For some Filipinos, the island province of Siquijor has become synonymous to black magic. The place has also been looked upon to as a setting of the supposedly prevalent practice of a sorcery method known as pambabarang (putting hexes).
Instead of fearing the urban legends surrounding the island, Lovi Poe used the opportunity to try the mystical skills of the locals, as seen via her Instagram Stories last Saturday, Dec. 15. The barefoot actress, enveloped in a pale pink shawl while sitting, watched in fascination as a male mananambal (healer) performed a ritual called bolo-bolo.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@lovipoe
A clear glass with a black stone, which is later filled with water and a long straw are the materials needed for the healing ritual. The mananambal then blows into the glass of water while moving around the patient.
As the healer continues to blow through the straw, the water turns murky — dark-colored substances which are thought of as toxins in the body of the patient suddenly appear. For patients who have been subjected to witchcraft, small insects even materialize during the ritual.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@lovipoe
“Sabi nila minsan nga daw may ipis [na] lumalabas! (They said there are times when a cockroach appears!)” wrote Poe, hiding her fright from what she learned by laughing.
The mananambal would later throw the dirty water out and replace it with clear water before continuing with the ritual; he will do so until the water turns clear. In the case of Poe, she did not share the number of times the healer replaced the water as well as the mananambal’s findings during the procedure.
Aside from bolo-bolo, Poe also made it a point to try one of the mystical concoctions found in Siquijor: a love potion.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@lovipoe
Instead of trying it on herself, however, she left the testing of its potency to German-Thai model Josh Barfuss and road manager Jhajhacoline Jaypee Gonza. Did it work? Only Poe and her friends know. JB
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