Why Some Practitioners Are Marked “Under Review” or “Not in Good Standing”

By Apu Adman Aghama
Founder, Hilot Academy of Binabaylan

In recent months, several people have asked why some graduates listed on the Our Manghihilot page of the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan website are marked as “Under Review” or “Not in Good Standing.” We welcome these questions because transparency is an important part of maintaining trust, accountability, and the integrity of our healing tradition.

First and foremost, these designations are not intended to shame, attack, or diminish anyone’s personal journey, skills, or experiences. Every student who enters our programs invests time, energy, and commitment in learning. We recognize and honor that effort.

However, it is equally important to understand that completing a training program and remaining an authorized representative of a lineage-based healing school are two different matters.

Beyond Graduation: The Importance of Continuing Standards

In conventional education, a student may complete a degree program in nursing, medicine, physical therapy, or another healthcare profession. Graduation alone does not automatically grant professional authority. Graduates must often pass licensure examinations, meet professional requirements, and adhere to ethical standards established by regulatory bodies.

Within the broader field of Academic Hilot in the Philippines, organizations such as TESDA and PITAHC help establish competency standards, training frameworks, and professional recognition.

At the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, however, our approach to Hilot extends beyond physical wellness. While we value anatomy, physiology, bodywork, and traditional healing techniques, we also recognize the spiritual, cultural, ethical, and ancestral dimensions of Hilot Binabaylan.

Because of this unique responsibility, we established the Hilot Binabaylan Council to provide ongoing assessment and guidance regarding the use, teaching, and representation of Hilot Binabaylan teachings.

Why We Established the Hilot Binabaylan Council

The Hilot Binabaylan Council exists to help preserve the integrity of the teachings entrusted to our academy.

Its role is not merely to evaluate technical competency. The Council also considers whether practitioners remain aligned with the:

Mission of Hilot Academy of Binabaylan
Vision of Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc.
Core Values of Templong Anituhan Inc.
Ethical principles of Hilot Binabaylan practice
Standards of cultural and spiritual stewardship

A practitioner may possess strong technical skills and yet no longer be aligned with the values, responsibilities, or commitments that accompany authorized representation of the lineage.

For this reason, authorization is not viewed as a one-time achievement. It is an ongoing relationship built upon integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect for lineage, and commitment to community standards.

What Does “Under Review” Mean?

When a practitioner is marked “Under Review,” it simply means that the individual’s current status is being assessed by the appropriate bodies of the academy.

This may involve reviewing:

Educational completion requirements
Practice standards
Ethical concerns
Representation of the lineage
Compliance with academy policies
Authorization to teach or certify others

An “Under Review” designation is not a final judgment. It is a period of evaluation intended to ensure fairness, due process, and accountability.

What Does “Not in Good Standing” Mean?

A designation of “Not in Good Standing” indicates that the individual is not currently authorized to represent, teach, certify, or publicly use the authority of Hilot Academy of Binabaylan as an official lineage representative.

This does not necessarily mean the person lacks healing knowledge. It does not invalidate their personal experiences or independent practice.

Rather, it means that they are presently not recognized by the academy as an authorized representative of the Hilot Binabaylan lineage and educational system.

This distinction is important for students, clients, and members of the public who seek authentic instruction and services connected specifically to the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan tradition.

The Challenge of Preserving a Healing Lineage

One of the realities of contemporary wellness practice is the increasing tendency to combine multiple modalities, systems, and techniques into a single treatment approach.

This can certainly be appropriate in many professions and healing traditions. However, for a lineage-based educational institution committed to preserving a specific body of knowledge, it can create challenges.

Our concern is not that people study other healing methods. Learning is a lifelong journey.

Our concern is preserving the distinct identity, philosophy, ceremonial framework, terminology, ethics, and methodology of Hilot Binabaylan.

When teachings become excessively altered, diluted, or mixed without proper context, future generations may lose sight of what makes the tradition unique. Over time, the original teachings can become fragmented or misrepresented.

Preservation requires more than teaching. It requires stewardship.

Why We Publish These Statuses Publicly

The Hilot Academy of Binabaylan website serves as a public information portal.

