In the rural areas of Quezon province, animal bites,
most commonly by dogs, cause considerable concern for rabies. Despite the few hundred cases of rabies reported annually, traditional treatment is usually not sought. Due to cost and economic constraints, and also because of age-old myths and folklore, initial consultation is often with the albularyo who will offer a variety of treatments from his bag of folkloric remedies. 

Prior to treatment, the healer may use diagnostic rituals to determine the presence of kamandag or 'rabies.' The use of lunas is an old diagnostic tool, but the paraphernalia is not commonly available. Another ritual uses a strand of the patient's hair. The hair is pulled firmly by both thumbs and index fingers, and passed over the site of the bite. If the hair breaks, it is taken as a sign that kamandag or 'rabies' is present.

Tapal at Bulong
A tapal is a piece of common materials (cloth or paper, ex: cigarette rolling paper) to which a prayer has been written (orasyon) and applied directly to the wound. The same prayer may also be whispered (bulong) onto the applied material and wound. Another common practice is to whisper the prayer on the top of the head hoping to drive the poison back or downward, away from the brain. (The framed letters on the left is an example of an 'orasyon' (written prayer) applied to the wound, believed to be effective for the treatment of a poisonous snake or rabid dog bite. E.S.D.M. is a 'bibliato' for: emamil salvador del mundo.) 

Hihip at Bulong 
Some healers prefer "hihip at bulong" as initial treatment. The procedure consists of blowing wind through pursed lips to the area of the animal bite alternating with short whispers of prayers. The session lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes. Usually one treatment suffices,

Lunas
Lunas is a material believed to be derived from a single-horned animal or horn of a female deer. In the Bicol area, a similar material is referred to as "tambal." A small piece of this horn is applied directly to the wound. It is believed the material will adhere to the wound only in the presence of "kamandag" or rabies and will fall off after a few hours when the 'kamandag' is no longer present. After its use, because of uncommonness, the "horn" is cleaned for future re-use by soaking in water where the kamandag bubbles out of the lunas. It is not unusual for a 'tapal with orasyon and/or bulong' to be performed after the application of the lunas.

Kudlit
Kudlit refers to the practice of applying numerous (as many as 30-100) superficial blade wounds distal to the site of the bite causing bleeding that is believed to release the "kamandag" (poison). Follow-up visits and treatments are common, and even after a year and in the absence of any signs or symptoms, if the arbularyo says that the 'kamandag' is still present, most patients will readily consent to another 'kudlit' treatment.
See: Kudlit.html 

Tapal ng Utak
If the animal - usually a dog - is available, it is killed and the brain is applied to the wound. In the past, it was not uncommon for the rest of the dog to be cooked and consumed as a side dish (pulutan) to alcoholic imbibition, a practice that has recently gone into disfavor.