The traveller’s retreat treatment at Chi Spa

A stay at the Shangrila Mactan (Cebu) will not be complete without a treatment at the famed Chi Spa. It is a village within a resort.  I would have taken a half day or whole day treat but since I was attending a whole day conference, I did not have the luxury of time.  Right in the middle of the cocktails I left for my much sought after appointment at the spa.

It was raining then so the hotel receptionist offered to bring me via their golf cart.  Unfortunately, some of the staff were finger pointing at each other since some claimed the road to the Chi Spa was being constructed so the cart would not be able to pass.  I no longer wanted to argue so I just borrowed an umbrella so I can reach the place dry.

It was unfortunate that I had to take an evening appointment since I was not able to see the beauty of the whole village.  When I arrived, it seems they were all busy so there was hardly anyone at the reception. Not a good start though thinking for the price I paid,  I expected a more hospitable greeting.

I was led to a waiting room and asked to fill up some forms.  My appointment was around 7pm but it was already 8pm more or less and I was still waiting. I kept pacing around then decided to go out and find anyone to tell me when I can have my treatment.  Since I already sounded upset, they finally assigned me a therapist.  She did the usual diagnosis of whether I was fire, earth, water and I came out obviously Fire  Â but almost at par with Earth, which just brings out the Gemini in me.

I was led to a private villa which is a privilege if one gets a package.  The Travellers Retreat is described as:

” The perfect treatment to overcome jet lag and relieve stiffness, aches and pains. Combining uplifting Himalayan Bath Ritual, the detoxifying Biodroga Algae Wrap and Aroma Vitality Signature Massage”

 The villa was very spacious with its own changing area, toilet, shower and steam room.  A foot and tea ritual was done after I changed to my comfortable robe.  I then chose to do the steam bath first, showered under the stars, then got ready for the algae wrap.

When the wrap was removed, I proceeded outside in the villa’s private garden and dipped in my own himalayan bath, a mixture of  warm water, coconut milk and rose petals.

The much awaited relaxing aroma vitality massage ended the treatment.  It was a good thing I asked what the lighted place was next to the villa. Only then did I know that it was the so called juice bar that clients can go to after treatment. Hmm receptionists were not so thorough explaining the facilities. Good thing I was nosy.

I then proceeded to this juice bar and was given some fresh mixed fruits to cap my visit.  My Chi spa experience (except for the receptionist and waiting time) was far the best then till I tried the Hongkong Peninsula SPA by ESPA. This will be the subject of a different post.

Originally written April 4, 2007

Chlorophyll for detox?

I had been hearing about the benefits of chlorophyll from some people. When I went to Healthy Options in makati earlier to buy Tea Tree Oil, I noticed three types of Cholorophyll being sold – one was in liquid form and two capsulized. I decided to buy the small bottle of capsule and the liquid one since I presumed the latter could be easily absorbed in the body.  I had to buy the capsule type since upon computation, one tbsp daily, the bottle will last me only for 15 days!

I asked the sales person what it is for and she mentioned colon cleanse and odor remover among some of them. Since I finished my two containers of Fiber source, I decided to get this cholorophyll to try.

Upon checking the internet, the most common benefits dervied from liquid cholorophyll are:

1. natural healer and cleanser for chronic conditions internally and externally
2. stops growth and development of toxic bacteria
3. counteracts toxins
4. accelerates tissue cell activity and normal regrowth of cells which helps the body heal faster
5. inhibits the metabolic action of carcinogens
6. helps purify the liver and eliminate drug deposits, old toxic material, chemical spray on food, artificial flavoring, colors and other coal tar products that may become stored in it
7. deodorizes the bowel and entire body; is a natural antiseptic to the intestinal tract
8. helps to keep colon healthy

Now we will see its effect on me after a month. I tried one tbsp a while ago.  I still feel fine. Am just wary of some allergies so I don’t like to buy in large quantities till I have tried it.

Originally written April 3, 2007

A Detox Weekend

Dale, the holistic nutritionist of the Wellness Institute (and son of the owner) kept convincing me to avail their Gall Bladder Flush. He actually gave me some discount before but I didnt have much time to go overnight in their clinic and besides I was deciding whether to follow the diagnosis of Dr. Kristine (after my live blood analysis) on doing the colon cleanse first, then gall bladder then kidney flush.

