Nurture Spa: A Spa Lover's Hideaway

I didn't expect to experience such a treatment from such a nice place which was very close to nature.  No, sir!  But it happened.  When I saw an announcement in the wall post of Mr. Paolo Florenda, I immediately grabbed the opportunity to join because, my, after 41 years, this will be my first time to go to a spa.  Yup, you heard it right, it was a spa. 

This place is Nurture Spa Village, where one can get that relaxation, rejuvenation, de-stressing that one needs if one is so fed up with city life.  I knew I had to take this trip.  And this blog has long been overdue. 

Actually, since my kids knew how my life is here in the city, they even encouraged me to go and said, "Yes, Ma, you need it, badly."  They knew very well the reasons and that's another blog altogether. 

But going back to Nurture Spa, it was such an adventure for me because I know there are a lot of spas around the metro but going out of town every once in a while is always a great idea for me.  I love nature and this place is teeming with green grass, fresh air and cool breeze to soothe your stressed body. 

When the bloggers grouped together and stayed in the dorm, we were in for a surprise.  I say 'we' because I wasn't the only one who was treated like a queen.  There were several of us who stayed overnight for a more in-depth look at what Nurture Spa has to offer. 

Okay, so we get down to business.  Once we got there, we were greeted with the courteous staff and even showered us with rose petals as we entered the place.  I have proof.  Look at the picture below. 

We were led to the Salo Pavilion and had some cocktails first.  The cocktails, which really filled my hungry tummy, were the chicken avocado fingerfood and the shrimp dipped in avocado sauce, which was my favorite since it was so delicious!  I just didn't get to take a photo of it, awww, shocks.  And the welcome drink they served us was the lemongrass tea.  It was also soothing. 

After the cocktails, we were told to put our things in our dorm, since there were like 6 of us and after settling down, our tour guide, one of their well-trained staff gave us a tour of Nurture Spa Village, where all their services were offered. 

Okay, so what you're seeing is one of their Ifugao Huts where couples can relax and enjoy and be taken to a whole new world of rejuvenation they need. 

   

That's what's inside the Ifugao Hut, they call "Ulog."  It looks relaxing and refreshing to stay in it, right?  Whooh, I'd love to sleep in one of those next time! 

Here's what you can find under the bedroom of the hut.  Then the next picture shows that a client is having her foot massaged. 

In the next photo, you'll see the room so immaculately clean and arranged for the next guest to occupy and get a dose of Nurture Spa's treatments. 

And look at the shower!  it looks so marvellous, doesn't it?  Its door is just the capiz shells to cover you while taking a bath in that white bath tub. 

Here's what the room looks like from another angle.  You can see it's a four-poster bed and a table at the foot of the bed. 

Now, we go to the Institute of Natural Healing and Wellness Center.  Well, it's a village so there are a lot of places to go and the next few photos will show that these are the services that clients like to avail of when they're here in Nurture Spa. 

The next photo shows that some of us experienced walking on this stone path and it's called Lakad Kalinga (Healing Path) wherein one should walk barefoot to enjoy its healing effects through reflexology, as it says on the poster and it's great for the soles of the feet. 

It's a circular path that one has to walk on until the person reaches the end point. 

Also, we went to their Hardin Panggagamot (Herb Garden) where the lemongrass were planted and their source for this specialty of theirs. 

After this, we saw a portion of the sprawling garden which has this enclosed section.  It's the Bahay Paru-Paro (Butterfly Haven) where butterflies hang out.  It was cool.  There was one interesting butterfly that was perched on the bench in the Bahay Paru-Paro.  I took a video clip of it as my digicam could not capture a photo of it. 

So Nurture Spa didn't just have those massage rooms, they also had these sanctuaries that one could go in and take a look at the beauty of nature.  The garden was also a breather for me as I like wide spaces with lots of room.  It makes me feel relaxed.  The pictures speak of what I mean. 

And of course, for those who are celebrating their wedding anniversary or those who want to enjoy a natural setting to make that much-awaited proposal, here's a nice spot for you to sit and talk and make her say, "I do." 

There's a pool in the middle of the garden, in the upper right side before you get to the main garden.  I took a photo of it but just don't mind the background, okay?  I got it in a hurry because we were already supposed to stay together for the program that was going to be held at dinner time.

But afterwards, we went back to the pavilion and grouped together with the other guests and we got the chance to talk with Ms. Cathy Turvill, one of the co-owners of Nurture Spa and she was explaining to us the computerized Digital Meridian Scan (DMS) (P1400) that could identify what are the forthcoming potential problems of the body based on a scan of the different key organs of the body.  It's non-invasive, nothing scary.  There are probes that are connected to the Meridian points of the body, energy points of the body.  I have a photo of her while doing this.  I also have a video of her which I will upload also in my YouTube account later and will connect it to the blog here. 