Its purpose is to help individuals identify:

Practitioners who have completed training
Practitioners currently authorized by the academy
Individuals permitted to teach academy programs
Practitioners who remain aligned with academy standards
Current standing within the Hilot Binabaylan lineage

This transparency benefits the public by allowing prospective students and clients to make informed decisions regarding who is officially authorized to provide services and educational instruction under the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan framework.

The publication of these statuses is not a punishment. It is a public accountability measure designed to protect students, clients, the integrity of the lineage, and the future of the tradition itself.

Honoring the Ancestors Through Responsible Stewardship

At the heart of this matter is a simple belief:

The teachings of Hilot Binabaylan are not merely techniques. They are a living heritage.

We have received these teachings through years of study, practice, cultural preservation, and spiritual responsibility. As caretakers of this tradition, we believe we have an obligation to ensure that future generations receive the teachings with clarity, authenticity, and integrity.

We honor our ancestors by preserving what they entrusted to us.

We honor our students by maintaining standards.

We honor the public by providing transparency.

And we honor the future by ensuring that Hilot Binabaylan remains a living tradition rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and service.

Learn More

To better understand the principles behind these standards and the role of lineage, accountability, and ethical practice within Hilot Binabaylan, we invite you to watch the following presentation by Apu Adman Aghama:

🎥 Watch the Video:

For questions regarding the standing of any practitioner, please contact Hilot Academy of Binabaylan through our official communication channels.

Mabuhay ang Hilot. Mabuhay ang Binabaylan. Mabuhay ang ating mga Ninuno.

The Anatomy of a Traditional Practice Covenant: Honor, Heritage, and the Law

When you graduate from a conventional university, you walk away with a degree, a cap, and a clear path toward state licensure. But what happens when you graduate from an academy dedicated to ancient, lineage-based healing methods?

In institutions teaching ancestral arts like Hilot Binabaylan, graduation looks a bit different. Graduates often sign a document called a Practice Covenant. While it reads like a deeply formal contract, its purpose, legal status, and boundaries are unique.

Let’s break down exactly what these traditional agreements mean, why violating them is not a crime, and how Philippine law actually protects this rich cultural heritage.

What is a “Practice Covenant”?

A Practice Covenant is a voluntary agreement between a traditional training academy and its graduates. Rather than acting as a standard corporate employment contract, it serves as a moral compass and a spiritual bond.

The primary goal of the agreement is stewardship. It ensures that the practitioner handles ancestral healing knowledge with respect, integrity, and cultural accuracy.

The typical covenant centers around five core pillars:

Ancestral Honor: Committing to preserve the cultural and traditional roots of the practice.
Ethical Practice: Promising to use the knowledge exclusively for healing and never for exploitation or harm.
Spiritual Alignment: Viewing the craft as a holistic calling tied deeply to nature and community.
Community Service: Pledging to support those in need and help others connect with their cultural roots.
Lifelong Mentorship: Maintaining an active link to the academy for continuous education and community gathering.

The Legal Reality: Breaking the Covenant is NOT a Crime

Because these documents use serious legal and formal language, a common point of confusion arises: If a practitioner breaks one of these rules, are they breaking the law?

The short answer is no.

Under the statutory laws of the land, an internal organizational covenant carries absolutely zero criminal liability. Because this is an internal ethical and spiritual code, failing to live up to its standards will never result in:

Police intervention or criminal records
Lawsuits in public, civil courts
Government fines or jail time

How Is It Enforced?

Accountability remains strictly internal and institutional. If a practitioner behaves unethically or violates the spirit of the tradition, the academy relies on community-based remedies:

Spiritual Counsel: Offering peer guidance to correct the practitioner’s course.
Healing Intervention: Peer-led remediation to address behavioral issues.
Withdrawal of Recognition: The academy’s ultimate recourse. They possess the legal right to strip the individual of their institutional titles, official certifications, and endorsement within their professional healing network.

Ultimately, the practitioner remains a free citizen under civil law. They can switch careers or walk away from the practice at any moment without facing legal penalties.

How Philippine Law Protects Traditional Healers: The TAMA Act (RA 8423)

You might wonder how an academy has the right to issue these titles and agreements in the first place. The answer lies in a landmark piece of legislation: Republic Act No. 8423, also known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997.

