Pagtatawas

"Pagtatawas" is a ritual in psycho-medicine in Filipino Psychology (but considered just as a Filipino superstition in Western Psychology) where an affliction or psychological disorder is diagnosed by interpreting the form produced in a basin of water as heated alum or molten wax drop from a lighted candle.

Earlier and in some rural areas in the Philippines, alum (i.e., hydrated aluminum potassium sulfate called "tawas" in the vernacular) is ritualistically used by the "albularyo" or medicine man for diagnosis of a variety of health conditions: a child's incessant crying, frequent fatigue, or even failure to conceive. The "tawas" is used to 'cross' (sign of the cross) the forehead and other suspicious or ailing parts of the body as prayers are being whispered ("bulong" or "oracion"). It is then placed on glowing embers, removed when it starts to crack, then transferred to a small basin of water [ [http://www.sito.org/cgi-bin/egads/showart?show=jaf.0010&idonly=jaf&seq=0 SITO Artchive: 'Pagtatawas' by Jose A. Fadul ] ] . As it cools, its new form spreads on the water surface and assumes a shape that may suggest the cause of the illness, often one of several indigenous forces: dwarfs, devils or other evil spirits ("na-nuno," "na-kulam," "na-demonyo"). The water in the vehicle is then used to anoint the ailing part or parts of the body to counteract the evil forces or illness. The "tawas" is then discarded and thrown westward, preferably into the setting sun. [ [http://stuartxchange.com/Tawas.html Tawas (Alum): Miscellaneous Therapies in Philippine Alternative Medicine ] ]

Presently and in most areas, it is an "albulario" who simply lits and holds the candle during the ritual. In some, it is the "albulario"'s assistant or the afflicted person who holds the candle, but almost invariably, it is the "albulario" who interprets the vague forms and shapes produced by the wax as it solidifies in the basin of water. An "albulario" may see supernatural beings displeased as cause of the illness in the shapes and forms, and suggest some cleansing ritual or peace offering. Variations have also been observed lately where the 'albulario' no longer use alum, but instead employ a variety of materials such as eggs, mirrors, plain paper, cigarettes [ [http://www.senkotirosphilippines.com/Philippines/e-books/Special-Edition_Philippine_Healing-Arts.pdf FMAdigest ] ] , chewing gum, chicken feathers, the liver of a newly slaughtered chicken or pig, etc.

Filipino psychologist Jose Fadul observes both consistencies and inconsistencies in the ritual and suggests that the diagnoses obtained can be explained in terms of the stock knowledge of the "albulario" and recovery from illness must be largely due to placebo effect. [Public Forum on Witchcraft and Illnesses. Rizal Technological and Polytechnic Institute, Morong, Rizal. July 24, 1988. ] He notes that that the method of interpretations in "pagtatawas" can be compared with the earlier methods of interpretations in the Rorschach inkblot test, and thus, is expected to be rejected by rival schools of thoughts in psychology. Furthermore, he believes that "pagtatawas" still flourish in many rural areas in the Philippines because medical facilities remain expensive and inaccessible [100% PINOY (Kapuso Network's cultural program on GMA7 featuring Filipino Culture and Ingenuity. Hosted by Miriam Quiambao and Joaquin Valdes, aired internationally through GMA Pinoy TV. "Bata, bata, paano ka ginawa?" episode aired August 28, 2008. Pinoy culture, beliefs and practices about "paglilihi, pagbubuntis, panganganak at pag-aalaga sa bata". Actual interview with Dr. Jose A. Fadul held in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Manila on August 22, 2008] .

ources

ee also

*mangkukulam
*albulario
*usog