By Penelope A. Domogo, MD
One of our tasks when we were young was to “dagdagay” our Dad after supper. “Dagdagay” or “kolkol-is” is foot massage using 2 short sticks or pencils, one for each sole. To me, it’s more of foot scratching rather than massage. We don’t touch the feet. Dad would be sitting on a chair and we would be on the floor. Starting from the heels, we would quickly and thoroughly scratch every available surface in synchronized manner, working upward to the toes. Each toe would be thoroughly scratched and then we would roll the sticks in between the toes. Then we would start all over again from the heels. I don’t know how long we did this session but I don’t remember getting tired.
Boys who grew up in the dap-ay (indigenous socio-political-religious center of a village for men) are taught by the men to “kolkol-is” and they mastered the art of kolkol-is. In Sagada, boys were even taught more massage techniques for the back, arms and hands. Now that boys and girls grow up in their own homes, I guess they don’t know this, unless taught at home. Our kids were taught by their dad and I hope they will also teach their children.
Kolkol-is is a form of foot reflexology. Although the pressure is not directed to specific pressure points, these pressure points will surely be massaged because all areas of the sole are scratched. The strength of the scratch depends on the individual, the one giving the kolkol-is and the recipient. Well, if you are a child, how strong can your scratch be? As for the recipient, some who have sensitive soles would feel the sticks even with light strokes while some prefer deep and strong strokes. For me, I can only be makolkol-is at the heels. Heehaw.
With these pressures on the feet, the various organs of the body are stimulated and blood circulation is increased. When blood circulation improves, everything else naturally improves- mood, energy level, sleep, digestion, thinking, anxiety, etc. The list could be endless. A research by Glen Ramos, et.al. in 2015 showed that “kol-kol-is is effective in reducing blood pressure” (Effect of Kolkol-is in reducing blood pressure, oatext.com). My sister who goes to Lavender Massage Parlor regularly for kolkol-is says that it really relaxes and rejuvenates. Aside from the benefits of the pressure points, the fact that you close your eyes while the session is going shuts off visual stimuli thus allowing you to relax and even meditate.
Since the dap-ay is for men, it’s the men who are given this kolkol-is. However, in modern times where the massage parlor is unisex, some women have come to enjoy this healing and wellness service.
What women got was the gisgisto. This is real head massage. The “massager” stands or seats behind the person and using the nails of both thumbs together, starts massaging from the vortex (“pogong”) downward up to the hairline making sure to massage all parts of the scalp. In the past, women would line up sitting down and “gisgisto” each other while they chitchatted (gaggag-ay). Or the young ones “gisgisto” the older women. We didn’t get to “gisgisto” our Mom because she was so ticklish. We did this, though, to our lola once in a while. While at your head, oftentimes the woman would request you to pluck out the white hairs. Just like the feet, the head also has pressure points for various parts of the body thus massaging all of the scalp would do the same as kolkol-is, although the energy in the feet are stronger.
Getgeta is back massage using your nails- you dig your nails as you press. This is pleasant. Same principle as kolkol-is and gisgisto. Our back also has pressure points for all organs of the body.
All these massage techniques are done with the recipient sitting down. This is another manifestation of how our Creator loves us- although we can’t touch our internal organs, he made them accessible in feet, head, ears, palms. The points at the back are perhaps to show us that we need each other to be healthy and well.
People in the past practiced these massages regularly. I would surmise that the men had “kolkol-is” everyday and the women? Perhaps once a week? Women have more details to take care of, you know, so I don’t think they would be comfortable sitting down and gisgisto everyday. So aside from their natural diet and physically active life, they had these rejuvenating and healing practices. These surely had their blood moving well to all parts of their body and their internal organs toned while sitting still and relaxing. What a blessed life! No wonder they were sturdy and strong and had long lives.
People certainly have discovered long time ago yet what makes us strong and sturdy and beautiful. We only need to revalue and reclaim them. ***
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“Wisdom belongs to the aged and understanding to the old.” Job 12:12
