The magic of four hands

I used the CHI Spa gift certificate I received for my birthday last March…before it would expire, kept safe in my drawer. So, off I went to Shangri La Mactan last Saturday for an afternoon of peace and quiet within the Zen confines of CHI.

The mushrooming of spas and “wellness havens,” not only in the Philippines but also particularly in Cebu, makes the Cebuano client more discriminating. Whereas the luxury of CHI was unthinkable a decade ago among local clientele, locals now appreciate the quality of service and the unique amenities of such a pampering Zen haven. Hence, one can expect a CHI gift certificate for one’s special day – like one’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, Christmas or Mother’s Day/Father’s Day. The gift of a CHI treatment is, for me, a thoughtful and affectionate gesture. Thoughtful, because the giver “forces” you to take time out of your hectic schedule to indulge yourself; affectionate, because the giver “embraces” you with the loving treatment you get at the spa.

As I proceeded to my exclusive suite, two therapists accompanied me. I supposed that one was for the “palina” portion of my “hilot,” while the other would do the massage. Palina is the traditional ritual cleansing of the spirit by using the smoke of herbal plants. I remember my late mother subjecting me – a girl of about 6 years old — to palina, after a visit to the cemetery. The smoke ritual was supposed to cleanse me from possible dermal allergies. Or something like that.

Hilot on the other hand is the traditional pressure point massage that can rid you of whatever it is that is ailing you – kabuhi (what westerners know as heartburn), panuhot (arthritic aches or some pulled muscle unease), hilanat (fever with headache), ubos nga matres (retroverted uterus), suhi (breached pregnancy). As can be gleaned from this traditional therapy, it is considered effective remedy for a wide range of physical discomfort.

What pleasantly surprised me was realizing that I would have a four-hand massage! The first time I experienced this top-of-the-line massage technique was in Badian Island Resort & Spa. It was just heaven! Both masseuses were equally adept and so my feeling was being pampered head and toes, at the same time. I had been back to Badian over the years for two more sessions of their 4-hand massage and they never disappointed me. So much so that I insisted that my cousins from Foothill Ranch, Orange County (California) – Cookie (Angbetic) and Tom Walden – take time out of their Cebu vacation on a two-night stay in Badian for their 4-hand massage experience. They were still talking about their massage even after a year, when I visited them in California.

In a 4-hand massage, synchronization is quite tricky to achieve. I had this once in a Bohol resort and I quickly told the owners to pair their masseuses’ abilities well, as the client can glean right away the difference between the two doing a “tandem” service. And so it was with my CHI 4-hand experience. Right off, I could feel that the “teacher” was doing my right side, while the “learner” was at my left. The pressure alone was already telling me the hesitation of the “learner” as against the assured movements of the teacher. Unlike the Badian synchronized four hands going in the same direction, then pressure stopping at the same instant, I sensed through closed eyes the “teacher,” massaging my head, sending silent signals to the “learner,” doing my feet. There were instances that one just stopped, then merely touched my soles. (The massage should be continued non-stop throughout the treatment hour.)

Overall though, I felt the sincere efforts of my two therapists to make my experience a lovely one. Unfortunately, there was an uneven match. But the coconut milk feet cleansing along with the Indian (?) incense “palina” (a contemporary take to an old Filipino tradition) was quite soothing. So was the “pito-pito” herbal tea served before and after the treatment. I found the drink so nice that I bought two boxes at the CHI souvenir shop.

And the oil used for the “palina hilot” experience? Only extra virgin coconut oil, being assiduously kneaded into every inch of your tired body, while you listen to the exotic sounds of stringed instruments and bells. If that is not being pampered, I don’t know what is!

Ah, Mactan’s Shangri La CHI Spa is really Zen at its best!