Bernaldez, P: Shamanism in the Philippines

Shamanism in the Philippines is a case analysis of a principal shaman and her advocates in the urban barangay of Pigcale in the city of Legazpi. It analyzes the phenomenon of faith healing and its implications to health education. The use of social research methodology and data gathering strategy and tools lend first-hand information upon which analysis and interpretations are made. Implications to health education are derived with the intention of recommending to health educators and practitioners measures to deal with shamanist beliefs and practices. Narratives of the principal case describes the shaman‘s plight. Views of patients, advocates and observers enrich the descriptions of the shaman‘s experiences and practices. Spirituality is interwoven with folk practice using incantation, prayers and basic implements in curing maladies. Hidden facts can be surmised from the analysis of why shamanism in the Philippines is advocated by a large sector of the public.