Hapuhap's healing touch

CEBU, Philippines - Hapuhap means caress, a soft touch. The kind of touch that elicits a feeling of security and love, one that only grandmothers or a loved one could give.

What better way to name a wellness spa then, than with one that evokes such wonderful feelings. So when dentist Francis Xavier Solis decided to open a spa together with his friends, they decided to adopt the name, not just for the emotions that it would elicit but also as a promise to give the best service to their clients.

Their location at the 3rd floor of LBR Bldg., along V. Rama Ave., can be a bane to some (especially those with a problem taking the stairs, which are quite steep here), but the price of quiet solitude, of peace in the middle of a very chaotic metropolis, would make this little hurdle a boon.

Mind you, there are comfortable chairs aptly placed in the landing between the second and third floors.

On reaching the third floor, the atmosphere totally changes. The walls are covered with bamboos with giant mask décors adorning it, an indoor fountain provides the soothing song of water gracefully flowing, and the subdued lighting adds serenity to the atmosphere. Everything about Hapuhap Wellness Spa speaks of warmth, comfort, and well-being.

And their services are quite affordable. A 1 hour 15 minute massage would only cost P250. And this comes with the cleansing ritual, a very relaxing touch, and a cup of rejuvenating tea afterwards.

The style of the therapists’ varies because according to Dr. Xavie, they have given their therapists the freedom to apply their own style into the massage, adding that all of their therapists are experienced masseurs coming from Cebu’s top wellness centers.

“We also conduct regular trainings for them. Some of them we enroll in massage classes,” he said.

A unique treatment would be the Turkish Bath (P500/1 hour) which is basically bathing the client while giving him a massage.

This practice is of Middle Eastern origin and is called Hamam. The traditional Hamam starts with having the client rest in a warm room where he can freely perspire. Then the bather could then move to an even hotter room, should he wish, before taking a cold splash of water. Then he will have a full body bath and a massage, before he retires and rests in a cool room to relax and rejuvenate.

This practice is said to heal the body; in fact this has been a practice of many ancient religions as a cleansing ritual, annexing the Hamam to the place of worship.

Another excellent treatment that is a must-try is the body scrub (P300/1 hour). What’s unique with Hapuhap is that they use coffee grinds to scrub the body of its impurities.

Coffee is naturally rich in magnesium and vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and has exfoliating properties as well as antibacterial and stimulating qualities.

What’s best is that Hapuhap offer packages that couple their different services at a discounted price. Like body scrub and massage for only P500 or a two-hour body massage for only P400.

So, should you want to indulge yourself and be pampered, then, a trip to Hapuhap will prove to be a rejuvenating experience.

They are open on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. and on weekends until 3 a.m. For more information, they can be reached at 417-4885.