After a few minutes, Dr. Samuel P. Dizon, whom Ms. Cathy introduced to us, joined in the discussion about the Institute of Natural Healing (INH) which he and Nurture Spa have partnered with to provide individualized program of holistic healing for those who have cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease. 

After this interview, we were told that there will be a program that will be held in the garden.  So we went there and the host introduced Ms. Cathy and Mike Turvill, the Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism - Ms. Cynthia Carreon, an interpretative dance by Ms. Marge Enriquez entitled "Binhi," which was the highlight of the program. 

This was followed by a sumptuous dinner prepared by their caterer, Josiah's Catering.  Guests were given the choice to eat Japanese, Korean, Italian or American food.  I chose to eat spaghetti first by getting the ingredients and choosing the noodles and the sauce to go with it and handed it over to the lady who was going to serve it to me and everything was heated in a frying pan in front of me and everyone else as we all lined up to taste what they had prepared for us.  I had pasta first, okay. 

But I still had space left in my tummy so I went for the barbecue or steak buffet table.  There was this table for those meatlovers and most of the guests lined up for this so I just had to wait for the people to get what they wanted and be seated and finally got to choose the food I wanted to have a taste of.  My, I didn't regret going to the meat section of the buffet because the meat was sooo tender and yummy and so nice to eat.  Hah!  My diet gone down the drain.  But never fear, I'm still on it.  

During dinner, Cathy was making rounds and talking to the guests.  At a certain point, she and some bloggers talked about something they probably wanted to clarify with Cathy.   

After dinner, some of us tried having a free massage, the DMS, or just went back to our room and freshened up for we were going to wake up early the next day. 

That's the view from our dorm.  Someone was already asleep, Ria was already checking her email and Ms. Josie was just staring at the ceiling.  

As you can see above, that's where we were going to do our Qi Gong exercises led by our instructor, Jerry.  After this, we had breakfast in the Tanglad Bistro and this is what I had for breakfast.  Don't you think it's so mmmm... tempting? 

I definitely had to take a photo of it before I chomped it all down so I could put it in my blog, my first picture of a breakfast that was served to me.  Isn't this just terrific? 

This is the interior of Tanglad Bistro but not the whole interior, though.  I just wanted to capture a spot that was interesting and attractive that's why I took this picture of the dining table with the spoons and forks laid out properly for fine dining. 

A portion of their menu.  As you can see, the choices are for people who want healthy options. 

Just playing around with the place mat, spoon and fork before the breakfast was served. 

Their Amu'in products near the lobby, as you enter the premises.  This was the time we were about to check out after our 1 hour body massage.  That was the highlight of our stay there.  Of course, it was my first time, as I have mentioned at the start. 

More Amu'in products on display. 

Just a photo of a white gumamela within Nurture Spa.  I miss photography, that's why I'm practicing it using my point-and-shoot digicam. 

Now, this is interesting.  Herbs or plants placed in this pot with the explanation of what these are used for.  It's just something interesting for me.  

 

Rose petals soaked in liquid.  I'm just not sure if the liquid is just water or it's mixed with herbs in it.  I took this photo because of its beauty. 

It's been a long blog and I guess I would have to end it here.  All in all, it was not only a de-stressing experience, it was also educational as a whole.  I even got to meet other people like the other bloggers who do blogging for a living or just a hobby.  It is definitely something I will never forget.

If you want to avail of Nurture Spa's services like the massages, the wellness programs, the venue for weddings or other special occasions, you may contact them through telephone numbers 632 - 584 4228 or 6346 483 0804/05 or through mobile number - 0918 8888SPA or 0929 950 5724.  Website:  http://www.nurture.com.ph/ or you can email them at info@nurture.com.ph.  

 

 

 

What A Day!

Today started with a bang.  My son, Pierre and I had an argument about their going out today with his friends.  I argued that if he and his sister, Willi-Ann and their cousin, Jeremy went on an overnight trip to somewhere, E.J., my three-year-old daughter, and I would be left alone with my 75-year-old mother. 

I'm sure I wouldn't be able to handle a toddler and an old person at the same time.  Although my mom doesn't need any nursing or caring at her age since she can still stand up and walk around, but with care because she is having pain every time she walks or stands up too long.  She also has Bell's Palsy, where one side of her face has the inability to control facial nerves, as Wikipedia defines it.  So that side has sort of drooped already like the melting of a wax face.  It's actually hard to define.  

