La'arni Ayuma

La'arni Ayuma of Ayuma Healing Arts descends from a family of traditional Filipina/o healers. She integrates the ancient healing arts with other somatic/energy healing techniques to promote well-being in her communities. As a queer holistic practitioner, she facilitates spaces that encourage transformational shifts that is conscious of culture and traditional practices and is rooted in spiritual integrity, empowering community members in their self-care, healing and transformation. Ayuma utilizes Intuitive Coaching, Hilot medicine and bodywork, mindfulness practice, holistic living, healing by and with nature, conscious parenting, movement, meditation, and other tools to promote a compassionate radical healing that is self sustaining. She is also part of the Dell Medical School Community Strategy Team and co-facilitates for the Truth Racial Healing and Transformation sessions.

Lesson in Pala'wan Language with Ama

Atin

Madalas magparamdam ang dagat

Kahit saan man ako makarating

Paulit-ulit ang paalala sa pagbabalikloob

Kapit na mahigpit sa hangin

Hangga't makarating sa mga puno

Ang bulong ng dasal

I pulled out the names of my great grandparents from pages of distant relatives' conversations about sabong, Patnanungan, tagayan and pamilya.

Wrote their names on folded paper

Lit up the flame

Hummed a prayer

Came back to my breath

Ako po si Gracie Laarni Villalon Ayuma, ipinanganak sa Lucena City, Quezon, Pilipinas at naninirahan ngayon sa Austin, Texas, USA. Ina nina Blaigne Adrian Ayuma Sixon, Ayotunde Lakan Ayuma-Gilford at Kalilaya Bamidele Ayuma-Gilford. Apo po ako nina Lorenza Ligaya Gonzalez, Serapio Azuela Ayuma, Diadeflor Aguilar at Alejandro Pascua Villalon. At anak naman po ako nina Lorna Villalon at Godofredo Gonzales Ayuma.

I am still here. Isa ako sa mga manggagamot sa aming angkan. Kahit matagal nang napalayo, hindi nawala ang kakayanan mula sa mga ninuno. Mahigpit ang kapit ng aking mga kadugo. Kahit ako raw ay makalimot, dadating ang panahon ng pagbabalikloob. The ancestors know.

The ocean speaks in tongues

Tapping against my thigh like a heartbeat

They are with us wherever we may be

In protection and guidance

We send our love (to you) in waves