Authored by Senator Juan Flavier, the TAMA Act completely changed how the Philippine government views indigenous healing systems. It protects and legitimizes practices like Hilot through several key mechanisms:

1. Creation of PITAHC

The law established the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH). PITAHC is specifically tasked with respecting, promoting, and integrating traditional medicine into the national healthcare delivery system.

2. Ownership of Indigenous Knowledge

The TAMA Act explicitly recognizes that indigenous societies own their traditional medical knowledge. The state provides a legally workable basis to ensure that outsiders cannot exploit ancestral recipes, rituals, or healing systems without permission, recognition, and proper financial sharing with the community.

3. Protection, Not Criminalization

As long as traditional or spiritual healing is performed in a safe, responsible, and non-deceptive manner, RA 8423 ensures it is fully legal. It acknowledges that spiritual and natural remedies are a vital part of primary healthcare, especially in rural areas with limited access to modern hospitals.

(Note: The law only steps in if a practitioner claims they can “cure all diseases,” explicitly misleads people, or stops critically ill patients from seeking emergency hospital care.)

The Takeaway

An organizational practice covenant is a beautiful bridge between ancient tradition and modern administrative structure. It provides traditional academies a way to protect the purity of their lineage while keeping accountability purely within their own community walls. Backed by the TAMA Act, it allows indigenous healing systems to thrive legally, responsibly, and respectfully.

What are your thoughts on traditional covenants versus standard state licensing? Let us know in the comments below!

The Call of the Motherland: Why a Hilot Binabaylan Initiation Must Happen on Philippine Soil

There is a profound difference between learning the mechanics of a tradition and awakening its soul.

In the global diaspora, the revival of traditional Filipino medicine has sparked a beautiful wave of interest. Across the United States, Europe, and beyond, seekers are gathering in classrooms and studio spaces to reclaim their ancestral roots. They study anatomy, practice stroke sequences, and discuss indigenous cosmology.

But for those walking the path of the Hilot Binabaylan—the traditional healer, seer, and keeper of elemental balance—there comes a crossroad where book-learning and intellectual cohorts are no longer enough. To fully step into this sacred calling, one must eventually answer the call of the motherland.

An initiation integrated into a sacred pilgrimage to the Philippines transforms a practitioner in ways that a diaspora training cohort simply cannot replicate. Here is why crossing the ocean to be initiated on ancestral soil changes everything.

The Anatomy of the Craft: Technical Training vs. Spiritual Transmission

To understand the difference, we must look at how Hilot is fundamentally structured. It is not just an indigenous massage modality; it is a relational, animistic science.

Training in the Diaspora focuses primarily on the intellectual and technical dimensions. You learn how to touch, how to scan for energetic imbalances (salat), and the names of traditional concepts. It is safe, structured, and profoundly necessary for building a foundational framework.
Initiation in the Philippines is a spiritual and lineage transmission. It shifts the practice from something you do with your hands to a state of being that you embody. You are no longer just practicing a technique; you are being formally introduced to, and accepted by, the unseen world that governs the tradition.

1. Lupa (The Living Land) as the First Teacher

In the Western framework, nature is often viewed as a backdrop or a resource. In the world of the Binabaylan, the land (lupa) is a conscious, sentient entity.

			
[Diaspora Cohort] -------------> Simulates elements inside a climate-controlled room
[Motherland Pilgrimage] -------> Aligns your heartbeat directly with the island's pulse

When you stand barefoot on the soil of sacred mountains like Mount Banahaw or Mount Makiling, your personal energy field interacts with the literal geomagnetic and spiritual currents (bisa) of the islands. You cannot truly master how to balance the fire, water, air, and earth elements within a human body if you have never communed with those same elements in their native, raw, and untamed habitat. The motherland itself is the primary initiator.

2. Legal Tender in the Spirit Realm: Activating your Gabay

In the Binabaylan tradition, a healer’s efficacy does not come from their own ego or strength; it comes from their gabay (spiritual guides, ancestors, and nature spirits).

An initiation performed at a puwesto (a naturally occurring sacred site, such as a hidden cave or a holy waterfall) acts as a formal contract. You are presenting yourself at the doorstep of the ancestors. When you are initiated on Philippine soil:

The local spirits (mga elemento) recognize your face, your lineage, and your intent.
The ancestral portal opens wide because you are standing in the exact geography where those ancestors lived, prayed, and poured their medicine into the earth.
Your spiritual authority is legitimized in the unseen realm, anchoring your healing work back home with a permanent, unbreakable root system.

