Sikolohiya ng Katutubong Panggagamot ng mga Taclobanon ng Hilagang Leyte

This study aims to gather ethnic-related information which describes the native medical practices of the Taclobanon. The narratives that were gathered in this study form a big part in the preservation and development of local literature. The researcher used the ethnographic research design wherein the City of Tacloban, located in the Northern part of Leyte served as the research locale. Purposive sampling was used in determining the informants of the study based on the following: (a) age, 55-above, (b) elder with knowledge on native medical practices, and (c) length of residence in Tacloban. The results of the study showed that these medical practices are still being done at present by the Taclobanon. The common medical practices are known to them as “pagluon” or pagluob, “pagtayhop” or pagbuga, “pag-uslob,” and “pagpagaspas.” These medical practices were being accompanied by “bulong”, an act of whispering to some parts of a person’s body during the course of healing or manipulation administered by an elderly with knowledge on the said medical practices and by faith healers known to them as albularyo. To avoid kulam, a term associated with black magic that affects the health of a person done by a sorcerer and by some unseen bad elements or unnatural beings, and “hilό” or poison, the folks tie a “relikyas” or anting-anting around their waist to protect themselves. In
relevance with this study, it is very important to document the ethnic medical practices for the enrichment of local literature and cultural knowledge of Filipinos.

Key words: bulong, ethnic medical practices, Taclobanon