Panagtalado ti Ilocos: A Phenomenological Study of Ilocano Faith-Healing Practices and Cultural Beliefs

Panagtalado is an Ilocano faith-healing tradition that combines spiritual calling, prayer, ritual practice, and knowledge of natural remedies. Despite its continued presence in parts of Ilocos Norte, limited research has documented practitioners’ experiences. This study explored lived experiences, healing practices, cultural beliefs, and perceived community significance of Panagtalado. A phenomenological qualitative design was employed. Five (5) participants were purposively selected from the City of Batac and San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The thematic analysis of the interview transcripts illuminated three themes: (1) Panagtalado as a spiritual calling and a service-oriented vocation, (2) prayer-centered and culturally embedded healing practices, and (3) the community significance of panagtalado in Ilocano culture. Participants described their roles as a calling received through dreams, family lineage, illness, or spiritual revelation. Their practices varied but commonly involved prayer, faith in God, medicinal plants, and other culturally meaningful materials. Panagtalado was also described as a source of culturally familiar support for individuals seeking spiritual guidance, traditional explanations of illness, and community-based care. The findings further suggest that Panagtalado exists within a context of medical pluralism, where traditional healing practices and biomedical healthcare may coexist as individuals and families seek care based on their beliefs, experiences, accessibility, and perceived needs. The study documents the cultural meanings attached to the practice but does not establish the clinical effectiveness of its remedies. Culturally appropriate documentation, community-based guidelines for safe and responsible practice, and further research involving a wider range of participants and exploring both practitioners’ and patients’ perspectives are recommended.

Panagtalado; faith healing; Ilocano culture; traditional medicine; indigenous knowledge; phenomenology

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