Filipinos are experiencing more stress and burnout. Can traditional treatments provide adequate relief?
One of the tenets of Filipino health is Ginhawarefers to a state in which mind, body, and spirit are in harmony. GinhawaFor Filipinos, health goes far beyond Western concepts of health. It is a holistic concept that integrates the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental aspects of individuals and their communities.
The cheerful and easy-going nature of Filipinos often masks signs of stress and trauma. Filipinos are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, annual natural disasters, and an unprecedented surge in workforce burnout. Those seeking relief from the daily hustle and bustle should remember that our own traditional healing practices may be the answer to finding it. Ginhawa.
Among the many approaches to Filipino health are: Hilota highly intuitive touch therapy that removes energy imbalances and achieves new states of health.
present day Mangihiroto (practitioners of Hilot) is rooted in an older, more specific variation. Pangihira,here, Mangihiroto Soak a material like a banana leaf in coconut oil and whisper a prayer into it. The patient receives a deep tissue massage with upward, circular, or downward strokes. The substance is applied lightly to different areas of the body to see where it sticks, thereby identifying the area of the disease. Usually it’s a strain, sprain, or congestion.
“When our ancestors spoke of ‘health,’ they didn’t just mean physiological health, but the well-being of the whole human being.”
Rem Cenillo, spa manager at The Farm, a holistic health resort in San Benito. Mangihiroto Accurately read a person’s current health status using all five senses. “This is what we call a body scan, and it’s part of the diagnosis. You have to feel their body temperature, talk to them, listen to their voice and tone,” said Ceñillo, who comes from a family. says. Mangihiroto It runs for generations. “Sometimes you have to smell the acid in the patient’s body.”
When people ask for something, Mangihiroto, the healer’s energy must remove impurities. Seniglio said patients are at their most vulnerable when under the guidance of a physician. Mangihirototouch.
“Complete silence is needed. You are surrendering and giving up. This means you are welcoming whatever energy is available around the space. Place distractions around you to channel the energy. We don’t want to taint the transmission of the data,” he elaborates.of MangihirotoTherefore, human energy is essential for the restoration of human health, and it is their task to restore the balance of the four natural elements of the human body. The importance of the four natural elements of fire, water, earth, and air predates modern times. MangihirotoTraditional folk healers approached humans as if they were their own universe.
Corresponding to these elements are mythical environmental spirits, locally called: encanto.in his book The Science of Ancient Filipino Healing Art, Bibiano Fajardo explains how diseases are caused by imbalances in the elements of the body. Therefore, too much or too little of either element is the root cause of disease.
In remote barrios, traditional Filipino folk healers now practice under different names and specialties. Albulalho, Mangihiroto, Mangle Luop, Mantatawasand faith healers.
Commercial misconceptions include: Hilot This is another way to relax and is billed throughout the spa menu, which offers shiatsu, Thai or Swedish massages. Fajardo said in an interview, “This is not a massage. , means the well-being of the whole person. This includes our mental and emotional health. ”
Traditional healing practices remain in great demand in Philippine society as they provide an easy yet alternative way of health for everyday Filipinos.many Mangihiroto Folk medicine is considered the main livelihood in rural areas. We typically do not charge patients, but we accept donations of all values and types. Women healers in indigenous communities also see their practice not as a means but as fundamental and essential to maintaining social harmony.
obtain wealth.
For patrons and practitioners of folk medicine in the Philippines, the health status of community members is indicative of the overall well-being of the community. Conversely, disharmony with the environment and social disorder lead to eventual illness and death in the community.
Similarly, Mr. Ceniglio argues that modern Mangihiroto We must treat patients with the utmost humility. “We should be grateful for the opportunity to bring healing to those in need.” He alludes to her grandmother, who herself is a traditional believer. Mangihiroto. “She is not asking for any payment. Hilot it is one of the sincere forms
Healing. ”
Rajel Roxas. Photographed by Kieran Punai.
