by Jerico Villamonte
First of all, good news to us pensioners of SSS and GSIS! The House has backtracked on the move (through a Maharlika Fund to be created by law). In the meantime, our hard-earned pensions are safe from being “invested.”
Thank you for speaking up against this nefarious plan, business groups, former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, columnists and commentators, and us ordinary citizens . Thank you honorable members of the House for hearing the outcries!
Let’s hope this development is final.
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Happy news too! In Manila, the Post Office building has been lit up in Christmas colors, led by postmaster general Norman Fulgencio. It was wonderful of him to feed the streets kids after the lighting ceremony! Check out the historical building after dark.
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The International Institute of Sustainable Tourism in Silang, Cavite has something interesting coming up! This is the Hilot Philippines Development Center (HPDC), a training and healing center that aims to promote “hilo” as a part of Philippine traditional medicine. It aims to highlight the regional skills of the Filipinos in terms of practice and application of hilot.
The kind of hilot that the center will provide will reflect the indigenous culture of our Filipino ancestors. HPDC is an attached Center of International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST). HPDC is headed by a competent team who believes in alternative medicines and traditional healing techniques. It is chaired is Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan and vice-chaired by Dr. Isidro Sia, former executive director of PITAHC. Also leading the HPDC team are former DSWD secretary Corazon De Leon and former DOT Secretary Mina Gabor, among others.
What is hilot? Simply put, it is massaging by hand? It dates as far back as the pre-colonial days in the Philippines. Both a science and an art, it is grounded on an ancient Filipino belief that health is based on a balance of the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a person.
The hilot or healer relies on the use of manipulations, and medicinal plants to prevent or cure disease, as well as to restore and maintain health and wellbeing.
For more than eight years, the HPDC team studied the hilot healing techniques to develop the corresponding curriculum for the Hilot Center. They examined the most common techniques and developed a course designed to highlight the more than 30 linguistic hilot techniques known all over the Philippines.
The training will begin next year with classes limited to 30 so proper attention is given to each student. HPDC has determined six levels of competency the students need to master the hilot treatments. Here is a list of the treatments included in the modalities of hilot,
- Touch manipulation and complementary hilot treatments
- Water healing technique
- Remedial hilot, which consists of techniques in handling the special needs of clients
- Traditional wellness diagnosis
- Business management that will equip the manghihilot with skills, knowledge, and attitude to earn a living through hilot
- Trainors /Training certification program
One of HPDC’s goals is to certify competent and qualified trainers to teach those aspiring to become hilot providers in accordance to PITHC /HPDC training standards.
“Hilot Pinoy is not only for relaxation but for healing too as most of us natives know,” says Dr. Gabor. “Hilot has been used for centuries by our ancestors as treatment for various ailments.”
There are several local plants and herbs, including fruit-bearing trees like bamboo and banana leaf used in hilot. Hilot healing services also include drinks and meals to supplement the needs of the guests in a hilot massage program.
Most spas today carry all of our neighboring countries’ massage techniques. We look to the day when hilot will be the main attraction for guests local and foreign.
The Hilot Center will be launched on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. in Silang Cavite.
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