Feb. 6, 2026 — Slowly but surely, Indigenous Health and Wellness (IHW) practices in the Cordillera are gaining recognition through the publication of ‘Kasiyana’, a book that documents traditional healing knowledge and highlights its relevance to contemporary public health.
Sixto Talastas, Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines, Inc. focal person, in a media forum at City Hall, Jan. 28, underscored the growing call to recognize and promote IHW as an integral component of inclusive and culturally responsive healthcare.
He said that Kasiyana was developed to address a long-standing gap in documentation and that while indigenous culture is often associated with arts and traditions, indigenous health and wellness systems have received far less attention despite their continued practice and significance.
The book, a research output completed in 2023, features 35 narratives drawn from healers, patients, government agencies, non-government organizations, and community members across the Cordillera.
The book’s primary goal is to promote Katutubong Kaalaman, particularly in the field of health and wellness, and to demonstrate that indigenous healing practices are not merely belief-based but grounded in systematic knowledge developed over generations, Talastas said.
He added that the book highlights three major healing modalities that remain widely practiced: the use of medicinal plants, therapeutic massage, and healing rituals. These approaches reflect a holistic understanding of health that addresses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Beyond cultural value, Kasiyana also affirms the growing recognition of indigenous healing within formal legal and scientific frameworks as Talastas emphasized that laws supporting indigenous health are already in place, recognizing traditional healing practices within the country’s legal system.
He disclosed that some medical experts and doctors recommend exploring indigenous healing methods, particularly those rooted in the specific tribes to which individuals belong and their support was documented through testimonials included in published works, reinforcing that these accounts are validated experiences rather than mere anecdotal narratives.
Talastas explained that the Joint Memorandum Circular issued by the Department of Health, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government provides guidelines for implementing culturally sensitive healthcare.
However, he clarified that in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the program remains in its training phase and has yet to be fully implemented at the grassroots level.
He cited the City Health Services Office (CHSO), which conducted cultural sensitivity training from January 28 to 30, with the participation of 16 district health centers while similar workshops were held in 2024 with representatives from various provinces and tackled indigenous healing methodologies, during which Indigenous Peoples shared their knowledge and practices.
Talastas further noted that the CHSO continues to organize training sessions to gradually strengthen the program’s reach and ensure its integration into community-level healthcare.
He said the book also presents practical applications of indigenous healing, including home remedies for common illnesses such as coughs, skin conditions, minor injuries and features familiar medicinal plants such as bayabas, lagundi, luya, makabuhay, and makahiya, demonstrating their continued use in everyday community health.
To strengthen and preserve the region’s rich healing traditions, Kasiyana calls for stronger collective support to recognize, embrace, and apply indigenous healing practices as part of daily life and illustrates how these traditions heal not only the body but also the mind, spirit and sense of belonging within communities, Talastas added.
He stressed that through indigenous healing, challenges are met with hope, echoing a Kankanaey saying: “It’s alright”, a reminder that with care and trust in these practices, all will be well. ** Katrina Nicole Vallesteros, Maxine Ivan Mhea Aratan/ PIO – UB INTERNS/gabykeith
