WELLNESS: Hilot and The Pinoy's Touch

What has been considered as the Pinoy’s traditional choice of stress-buster is now one of the world’s famous and sought-after massage therapies to date. After its standardization, it has garnered hordes of patrons than ever.

More than a thousand years ago, Hilot has been in existence; providing first aid assistance to illness-stricken townsfolk and responding to the community’s various medical needs—even midwifery and diagnostics.

Fast forward decades later and the generically known Hilot sa Pilay has evolved into a more developed, elaborate and now standardized Filipino Hilot.

The Pinoy’s healer

Bibiano “Boy” Fajardo, president of the Association of Traditional Health Aid Givers Inc. or ATHAG, suffered from muscular dystrophy when he was 27years old and through Hilot was he cured in less than a year. And with the aid of herbal baths and herbal concoctions that cleansed his system, he eventually reached the pink of his health in no time.

“Hilot is a healing process and has been a part of my life since I was 20. I was already into it,” said Fajardo. “When I got sick of muscular dystrophy, which was incurable even at this time with the Western medicine, I was healed by albularyos (native medicine men). After that I committed to myself that I will go further into its study.”

This healing technique is not just the usual drink-the-medicine-and-get-cured process but more of the balancing of energies and the body’s four elements.

In Philwell.org, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, integrative healer medical doctor and Cathy Turvill, president of Philippine Wellness Association, explained that “humankind and the environment are interrelated and interconnected through energy channels in the universe and in the human body. Thus the focus of the Hilot is not just body (or muscle or tissue manipulation) by hand, but also the harnessing of bio-energies from the following: the universe (cosmic, spiritual, and ethereal), the environment (earth, wind, fire and water), botanicals (leaves, flowers, aromatic oils) and the healers themselves. The Filipino Healer or Hilot Massage Therapist becomes the medium for harnessing all these bio-energies to bring about balance, harmony, health and wellness.”

Setting standards

Most of the spas in and out of the metro now offer Hilot and has included it in their spa menu. In fact, its soothing effects and benefits can be experienced in the rest f the world, too. Much of the accolade goes to the combined efforts of PhilWell and the Department of Tourism to promote Hilot in the world.

Cathy Turvill said that when they first put up PhilWell, one of their key thrusts is to create a Filipino brand of massage or spa therapy that they could promote.

“Since then we saw the need to standardize Hilot because before, the techniques and styles for executing the therapy and massage are hodge-podge. We cannot sell something unless we do it properly. So we started working with the Department of Health, the Department of Tourism and TESDA to come up with the basic and standards of Hilot,” she said.

What makes Hilot truly and distinctly Filipino is the use of warm banana leaf strips with droplets of extra virgin coconut oil before and after the massage. According to Dr. Galvez Tan and Turvill, naturally ionized banana leaves “act on the molecular and bio-energy as manifested on the skin and body parts to determine which areas need an infusion of massage. Banana leaves also provide astringent and cleansing effect to the body.”

Hilot and the world

In a recent article in Malaya titled “‘Hilot’ now available in Japan’s high-end beauty clinic”, Takano Yuri related that "a specialized wellness tour triggered my interest of to visit the Philippines and experience the traditional Hilot. I discovered its benefits in enhancing health and beauty, a main reason for including this in our line of services to be offered in all Takano Yuri clinics in Japan."

Thus, its debut promotion in Takano Yuri beauty salons in Japan.

Apart from being included the salons’s exquisite roster of services, HIlot has also been registered in the International Language of Spas and was picked up by Spa Finder 2007-2008, a trend spotter based in New York, added Turvill.

I AIN'T CHICKEN! :P

Among my biggest dreams is to become a chef. Yeahuh, CHEF. Probably because of my daily exposure to Cooking Master Boy, Chef Academy, Iron Chef, and local cooking shows such as QTV11's Delicioso-- I have longed to be the one whipping up sumptuous dinners and mouth-watering desserts...and! literally sweating it out in the kitchen.

I wanted to be a chef so bad that I searched online for possible scholarships. In fact, I was among the short-listed applicants for the Academy for International Culinary Arts scholarship program late last year. But I guess, I wasn't meant to chop, baste, and fry as I didn't get the much-coveted scholarship.
So imagine my excitement when I got the chance to sit in front 10 chefs, with chef bruce Lim at the helm, running to and fro the Chef's Table kitchen--wearing their game faces; making sure that dishes were perfectly done-- for Bounty Fresh Chicken's media event.

