The Power of Faith Healing: Personal Experiences of the Locals in Poblacion, Amadeo, Cavite

Authors

  • Aila Vertudez

Keywords:

faith healing, bating nuno, lamig, bali, black magic

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Faith healing, recourse to divine power to cure mental or physical disabilities, either in conjunction with orthodox medical care or in place, became the focus of pilgrimages for sufferers (Augustyn, et. al., 2018). Hundreds of years ago, our forefathers relied on traditional healing methods to cure maladies, heal wounds andrecover from sicknesses (Russell, 2012).Large cities in the Philippines like Manila and Cebu have up-to-date medical services, but the vast rural areas in provinces suffer from lack of modern medical services. In Cavite Province, faith healers are calledAlbularyos who cure patients' mental and physical problems and often give herbs, do oracions and massages to treat people (Tangelder, 1982).The study focused on the personal experiences of the locals in Poblacion, Amadeo, Cavite when they consulted faith healers.

 

METHODS

This is qualitative research. Data gathered by conducting an interview with twelve (12) respondents, one from each barangay in Poblacion, Amadeo, Cavite who consulted in faith healers.

 

RESULTS

All of the 12 informants stated that faith healing is effective and safe. These informants sought help from faith healers for their illnesses like Bating Nuno which are caused by the dwarves and fairies, bali or sprains, lamig or muscle pain, lagnat or fever, and witchcraft or black magic.Six informants said that they consulted faith healers because their illness was believed to be caused by Bating Nuno or dwarves and fairies, two of the informants mentioned that they sought help from faith healers because they had bali or sprains, while the other two was caused by lamig or muscle pain. One informant said that she consulted a faith healer because she had an eye problem, but when she went to a medical doctor, she was informed that there was nothing wrong with her eye. The said informant decided to consult a faith healer and was told that her eye problem was caused by witchcraft or black magic. The eye problem was treated and the informant felt relief.

 

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the study, 12 respondents from Poblacion, Amadeo, Cavite were healed by the faith healer by doing different rituals and by giving them alternative medicines. These informants sought help from faith healers because of their beliefs and economic status. There must be information dissemination through blogs to share the power of faith healing and to enlighten the perception of other people who do not accept the practice of faith healing. 

Published

2019-01-18