‘Hilot Healing’ Talk, Demonstration at PH Embassy in Moscow

Embassy Gender and Development (GAD) Officer, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Anna Guerra, gives her welcome remarks and introduces the resource person at the Kapihan sa Pasuguan on hilot healing wellness massage. (S. Lorenzo)

Ms. Jaylyn Balino, massage therapist and resource person, gives some preliminary remarks on the topic of hilot healing wellness massage. (S. Lorenzo)

MOSCOW 05 April 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Moscow organized a talk and demonstration on “Hilot Healing” (healing and wellness massage) on 31 March 2019, as part of its “Kapihan sa Pasuguan” series and as one of its activities in observance of Women’s Month.

“This Kapihan is intended to help our Filipinos here, majority of whom are women, learn more about wellness and relaxation.  We know many of our kababayans work very hard and may find these skills helpful,” Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta said.

Jaylyn Balino, who has been working in Moscow as a massage therapist for 11 years, served as the resource person for the Kapihan.

Prior to this, she was a massage therapist at a well known sports club in Quezon City.  Ms. Balino received formal training in massage therapy from The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and attended seminars and workshop on the subject.

Ms. Balino was introduced by the Embassy’s Political Section head and in charge of Gender and Development activities, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Anna Guerra.

Aside from promoting health and wellness, Ambassador Sorreta said that ‘hilot healing’ can also be an effective means of promoting tourism.

“We are positioning ‘hilot healing’ as an attraction for Russian tourists. There is some familiarity here with Philippine ‘hilot’ practices.  This, combined with Russia’s long standing massage and spa culture, could possibly encourage more Russians to visit the Philippines,” Ambassador Sorreta said.

“For example, we hope to have ‘hilot healing’ as one of our features when we have our Annual Street Fair as well as in our other promotion activities. We would pair this with our Philippine herbal teas and other similar health products in one booth,” he added.

“Many countries have effectively branded their massage messaging and I definitely think we can do the same if not better, given our great massage and spa resorts,” the Ambassador said. END

Ms. Jaylyn Balino demonstrates the importance of proper hand movement and pressure in giving therapeutic massages with the help of a volunteer from the audience. (S. Lorenzo)

Ms. Jaylyn Balino guides the audience through relaxation exercises, and gives some preliminary remarks on the topic of hilot healing wellness massage. (S. Lorenzo)

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia