Pangasinan sick folk flock to faith healer’s body for cure

BUGALLON, Pangasinan — Even in death, this female faith healer, believers say, still "treats" the sick.

Sick villagers have been flocking to the Anselmos’ house here since Nov. 12 when the remains of faith healer Marcelina de Leon Anselmo, were exhumed, a month after she died of kidney failure.

When she was alive, Bai Marcing, as she was called, used betel nut, water and palay in determining and treating a person’s sickness. She had been "curing" the sick for 45 years.

Her husband, Guillermo, or Eling as he’s fondly called, decided to exhume her body after she reportedly told him in a dream that her mission on earth was still unfinished.

"I dreamt that we were walking together then suddenly she was gone," Eling said in the dialect. Their children also dreamt of her repeatedly.

Local authorities initially denied Eling’s exhumation request. But he eventually convinced them, telling them that he would rebury his wife’s body should it emit a foul odor. The permit was issued Nov. 5.

Even the town council debated Eling’s plea, but later granted a certification on Nov. 12.

"There was a smell of sampaguita" when Marcing’s body was exhumed, Eling said in the dialect.

Her family was surprised to find her body still soft and not cold. Provincial employee Randy Arbolente himself could not believe this when he held her hands and feet, adding that her hair was still soft and sturdy when he tried to pull it.

Eling built a room at the back of their house where the sick and the curious now mill around. His son Poldo and grandchild Myra now tend to the sick, reportedly whispering something to deceased Marcing before gently rubbing water — just tap water — on the ailing part of the patient’s body.

Eling said he will rebury Marcing’s remains if it finally emits foul odor — and when she tells him in a dream to do so.