Special Feature: Healing Festival, spells Siquijor magic

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, April 8 (PIA) -- It used to be just a customary gathering of healers and herbalists from the island and all over Visayas and Mindanao come together in Holy Week to participate in the preparation of medical potions made from a variety of tree barks, roots, herbs, insects, and other ingredients. 

These are gathered during Fridays of the Lent from the forests, seas, caves and cemeteries. The resulting brews are known to have healing powers. 

Usual or unusual it may seem, it attracted a number of tourists. Foreign and local alike come to the island, especially during the Holy Week either to observe the healing session, or simply need to get healed. 

Today, the provincial government tags it the “Healing Festival” to bring positive twist on the island’s mystical repute. 

Now on its third year, the Healing Festival showcased the alternative and traditional healing methods indigenous to Siquijor. 

These are composed of “Pangalap” or the gathering of the different kinds of herbs for seven Fridays (Feb 24-April 06) of the Lenten season; “Pag-adlep” or chopping of gathered herbs on Maundy Thursday (April 05); and herbal preparation of Cooking by the Cantabon Healers and Herbalists group on Black Saturday (April 7). 

The whole festivity also includes among others, Product Display (herbal medicines and others), “Sikijod” spa massage (Siquijor brand of massage), healing sessions with various healers, and “Bolo-bolo” healing, with some local entertainments. 

It was held at the Bandilaan Mountain View Park, situated at the center of the province that stands 557 feet at its highest point and is surrounded by a 224-hectare man-made forest that is home to endemic fauna and flora and other attractions. 

According to the Provincial Tourism Office, the love potions are the island’s top selling products. They come in a couple of variants, either in oil or non-liquid form, to be stirred with your favorite perfume and cologne. 

It has been said that by rubbing or spraying the mixture on yourself, you will attract good vibes, business luck or the love of your life. 

The love potion is the concoction of 20 specific herbs gathered only during the seven Fridays of lent season. 

Herbal potion, on the other hand, is accordingly what Siquijor’s host of folk healers use for many, many years. It is a especially-brewed medicinal liniment to treat physical ailments, which they believe are either brought about by natural and supernatural causes. 

Each medicinal potion, it is said, contains 200 types of herbal plants, interestingly bear the names of the kind of effect it leaves on people like “tawa-tawa” (laughter), “sumbalik” (return), “Tulay” (connection), “tulog-tulog” (rest, and others.) 

Undoubtedly negative images abound about the island. Just the mention of Siquijor, people are quick to associate the place with mysticism, magic, witchcraft and sorcery – blurring the island’s real beauty and goodness. 

But Siquijor, one should say, is blessed with natural divine beauty – alluring white sand beaches, caves, natural spring,… so that one visitor said she felt static the moment she saw Siquijor. 

“The water was so blue and inviting and the whole coastline was covered with white sand. It truly makes for a great first impression for tourists to this paradise island,” the same visitor said of the inviting waters in Siquijor pier. 

These are but a few of the Siquijor charms. 

Healing Festival, is another. And it’s a kind of festivity that also spells Siquijor magic. Not only because of the healers, herbalists and the potions or the so called “powers” that come with them, but the island itself, that brings healing of one’s body and spirit. 

As one of my favorite impression of Siquijor says: “… Siquijor is more than an island paradise. It is a state of mind, it’s an attitude, a perspective, a lesson in stress management, and a watering hole for the mind and spirit." 

“To say the least, whether you believe in witchcraft or not, the island of Siquijor possesses a kind of magic so enchanting that tourists from all over are enticed to see. Mystifying in every angle, Siquijor is a destination of picturesque sunsets, unexplored coves, and stunning sites just waiting to be discovered.” (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor)