REDISCOVER THE SANTIGUAR IN BICOL

 Santigwar: The Healing Tradition in Bicol

Santigwar, a traditional healing practice in Bicol, combines both diagnostic and therapeutic methods used by albularyos (traditional healers). The term originates from the Latin word “santificare” and the Spanish word “santiguar”, meaning to make the sign of the cross while praying. This ritual is deeply rooted in Bicolano culture, blending indigenous beliefs with influences from Catholicism introduced by the Spanish colonizers.

Diagnostic Techniques
In Santigwar, albularyos use three main methods to diagnose illnesses:

1. Wax and Water Method: A metal ladle with a lit candle is used to melt wax, which is then dripped into a bowl of water while an oracion (prayer) is recited. The shapes formed in the water reveal the cause of the illness, such as an aggrieved spirit (tawo), heart-related problems, or witchcraft (kulam).
2. Oil and Paper Method: A lit candle is used to burn a piece of paper over a bowl of oil, with the shapes formed in the oil providing insight into the illness.
3. Egg and Water Method: An egg is cracked into a transparent jar of water, and the shapes that appear are interpreted by the healer to diagnose the patient’s condition.

Therapeutic Procedures
Santigwar also serves as a therapeutic practice, where the albularyo may enter a state of divination or possession to communicate with or appease the spirits responsible for the illness. This involves rituals aimed at healing the patient through spiritual intervention.

Complementary Practices
Albularyos also use other diagnostic tools, such as plastic, paper, or leaves combined with oil, to identify affected body parts. If these items stick to a specific area, it indicates that the area requires treatment, usually through hilot (traditional massage).

Healing Methods
The albularyos’ healing methods combine spirituality, rituals, and ethnomedicine. Common therapeutic practices include:

1. Oracion (Prayer): Written prayers are applied to the affected area or burned and mixed with water for the patient to drink.
2. Hilot and Oil: Traditional massage with oil, often accompanied by whispered prayers.
3. Tulod (Offering): Ritual offerings to appease aggrieved spirits.
4. Ugbas (Betel Quid): A mixture of betel leaves, betel nut, tobacco, and crushed seashells applied to the affected area to treat illnesses caused by mystical elements.
5. Herbal Remedies: Albularyos also use a variety of herbs and traditional recipes to treat different ailments, reflecting the deep connection between Bicolano healing practices and nature.

Santigwar

 In the Bicol region of the Philippines, the term "santiguar" refers to a traditional practice deeply rooted in indigenous beliefs and Spanish influence, often associated with the term "ipapatawas." This ritual is a form of faith healing aimed at diagnosing and curing ailments believed to be caused by unseen beings or spirits.

The word "santiguar" comes from the Spanish term meaning "to bless" or "to make the sign of the cross." It has been adapted into Bicolano culture to describe at least two distinct practices of talado (divination). These practices are typically embedded within larger healing rituals, which aim to identify the supernatural causes of an illness and to offer remedies to the afflicted person.

Two Forms of Santiguar:

1. Egg Divination: In this form, the healer begins by offering prayers and invoking guiding spirits. The ritual involves an inverted latok (wooden plate) or an old white pinggan (porcelain plate), upon which an egg is made to balance on its end. This delicate balance is sometimes aided by an old coin placed under the edge of the plate. As the healer silently utters various possible causes of the illness, the moment the egg balances is taken as an indication of the correct cause. To further confirm this, the egg is cracked open into a glass of water, and the healer reads the formation and consistency of the egg's contents. This reading helps determine the specific steps required to heal the person or appease the offended spirits.

2. Lambon Ritual: The second form of santiguar involves the use of a lambon, a shroud that covers the sick person. The individual extends a hand out from beneath the lambon, and if the illness is believed to be due to a spirit dwelling within the person, the healer presses a key or other pointed object into the tip of the forefinger (tammudo). During this process, the healer engages in a dialog with the spirit, which is believed to speak through the person covered by the lambon. Following this interaction, the healer administers the necessary remedies to expel the spirit or cure the illness.

Santiguar is more than just a healing practice; it is a reflection of the Bicolanos' deep connection to both their indigenous roots and the Spanish colonial influences that have shaped their spiritual practices. It embodies the community's respect for the unseen forces and the belief that harmony must be maintained with the spirit world to ensure good health and well-being.

In modern times, while some may view these practices as mere superstition, they continue to play a significant role in the cultural and spiritual life of many in the Bicol region, preserving a link to the past and offering comfort and hope to those in need of healing.