So my teenaged kids decided not to push through with their trip which they had already paid for.  I'm sure their friends would have been disappointed that their outing was cancelled.  They had planned this for weeks and this happens?  All because our maid was a no-show.  

Well, the weather isn't really cooperative at the moment since it's been raining and there's supposed to be a typhoon headed up north called "Labuyo."  

But after the shouting and everything, my son approached me and apologized and embraced me for shouting at me.  That made me cry even harder.  My son has always been like that ever since he was small.  He has great respect for his elders and that's what I'm very proud of in him.  He has moods and gets angry at times but after a few minutes, he realizes he made a mistake and tries to make up for it.  

My daughter has the same attitude and that makes me proud of them both.  We all have an open relationship and we are a close-knit family.  I stand as their mother and father at the same time.  

And my three-year-old has this attitude of eating Cerelac by herself in a plastic bowl and after she finishes eating, she puts the bowl into the sink on her own.  If I'm boiling water in the whistling kettle, once the kettle whistles, she'd volunteer to turn off the stove and does it well.    

My kids are really amazing, aren't they?  If I'm going to have my life all over again, I'd like to have them all as they are.  I wouldn't want to change anything in them.  I love them as they are and for what they will be.  Because they also love me for who I am.  Now, the tears are swelling in my eyes.  

That's how my day went.  

Thanks for reading. 

The Hans Montenegro Article

I was going through the magazines where I wrote articles.  There was one article that sort of stood out.  It was about Hans Montenegro.  I forgot I was able to interview him in 2005.  Imagine, that's been 4 years ago.  That fast, huh.  I was working for a new magazine back then as the editor-in-chief.  I was the one collecting articles for publication.  

I met Mr. Montenegro in one of those events that I went to.  I think it was a Sony press con.  He was the host of that event.  The opportunist that I was, I went up to him and introduced myself and asked him for his contact number.  Luckily, he gave it to me.  But now, I don't have his number anymore because that was kept in a phone that got stolen.  

Back to Hans.  So, the day after, I sent him a text message and asked for an appointment for the interview.  He mentioned a date and I went on that day.  I was quite excited since I was the one who was going to do the interview and write about him.  I also took pictures of him.  

After the interview, I discovered that he has stopped TV guestings, doing movies or soap operas.  He has gone into the corporate world but still in line with the broadcast industry at that time. 


Although it's been four years since that interview and I saw in LinkedIn that he's already a senior manager in Convergys.  I may scan that article and upload it here.  I will still have to buy my own scanner one of these days. 

photo credit:  www.cosmotalents.com

Lou Diamond Phillips

Meeting Lou Diamond Phillips was never planned.  But unlike Cynthia Luster, I saw him just the same.  It was during the time when he was promoting his movie, "Bats," that he came to Manila and guested in ABS-CBN.  

I was having lunch with officemates in the cafeteria.  At one point, I saw Lou Diamond Philips come out of the conference room and alone.  Finding a piece of paper and a pen, I gathered all courage to approach the famous actor. 

I called him, "Sir, may I have your autograph please?" and he said, "Sure."  And he scribbled his name and signed the piece of paper I had.  Actually, when I approached him, some people saw this and followed suit.  When I left him, he was being swarmed by fans asking for his autograph.  

Was I bad or what?  I started the commotion.  Geez.  I didn't think other people had the same idea.  Or nobody wanted to take the risk of doing so.  But I always thought to myself when there are famous people around, take advantage of their presence because you only see them once. 

And so, that's my story of being a fan.  That's why every time I'm in the office, I would always bring a pen and paper along with me, just in case.  

See 'ya!   


Photo credit:  www.freewebs.com/moviemonger/actors.htm. 

How I Got to Interview Cynthia Luster (a.k.a Yukari Oshima)

Have you ever heard of Cynthia Luster? Maybe in one of those Hong Kong action movies with Cindy Rothrock? Still not familiar? Well, in any case, that's okay. She has not been around for quite some time now. But I wish I could have that chance of meeting her again. She's an interesting subject to interview and I had the chance of interviewing her in 1998 when she was here in the Philippines.

Yes, that was a rare chance. I just saw her in one of the Sports Unlimited episodes which was hosted by Vince Hizon and Dyan Castillejo back then. I called up the station and looked for the person who had Ms. Luster's contact number and asked for it. I was lucky enough to get it because I was writing for a publication then, Men's Zone, which is published by BusinessWorld.

Actually, I just suggested the business of Ms. Luster to the associate editor of Men's Zone at that time. It was just supposed to be a one-paragraph explanation of her business and its location, and what they were offering.

