Jun Esma: Creating a Salon Craze in Banilad

A trip to the salon has become a necessity for the women of today. Whether for a haircut, hair treatment, a manicure, pedicure or foot spa, the salon is definitely a woman’s best friend.

I recently discovered the Jun Esma Salon & Spa in busy Banilad, where I live. Because of the traffic in the area, what with the flyover construction, I found myself frequenting the salon to relax. For me, lounging in the salon’s sofa while having a foot spa and a pedicure is certainly a perfect way to relax.

During my first visit to the salon, I wondered who Jun Esma was and began asking the attendants. “Who is Jun Esma,” I asked. Then the guy in three-fourths crisp polo, soft slacks and neatly polished shoes turned to me without hesitation and answered. “I am Jun Esma.”

Honestly, I felt a little awkward and wondered why I asked such a question. After composing myself, I then told him I just wanted to tell him that I really liked his salon. Good that I was not alone at that time. My friends/officemates were with me.

First impressions do last. I now frequent Jun’s salon, not just for the services they offer, but also for the coolness of the place – the cozy ambiance, the light bossa nova music, even the furniture, which I learned was designed and manufactured by Manny Castro, the name behind the Balay Na Tisa in Carcar

During one of my visits there, I saw a couple waiting for their son to be attended to. Seated on a bench, they were enjoying a game of sungka. Oh, I just love Jun’s brilliant hospitality. Sungka is one of my fave afternoon games in my grandparent’s house.

Students from the nearby schools (University of San Carlos, Gullas School of Medicine, University of Cebu, Woodridge), would come frequently to his salon to have their tired hands and feet pampered. Korean students also frequent the place. 

According to Jun, he simply designed his salon to be this way since the place is also his home. He grew up in this salon with his mother who also happened to be a famous hairdresser during her younger years. Jun must have been greatly influenced by his mother. Could anyone imagine him, as an Electronics and Communication Engineer (ECE batch 1985) from USC venturing into the salon business for more than a decade? Jun’s home became a parlor which was formerly known as the Headlines Beauty and Hair Shop. It was located across the street where the new Jollibee Gov. M. Cuenco Banilad branch now stands.

In 2002, the business grew and underwent a rebirth. He named it after himself – Jun Esma Salon & Spa. For Jun, there is more room for improvement. “From time to time, I attend

training programs. As a salon owner and a beautician, you should know how to take care of your business.” He shares new salon trends with his staff. Just recently, he was one of the eight out of 60 who qualified as a Loreal Color Expert. “I was so happy to have passed the exam and revalida of Loreal Color Expert Cebu Batch 2008.”

Beauty salons are sprouting like mushrooms but Jun considers them as partners, confident that he can get a share of the pie because of the kind of service he gives his clients. “We open at 8:30 in the morning and close at 10:00 in the evening. That’s a long stretch of work. I usually tell my staff that that makes us different from other salons. We offer services from split ends to ingrowns, and expand our services to hair and make up.”