SINGAPOREANS AT THE SPA

On a recent assignment to Tagaytay, I had seven ladies from Singapore who had come to visit Manila with a Singaporean lady (Ms Jen) as their tour group leader. Ms Jen is a frequent visitor to Manila, what with her numerous Filipino friends and former supplier to her business of children's wear. These ladies had met in college and have remained friends over the years. They make it a point to travel together as a group and manage to have fun everytime.

view of Taal volcano from the Steakhouse of Tagaytay Highlands .

The day prior to their Tagaytay trip, I had shown them Intramuros and the group ended up with me and the jeepney taking them to the Mall of Asia where they had dinner and was picked up by their friend residing at the Greenbelt residences. Their second day trip was a day of pampering and sightseeing. They were instructed by Ms Jen's friend Mallie to stop at the flower market where she boarded our van and directed the driver to go to the Tagaytay Highlands where they enjoyed the view of the world's smallest active volcano. From there, we drove to Ms Mallie's well-appointed residence in the highlands with a view of Laguna lake.

Fireplace with moosehead and chandelier made of antlers

From there, we motored to Sonya's Garden and were shown around by Ms Sonya's girl Friday. they were brought to the proposal garden, the herb greenhouse and the bed and breakfast, By the time they finished taking photos and chattering away at all the beautiful flowers, it was time for lunch. So we ushered them to the mess hall (so famous for its shabby chic decor) where they feasted on a salad of edible flowers nd greens and pasta and salmon belly.

tossed greens with edible flowers

All through lunch, they were having so much fun, I had to remind them we were going to pamper them all afternoon. With a heavy heart they stood up from the table and proceeded to the van. Our next xtop was Nurture Village Spa where they were to have an afternoon of full body massage or foot massage. Three ladies opted for the foot massage while the rest had a full body treatment.

Nurture Village Spa reception area

I, on the other hand, was free to explore the village. The spa, away from the maddening crowd of Tagaytay, has its own self-contained community. They grow their own greens in a patch behind the mess hall. There are accommodations which one can rent for an overnight stay. A little steep for P!0,000.00/night for two with massage treatment and breakfast and lunch/dinner. But the spa has its own little nooks and crannies where one can totally lose one's self in pampering and relaxation.

There was a spot with a small dipping pool and i spent my time catching a power nap on the outdoor chaize lounge under a  sunshade of bamboo and nipa. they also have an area for team building activities and a play ground for kids. The huts for the footspa are open air with lounges and footstools ready for foot massage. The full body massage is conducted in more closed quarters for privacy just in case the patient doses off in the middle of treatment.

cottages for overnight stay

There are also "ulog" style huts typical of the Cordillera in a small portion of the village called Puro Canyao. These are rooms that can accommodate a small family of five or it may also be converted dormitory style by adding or removing the beds. The massage tables are beneath the huts which makes for a convenient  set-up. the bathrooms are clean and modern and the one hectare property is discreet and quiet. The perfect place for a  quiet retreat.

Ifugao hut with massage beds underneath

After a round of snacks for the ladies it was time to head back to Manila. The traffic was okay, except that by the time we got to Makati, a public utility bus had caught fire and caused a major traffic jam. That marred what would have been a perfect day. Nonetheless, the ladies enjoyed the spa treatment and said they'd come back to Manila after their respective trips abroad. 

Interior of the Ifugao hut