DO YOU BELIEVE that, amid the age of technology and the continuous expansion of knowledge in medical practice, there are still people who prefer to treat their illnesses through traditional faith healing?
In the Philippines, faith healers play a significant role in the community, especially in rural areas where they provide services rooted in traditional healing practices. Known by various names, faith healers and their practices date back to the pre-Hispanic period.
As religion and nature intertwine in this tradition, what are their practices this Holy Week, which is a salient observance in the Christian faith?
And, most importantly, how are they in modern times?
Danilo Saladero, or Nong Danny to most, is a 62-year-old married resident of Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay, Iloilo.
Nong Danny could no longer count how many patients sought his help in the 36 years he has been a faith healer.
He is not only known for his practice in the city and province of Iloilo but also the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Capiz in Panay Island.
Nong Danny adapts to technology, too! Many have been contacting him through Facebook, inviting him to places and healing people with his practice.
But, not known to many, he was a seaman before he switched lines.
How did Nong Danny start his faith-healing practice?
In an exclusive interview with Panay News, Nong Danny revealed that when he was overseas in 1980, he dreamt of Jesus of Nazareth carrying the cross and asking for his help.
“Nag-damgo ako kay Jesus of Nazareth. Pagdamgo ko siling ya, ‘Danilo, buligi ako pas-an sang krus.’ Sa isa ka gab-i maka-tatlo ako magdamgo,” Nong Danny said.
At the time, due to fear and nervousness, Nong Danny distanced himself from the church. But upon reflection, he thought of ways to help people, such as through palm and card reading. It lasted for nearly three years before the calling for faith healing dawned upon him.
Nong Danny began the practice of faith healing in 1988 while still working as a seaman and became full-time in 1991.
During that year, he said more than 100 patients saw him per day.
“Ginapangayo ko sa Diyos-Amay nga i-shift ko lang sa healing para magamit ko ang akon nabal-an sa palmistry,” he said.
But his journey has never been smooth sailing. At first, he had difficulty identifying his patients’ illnesses, and only “God” could guide him through them.
“Mabudlay kay indi pa bukas ang third eye ko, sarado pa, ti kinahanglan ko mag-istorya sa Diyos-Amay,” he said.
Beyond his expectations, Nong Danny, during his prime years, saw a daily average of 160 to 180 patients. But now, due to old age, he only sees 40 to 50 patients per day.
“Ang una ko nga ginbulong, hiwit gid. Gin-specialize ko gid ang hiwit, amo gid ran ginapangayo ko sa Diyos-Amay nga gusto ko ang hiwit nga ini nga tagaan ako sang puersa kay gusto ko nga damo diri nga mag-ayo,” he said.
Nong Danny begins his day at 8 a.m. until all of his patients are catered to, and rests every Wednesday and Sunday. It is also during these days that he, together with his wife and three children, prepares his materials for healing patients.
As to his fees, Nong Danny clarified that he does not accept payments but only donations.
“Kabubut-on lang, puede man waay, kis-a ginabalik ko ang ginahatag sang tawo kon makita ko nga waay man kwarta,” he said.
Nong Danny’s babaylan ancestors
Helping people through faith healing is not new for the family of Nong Danny. His grandfather, father, and even his wife were well-known babaylans in the town of Janiuay.
But Nong Danny took a different path because he believes being a babaylan talking to the spirits is a sin against God.
He even claimed that God had set his retirement date.
“Naka-advise na ang Diyos-Amay sa akon sang April 4, 2023, nga ma-retire ako sa April 4, 2027,” he said.
He assured his patients not to worry because there were faith healers lined up to take over his place from the municipalities of Calinog, Bingawan and Barotac Nuevo.
For almost 36 years that Nong Danny has been practicing faith healing, not once did he receive complaints from the people in their barangay or the authorities.
“Waay man ako sala da, maayo kon may karatula ako. Ang gina-exercise ko lang is freedom of faith and freedom of religion. Nobody can question me,” he said, adding that patients come to him voluntarily.
Nong Danny’s ‘panata’ this Lenten
If others have many rituals or ceremonies every Lenten season, it is a time of rest for Nong Danny and his family. He also does not make food offerings like babaylans during Holy Week.
Although sometimes he gets invited to other places in the region to speak during the Lenten season.
“Waay ko ritual, garing kang nagligad nga tuig nag-road trip lang kami kay nagkadto ako sa mission ko. Pero kada kwaresma nagapahuway ako, ginagamit ko ang rest day ko sa pamilya ko,” said Nong Danny.
For him, being a faith healer and speaking to God could be at any day. But this Lent, Nong Danny urged everyone, especially his patients, to pray and be thankful.
“Indi magkalipat sa Diyos, sa pagbugtaw sa aga magpasalamat sa Diyos. Sa tanan nga bagay, mahatag ukon indi ang ginapangamuyo, magpasalamat sa Diyos kag pirme magpalapit sa Diyos,” he said./PN
