After having been on various levels of quarantine for almost seven months, I’m sure that, just like me, all of you are now itching to go someplace to relax, have a nice massage and pamper yourself with the little luxuries that give sparkle to our existence.
With the expected easing down of the metro’s quarantine level soon, there is one destination, not too far away, which I am looking forward to visit. A pioneer in the Philippine spa industry, the Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay offers holistic activities designed personally by its founder, Cathy Turvill, to enhance and rejuvenate one’s body, mind, and spirit.
This popular facility has a distinctly Filipino-branded spa menu performed by a highly trained and internationally licensed set of therapists and staff. What makes this spa destination admirable is its practice of recruiting employees from the local community, which directly addresses wellness tourism’s core value of sustainability. It also embraces environmental protection, bannering its eco-friendly environment and its being a member of the elite Zero Carbon Resorts.
Another feature that makes the Nurture Wellness Village laudable is its preference for promoting Filipino products and culture. In fact, their highly popular specialty offering is Nilaib, a Filipino version of the hot stone massage, which uses steamed pouches of traditional Filipino herbs wrapped in banana leaves which, they guarantee, remove body aches and pains, leaving customers rested and rejuvenated.
They also have a very interesting massage labeled, Lunas Ni Nanay, a tried-and-tested way of combining vacuum techniques to promote balance and remove toxins from the body. Or, if one prefers a customized massage, they offer the Hilot Kagalingan, which uses banana leaves, special herbs and coconut oil to detect the source of one’s physical imbalance, bringing the body back to health.
Adding color to the Philippine setting is the Village’s use of abel, the hand-woven Ilocano fabric, for their linens, giving guests the feel of being in a relaxing Filipino home, far from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. Another interesting feature is the cluster of Ifugao spa suites which take inspiration from the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces. They are air-conditioned huts, with their own spa area, and are fully equipped with modern technological conveniences.
For those slugging it out daily in the corporate arena, Nurture Wellness Village offers the Work Well Program, a set of fun and interactive teambuilding sessions designed to increase employee productivity and company profitability. Adding a most welcome de-stressing component to the usual corporate assemblies are the breezy meeting rooms overlooking serene, verdant coffee fields.
Of course, if you are looking for something to help you turn back the hands of time and make you look revitalized and refreshed as how you were decades ago, there is the Choices Rejuvenation Center. It offers detoxification and health services as part of a highly effective and customized program overseen by a professional medical and wellness team.
And, to ensure your all-important well-being, the Gabriela’s Garden Restaurant has delectable Filipino comfort food created with a delightfully healthy twist. I hear their salads are made of freshly picked items from their own organic garden which is also open for a tour for those who would like to bring home their supply of fresh vegetables.
I can hardly wait for those strong fingers to knead my tired and stressed muscles and bring me to the “kingdom of complete relaxation.” I’m now checking my schedule to see when I can take my long overdue holiday at Nurture Wellness Village.
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YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He’s not breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his cellphone and calls 911, “I think my friend is dead! What should I do?” The operator says, “Calm down. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There’s a silence, then a shot. Back on the phone, the guy says, “OK, now what?”
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