from these, I have a lot of side stories to tell specially on the status of the Indigenous Healers in Siargao Islands, in Mactan Islands in Cebu, and in Banaue, Ifugao , so as in Obando, Bulacan.
From 2018 I keep hearing of a word that they call as Hilot Lagatok which they claim to be part of Hilot Modality that cracks and pop bones where they derive the word lagatok as it has sound of popping. In massage therapy or Swedish Massage there is a manipulative stroke that is called tapotement which is a rapid and repeated striking of the side of the palms or cupped palm on the fleshy and muscular area of the body. It is performed to increase the blood circulation in local areas as it warms and soften muscles. It also tap off mucus that sticks on the walls of our lungs or also been used as technique when someone has been choked to remove foreign objects that obstruct passage of the air flow thus improve breathing.
Though this group of people are from Filipino Bone Setter Inc. They don’t do massage but instead they do pop and crack joints in all body parts as they claim to align the misaligned joint. Upon evaluating and assessing them, what they do is Chiropractic Manipulation but do insist that they are bone setter. From the definition that been formulated to describe the works of Modern Filipino Bone Setter, they have said that:
Modern Filipino Bone Setting is an alternative health care practices that focus on treating misaligned joints and other Musculoskeletal ailments through the conduct of Physical assessment and evaluation, muscle preparation, joint mobilization and joint alignment in providing relief from pain, weakness, numbness and reducing nerve compression, relief from muscle tension and promote natural healing by restoring proper alignment and functions to the spine and joints. Filipino Bone Setter Inc,
Whereas, the scope of practice of Traditional Bone Setter includes:
Joint Manipulation
Reducing Joint Dislocation
Reset Fractured Bones
and treat MuskuloSkeletal Injuries
But upon our initial interview with their President Mr. Gary O. Trinidad on which the members call him Master, they do not take the resetting fractured bones but instead refer patients to Medical Professionals. Indeed that they loose one point of becoming on being a Traditional Bone Setter (which I am glad that this work of setting Fractured Bones remain on the scope of duties and responsibilities to the Authentic Manghihilot on which in Ifugao they call as Mun’apyuh was still revered by the Indigenous People and even with the Christians convert.)
In order to extract the health benefits of Bone Setting, I asked Filipino Bone Setters members that is present at the moment yesterday May 15, 2024 to what case of illnesses that have positive response on their treatment. The participant on this Assessment and Evaluation are Mr. Gary Trinidad, Mr. Rommel Reyes, Mr. Disler Vingco and Ms. Raquel Juacalla. According to them:
Bone Setting may provide beneficial effects to the person by improving body posture, improving range of motion and other health related problems such as: ✓ Injuries Issues (Tendonisis, Tennis Elbow) ✓ Reducing Arthritic Pain ✓ Scoliosis ✓ Muscle Spasm ✓ Vertigo ✓ Migraine ✓ Sciatica ✓ Frozen Shoulder ✓ Metabolic Function (Gain & Loss Weight) ✓ Infertility ✓ Misalignment ✓ Dislocation
We also have help them formulate their own code of ethics to follow which is very important part for them to be recognized and accredited by the government accreditation body; which they have formed the following:
. Filipino Bone Setters take pride on our knowledge and skills on the effectiveness of the Treatment method we apply on addressing issues on musculoskeletal injuries, joint misalignment, improving body postures and range of motion.
Filipino Bone Setter prioritize the well being of our Patients. Our primary goal is to alleviate pain, promote healing and restore function.
We approach each patient cases with compassion and empathy, considering the patient’s overall health and wellbeing.
As Filipino Bone Setter, we respect patients’ confidentiality. We do not disclose personal information about our patient without consent.
We maintain professional relationship with client/patients and avoid gossip or sharing sensitive details.
While formal informed consent may not be obtained in the same way as in modern medicine, bone setters typically explain their treatment methods to patients or their families.
Patients are informed about the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the treatment.
Consent is implied when patients seek their services voluntarily.
