Filipino man coats arm in hot wax in bizarre ritual


A Filipino medicine man Angelito Oreta is filmed melting wax on his arm during a bizarre ritual.

The black magic doctor recites prayers in Latin and local dialects, before melting candles over a flame and dropping the wax into water - a form of pseudomedicine known as Pagtatawas.

He treats patients who believe their illnesses are caused by supernatural forces including elves, demons and evil spirits. The conjurer was filmed at his home in Muntinlupa, Philippines.

The movement of the wax and the shape of the solidified wax is then used to diagnose ailments.

Angelito said: ''This is a powerful medicine. It will bring protection to anyone who seeks it. There is a lot of evil in the world but protection from high spirits can help us.''

The footage was captured on February 21.