However, he and Jeannie came up with an interesting weekend package to be held at Discovery Suites which included a couple of speakers to talk on both mind and body wellness as well as proper nutrition.  Besides, the comfort of doing detox in a hotel sounded too good to miss.

Off I went to check in the night before D day as we were told that we have to start 8am sharp. After registration we were given some fruits and juices for breakfast while listening to several talks from the organizers, Dr. Kristine Gonzales, a priest who shared some interesting thoughts on religion and wellness, and I specially enjoyed the breathing excercises taught by Dr. Nim Gonzales.  Lunch was a light organic vegetable and fruit meal and we were told to drink as much of the apple and carrot juice as we can for by 2pm, all solid and liquid intake stops including water.

We were all weighed and blood pressure reading was taken.

At the strike of 2pm, we were all given the first conconction to take, an epsom salt mixture of sorts so a bit on the bitter side.  We all made a toast before drinking it all at the same time bottoms up!

We all then retreated to our respective rooms and instructed to just rest in bed and wait for the next drink to be delivered in our place at 6pm.  I then went online, checked my mails and napped a bit.  After four  hours, I heard a knock and another similar epsom salt drink was brought to the room and this time with a tiny apple chaser just to remove the bitter after taste.

I tried so hard to focus on the tv or internet so I wont be tempted to drink water. I love drinking water at times you see. By 10pm or so, the last drink for the day arrived. This time it was better tasting as it contained some grapefruit juice and I tasted a bit of olive oil.  I was told to drink it while standing since it helps to bring out the stones from the gall bladder.

At the start of the morning session, we were all given a plastic strainer  and ‘tabo’. We were instructed to put the strainer on the toilet bowl sunday morning after the morning drink.  By that time, our bowels would have been cleansed and only the stones from the bladder and liver will come out. 

I did as told sunday morning. I checked the shapes and colors of whatever came out and by close to 11am we all gathered in Dale’s room to finally drink the much awaited carrot and apple juice drink.  Everyone compared notes on the shape, size and colors of the stones.  Some had large ones, tiny ones, black, yellowish, greenish. Most of mine were tiny greenish mongo like seeds.  Maybe it helped that a week before I did a colon cleanse by taking some fiber drink prior to each meal.

One of the participants cancelled her gall bladder operation that weekend since she heard about this session. They were supposed to take out her gall bladder but lucky for her the big stone just came out after the flush without any invasive surgery involved.  Another no longer had her gall bladder but so much bile came out from her liver. It means without that detox her liver who have suffered more.

 Everyone lost an average of 6-8 lbs during that overnight flush. By noontime we were all gathered in the hotel restaurant once again to partake of specially prepared healthy gourmet meal and have our ‘graduation’.

Hmm if only food would be this good yet healthy at home I would never eat out  Of course the chef would never share his recipe.

All our faces were surely glowing after removing so much toxins in our system. The following day I went straight to asian hospital for my long delayed tests. I thanked the Lord that after four years of refusing any surgery or synthetic theraphy, my new OB said I no longer have any cyst in my ovaries!

Originally written April 3, 2007

Lymphatic Drainage Treatment at Wellness Institute

I first heard of the Wellness Institute from my college schoolmate Gerry.  He has known that I had been studying the health and wellness industry for years.  I distinctly remember that it was Thanksgiving Day, Nov 25, when I first stepped inside the place. There were lots of people and there seemed to be a party then.

I learned later that true enough since the ownders were filipino naturopaths originally based in the US, they preferred celebrating this american tradition.  I went back a week later to avail of the lymphatic drainage treatment since I was told this will get rid of toxins.


Two therapists were assigned to me. The treatment was a combination of a machine and hand massage.  I was informed that the massage device is made of jade. Seaweed algae was rubbed all over my body then the machine and hands alternately kneaded my limbs and lymph nodes.


I had to drink some fresh juice made of fruits and vegetables after the massage and proceeded to shower. I then moved to a different room and this time I had to lie down in a bed warmed with jade stones. A tent was put over me with a sauna effect since some eucalyptus scented steam circulated around the area.

After around 15 minutes, I was made to drink a fruit and vegetable juice once again plus lots of tepid water. Cold water is not encouraged.  After a few minutes of rest, I once again took a quick shower. Finally, I was led to another room for a much relaxing aromatheraphy massage.

I was informed to drink at least 13 glasses of water daily in order to hasten the release of toxins in my body and to expect softer stools for a week to ten days but this will not mean diarrhea but toxic matter being released.

