Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2020, 8, 72-79
https://www.scirp.org/journal/jss
ISSN Online: 2327-5960
ISSN Print: 2327-5952
DOI: 10.4236/jss.2020.86007 Jun. 5, 2020 72 Open Journal of Social Sciences
Medical Pluralism, Traditional Healing
Practices, and the Partido Albularyo: Challenge
in Inclusion
Niño R. Rebuya
1
, Emy S. Lasarte
2
, Mericia Mila A. Amador
2
1
Tourism Management Department, Partido State University—San Jose Campus, Camarines Sur, Philippines
2
Partido State University—San Jose Campus, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Abstract
Traditional healing is a part of the Filipino culture that has been passed down
through many generations, and is continuously being practiced, especially in
far-flung barrios and barangays in the country. From the old name babaylan,
the traditional healers now operate under various names, such as albularyo,
manghihilot, mangluluop, mangtatawas, and faith healers. They become in-
strumental in ensuring that their kapwa (fellow) receives the health care a
person needs regardless of gender and social status. In this context, this study
traced the existence of traditional healers in the fourth district of the province
of Camarines Sur known as Partido area. It was found that ancient parabulong
in Partido area is commonly called albularyo which is considered as the “gen-
eral practitioner” knowledgeable in most of the folkloric modalities, usually
versed in the use of medicinal herbs and spiritual/supernatural interventions.
Their procedures and rituals were observed with similarities on performing
oràsyon, hilot, and himolso; likewise, with their common healing parapherna-
lia such as lana and kandilâ. Although there are noted differences and similar-
ities on the description of their practices and procedures, these key infor-
mants’ healing practices are all centered to God with a pure intention to cure
one’s illnesses and to be of help to other people. Hence, further studies on the
psychological effects of albularyos and exploring the other features of tradi-
tional healing of Partido area should be conducted and be preserved as part of
the locals’ culture and tradition.
Keywords
Albularyo, Healing Procedures, Medical Pluralism, Traditional Healing
Practices
How to cite this paper: Rebuya, N. R.,
Lasarte, E. S., & Amador, M. M. A. (2020).
Medical Pluralism, Traditional Healing Prac-
tices, and the Partido Albularyo: Challenge in
Inclusion. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 8,
72-79.
https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2020.86007
Received: May 9, 2020
Accepted: June 2, 2020
Published: June 5, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access