3. Pagpupurga: Breaking the Intellectual Ego

Training cohorts in America or Europe are culturally shielded. They fit neatly into weekends, offer comfortable accommodations, and protect the intellectual ego.

A pilgrimage-based initiation in the Philippines is intentionally raw, visceral, and volatile. It demands physical sacrifice:

Trekking through dense, humid jungles.
Enduring the disorientation of tropical climates.
Bathing in freezing mountain springs at dawn.
Sitting in the pitch-black womb of holy caves.

This physical intensity triggers pagpupurga (a deep spiritual and emotional purge). It shatters the westernized, intellectual need to “understand” everything logically, forcing the initiate entirely out of their head and into their absolute intuition. You do not just learn Hilot; you survive the very landscape that birthed it.

4. The Power of Panata: The Annual Return of the Masters

For the most powerful and revered healers, a pilgrimage to the homeland is never a “one-and-done” trip. It transforms into an lifelong panata—a sacred, non-negotiable vow and pact made with the divine and the spirits of the land.

			
[Amulet/Healer] -------------> Daily Practice (Drains Energy) -------------> [Home]
   ^                                                                           |
   |__________________ Annual Panata Recharges Birtud <________________________|

The spiritual medicine of a Binabaylan is like a living battery. Every time a healer pulls pain out of a patient, absorbs spiritual density, or manipulates heavy energy, their internal store of bisa (potency) drains. To combat this, master healers return to these exact same Philippine power points year after year.

By fulfilling their annual panata, healers:

Renew their sacred vow of service in front of the ancestors, keeping their ego small and their channel pure.
Empower and amplify their healing gifts, absorbing the fresh, wild elemental currents that can only be found during highly specific spiritual seasons (like Holy Week/Lenten season).
Recharge their talismanic tools. A master healer’s anting-anting or birtud (healing amulets) must be bathed in the waters of the sacred springs annually to keep their protective frequencies alive.

The panata ensures that the healer does not burn out, but instead grows more potent with each passing year.

5. Harvesting the Raw Birtud (Spiritual Potency)

A Hilot Binabaylan relies heavily on the physical materials of the earth to anchor their spiritual work. During a pilgrimage initiation, you are not buying pre-made supplies; you are participating in their creation.

You learn to ask permission from the forest before harvesting fresh, endemic medicinal plants (halamang gamot). You gather coconut oil (langis) brewed over open fires at precise astrological or spiritual times, imbuing it with a high vibrational charge. If you carry amulets or talismans (anting-anting or birtud), initializing them at a high-vibrational Philippine power center permanently anchors their protective frequencies.

Dimension of Growth	The Diaspora Cohort Experience	The Motherland Initiation Pilgrimage
Primary Environment	Safe, climate-controlled, familiar	Raw, unpredictable, spiritually alive
Learning Style	Cognitive, theoretical, structural	Experiential, visceral, ancestral
Lineage Connection	Conceptualized through text and teachers	Felt directly through the dirt, water, and spirits
Sacred Commitment	Ends when the training module concludes	Becomes an ongoing panata (annual vow)
The Result	A well-trained practitioner of Hilot	An initiated vessel for the Binabaylan tradition

The Ultimate Convergence

To choose the motherland is not to diminish the beautiful work being done by diaspora teachers. Diaspora cohorts are vital—they are the welcoming gates, the community builders, and the keepers of safety. They give you the map.

But a pilgrimage to the Philippines is the journey itself.

If you feel a deeper tug in your chest when you practice Hilot, if your hands feel warm but your spirit feels restless, it is because your lineage is calling you back to the source. Go to the diaspora cohorts to learn the alphabet of your ancestors. But come home to the Philippines to write the poetry of your sacred calling—and begin the lifelong panata that will sustain your medicine forever.

Manghihilot: The Lifeline Between Tradition and Modern Healthcare

In the heart of Filipino communities, the manghihilot stands as a trusted figure—a healer, a guide, and now, a vital connector between the people and the formal healthcare system. Rooted in centuries-old wisdom, Hilot is more than a therapeutic practice; it is a cultural bridge that fosters trust and accessibility in times of need.