Bone Setters provide honest assessments of the injury and the expected outcomes of the treatment.
We do not promise miraculous results but emphasize the importance of following the instructions for optimal healing.
As Bone Setters we recognize our own limitations, only if the cases we handle are beyond our expertise or required specialized care that we refer our client/patient to appropriate healthcare professionals.
We collaborate with other healers, such as Hilot and other alternative, traditional and complementary Health Care providers to address various aspects of health.
Bone Setters learn from experience and continuously refine our techniques through our continuing Education program.
We seek guidance from elders and attend gatherings where knowledge is shared.
And the most important part of this birthing process that we do for them is that we were able to describe elaborately their bone setting techniques which they can present for their Government Recognition and Accreditation application.
Through this I feel proud of my self, that we were able to help them to exist and not hide on the guise of Hilot which endanger our Manghihilot practitioners of have lack of opportunity and be banned again in practicing our Indigenous Traditional Healing Method.
I am so glad that the practices of Hilot Binabaylan is aligned to the practices of the Cebuano Indigenous Healers according to the Document that i found through Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Volume 4, no.1 of February 2016.
In their abstract they have enumerated the practices of Cebuano Traditional Healers as the following:
Himulso
Palakaw
Pasubay
Pangalap
Palina
Tayhop
Tutho
Tuob
Orasyon
Hilot
and Barang
These are the healing practices of Cebuano Traditional healers that was known in their local language as Mananambal which is derived from the root word Tambal which are plants, root, leaves or barks that has medicinal properties which during the time of Colonization these Mananambal or Tambalan are called as Albularyo. My first understanding of the word Tambalan is to pair. So, before all i thought of in doing healing works (which we still continually do) is that every Physical Illness there is also a Spiritual healing to make as the life is not just about the Physical body alone but also of the Spirit.
It has been said on the History of Medicine in the Philippines in accordance to an American Historian named Eduard Gaylord Borne that, “the Philippine is ahead of all other European Colonies in providing ill and invalid people during the start of the 17th Century.” and it is said that: ” there had been a state-of-the-art medical and pharmaceutical science developed by Spanish Friars based on Filipino Curanderos (Folk Healers) that was unique to the Philippine Islands.
With these statement, we found out that the modern medicine that our Government implement for us to use is still based on the knowledge of folk healing practices, the only thing at the current moment is they promote more of the modern medicine and prohibited the indigenous healing practices. Well, the modern medicine might be based on the latest updates of Scientific and Academic Research whereas the Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge is based on personal life experience and Divine Providence. And the Struggling existence of this knowledge of our own Ancestral Healing Arts and Science is based on the collective memories of the practitioners and of those who have experienced it. And now-a-days, the practice of Hilot that you can found with accreditation from the Philippine Government only focuses on manipulation of the Physical body and omitted the Spiritual aspect of a person.
As far as I know, it is only us here at Hilot Academy of Binabaylan that teach the integration of Physical Healing into Spiritual Healing. Such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine is integrated to their Spiritual practice of Fung Sui; Hilot or the Philippine Indigenous Traditional Medicine deserves to preserve its healing practices and integrate it to the modern health care delivery system in the Philippines.
So now, let us describe the healing practices of the Cebuano Traditional Healer that we also apply as Hilot Binabaylan.
Himulso or Pulse Reading Analysis
Pulse Reading Analysis is one of the traditional diagnostic or health assessment and evaluation method employed by a Manghihilot to detect the source of the illness of an individual. The method we share is the Traditional Chinese Method, which has been widely accepted to South East Asian countries as well as the Ayurvedic Medicine which has similar system but of course different manner of explanation.
Though when we say Pulsuhan, it does not only mean to check the pulse or knowing the rate of heart beat per minute; but also indicates of knowing the activities of the internal organs that makes the whole body alive. Usually, rural healers such as albularyo in this modern times are not schooled but their knowledge of detecting illness has only passed to them through experienced healer. So, the method of Himulso is done through finger alignment in order to detect if the illness is caused by the spirit or of physical cause; then after learning that it is caused by the spirit, another diagnostic method will be employed which is the finger poking method to know which elemental spirits afflicts illness to the person involved.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan offers training on this Diagnostic Method.