But then, I got a call from Men's Zone to turn it into a full-blown article with photo, I was elated. That meant writing the article and taking the photos myself. Wow! What a break! It was such an honor to do a full-feature article about her.

So, I contacted the person and set the appointment.

I was so excited and I felt so lucky that I was given the privilege to interview her in her shop which was Sports Quest on Dr. Lozcano Street in the Morato area.

Finally, that day came. I was expecting her to be quite aloof since she's already a star in her own right. But I was wrong. She was the opposite. She was very courteous and even answered most of my questions without hesitation. She also said some Tagalog words and she even mentioned her favorite Filipino dishes - pinakbet, garlic rice, bangus and lapu-lapu. It was a perfect interview, I must say.  I mean she told me how she got into the movies and other things.  I will have the article scanned and probably post it here one of these days.

After the interview, I was taking photos of her dive shop, Sports Quest. She was into the scuba diving business.


  

Writing the article wasn't that hard to do.  I just wrote from the heart, how I would interpret or let the article flow.  I sent it along with the photos that were on slides at that time, not yet digital.  

I was excited when it was published.  It was published on the magazine's anniversary and their theme was about successful women on the cover.  I got a big professional fee from that.  I wish I could still get that much fee from a publication again.

One thing was certain.  The article I sent to them wasn't edited that much.  If ever there were mistakes, it was minimal.  That is why I am proud of "Enter the Diveshop," the title of my article, which the editor in Men's Zone entitled it.

To me, it's one of my achievements in my writing history.  It's a success story of a writer, someone like me, who isn't that famous and yet, I had that chance of interviewing her.

That's one writing experience I will never forget.  It only happened once and it will forever be treasured in my memory.

I'd like to give credit to the photo source - http://homepage3.nifty.com/hkaction/photo10.jpg. 

Bad Trip

Excuse me for the title but I really am feeling that way. I was expecting that the maid would come today as she PROMISED, but she's a no-show and not even a text message to me.

My boss is expecting me today to be at the office but I have not left the house because of the no-show maid. It is pretty bad because I don't have any salary for the whole month if I don't work in the office. Where will I get my daily allowance? Or money to spend for my son's birthday this coming September 15?

I feel so fuming mad already. I have been so kind to her and understood her situation with her live-in partner and now, this? Honestly, if she doesn't want to work anymore, she should just tell me straight to my face or through text even. But I didn't receive any of those. Who wouldn't feel so fuming mad, huh?

If only I could leave my three-year-old to someone I can really trust like a relative or something, that would have been ideal. I couldn't leave her to anyone because I feel that she's not their responsibility. She's my responsibility.

Oh, well, I have to give up on this. It's hard to find a reliable, trustworthy maid these days. I want someone who doesn't use the cellphone, who doesn't have a boyfriend nor a husband and kids and someone who is into the job she's doing. Because if she isn't all of those, she's not dependable.

What a day, huh?

I'll write another blog a little later.

Geez... Guys, have a nice day!

Creative Writing 2

Well, I'm not really an expert in blogging but I'm trying my best to write something interesting or something worthwhile.

Being a writer isn't really that easy. Before, I wanted to join the Palanca awards to prove to myself that I could write well. I know people won't believe me if I didn't have any award up in my sleeve. I mean if I'm not an award-winning writer, I feel that I don't have any authority to teach other people to write. That's what stopped me from teaching creative writing to younger people.

I had plans to teach younger people about creative writing. I even had modules prepared for them. I have prepared all the activities, games or lecture. But I stopped to think: "Am I an authority? Do I have enough credentials to teach creative writing?" Yes, it's true, I graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in communication arts from DLSU Manila but I don't have the MA degree yet. Nor have I been practicing writing for several years now. Nor have I a book to show to people that I am an accomplished writer licensed to teach.

I had to think things over before I jumped into it. And at one point, I just dropped everything and found another niche that I was good in.

I still am a writer although I set that career aside because I found a job as a transcriptionist and this is full time.

I can still manage to write in my blog but not write for any magazine at the moment. But that's okay. I know there are a lot of good writers around who have established themselves in the particular industry they're comfortable writing about.

I was kind of the all-around writer back then. I tried writing about the construction industry, call center industry, badminton, golf, or anything that was available for me to write about. I was basically dependent on editors to give me an assignment. This assignment would usually entail me to interview a person who is an authority on the topic I was assigned to. It's either I would prepare the questions or the editor would give me the questionnaire for the interview. Sometimes, the questions would be sent before the interview so the interviewee could review and prepare the answers. There are times that the interviewee would just be interviewed on the spot.

Those were my writing days. I sure enjoyed that. I wish I could still do that.

More on Creative Writing on the next blog. Keep reading!

Thank you.