mysiquijor.com (Magic-Healers)

The Magic of Siquijor (The Healers)

The Healers

(Mananambals)

Siquijor has many residents that continue to cling to the belief in sorcerers (mambabarangs) and healers (mananambals). Bishop Julito Cortes (a native of Larena) is reported to have said, “Poverty is the main reason why the belief in witches and sorcerers abound. The lifestyles and beliefs of most Siquijodnons remain backward”.

I can easily take this a step further with the inclusion of a sizeable quantity of the general population of the Philippines. Siquijor’s reputation is well known, respected, and occasionally feared by residents of other provinces. To many Filipinos the island is synonymous with sorcery, black magic and voodoo.

In an article that appeared in USA-based Fate Magazine (Sept. 1985) entitled “Island of Sorcerers,” author James McClenon said, “ Of the respondents interviewed by the graduate students from Silliman University (located in Dumaguete), 69% believed that sorcery is practiced in Siquijor island and 73% said they were afraid of it. Only 10% believed that sorcerers could cause disease and death.”

People searching for a release from what they believe are curses also view the island as a source of hope. Among the Siquijor healers’ best-known clients are commonly believed to be former first lady Imelda Marcos. Some people suffering from a serious illness or affliction also search the island for a cure.

A substantial number of healers travel to Siquijor from other provinces to obtain medicinal plants. I have been told that some of the plants are only available on Siquijor. Also there have been claims that the medicinal plants found on Siquijor are more potent than the ones found elsewhere.

During Holy Week’s “Witches Festival” mananambals from near and far converge in Siquijor to gather the ingredients for their potions. The annual event is concluded with dancing and an exclusive ritual in a secluded cave at dawn.

The National Statistics Office noted that in 2000, 79.5% or 64,870.41 of its 81,598 population lived below the poverty line. This means that seven out of 10 people in Siquijor are poor. Because of less access to health facilities, healing by alternative medicine as practiced by folk practitioners is widely resorted to by locals in lieu of modern medicine. Consequently, the mananambal or healer, has long been the refuge of many on the island.

Many have contributed Siquijor’s low crime rate to these beliefs. Some are convinced that if they cause harm to others, the targeted person(s) can seek the assistance of a mambabarang and hurt or kill them.

Undoubtedly the most famous of all of the Siquijor’s healers (mananambals) is Juan Ponce of San Antonio. Juan is one of approximately 40 - 50 healers that call the province of Siquijor home. It has been a few years since I first met Juan. Our last meeting was during February of 2004. It is always a pleasure to see Juan. And it is always a pleasure, as well as a relief, to see his daughter (Tata) who serves as an excellent english language translator. Though Juan's 86 years on this earth is becoming increasingly obvious, he still is quite agile and alert.

During a visit in 2002 I asked Juan, "If there was one thing that he could tell the entire world that would be beneficial to all mankind, what would it be?" After a lapse of what appeared to me as a considerable length of time he smiled and spoke two words, "more exercise".

Though I am not a devout “heal thy self” follower, I am convinced the belief yields positive results. The human mind is definitely a powerful entity. If you are wondering if the powers of the Siquijor mananambals will work for you, you be the judge. At a minimum, the experience is one that you will not soon forget.

Siquijor Gary