Hilot: The Science of the Ancient Filipino Healing Art

By Bibiano S. Fajardo and Ma. Aleli V. Pansacola

The Filipino healing tradition called hilot has spanned undocumented ages—handed down from generation to generation by the Filipino sages, the albularyos. . . . This book is an eye opener to the Filipino people, who can now talk about their culture with pride, and to the scientific community, as a framework for them to take a second look. For the modern world and its problem of chronic illnesses, hilot is a definite alternative that stands equal to the other healing modalities in the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9789712728976

Book preview

HILOT

The Science of the Ancient Filipino Healing Arts

Bibiano S. Fajardo, Ph.D

Maria Aleli V. Pansacola

ANVILLOGOBLACK2

Hilot: The Science of the Ancient Filipino Healing Arts

by Bibiano S. Fajardo, Ph.D. and Ma. Aleli V. Pansacola

Copyright to this digital edition © 2013 by

Bibiano S. Fajardo, Ma. Aleli V. Pansacola and Anvil Publishing, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owners.

Published and exclusively distributed by

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Cover design by Martin Malabanan

Interior design by Berinice I. Zamora

ISBN 9789712728976 (e-book)

To my wife, Merle,

for embracing the pursuit of my passion to learn healing,

for understanding my long absences,

and taking over the guidance of our children without complaint.

To my children,

Leoncio LJ, Ma. Gracia Bubbles, and Ma. Antonia Tonya

for standing by me.

To my brother Ladislao Ding,

sisters Adela Nena, Josefina Josie, Vicentita Tita,

for their patience and perseverance.

To my parents,

Avelino and Teodorica Fajardo,

I am forever indebted.

Finally, to Ma. Aleli Pansacola,

the godmother of my hilot career,

for her unceasing support in my learning.

To Myla, Einez, Ilie, Marcel, Claire, Joser and John,

Jun, Blanca and Luis,

Eileen and Sofia

—my inspirations.

To Virgilio and Leoning Pansacola

—my mentors

To Bibiano

—for sharing the ancient philosophy

to live by, and to work on.

And most of all,

to my Patron and Guide

—the Universal Mother,

for the handholding in this lifetime.

To the many gentle souls who have inspired our journey:

Bibiano’s colleagues, Mang Emong Gonzales, Col. Pedro Bangit, Mabini Ramos; Mr. Agrifino Maranan, Lola Titay and her children—Ka Eseng, Pareng Tirso, Tina, Aning, Stella, Majin, Iloy, and Linda; Inang Goring, the spiritual leader of UNACAED and the last known channel of the Santong Boses in Mt. Banahaw; the youth of UNACAED Centro General lead by Ching Villaran; the San Pablo UNACAED—Manolo Fule, Tommy, Romy, Ka Ereng Reyes, and the two Ernings; and to all fellow manghihilot and mga albularyo who shared their teachings, wisdom, and life experiences.

Boy and Maria Montelibano, Jeannie Javelosa, and all in the Banahaw Group of the 1980’s for challenging our interest and knowledge in hilot, spirituality, mysticism, occultism, and other isms in the industry.

Roberto Berting Gutierrez, Mabini Ramos of Imus, Cavite, Ka Felix of Cardona, Rizal, my mentors in anting-anting, oracion, Banahaw spirituality and co-travelers in the Filipino mystical path.

Aleli Agoncillo-Quirante, Ph.D. for introducing hilot to the academe and for inspiring my search for the science behind it; Josef de Ubaldo, NSc., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., FRNM, our editorial consultant.

The late Maximo Kalaw Jr. and our Philippine Institute of Alternative Futures (PIAF) colleagues for the most interesting times in service to the community; Riza and her husband, Frank Regis; Patty Araneta; Pat and Claudette Rosal; Lee Anasco, Maraya Chebat, Sixto Roxas, Vic Magsaysay, and the many volunteers both from PIAF and Haribon who walked and talked their advocacy on the environment and health when no one was interested to listen.

Our co-travellers in the spiritual Journey—Rolando Carbonel, Jaime Licauco, Rene and Pining Arcilla, Agnes Prieto, Lyvia Martinez, Bhakti, Lucito de Jesus, Elmo Angeles, Malou Lamoste, Ed and Mely Angeles, Mariel Francisco, Dr. Francis Santamaria and the Chakra Group, the Michaelic Group, PSI Alumni’s, Brookside Haven, Ding, Jun and Flor Ganap of Cavite.

