Description

Visit the healers of Siquijor, Philippines

Itinerary for visiting the healers of Siquijor

We get a fairly early start to beat the heat, and the lines of others going to visit the healers, with an 8:30 am pick-up from your hotel. From here, we’ll head to a local bakery to try some of the special bread made only in Siquijor (Pan Visaya) and wash it down with a unique corn-based coffee (Pinagong) which was popularized during World War 2 while food rations were in short supply.

It’s time to make our way to your diagnostic healer (Bolo-Bolo). This is a fascinating practice, which is also said to help start cleansing your spirit and soul. There are very few remaining Bolo-Bolo practitioners on the island, so we are very fortunate to be able to visit one of them for your diagnostic. Your travel guru (guide and translator) will be able to share all the history and information that your healers have to share with you, bringing you even closer to the experience.

Upon completion of your diagnostic, we will travel to the appropriate healer to continue your ‘treatment’ of removing curses, aiding in healing and venturing deeper into the complexities of this ancient practice. The ceremonies will vary depending on the healer you visit, and the type of treatment required, but often include spells, prayers, a special mix of herbs smouldering under your chair (a smoke cleanse), and occasionally a light massage. A special herbal tea may also be used to help with the cleaning of your insides (all organic and non-toxic). Throughout the entire process, your travel guru will guide you through the ceremonies and translate any questions you may have.

Finally, once you have undergone all the healers’ ministrations, we will go for a local traditional meal – Siquijor style. It is often quite difficult to find traditional meals in restaurants, as eating together at home is common practise with Filipinos. Going out for dinner is often a special event, and an opportunity for them to eat food they don’t regularly eat at home, so getting a home-style cooked meal can be near impossible. With a special arrangement with a very special restaurant in Siquijor, they will prepare a home-cooked Siquijor-style meal which isn’t on their regular menu for you.

Finally, with a cleansed soul and a full belly, we will return you to your hotel – happy and blessed.

Who gives you your healings in Siquijor?

There are dozens of healers located all around the island of Siquijor. After vetting nearly all of the healers on the island, we have selected a handful of different types of healers which we feel embody all the ancient traditions and strive to give the best service to those interested in experiencing this ancient practice.

In order to get a proper ‘treatment’, you must first visit a specialized healer who can give you a diagnosis. This is locally known as a Bolo-Bolo healer. There are only a few of them left on the island, so depending on their availability, we will select the convenient Bolo-Bolo practitioner who closest to your pickup location and who is able to see you on the day of your experience.

Upon finishing your Bolo-Bolo treatment, the healer can help suggest what type of further treatments you may be interested in getting. Based on his suggestion, we will visit your next healer to give you your specialized healing ceremony.

What is included in your Healing Experience in Siquijor?

Your healing experience includes:
– information provided before your experience to educate you and properly prepare you
– pick-up and drop-off transfers to your hotel (must be located in Siquijor Island).
Note: We will use a private vehicle to get to the healers, as many are located in the mountains. We will use either a small SUV or a bigger tricycle (converted motorcycles with a carriage) depending on your group size.
– a specially trained and licensed guide who will facilitate your experience
– a fully translated consultation with the healers to discuss what ceremony would best suit you based on your reason for visiting them (may be determined from your first consultation healer).
– all offerings for the ritual
– a traditional healing ritual, performed by various healers in the island.
– food (traditional Filipino lunch, with local treats from Siquijor) to keep your energy levels up

What is not included in your Healer Experience in Siquijor?

– Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
– International flights or transportation to/from the itinerary’s start point
– Accommodation in Siquijor (we suggest Agoda for the best hotel rates)
– Activities not listed in the itinerary
– Meals not listed in the itinerary
– Gratuities and tips
– All drinks
– Spending Money

More information about visiting a healer in Siquijor

Visiting a healer in Siquijor –
The practice of healing through spells and potions has existed on the island of Siquijor for centuries, long before the Islamic and Spanish colonization. Through the ages, it has been passed down from generation to generation, evolving slightly with the surrounding influences, but holding onto its roots.

For quite some time, the island was considered haunted or cursed by other Filipinos, skeptical of the ancient practices, regardless of their adoption of Catholic icons into the practices. It was believed that this was black magic and that those who visited the island would be cursed. That, however, has changed drastically over the past decade, as more information about the healing focus has been revealed. The main boost of popularity came with the awareness of a special Siquijor love potion that made it into the headlines! Now guests from all over the world are coming to visit the healers, though without knowing Visaya (the local dialect spoken here), the healing process can really only be half completed, as you won’t know what is happening, why the rituals are being performed, or what you are supposed to do afterwards.

If you would like to learn about some of the oldest practices still in existence in this part of the Philippines and be part of something sacred, this experience is for you!

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

Every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% (or $1/day per day, per person – whichever is greater) to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Philippines TRIP projects.