I so wanted to be in their place that time :p

"Bounty Fresh Chicken held the event at the classy and popular Chef’s Table Restaurant in The Fort. Friends from the media and top bloggers had a fun, prize-laden and educational experience. Aside from bringing home great freebies from Bounty Fresh, they learned delicious and healthy chicken recipes personally prepared and demonstrated by popular TV celebrity gourmet chef, Bruce Lim. Lucky guests went away with special prizes for participating in the games and raffle. A wellness talk given by respected nutritionist Joan Sumpio was one of the highlights of the day’s program, which stresses the importance of chicken meat, nutrition and finding the right product in the market. A ‘Best Blog Post’ Contest was also launched."



I never knew much about Bounty Fresh and its yummy choices until I cleared my once-overflowing plate of their own version and mix of chicken pandan, chicken nuggets, and chili wings.

SPAdventures: Quan Spa puts the AHHH in Spa

There’s something relaxing and unequivocally exciting about the simple utterance of the word “spa.” Down south, the tranquil vibe that the word exudes is simply translated into a place called Quan Spa. Somewhere in Marriott Hotel Manila rests this unassuming minimalist of a relaxation haven where southerners and northerners alike surrender themselves for an hour or two.

What’s in a name?

Quan Spa lives up to its name, being a Chinese character quan meaning “a source of pure water”, as guests are warmly welcomed by a curtain of flowing water and the feeling of being along a crisp, fresh stream. Symbolically, the spa’s name is that of water and is often associated with good luck. Also, quan is a Chinese character synonym which denotes completeness or sufficiency.

(photo courtesy of Marriott Hotel Manila: uan Spa)

But don’t get too awed with the name just yet. Wait until you’ve tried Quan Spa’s therapies, wraps, facials, and massages.

The gift of the flowing water

There’s no denying the fact that this spa, which has made its debut in 2004 at the Sanya Marriott Resort and Spa in China, is very much inspired by none other than water. Friendly yet attentive certified therapists greet guests with beaming smiles that makes one feel as if they have long been part of each others’ lives. And this feeling will hold through even after the treatment has been done because the instant guests arrive at the lounge, they are asked to answer questionnaires regarding the status of their health and their personal preferences. This way, said Health Club and Spa Manager Almira Mondonedo,the guests are assured of a smooth-sailing spa relaxation, sans the burden of discomfort.

Proudly Pinoy

Although most spas abound offer various treatments and massages inspired by the different cultures of different countries, Quan Spa, albeit its Chinese origins, endorses and offers 100 per cent Pinoy-inspired treatments such as Hilot, Dagdagay foot spa, Banana Leaf Wrap, Papaya Scrub.

“What we are really promoting are Filipino treatments and Pinoy products,” stressed Mondonedo.

Wading in my own water

Quan Spa boasts of their treatments that have been backed up by empirical proofs, as witnessed by generations upon generations of patrons. Techniques for body scrubbing, body wrapping, massaging, bathing and steaming have been handed down in all cultures across the world and these time-proven remedies are the source of inspiration for their treatments.

Given these, I must say that my first Quan Spa experience was like being caressed by and wading in my own water. Personalized spa treatment was what I have observed and felt in my quick sojourn to this place.

Interesting tidbit I found out was that Quan Spa bases their guest’s kind of massage oil and suggests services that are more apt for the day, afternoon, or night. This way, says Mondonedo, guests do not feel sleepy when they should be awake and otherwise.

The spa’s treatment menu is about “reality management,” said Mondonedo, as they target specific concerns such as stress-management, detoxification, age management and much more. While all treatments have specific objectives, Quan Spa delivers them in an environment of luxury and relaxation.

Guests leave Quan feeling that they have had a positive change in either the way they look, the way they feel or the way they respond to everyday situations. Quan treatments support the quest that all people have, which is to feel alive and vital and to present their very best self to the world.

FACE AND BODY: Beauty on a Budget

Basic beauty can be achieved without breaking your piggy banks. Maintenance products are widely available in the market today, you won’t even miss it. There are toners, astringents, creams, wash, and moisturizers tailor-fit for every skin type, but not all may be perfect for you. Lemme share some pointers before purchasing that loot.

For those with the luxury of a weekly facial treatment and skin enhancements, having healthy and radiant skin is a breeze. But for those who believe that maintaining a beautiful skin needs no humongous financial investment. Creams, moisturizers, and all those facial enhancers, that last up to a month or so, come in handy tubes and pretty pots which are cheaper compared to that coveted one-time facial treatment.

But take heed, not all products that you deem okay-to-perfect for your skin type are that friendly. Some may cause breakouts and excessive drying effect despite the labels that say otherwise.

