Cover A healing session taking place in native healer Annie's home (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
A healing session taking place in native healer Annie's home (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
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Before the Lunas Pilipinas HEARTH summit in Siquijor, we discuss themes of intergenerational healing and ecological belonging
Long before the Spaniards set foot on the island, the inhabitants of Siquijor Island were practising healing rituals deeply rooted in their environment. Even when Catholicism eventually reached their shores, they integrated the religion into their way of life. It was natural to sit at the intersection of native Filipino spirituality and the Catholic faith. But in a deeply Catholic country, such behaviour is considered taboo.
Yet with its lush forests and pristine beaches, it is easy to see why Siquijor Island enamours inhabitants and tourists. Such an atmosphere effortlessly carves out a space for mindful healing to occur. Amid the hustle and bustle of city life, people may seek alternative ways to unwind.
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Above A healing session being held in a native healer's home (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
A healing session being held in a native healer's home (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
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The faith healers of Siquijor have long relied on natural and supernatural means to cure people of their ailments. They were born out of necessity: long ago, no hospitals existed on the island. As a result, different types of healers emerged. Some gather herbs, roots, and bark before turning them into potions and ointments. Others use prayers to heal people. But most interesting of all are the bolo-bolo healers, who use a glass of water and a stone to cleanse people’s impurities.
To understand the native spiritualists of Siquijor island, Tatler sits down with Macy Lee, who heads the mental health organisation Talang Dalisay. The organisation seeks to destigmatise mental health through staging photo exhibits, writing children’s books, and hosting workshops at public and private schools.
Now, Talang Dalisay is partnering with the Siquijor Healers Association, We Govern Institute, and Keeping it 100 Solutions to host the Lunas Pilipinas HEARTH Summit on Siquijor Island, which focuses on cultivating inner well-being among changemakers. This includes tackling the themes of ecological belonging and intergenerational wellness. Before the summit begins, we ask Lee to discuss their experiences with the healers in Siquijor, whose compassionate wisdom brings native Filipino spirituality to the forefront.
Above Incense flowing through the air during a healing session ((Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
Incense flowing through the air during a healing session ((Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
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The Wellbeing Project is a global network that encourages different regional institutions to discuss the role of improving mental health in catalysing collective action. At the same time, they highlight the importance of nurturing one’s well-being. “When you’re an organiser and leader, it can be time-consuming as you see the bigger picture,” said Lee. “You sometimes forget that you’re a part of that ecosystem, too, and you should prioritise yourself. But the summit reminds people that you can’t lead a community if you don’t have time to grow as a sage. It takes a long time for you to absorb lessons from your craft and find better ways to lead.”
Dr. Annalisa Enrile and Dr. Theresa Castillo attended the inaugural North America Wellbeing Summit last year when they were inspired to bring the summit to Siquijor. Siquijor was already a popular tourist destination for its healing opportunities, and uniting those practices with the Wellbeing Project’s distinctive approach seemed a natural next step.
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Above Some of the healing oils that Annie created (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
Some of the healing oils that Annie created (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
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“After colonisation, our relationship with our environment changed drastically,” says Lee. “People started leaning more toward Catholicism for emotional and spiritual support. But the upcoming summit doesn’t want to push away Filipinos’ religiosity; it’s more of destigmatising the ability to be religious and spiritual at once.”
To prepare for the summit, Lee travelled to Siquijor to speak with native spiritualists like Annie, the leader of the Siquijor Healers Association. Her bookshelves were strewn with homemade healing oils and statues of Jesus, Mother Mary, and St Joseph. “I am religious and spiritual,” she tells Lee. “I wish more Filipinos leaned into this, as both things help me lead a better life.”
As a bolo-bolo healer, Annie engages in a distinctive spiritual cleansing method. She fills a glass with clear lake water and rocks before gently blowing on it and moving it around the person she is healing. Immediately after, the water becomes cloudy. This removes the negative energy that has been removed from the person, allowing them to breathe more freely.
After witnessing this practice, Lee asked how Annie maintained her well-being when taking on other people's struggles. “I have to remind myself that I’m a medium and not a sponge,” Annie replied. For Lee, the healers build a strong foundation of care for one other that still encourages their individual growth. Therein lies the focus of the Lunas Pilipinas HEARTH Summit: learning to balance healing others and nurturing oneself.
Above Various religious figures that can be seen in the healer's home (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
Various religious figures that can be seen in the healer's home (Photo: Macy Castañeda Lee)
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The Philippines’ deep reliance on Catholicism is intertwined with its familial culture. While this gives rise to strong connections among Filipinos, it also means that the impacts of intergenerational trauma often go unaddressed for fear of upsetting the status quo.
With the upcoming Hearth Summit, Lee hopes Filipinos can become more open to the arduous yet necessary work of healing inherited trauma. “It’s up to us if we want to be honest with ourselves and face those experiences.”
This doesn’t just impact individual well-being but also one’s efforts to make widespread change. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this community work if I hadn’t worked on myself first. As I became more stable, I had more time and space in my mind to make more changes externally.”
There are many ways to achieve mental well-being, and the methods vary from person to person. This summit encourages people to approach their unique healing journey with a gentle curiosity rooted in the Philippines’ rich history of healing practices.
For more information, visit Talang Dalisay’s Facebook page and The Lunas Pilipinas HEARTH Summit website or Instagram account.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
