Philippine faith healers are well known around the world. Why some people choose to believe such healers, even to the extent of denying real medical help and wholeheartedly entrusting their lives on such healers is really mind-boggling to me. But there are numerous books and articles written about them, documentaries on TV and word-of-mouth advertising. The media hype will certainly keep the faith healers going, encourage them to continue to fatten their wallets and/or gain a lot of fame, attention and worship. Just google the words "Philippine Faith Healers" and there is even a directory listing of "Philippine Spiritual Healers". Just amazing.
Last week, my mother told me there is a faith healer in Samal. In talking about him, I was surprised to find out that almost everyone knows or has heard of him. Huh? I felt like I was the only one in Davao/Samal who didn't know. This faith healer is well known because a prominent businessman here in Davao had gone to see him to have his broken leg bone healed. This "healer" does not ask for payment. Most people who go and see him do however give groceries as gifts which he apparently distributes around to his neighbors. Unsurprisingly, this healer is now the elected "Kapitan" of his "Barangay" (district/county).
Out of curiousity, I went to see this healer. I have a sore shoulder, so why not? Watch the youtube and meet Kapitan Pedring, the healer from Barangay San Isidro, Samal.
title="Faith Healer in Samal">Youtube
If you are curious about my shoulder - Yes, it is still hurting. Maybe it is because I had no faith in the "Faith Healer".