Ethics That Empower

The Hilot Code of Ethics reminds us: “We do not treat patients with conditions beyond our understanding. We refer them to proper healthcare professionals as necessary.” This principle reflects humility and responsibility. Yet, it does not mean turning away those who seek help. Instead, manghihilot practitioners perform initial assessment and relief care, ensuring comfort while facilitating access to advanced medical treatment.

Why This Role Is Crucial

For many Filipinos—especially in rural areas—healthcare is not just a matter of distance; it’s a matter of trust. Hospitals can feel intimidating, and financial constraints often delay treatment. Here, the manghihilot becomes a bridge of trust, guiding patients toward modern care without abandoning cultural values.

By offering first-line care, stabilizing conditions, and educating families, manghihilot practitioners help overcome fear and mistrust. They make the transition from traditional healing to modern medicine smoother, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Integration, Not Opposition

The future of healthcare lies in collaboration. Manghihilot practitioners complement modern medicine by:

Providing culturally sensitive care.
Acting as first responders in remote areas.
Facilitating referrals to hospitals and clinics.

This synergy creates a holistic approach where tradition and science work hand-in-hand for the well-being of the community.

A Call to Action

To strengthen this role, we need support from both the public and healthcare institutions:

Recognize manghihilot practitioners as vital partners in community health.
Provide training and resources for proper referral systems.
Promote integration programs that respect cultural heritage while ensuring safety.

By supporting this collaboration, we empower communities, preserve tradition, and improve healthcare access for all.

✅ Join the Movement! Advocate for the integration of Hilot into public health programs. Share this article, start conversations, and help build a healthcare system that honors both tradition and modernity.

Pista ng Katutubong Gamutang Pilipino 2025: Honoring the Sacred Tradition of Hilot The Indigenous Healing Wisdom of the Filipino People

The Pista ng Katutubong Gamutang Pilipino 2025 presentation is a powerful celebration of Hilot, the indigenous Filipino healing tradition that has endured through thousands of years of cultural evolution. From prehistoric Kalinga to the modern wellness industry, Hilot has remained a vital expression of ancestral wisdom, spiritual resilience, and community-based care.

Tracing the Roots of Hilot

The presentation begins with archaeological evidence of early healing practices dating back 709,000 years ago, when ancient Filipinos used rhinoceros parts for food and medicine. It then highlights the role of Babaylan, Manghihilot, and Albularyo—spiritual healers who used herbal medicine, massage, and rituals to treat physical and emotional ailments.

Hilot Through the Ages

Hilot’s journey spans multiple historical eras:

Pre-Srivijaya and Pre-Islamic Periods: Rooted in animistic and shamanic traditions.
Islamization Era: Hilot adapted and coexisted with Islamic healing practices.
Colonial Periods: Despite marginalization, Hilot remained the primary healthcare system in rural communities.
Japanese Occupation and Liberation: Hilot served as a lifeline for guerrilla fighters and civilians.
Martial Law Era: Hilot survived underground, preserving indigenous knowledge through oral tradition.

Modern Recognition and Institutional Support

The passage of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 (RA 8423) and the TESDA NC II certification marked a turning point in Hilot’s formal recognition. These milestones helped integrate Hilot into the national health and vocational systems, opening doors for professional practice in wellness centers, spas, and tourism.

🌀 Addendum: Reclaiming the Full Spectrum of Hilot Binabaylan Practice

While Hilot is now recognized as a wellness modality, key ancestral practices—such as spiritual healing, bone setting, and traditional midwifery—remain excluded from current regulations. This exclusion risks erasing the holistic essence of Hilot as practiced by our ancestors.

⚠️ Current Regulatory Gaps

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) are prohibited from conducting home births in many localities due to safety concerns and lack of formal training.
Bone setting, a core skill of Manghihilot, is not included in TESDA’s Hilot Wellness Massage NC II curriculum or PITAHC standards.
Spiritual healing, though central to Hilot, is often sidelined in favor of clinical approaches. [Pista ng K…ipino 2026 | PowerPoint]

🌿 Why Inclusion Matters

To preserve the authentic form of Hilot Binabaylan, we must reintegrate these ancestral practices into a regulated, culturally respectful framework. This ensures that Hilot remains a complete healing system, not just a massage technique.