Palakaw
Palakaw is a Cebuano word that is derived from it’s root lakaw which means walk. Then a suffix word Pa was added to the word Lakaw that will make the whole word to walk. Though in the Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, they define the word palakaw as petition, and to some other organization such as on the practice of escrima or stick fighting which means defence, if we put all the terms all together, Palakaw will describe the act of making petition for the person to have a natural defense and make and to walk again or restore back the optimum health and wellness of a person.
Pasubay
As it has been described in the Journal as determining the cause of illness and possible means of Healing, this Cebuano word means follow up or an act of continuation or repetition of something that has already been started or done.
In Hilot Academy, we understand this word/practice as performance of Tawas Diagnosis or Divination. In Tawas or Traditional Alternative Wellness Analytic System we can determine the cause of illness and find its possible cure or healing. Though the word Tawas is also associated to the mineral “Alum” that is why we create an acronym to tawas and upon contemplation and further study, we found the word Pagsasala is more appropriate term to use. Though originally the word Pagsasala refers to the use of leaf in scanning body parts that is affected with illness. I, personally found the word more appropriate to describe the whole process of determining the cause of illness and not limited only to the use of leaf scanning. The word Pagsasala is an action word; and if we remove the suffix “Pag” it will only leave its root the word Sala which may mean as filter so as sin.
Pangalap or Gathering of Herbs.
Usually herbs are gathered in the wild or forest which is common practice by indigenous traditional Visayan healers. And now-a-days, people plant herbs in their yards specially the practitioners of Hilot.
It is natural that after knowing the cause of illness to provide immediate cure, having a herbal garden within the premises of the Hilot Healing Center would be handy than going out to the woods or forest. Though the problem in this present time specially in the Urban areas in the Philippines, there are no forest anymore, but the Good thing is we can reforest our city by planting in our yards such as on what we have at Bahay SiAdTala.
Palina
Dry herbs are pounded mix with chopped used candle and incense resin and burn it over live charcoal to produce smoke in fumigation. Smoke is a warding off element such as mosquito coils that burn and ward of insects. But if you place it under the chair and cover your client with blanket, it will create heat and sweating that will extract also negative energies and toxins out of your body.
Tayhop
Gentle Blowing is a common traits that you can found among Indigenous Traditional Filipino Healers as incorporates whispered prayer in a gesture to bridge to power of Divine Healing after the Physical work of healing. This method also incorporates the pure intention of the healer as he pass this intention to the person being healed. Since we also believe that having intention is under the Elemental power of Air, the healer manifest it through Blowing. Faith in the Spirit is common among Filipino Indigenous Traditional Healers as we recognize life coming from the Spirit.
Tutho
This is a common medicine among rural folks that use their saliva in healing. In the Tagalog Area, they incorporate this to puwera usog by wetting their fingers with Saliva and make a sign of the cross on the stomach, hands, feet and forehead. Tutho was the same among the Visaya and noticeably among the Mindanao Muslims, they literally spit on the ground if they witness unpleasant scene, or even behaviour. As if they are rejecting and throwing out negative vibrations out of their System.
Tuob/Lu Op/ Suob
This is a Hilot treatment that employs steam vapor which according to Hypocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine which dates back 400 BC he said that: “Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease.” As fever is our natural response against pathogens or disease cause by bacteria and viruses. That is why in Cebu during the time of pandemic from 2020-2023.
Orasyon: The power of Prayer to Heal
Spoken or written words has power to heal. Watch the video discussion to learn more on this. As you listen or watch, the words you hear or read or seen creates image in your mind that can affect your well being. This is how orasyon works.
