Mystics in Cagayan: A skeptic’s journey to belief in traditional healing

In the Philippines, the wisdom of traditional healers such as mangtatawas, manggagamot, and manghihilot has been an enduring part of the cultural landscape. For many, these figures offer guidance and healing beyond modern medicine, bridging the mystical and the medical field.

For a Manileño like Willie, a local healer’s influence had become life-changing—turning him into a firm believer in traditional medicine.

As someone who had always trusted science, he never imagined seeking the help of a healer. But when his youngest daughter suffered from a persistent flu that defied conventional treatment, his desperation led him to Anti Susing, a popular manggagamot in Alcala, Cagayan.

Though she never claims to be a healer herself, her rituals and insights have earned the respect of the natives and soon, Willie’s.

Gradual turning point

“My mother-in-law insisted we visit her,” Willie recalled in an interview with Malikmata. “I was skeptical, but at that point, I was willing to try anything.”

Guided by his sister-in-law, Willie found himself outside a humble home across from the local high school. As he stepped inside, he watched with curiosity and doubt as Anti Susing performed a ritual involving uncooked rice grains dropped into a water basin.

“She observed the grains closely and pointed out a shape,” Willie recounted. “Then she asked if we had a tree in our backyard and if my children played near it.”

When Willie confirmed this, Anti Susing explained that his daughter might have unknowingly disturbed duwende (dwarves). It is believed in Filipino folklore to inhabit trees, sometimes causing illness when agitated.

Following her advice, Willie performed a simple ritual at sunset, scattering rice around the base of the tree while uttering the words “Kayu-kayu, bari-bari”—a traditional apology to unseen spirits.

What happened next left him in awe.

“Not long after, my daughter’s fever broke,” Willie said. “It was like a switch had flipped. That night, she slept soundly for the first time in days.”

The experience reshaped Willie’s view of traditional healing. Though he still valued modern medicine, he no longer dismissed the cultural wisdom that had guided generations before him.

“From that day on, I’ve brought my kids to Anti Susing whenever they fall ill,” he admitted. “I don’t know how it works, but I’ve seen it work. And there’s no harm in believing.”

The Enduring Power of Tradition

Traditional healing’s influence extends beyond individual miracles—it embodies a cultural legacy that fosters communal identity and respect for the unseen forces in Filipino folklore. 

Whether or not science can validate such methods, healers like Anti Susing provide reassurance, reinforcing the belief that healing can come from many sources.

For Willie, what began as desperation became conviction. His story is a testament to the power of tradition, proving that sometimes, belief itself can be the greatest remedy of all.

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