ALBULARYO FOLK HEALING: CULTURAL BELIEFS ON HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT IN PARTIDO DISTRICT, CAMARINES SUR, PHILIPPINES

Cultural beliefs on healthcare management is facing rapid disappearance. Hence, this study was carried out to describe the dynamics of folk healing in Partido District, Camarines Sur, Philippines, and document their beliefs on illnesses, aetiologies, diagnoses, and therapeutics. The study used mixed method following convergent parallel design. The quantitative and qualitative data were collected through interviews to 100 folk healers and were analysed through descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study found that there are 10 types of folk healing practices that are treating 10 distinct folk illnesses. These diseases are generally classified as naturalistic and personalistic in terms of aetiology and are diagnosed and treated through a variety of cultural, spiritual, and ritual procedures. In addition, the practice of ethnobotany is evident among the Albularyos. The study suggests that the study area has rich intangible resources on healthcare management that demands appreciation, documentation, and inclusion.