i visited a traditional faith healer in siquijor & here’s what happened.

When I visited a faith healer on the island of Siquijor by the name of Annie Ponce, I was welcomed into what seemed like her family home.

She took us into her healing practice room, where figures of Catholic Saints were plentiful, and depictions of Jesus Christ adorned the walls.

I sat down, and she asked me and my friend a few questions about ourselves. The usual; our names, where we were from. Then, the healing ceremony began.

Annie selected an oil from her cabinet of healing; and blessed each wrist with a small amount of it.

A white sheet, emitting a vapour, was placed over me; I inhaled its fumes.

She muttered a few words over my head while rubbing more of this oil onto my temples.

It felt like a massage when the healer rubbed some of her herbal oils onto my back and shoulders. I felt at ease, and any tension in my body was set free.

When she proceeded towards my lower back, I saw a vivid blue light in my eyelids, which I didn’t give too much thought to, although I did take note of this strange phenomenon.

The ceremony concluded with another whispered prayer, and Annie blew a light breath across my neck as if to blow out a candle. I felt refreshed.

When my friend and I compared our experiences, and I told her about how I saw this bright blue in my eyelids as Annie massaged my back, my friend’s reply shocked me. She‘d had the exact same reaction to the healer’s hands.

I’m not sure what it means, but the colour felt benevolent, and protective. It’s strange: I’ve never seen quite a vivid blue when my eyes were closed before.

Our experience must have been quite a general procedure, as Annie didn’t ask if we had any specific symptoms or issues we’d come to her for. We didn’t; but maybe she already knew that, could sense it.

Overall, our experience was definitely a culturally enriching one. Annie’s practice gave us an insight into the cultural customs, traditions and beliefs in Siquijor. I must say, I felt rather light and relaxed afterwards - who knows if that’s the power of Annie’s healing hands, the massage, mere placebo, or a combination of them all.

Maraming Salamat Annie Po <3