Our Lineage

The Living Lineage of Hilot Binabaylan: A Journey of Service, Spirit, and Collective Wisdom

In the study and practice of Hilot Binabaylan, one of the most misunderstood concepts is lineage.

Many assume that lineage must come from a single family, a specific tribe, or a direct ancestral line. But in truth, the lineage of Hilot Binabaylan is something far more profound—it is living, collective, and sacredly shared.

This is the lineage I carry—not as its source, but as its bearer and trustee.

A Calling That Began in Childhood

I was born as the second child among four siblings of Rolando Dolar Comon and Raquel Payco Gomez, a nurse-midwife. My early life was already surrounded by healing.

As a child, I did not yet understand the language of medicine or spirituality, but I felt it. I was naturally drawn to plants, stones, and simple healing practices. I would pound gumamela flowers and guava leaves, extract their juices, and use them to clean wounds—instinctively practicing what I would later recognize as herbal medicine.

I also grew up witnessing my mother work alongside manghihilot and albularyo, and I listened closely to their teachings—some practical, some mystical. I remember one healer cautioning me not to fall asleep during a hilot session, saying that the soul might leave the body and another spirit might enter.

At that time, these were simply stories. But later in life, I would come to understand that they were expressions of a deeper spiritual worldview embedded in Filipino healing traditions.

Formal Study and Self-Directed Learning

My formal education did not follow the conventional path. I did not complete a traditional college degree, but I pursued a Diploma in Alternative Medicine from 2001 to 2002 at the St. Francis Divine College School of Alternative Medicine under Dr. Rueben M. Galang Jr.

There, I studied:

  • Human Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Shiatsu and Tuina
  • Chromatology
  • Herbalism

While the program did not include Traditional Filipino Medicine, we were encouraged to explore our own paths through research and continuing education.

Many of my classmates chose to study Reiki or Pranic Healing. But I followed what resonated most deeply within me—the call of Hilot, the medicine of the common people.

Ancestral Echoes and Cultural Memory

Although I did not inherit Hilot through formal family training, I later came to recognize its presence in my lineage.

My paternal grandfather was a known healer in Siargao, particularly in Barangay Esperanza. Though I did not directly train under him, his legacy lived on as an ancestral echo—a quiet but powerful influence guiding my path.

This revealed to me an important truth:
Lineage is not always transmitted through structured teaching. Sometimes, it awakens through memory, intuition, and spiritual calling.

Learning from the People

My journey deepened when I became a TESDA Trainer and Assessor for Hilot Wellness Massage.

In this role, I had the opportunity to meet and learn from traditional healers across different regions—NCR, Region III, Region IV-A, and Bicol. I interviewed elder manghihilot who sought certification, documenting their knowledge before it was shaped by formal systems.

Later, I was sent to Ilocos Sur, where I conducted trainings in various municipalities. One of the most meaningful experiences was in Cervantes, where after our sessions, we went house-to-house offering hilot services to the community. With permission from the local social work office, we also conducted research grounded in real-life practice.

I also had the privilege of participating in the Siquijor Healing Festival, where I stood side by side with local healers, honoring their traditions and learning from their wisdom.

Through these experiences, I realized that Hilot is not owned by any one person—it is sustained by the lived experiences of the people.

Redefining Lineage in Hilot Binabaylan

From all these encounters, one truth became clear:

The lineage of Hilot Binabaylan does not belong to a single family or tribe.

It is a collective lineage, shaped by:

  • The wisdom of traditional healers across regions
  • The lived experiences of communities
  • The personal journeys of those called to serve

It is a lineage that grows through sharing, honoring, and practicing.

The Role of a Binabaylan Today

As a practitioner and teacher, I do not claim to be the origin of this lineage.

Instead, I stand as:

  • A bearer of the tradition
  • A trustee of the knowledge
  • A servant of both spirit and community

To carry this lineage is to accept a responsibility:

  • To preserve without claiming ownership
  • To teach without distortion
  • To serve with humility

The True Source of Healing

At the heart of Hilot Binabaylan is a sacred understanding:

The ultimate source of healing is not the practitioner.

It is:

  • The Diwata, who guide, empower, and bless the work
  • And the Filipino people, who have preserved and lived this knowledge across generations

We, as Binabaylan, are simply vessels.

A Living, Evolving Tradition

Hilot Binabaylan is not a relic of the past. It is a living tradition, continuously shaped by those who practice it with integrity and respect.

As we teach and share this path through the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, we honor not only the knowledge—but also the countless hands, hearts, and spirits that have carried it forward.

Closing Reflection

To those who feel called to this path:

You do not need to come from a specific lineage to begin.

But once you accept the calling, you become part of it.

And in doing so, you are entrusted with something sacred—not to own, but to protect, embody, and pass on.