Black Saturday is the last day of fasting for Catholics in the Philippines. It commemorates the day that Jesus lay in his tomb after he died.

Normally in Siquijor, a Healing Festival is celebrated every year during the Holy Week. This year, the Siquijodnons opted for a much simpler celebration. However, our healers continue the ritual of making traditional medicines which is a concoction of different herbs and roots gathered seven Fridays during the lenten season. The procedure of mixing these traditional medicines is performed during Black Saturday since it is a time of suspense, quiet and solemnity.

These traditional medicines are used by healers as part of their ritual in treating illnesses, but let us always remember that while these medicines may help drive away evil forces and treat different kinds of ailments, our faith is still our greatest weapon against any adversity. Healing in Siquijor is accompanied by faith just like how someone’s faith can cure him/her.