Hilot comes in handy to policemen

Whether incurring bum muscles after chasing lawless elements or getting bored waiting for the next call, Billy G. Gabito, 54 is ready to provide hilot or massage to members of the police force.

A resident of  sitio Kalubihan, barangay Banilad in Cebu CityGabito’s favorite market when it comes to offering his soothing touch are the police offices around Cebu City.

Like his clients who are always on the go, he is on call 24 hours a day.

When not soothing a cop’s weary muscles or bum joints, Gabito does landscaping.

Ever enterprising, Gabito also offers home massage service.

He charges higher for this service, to cover his fare.

Gabito said he is gifted in the trade, claiming that  his massage offers a therapeutic effect on its recipients.

“Maka-identify ko kun unsay sakit sa akong pina-agi sa pag pislit sa ilang lawas,” (I can identify the ailment of my clients just by touching certain parts of their body, like joints.),” he said.

He does his therapeutic massage by flushing out panuhot or flatulence from his client’s sore muscles and joints.

Gabito charges P50 for a 15-minute session while a full body massage is priced at P150.

His daily earning ranges from P500 – P1,000 per day.

This income, he said,  is enough to feed his brood of five children..

He said his income could have afforded him to send his children to college, but most of his children opted to find jobs and marry early instead.

His youngest though, an 18-year-old is studying to become a teacher. /Chito O. Aragon, Correspondent