Albularyo

Albularyo (arbularyo, hilot) is a medicine person or a healer in the Philippines. Nowadays it is still an alternative help or even only source of help for sick people in rural areas of the country.

Albularyo treats his/her patients with different herbs, alum, coconut oil and some other natural substances. Several rituals like tapal, lunas, kudlit, pang-kontra, bulong and orasyon are performed. Albularyo combines pagan traditions with some aspects of Christianity. Albularyo are available every day of the week. Some work only tuesdays and fridays. These days coincide with the local Catholic festivities of Santo Niño (Baby Jesus) and the Black Nazarene. Albularyos believe that then they are the best in what they do.