Our untiring partners in the Athag’s Hilot advocacy— Goody Esguerra, Arthur Kho and the Athag Hilot Center family with Eisa Rufino, Mila Cojeda, Vivien Virata-Canilao, Karisse Alzola, Karen Reyes, Minda Cojeda; and the current set of Athag therapists—Jen, Mariflor, Marife, Maricel, Yoly, and Jenny.

Magela Gesultura, Ramon Pasicolan, Jr., Anthony Picart, Edwin Resultay, Joyce de Castro, JP and Jen Santos, and the Daila family both in Pasig and in Mojon, Laguna.

From the government—Congressman Hermilando Mandanas, Governor Carmencita Reyes, and Governor Wilfredo Enverga, Mayor Eduardo Dimacuja, who listened and understood the relevance of hilot, which they shared with their constituents; the Office of Sen. Manuel Villar for supporting the launch of Athag’s Hilot and Herbal Program in Batangas.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for recognizing the potential of our advocacy—Tess Oyson, most specially for discovering us; Jason Lao, Tess Loring, and Che Pelo for championing our cause; Elizabeth Inton, Beth Manuel, and the staff of Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC); CITEM’s Malou Mediran, Elvie Borje, and Jessica Genovea; Department of Foreign Affairs’ Edcel Custudio and others in government who recognized our sincerity.

Co-champions in Industry—Chamber of Herbal Industry of the Philippines Inc. (CHIPI) and its members; Spa Association of the Philippines (SAPI) and its members.

Our foreign supporters—Adou Nioupin of Ivory Coast, John Limmen of Netherlands, Omar Pangarungan and Rowen Solevilla of Muscat; David Dichter, Ben Milano of TIPS WINNER and others.

Our editors, Julius Deslate and Ofel Santos; Dr. Roberto Eleazar for professionalizing the language; and our layout artist, Berinice I. Zamora. All of them worked beyond their responsibilities.

Bibiano’s lifetime friends—Jimmy Castañeda, Ricardo Pinto, Rene Villasin, Willy Bangit, Jun Roque, and Serge Capistrano.

Aleli’s family—Rommel and Fe, Jonathan and Virgie, Riza and Frank Regis, Anna, Nancy and Dominador Masakayan, and the Pansacola e-group; Aleli’s special friends—Malou Lamoste, Babette Jose, Vicente Banaag, Roberto Vicente, and Manuel V. Del Rosario.

Our associates in the herbal industry—William Tieng and the Solar Group of Companies; Carol Villegas and Herbs and Nature; Eco-Market, Echo Store, and all those who supported our efforts when no one else saw its relevance.

Many might have been missed. Know that it is not intentional. You are all part of our prayers.

Foreword

Bibiano S. Fajardo: The Path to Healing

Introduction

Part 1 Hilot: Filipino Traditional Healing

Chapter 1 Definitions

Chapter 2 Mount Banahaw, The Seat of Filipino Traditional Healing

Chapter 3 Hilot Philosophy

Chapter 4 Hilot Concept of Health

Part 2 The Scientific Framework of Hilot

Chapter 5 Healing Methodology

Chapter 6 Scientific Framework of Hilot

Chapter 7 Hilot and Herbal Application

Chapter 8 Common Causes of Illnesses

Chapter 9 Indigenous Illnesses

Part 3 Hilot in the 21st Century

Chapter 10 TAMA Act

Chapter 11 ATHAG, The Advocacy

References

Glossary

List of Figures

1 Cultural Idioms, Elements and Their Manifestations

2 Map of Pwestos in Mount Banahaw

3 Rotation of Atoms and Planets

4 The Three Aspects of Man

5 Four Entry Points in Healing

6 The Biochemical Process in the Body

7 Example of Electricity Breaking Down Molecules in Simple Electrolysis Reactions

8 Altering the Electromagnetic Field Through Sound

9 Hilot Areas (Front)

10 Hilot Areas (Back)

List of Tables

1 The Human Faculties

2 The Elements and Anatomical Components

3 Descriptions of Good Health Conditions and Corresponding Advice

4 Manifestations of Inputs and Outputs

5 Common Herbs Endemic in the Philippines

Appendices

A Sources on Hilot Philosophy and Concepts

B The Making of An Albularyo

C Republic Act No. 8423

D Cordillera Tribal Healer

E Muslim of Southern Philippines

F How to Make a Tawas

G Healing in Action

By Jose Boy Montelibano

It is not easy to write the foreword of a book that contains the sum total of a man’s experiences, knowledge and insights. That the man is Bibiano Boy Fajardo, a friend, a wise man, and most of all, a good man, makes my task even more daunting.

Bibiano Fajardo and I are magkatukayo, sharing the same nickname. But being katukayo is much more than just having the same nickname, which a million more Filipino males may also have. But sharing the same name as travelers in a common journey made it all the more special.

Together, we walked the mountain trails, crossed streams and great rivers, watched the waves kiss the shores of a beloved motherland. We were immersed with Filipinos of all kinds, each one unique. It was a period of togetherness and I was blessed to have encountered in Bibiano Fajardo a spirit, a mind, and hands that awed me with their depth, their freedom and their power. Truly, even Bibiano Fajardo knows a divine plan had ordained a potential uniqueness for each human being, and that his gift of healing came with his existence. Boy knows healing is a calling he answered with enthusiasm and, at many times in his life, with great courage.

A professional grounded on fact and science would not lightly proclaim another dimension of one reality without raising eyebrows and stirring tongues of those possibilities inherent in an immeasurable existence, but Boy is a chemical engineer.

The healing traditions of our ancestors are not quackery. The fact that all of us have arrived in this period of time is incontrovertible evidence that there was wisdom in all generations, more than enough to nourish life from one age to another. Modern medicine, as we know it today, is but a drop of experience, lacking in validation as yet, in the context and length of human existence. At the same time, what was there in the past may have already served its purpose.

Being part of history does not guarantee its superiority— unless it proves to be so. Hilot is one such example. It is part of a past that we can be proud of, and it continues to be part of a present because its benefits transcend time. When modern medicine began its domination, hilot took a back seat, practiced only in areas that could not be reached nor afford treatment and medicine from doctors and chemicals. However, hilot persisted and is about to find a renaissance brought by a new wave of health consciousness through natural means.

Bibiano Fajardo’s gift of healing flows through hilot. It is enhanced because the natural gift was matched with serious observation and reflection over decades of personal healing experiences. Hilot makes use of herbs. Hilot and herbs always work as constant partners in bringing patients back to health.

Healing starts from the spirit then it flows toward physical manifestation. So is Bibiano’s gift of healing. It is the wisdom of our race, distilled and represented in the wisdom of Bibiano Fajardo that expresses itself in how he diagnoses and heals.

The book of Bibiano Fajardo, by its words, cannot simply describe the healing wisdom of our ancestors. The reader has to challenge himself/herself to reach beyond the meaning of the words to the spirit of the author. Healing is least expressed in words, but Bibiano Fajardo has to use words and books to leave a footprint, which others before him, and generations after him, can see, and wonder how a giant have walked.

Roots and Early Years

Bibiano Fajardo was born in Pura, Tarlac, a Central Luzon province landlocked by sugar cane and rice plantations, and bounded by the hills and mountains of Zambales and the great Sierra Madre Mountains of Eastern Luzon. He was hardly noticed among five siblings. More concerned with satisfying his curiosity than aiming for high standards of education, young Bibiano was a cause of frustration to his parents. He was the rebellious one, quietly going his own way, doing his own thing.

His interest in herbal medicine started at a young age. He would help his uncle prepare herbal dressings for the annual summer circumcision in Malabon, Rizal. During hunting trips in the Aeta communities of Capas, Tarlac, he learned the art of survival in the mountains, identification and use of indigenous herbs used for first aid, treating illnesses and mosquito, insect, or snake bites.

He grew up with a dual perspective on health. On his father’s side was a family of doctors. His uncle, Dr. Miguel Canizares, personal doctor of President Manuel L. Quezon, was the founder of Quezon Institute for Tuberculosis, and Drs. Luis and Gonzalo Santos

Reviews for Hilot

[Micheala Sanders · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was a brief explanation of Filipino healing arts with the help of science and scientific theories. Then it was mostly about how they revived the culture for tourism and as a way of income for the culture... It gets pretty wordy about the origins of associations.

[tm5cy5dnvh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book for people who wants to know what is hilot. All the precise explanation are here

[tim bart · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Healing modalities are the talk of the town, but none so new and unusual as Filipino Hilot. A great read for anyone interested in Traditional Asian Medicine and healing.