Manila's Secomoro - Herbal Demonstrator

These were taken at the Plaza Goiti, now known as Plaza Lacson in Sta Cruz Manila City, right in front of Roman Santos Building. Our main man (the albularyo), the one in charge and giving some supposedly medicinal massaging, offers pedestrians some health medicine in the form of oil. I am just not sure if the oil is made from herbs or parts of snakes.


Dried Snake Skin, bones, head; number of bottles containing whitish oil - usual medicinal implements of the typical Philippine herbalist

Albeit I saw his assistants likewise giving massages to people. It was almost nightfall yet he still has a lot of bottles to dispose. The placard placed in the midst of his wares and snake parts, like scales and bones, read reflexology and Secomoro; it even has his specific job title written on it – herbal demonstrator.


People crowding around the “Secomoro” herbal demonstrator asking for more details on the oil

Our herbalist tries to make people realize the efficacy of his oil by rubbing them some of the oil on a person’s affected (painful or diseased) part of the body and massaging it. You can have some oil at 100 pesos, probably the smallest bottle.


Oil rubbed on leg of a patron seeking some relief

Indeed, even in a supposed modern City of Manila, a good number of people would still go to cheaper means of getting body relief and even cure from any disease if given the chance.