🔧 Proposed Integration Strategies

Expanded Curriculum and Certification
- Develop specialized modules on traditional midwifery, bone setting, and spiritual healing.
- Partner with institutions like Templong Anituhan and Hilot Academy of Binabaylan to offer culturally grounded training.
Community-Based Health Integration
- Recognize Hilot Binabaylan as community health workers, especially in underserved areas.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
- Utilize the mandate of RA 8423 to involve TESDA, CHED, DepEd, and PCHRD in creating short courses and degree programs.
Ethical and Safety Standards
- Establish guidelines to ensure safe practice while honoring indigenous knowledge.

✊ A Call for Cultural Justice in Healthcare

The exclusion of bone setting and traditional birth practices is not just a technical issue—it is a cultural justice concern. By reclaiming the full spectrum of Hilot Binabaylan, we affirm the value of indigenous wisdom and ensure its rightful place in the modern healthcare delivery system.

🌺 Closing Reflection

Hilot is more than a healing technique—it is a living embodiment of Filipino ancestral wisdom. As we move forward, let us ensure that Hilot remains whole, respected, and empowered. Through education, advocacy, and cultural preservation, we can continue to heal, educate, and uplift our communities with the sacred wisdom of Hilot Binabaylan.

Pista ng Katutubong Gamutang Pilipino 2026 Download

Healing Our Roots: Hilot Binabaylan’s Journey Through Filipino American History

As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, we honor the stories of resilience, identity, and cultural revival that define the Filipino diaspora. Among these stories is the growing movement of Hilot Binabaylan, a sacred healing tradition rooted in Indigenous Filipino spirituality, now flourishing across the Pacific.

In August 2024, I had the privilege of conducting the first Hilot Binabaylan Training in California, a transformative experience that reconnected Filipino Americans to their ancestral healing arts. A year later, in August 2025, we continued this journey in Honolulu, Hawaii, through the event “Healing Our Roots: A Return to Hilot Binabaylan” at the Philippine Consulate General, in partnership with the Laʻakea Healing Center.

These two events—held in the heart of Filipino American communities—are more than milestones. They are living contributions to Filipino American History, affirming that our Indigenous wisdom is not lost, but alive and evolving.

🌿 California 2024: Reawakening the Binabaylan Spirit

The California training introduced participants to the sacred touch therapies of Hilot—haplos, hagod, pindot, and hilot sa lamig at init—while grounding them in the cosmology of the Diwata and the spiritual path of the Binabaylan. For many, it was a homecoming to ancestral identity, a healing of intergenerational wounds, and a reclaiming of cultural pride.

This training empowered Filipino Americans to become healers and cultural ambassadors, forming a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern wellness.

🌺 Hawaii 2025: Honoring Ancestry in Sacred Space

In Hawaii, Hilot Binabaylan was honored in a public and diplomatic setting, affirming its place in the broader narrative of Filipino American heritage. The event brought together healers, cultural workers, and spiritual seekers in a shared space of remembrance and renewal.

Through demonstrations, storytelling, and spiritual invocation, we celebrated Hilot not just as a healing art, but as a cultural legacy—one that connects us to our ancestors and guides us toward collective well-being.

📜 A Contribution to Filipino American History

These efforts reflect the mission of the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan: to preserve and propagate Indigenous Filipino healing arts and spirituality. By conducting trainings and rituals in California and Hawaii, we:

Reaffirmed the value of ancestral knowledge in the diaspora.
Expanded the Hilot Binabaylan Network internationally.
Contributed to the cultural and spiritual history of Filipino Americans.

As we observe Filipino American History Month, let us remember that history is not only written in books—it is lived in rituals, passed through healing hands, and carried in the hearts of those who remember.

From the Philippines to the United States, Hilot Binabaylan is a living tradition, healing our roots and guiding our future.

Understanding PITAHC Accreditation and Competency Assessment for Hilot Practitioners

The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) plays a vital role in regulating and promoting traditional Filipino healing practices, including Hilot. For organizations and practitioners involved in Hilot, understanding the accreditation and certification process is essential for legal recognition, professional credibility, and ethical practice.