Hilot
Traditionally, Hilot was known as the ancient Science and Art of Filipino Healing. Today, it is known not only as a modality that employs chiropractic manipulation and massage for diagnostic and treatment of musculo-ligamentous and musculo skeletal ailments, such as resetting dislocated and sprained joints, but now Hilot is known as a Holistic System of Filipino healing arts and sciences that uses the modality of massage for diagnostic and treatment incorporating the use of herbs, water, and bio-energy to promote positive well-being. Hilot offers healing not only to the physical health of an individual but also it heals the person intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually (Health, intellect,love life/ relationship, occupation and tenure). Thus, hilot becomes a healing, initiating, life changing operable therapies. It provides the virtues of hope, inspiration, love, optimism and trust between the recipient and the Hilot provider. The hilot practitioner uses not only massage for treatment but also use Herbal (Halamang Gamot), Init, Lamig, Orasyon and Tubig to achieve balance of the elements within an individual. Hilot heals the symptoms of Hangin, Init, Lamig that makes the body ill and at the same time can help relieve the person with pilay ipit ugat condition & pilay bali (dislocation).
Barang or Sorcery
This aspect of healing was the most avoided modality as many of the people in this present generation are converted to the Abrahamic Religion. So, the practitioners of this method has been demonized as the practice of Black Magick is condemned as enemy of the Church. But if we are going to understand the scope of modern health care and medical profession, there are people specialized in bacteria and infection control. Some of the medicines they make come from animals, insects and even bacteria. So the practice of barang is the same but unfortunately, Christianity have demonized it.
But for us as Hilot Binabaylan, this is our culture and heritage. We embrace and protect it to our practice.
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.
When the Pandemic of Covid 19 started and the world was in a lockdown, i thought that our activities in Hilot Academy of Binabaylan would end as in person interaction was prohibited in order to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Even accepting patient for Hilot was restricted at that time which made us to have no means of generating income that will pay our bills in maintaining our Shrine so as our Daily Living. Our Last in person students at that time was Kai Bautista from Glendale, California; Kara and Ice which host our class in their house at Tagaytay at the last days of February 2020. We were able to finish our class and have managed to visit our Mumbaki Friend in Brgy. Kinakin, Banaue, Ifugao which is Mamerto Tindongan courtesy of Maria Hashwell friend Archimedes Miranda De Leon who brought us there.
We had a great road trip going to Ifugao with Sir Archie as he tours us around from Tarlac going up to Northern Philippines to meet Mamerto and that was on March 10, 2020. I am grateful that Maria have introduced us to Sir Archie as we learned that he is a great grandson of the Philippine Founder of Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas, Inc. which was founded on the 19th day of February 1905. We were able to sleep over at Sir Archie residence which is part of the Temple Ground of Union Espiritista in Tarlac. Then early in the morning we travel way up north to meet Mamerto Tindongan which we stay another night before coming back to manila.
We have no Idea that as we went back to Bulacan that lockdown or Enhanced Community Quarantine will be implemented. People are prohibited to come out of their houses and only those who have quarantine pass could go out to the market, bank and other essential establishment. And from that moment, the Global Healing Devotion was made that participated by people from different part of the world.
From the Success of the Global Healing Devotion, I perceived the Idea of offering the Hilot Online Training of Non Contact Hilot Mind and Spirit Work which initiates Psycho Emotional Coach or Magaanito/ Pangutanahan/ Pangatauhan/ Magtatawas and Lukayo Faye Estrella was the very first responder who took the class which happen on June 1, 2020- August 30, 2020. And this year from August 5-11, 2024 Lukayo Finaly completed his training with us making him officially an Ordained Hilot Binabaylan.
Though in the west it is still the Season of Spring, but here in the Far East the Heat of Summer has just begun. Most in person classes on all levels from elementary to high school do suspend classes due to the extreme heat brought by the summer season, and some conducted online class instead of in person, face-to-face class.
And it just happened that we have enrolled student in our training Center at Bahay SiAdTala in Taguig. It is already a year past when we start training at Bahay SiAdTala when we have constructed the lower level of our Training Center.