True enough for a week or so much toxins came out hastened by drinking lots  and lots of water which I really love to do. I felt lighter and my skin had a more healthy glow.

Originally written April 1, 2007

Terra Wellness Spa

Since  I signed up to attend a detox weekend at the Discovery Suites (organized by the Wellness Institute)  in Ortigas I decided to book a day ahead of the schedule  since the hotel  was far from my home and I wanted to try out their spa.

I went to the hotel website to check out any spa service, unfortunately there was no mention of such facility so I had to call and ask.  They connected me to the office of Terra Wellness in the hotel and I requested them to email me their treatment packages. Lo and behold the one who replied said they don’t have any email and if they could just send it via fax.



In this day and age, no website and no email! A spa supposedly in the heart of the business district located in a suite hotel? I sounded upset so they called the manager who was supposedly in a better way to decide and she said they will email it asap so I can make my reservation.

I took hours and a few more phone follow ups before I got it.  Apparently they had to call their “IT” person who was supposed to type the packages but what I got was a jpeg file of a scanned document which had a huge resolution so took some time to download. By the way, it was just a one page thing and all text.

Now let me get back to my spa experience.  Despite the fact that I experienced the worst service in a supposedly luxury hotel, the treatment compensated my frustation.

Before I was led to the treatment room, I was made to sit at the waiting area  so they can remove my shoes, provide slippers and do a foot bath.

I chose a detox wrap and massage.  The aroma oils used were certified organic from Australia. The therapist assigned to me was really good and as I ended late at night, I felt very much relaxed after the whole week’s stressful activities including the one caused by the hotels poor service.

originally written March 31, 2007

My asthma and a chinese medication (Penta Cordyceps Sinensis)

My on and off asthma had been bothering me since end of last year. My allergologist would give me the usual steroids and puffs which I really don’t like to take for long periods knowing it may affect my heart in the long term.  Last February, I went to honkong with some friends for some business and we all made a side trip to Macao. As I no longer have any intentions to do the usual shopping, I instead preferred to look at the chinese pharmacies. I asked around for some herbal medication for asthma. I was not convinced with some of the recommendations till I reached this last shop.



I bought this herbal cough tonic similar to the famous Pei Pak Wa but the difference was the new one had snake bile in it. I got two boxes. However, one of the salesperson was recommending something they said was a lot effective but they had difficulty explaining this as all the explanations on the box was in chinese. They asked me to go way inside the shop and called the Pharma director to explain the medication in english. The director told me her asthma was cured instantly from taking this.

The capsules were kinda pricey but I decided to buy one. When I opened the box, apparently there was some english explanation and only then did I know that the english scientific name of the capsule was Penta Cordyceps Sinenis.  Apparently it is made from some wild mushrooms grown organically in the heart of china.

I began taking a capsule a day. When i got back in Manila after two days, I was suprised that my coughing was gone.That was around end Feb and till now I never had to use my inhaler or take any other medecine much less steroids.  I am really impressed so far. I tried to check the internet to know more about this but most of such products sold were supplements from the US.  I can’t find the literature now but from what I recall, even cancer patients benefit from this wild mushroom concoction.

Originally written March 30, 2007

What time is it? A Dulaya spa experience

After the Wellness Summit held at Hua Hin last August, I checked in at Davies, a boutique hotel in Bangkok for the weekend before I flew back to Manila. I booked myself a detox package at the posh Dulaya spa within the Davies cottage complex. There was another spa up the hotel but it seems Dulaya was better.

Yes it was indeed with its spacious rooms, soothing and quiet ambiance, generous amenities and the therapist was good. My treatment started with a salt scrub, followed by a seaweed wrap after which I plunged to the  jacuzzi tub filled with rose petals and aroma scent to remove all the algae in my body after which I was given a most relaxing massage.



I encountered one problem though.When I was wrapped with seaweeds, I wanted to know the time so I tried asking the thai therapist.  I had to explain what time meant and even used the word clock to no avail. She couldnt understand what I was asking at all! I couldnt move my body to try to see the clock for I was tightly wrapped all over. I was so exasperated that she tried calling the receptionist to help her out. Only then did I know what time it was, after several minutes of irritatingly explaining what I needed.

The thai women are really good in spa treatments but sadly have much catching up to do in order to improve basic english knowledge.

originally written March 27, 2007