It’s in the skin

Oil is good even on the face as it keeps it moist and supple, but having too much of it is not a pretty sight. Some people think that the way to oil-free skin requires scrubbing and one-too-many washes a day, this is wrong.

“Oil production is nature's response to irritation – so the harsher the cleansing, the more likely the body is to respond by producing more oil, "said Joel Schlessinger, MD president-elect of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, in an article by Collete Bouchez, published in WebMD.com.

The way to go is a gentle but constant, thorough cleansing. Dr. Gwendolyn Wong recommends purchasing products that have salicylic acid and those that are sudsy as these kinds cleanse the skin better than soap-free, non-sudsy facial wash. “The sudsier the better,” said Dr. Wong.

ZEN Health Magazine beauty columnist and beauty blogger, Lee Shen Gee, said that “anything that says oil control would most likely work for you. Living in the Philippines, most skin care products have oil control variants since most Filipinas do have oily skin. Pore minimizing products may also work since those who have large pores tends to have oily skin.” She suggests using Garnier Light Complete and Clean and Clear products.

The offshoot of oiliness is acne or pimples as oil, when mixed with dirt and grime, tends to block the pores which causes annoying and stinging zits. Again, Dr. Wong suggests that you use facial cleansers with salicylic acid, belonging to the class of keratolytic agents, as this reduces the pimple’s redness and swelling, and dries it up faster.

While Gee suggests products with Tea Tree Oil in it as it has disinfecting factors that is just perfect for acne, blackheads,

whiteheads, and even fungi infections and recommends products from Neutrogena, Garnier Pure A and those from Flawless and Let’sFace It as most of the items are mere PhP250 below.

If you have dry and sensitive skin, shun the fragrance. If you have hypersensitive skin you don’t want something with

color with artificial fragrances as these might contribute to further irritation of the skin. For the cleansers, the less sudsy the better so opt for milky and soap-free products, said Dr. Wong.

(photos courtesy of Google Images and shensaddiction.com)

FITNESS: GET FIT! DO THE CIRCUIT!

Has the gym become your last resort to fitness simply because it has bored you to exhaustion after a few weeks? Or have you quit going to your favorite fitness hub due to your demanding work schedule; leaving lesser and lesser time for you to sweat it out? Perhaps, circuit training might be perfect for you!

A combination of aerobics and resistance exercises, circuit training is specifically designed to initiate and target muscle development, fat loss, and over all fitness. Brainchild of G.T. Anderson and R.E. Morgan, circuit training was developed at the University of Leeds, England in 1953.

Circuit training employs a little over 30 minutes of a gym-goer’s time and usually has quick intervals between routines and exercises. The training, originally composed of up to 12 various exercise stations and themed circuits, uses the aid of dumbbells and weights, exercise machines, calisthenics, and resistance equipments. And because it is time efficient, there’s no space for boredom or the feeling of being burnt out

Studies have shown that this particular training aids people, more specifically women, in achieving their much coveted goal of having a fit and svelte physique, and maintaining it longer in the process with lesser time needed. Thus, this has become a group of college friends’ inspiration for their newest baby, the 360 Fitness Club.

360 degrees and more

Joana Pinon, managing director, has been working out for 10 years until her work got in the way, she stopped, and gained weight.

“At an average I stay around two to three hours in the gym. But when I got so busy with work, I stopped and I gained weight,” Pinon said. “So that’s where the idea came up. What if there’s an express fitness center that you can workout in?”

In 360 Fitness Club a group circuit training is more than just an exercise program. It consists of 20 exercise stations that combine cardiovascular and strengthening exercises – a total body workout that will make you burn up to 500 calories in just 30 minutes, tone and shape up with the use of free weights and exercise accessories.

“We're all about making fitness a way of life, a habit, and it's easy to do just that if exercising will be fast, efficient and fun—30 minutes and you get a total body workout. Of course, it should be effective especially if you complete the circuit at least 30 minutes for three times a week,” Chappy Callanta, a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Nebraska, USA said.

In the Philippines, 360 Fitness Club is by far the first co-ed express circuit training club and is the first to offer group TRX suspension training.

“The club will also offer 45-minute group exercise classes such as power yoga, hip-hop dance off, latin dance, and cardio combat, and these classes will be taught by the best group exercise instructors. The group exercise coaches, however, will not just instruct - they will teach, motivate, and inspire. 360 Fitness advocates fitness as a way of life, so there will also be a health bar that will offer low calorie, healthy dishes to encourage proper nutrition to its members,” Piñon added.

Get started! Visit 360 Fitness Club at Strata 100 bldg., Ortigas Ave, Ortigas Center in Pasig City.