And for about a Year, we have bought an airconditioning unit so that learning could be comfortable and fan. Though, traditionally, Aircondition is prohibited in the practice of Hilot, but due to extreme climate change and heat of the season, we bought air-con in order to prevent heart attack and heat stroke.
We have send of our current student to their hotel accommodation to give way for the installation of the airconditioning unit that we have bought last April 7.
By the way, last April 5- Hilot Academy of Binabaylan turn 8 years old and we are grateful for the continues trust you are giving to us.
Hilot Binabaylan practices revolves around the Healing principles of Diagnostic, Cleansing, Repair, Strengthening and Maintaining optimum health and wellness. The techniques that we share on our studies may not be the ultimate rule as we recognize individual differences so as the treatment we provide to individual are always unique to different person. The process of healing we provide does not need to be memorized by the provider but it requires them to analyze the condition of the patient that the hilot could provide an appropriate treatment plan for the patients need.
When the lockdown happened due to the Pandemic of Covid 19, all I thought that it was the end for Hilot Academy since we are a Training Institution that depends on face-to-face in person training of Hilot which is an in person healing modality that requires physical touch to a person who needs healing. Many of our Manghihilot was not able to earn a living as we are prohibited to touch other persons and been limited only to family members.
From March 8, 2020 when the Philippine Declared a total lock down of our country many of us have anxiety attack that leads to depression and many mental and emotional illness/disorder. And that condition that many people suffer around the world aside from the literal virus that is spreading around the world, I have found a survival solution to calm down people from worrying. And that is through our Non Contact Hilot Mind and Spirit work.
We provide activities online that will distract the mind of people from the current issues of pandemic. We held online classes and provide mental and emotional support through Tawas. People have learned the techniques that they provide their services online. With these, we were able to survive the modern dark age brought by Covid-19.
I amazed to what I have become today. All I know is that I used to apply my knowledge only to my closest Family Members. Then later on, neighbors ask for Hilot. Then, in 2008 I am sharing my knowledge at Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and everything now becomes different.
I also remember that there is a person who ask me to pass over to them my knowledge of Hilot as they will use it that they could teach in colleges or University. I said to them introduce me so that I could teach. But that person said, I am not qualified to teach because I have no Bachelor’s and Masteral Degree to teach College Students. So, then I said, enroll to my Class and become a practitioner but you are not allowed to teach as you are not an accredited Hilot Master.
This is the same thing that I feel 3 years ago when working with former High Ranking Government official, they just extract what I know and develop for them Curriculum and Training Program and at the end of it, they will see my credentials as having no bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.
By the way, if we go back in time during the 11th century does our ancestors have formal schooling way back then? Do the Manghihilot at that time has bachelor’s or masteral degree as they practice healing? Hilot has been taught through apprenticeship. Students of Hilot observe the Hilot Master on how they perform and treat their patient. Sometimes the Hilot Master will send out the apprentice to the woods in order to get Medicinal Herbs even without detailed instructions. You will just ask the herbs if they are the right plant for the illness being treated at the moment. and also the apprentice learn because they will be asked to hold tight the client so that they will not move as the Master apply Hilot to the patient.
There is no classroom, no whiteboard nor blackboard, no overhead projector for PowerPoint presentation, special laboratory room and equipment’s, nor clinic and treatment room to accept patient. These all happen within the abode of the Manghihilot.
I am writing this here to cast away all my worries in mind and to reassure myself that I should keep walking to the path of our race and not be bothered by the worries I have in mind. I should be thankful that we have Bahay SiAdTala that is hosting our students who come from different parts of the world as they heed the call of our Ancestors in becoming a Hilot Binabaylan.
We should remember that the ways of the Ancestors are different from the ways of the modern world. The modern world is living now in an instant way, but our Ancestors they are the one who manually lay the foundation. But you now, as Hilot Binabaylan who walks the path of our ancestors, even you live in the world in modern times, I encourage you to be the foundation setter because what has been founded by our ancestors will be consumed by the people in this modern time and in the future, we will make sure that these foundation will remain.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 
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