✅ Benefits of PITAHC Accreditation

1. Legal Authority to Operate

Accredited Hilot organizations are officially recognized by the Department of Health through PITAHC, granting them the legal right to conduct training and healing services.

2. Certification of Practitioners

Organizations can issue:

Certificates of Registration to formally trained Hilot practitioners.
Certificates of Recognition to community-recognized Manghihilot with at least 10 years of practice.

3. Accredited Training and Healing Centers

Accredited institutions may operate:

Hilot Training Centers for formal education.
Hilot Healing Centers in homes, clinics, spas, resorts, and hospitals.

4. Participation in National Health System

Accredited organizations help integrate Hilot into the national healthcare delivery system.

5. Representation and Advocacy

Organizations may nominate representatives to the National Certification Committee for Hilot (NCCH), influencing policy and ethical standards.

6. Protection Against Unregulated Practices

Only PITAHC-accredited entities are authorized to train and certify Hilot practitioners, ensuring safety and credibility.

🧪 Competency Assessment by NCCH

For Formally Trained Practitioners

Completion of training from a PITAHC-accredited center.
Submission of a portfolio with at least 100 patient cases.
Passing a competency assessment that includes practical demonstrations and ethical evaluations.

For Community-Recognized Manghihilot

Minimum of 10 years of practice.
Endorsement by community leaders.
Sponsorship by a PITAHC-recognized organization.
Submission of a portfolio and testimonials.

Committee Composition

The NCCH includes:

Manghihilot and Hilot practitioners.
Medical doctors practicing Hilot.
Trainers from accredited centers.
PITAHC officials.

💰 Fee Guidelines

The official fee for the competency assessment is ₱500.00. This is a one-time application fee mandated by PITAHC Circular No. 01, Series of 2016.

⚠️ Reporting Overcharging Violations

If an organization charges more than ₱500 for the assessment alone:

Request a Fee Breakdown to verify additional charges.
Report to PITAHC with documentation (receipts, advisories).
Contact NCCH for clarification and investigation.

Overcharging may lead to administrative sanctions and, if fraudulent, could result in criminal liability.

📞 Contact Information

To reach the National Certification Committee for Hilot:

Visit: https://pitahc.gov.ph/hilot/
Contact PITAHC via: https://pitahc.gov.ph/contact-us/
Address formal inquiries to the Standards and Accreditation Division.

For more updates and resources, visit hilotacademy.com or contact us for assistance with certification, training, and compliance.

📜 Official Announcement from Templong Anituhan Inc. and Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc.

This 8th day of August 2025- We joyfully proclaim that all graduates of the Hilot Binabaylan Training Program from 2016 up to June 18, 2025 are hereby recognized and conferred the title of Master of Ministry in Hilot Binabaylan Practice.

As a mark of this sacred recognition, graduates may now use the honorific suffix “M.Min.HBp”, signifying their credential as Master of Ministry in Hilot Binabaylan Practice.

This recognition is a testament to their dedication, spiritual growth, and mastery of Indigenous Filipino Healing Wisdom as taught through the sacred traditions of Luntiang Aghama and the ministerial guidance of Templong Anituhan.

Furthermore, we are honored to announce that the Hilot Binabaylan Training Program is now officially elevated to an Ecclesiastical Degree in Ministry, forming a foundational path that may lead to the Doctorate Degree in Indigenous Filipino Medicine.

This milestone affirms our commitment to preserving, honoring, and advancing the sacred healing arts of our ancestors, and to empowering future generations of Binabaylan Ministers to serve with wisdom, compassion, and divine purpose.

May this recognition inspire deeper service, healing, and spiritual leadership in our communities.

In the Spirit the Diwata, Engkanto Anito together with our Holy Ancestors, we celebrate this sacred elevation.

🌀 Templong Anituhan Inc.
🌀 Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc.
🌀 Hilot Academy of Binabaylan

🌀 Joint Ecclesiastical Resolution No. 08-08-2025

Templong Anituhan Inc. & Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc.

