Magarao Parahilot in DTI OTOP Program

Region V : Camarines Sur

HILOT of Magarao

Tourism, Health & Wellness

Magarao is famous for its “parahilot”. A "parahilot" is the person who provides "hilot", which is now commonly known as the "Philippine Touch Therapy". They are sought for their prowess in healing dislocated bones and joints, healing body aches and pains and preventing sickness such as colds, cough, fever, and other diseases. Treatment is done with the use of the bare hands and application of touch therapy.

Product Description

Magarao is famous for its “parahilots”. Parahilots in Magarao are known for bone setting and traditional therapeutic massage. They are sought for their prowess in healing dislocated bones and joints, healing body aches and pains and some are also famous for exorcising evil spirits.

Product Lines

Services – bone setting, traditional massage, massage therapy including reflexology and swedish massage.

Product History

“Hilot” is an age-old tradition in Magarao that’s been handed down from age to age – they say that parahilots existed in the area even before the Spaniards came. As you enter the town of Magarao, you will notice billboards of the famous parahilot, the “tunay” or genuine parahilot, the “original” parahilot and many other signages pertaining to each parahilot’s expertise, uniqueness and specialty. Complain about body aches, pains and fracture and you’ll be referred to go to Magarao for the cure. Though the place is very famous for the “parahilots”, patronage of their services has become low as modern science and technology advanced. In the early days, all that are sick would go to the local quack doctor but now, with the presence of doctors and other medical practitioners, consultations with the parahilots were discouraged and have dwindled because of their lack of scientific knowledge. This decade is the health and wellness age however, and age-old traditions and cures are being revived as the more ideal remedy. People today tend to go back to the traditional combined with modern technologies when it comes to therapies. Hence, the revival of the parahilots in Magarao is just in time. The OTOP project paved the way to make the parahilots in Magarao become popular again as they participated in trade fairs and local events. They even participated in the Orgullo kan Bikol trade fair in Metro Manila and got a lot of attention and patronage. To upgrade the parahilots to world-class standards they were given training on human physiology and anatomy, good housekeeping and grooming. Thirty new generation parahilots were also given skills training on traditional massage and reflexology. Among the 8 OTOPs of the province, the most happy and contented beneficiaries are the Parahilots of Magarao. According to them, they have never been this busy in their entire career as parahilot. Many people are now seeking their services on a regular basis and their income has never been this high. According to them, servicing clients are now their major occupation instead of being a sideline. They have now 3 registered firms and a family corporation. People need not go to Magarao to avail of their services because they now have a clinic in Naga City and Legazpi City. They have also invested in cellphones which they have never thought of having as a necessity for the trade. The DOH’s attention was also caught by the group and they were featured by the PITAHC. DTI has also facilitated the registration of the family corporation and the association with the Securities and Exchange Commission.