Subject: Recognition of Hilot Binabaylan Graduates (2016–2025) as Masters in Ministry and Elevation of Training Program to Ecclesiastical Degree Status

WHEREAS, the sacred teachings and practices of Hilot Binabaylan have been faithfully transmitted through the ministerial efforts of Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc. under the spiritual guidance of Templong Anituhan Inc.;

WHEREAS, the graduates of the Hilot Binabaylan Training Program from the year 2016 up to June 18, 2025 have demonstrated mastery in Indigenous Filipino Healing Wisdom and Spiritual Ministry;

WHEREAS, it is the divine will of the Diwata and the ancestral spirits that those who walk the path of healing and service be duly recognized and empowered;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved jointly by Templong Anituhan Inc. and Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc., that:

All graduates of the Hilot Binabaylan Training Program from 2016 to June 18, 2025 are hereby recognized and conferred the ecclesiastical title of Master of Ministry in Hilot Binabaylan Practice.
Said graduates may now officially use the suffix “M.Min.HBp” to signify their credential and spiritual authority in the practice of Hilot Binabaylan Ministry.
Effective January 2026, all individuals seeking enrollment in the Hilot Binabaylan Training Program must submit verifiable credentials proving:
- A healthcare-related educational background, and/or
- Completion of the Ecclesiastical Bachelor’s Degree in Aghamic Divinity and Ministry.
This resolution affirms the elevation of the Hilot Binabaylan Training Program to an Ecclesiastical Degree in Ministry, forming a pathway toward the Doctorate Degree in Indigenous Filipino Medicine.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that this resolution be made known to all affiliated ministers, clergy, and educational institutions under the spiritual jurisdiction of Templong Anituhan Inc. and Bahay SiAdtala Binabaylan Inc.

Signed this 8th day of August, 2025
In the Spirit of the Diwata, Engkanto and Anito

Signed:

Rev. Alvin L. Sentin D.D.Min IFS IFM aka **Lakay Magbaya**

Director on Local Community Affairs Relations

Rev. Rolando G. Comon D.D.Min. IFS IFM aka **APU ADMAN**

Founder/Program Director

📢 Public Advisory: On the Protection of Hilot as a Shared Cultural Heritage

Issued by:
Templong Anituhan ng Luntiang Aghama
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan
In solidarity with Independent Manghihilot Practitioners

🛑 Warning Against Monopolization of Hilot

We issue this advisory to caution any organization, institution, or individual that attempts to monopolize the practice of Hilot by claiming exclusive authority or ownership over this sacred tradition.

Hilot is a shared cultural and spiritual heritage of the Filipino people. It is not a proprietary system, nor can it be restricted to a single group or entity.

⚖️ Legal Basis

The following laws protect the right of all Filipinos to practice Hilot:

1987 Philippine Constitution
- Article XIV, Sections 17–22: Protects indigenous cultural communities and their traditions.
- Article III, Section 5: Guarantees freedom of religion and spiritual practice.
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. 10066 – National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009
- Prohibits the misappropriation or exclusive control of cultural heritage.
Republic Act No. 8423 – Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA)
- Encourages the development of traditional health care without monopolization.

🏛️ Government Agencies and Cultural Institutions Responsible for Oversight

We call on the following agencies to uphold and protect the inclusive practice of Hilot:

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) – Lead agency for cultural heritage protection
National Museum of the Philippines – Preserves and documents Filipino cultural heritage
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) – Conserves historical and intangible heritage
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) – Promotes indigenous languages and cultural expressions
Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD – DOST) – Maintains the TKDL on traditional health knowledge
Department of Health (DOH) – PITAHC – Regulates traditional medicine within the formal health system

📣 Our Stand

We affirm that:

Hilot is a sacred calling, not a commercial brand.
No organization has the legal or moral right to claim exclusive ownership of Hilot.
Manghihilot practitioners, whether PITAHC-certified or not, have the constitutional and ancestral right to practice Hilot in accordance with their traditions.

🤝 Call to Action

We call on:

Government agencies to uphold the rights of traditional healers.
Cultural institutions to protect Hilot as a living heritage.
Communities and practitioners to stand united against exclusion and monopolization.

✍️ Issued this 4th day of August 2025

Rev. Rolando Gomez Comon
Chief Priest, Templong Anituhan ng Luntiang Aghama
Founder/Program Director Hilot Academy of Binabaylan

📰 Hilot is Our Heritage: A Response to the Public Advisory of Traditional Hilot Society, Inc.

🌿 Introduction

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.