CEBU, Philippines – While the City of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu have conducted operations to curb "lingam" massage in their areas, Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young welcomes the massage parlor to operate within the city.
Young, however, quick to clarify that there is a need for the regulation and guidelines of lingam massage, a kind of service in local massage parlors and spas, so that it will not lead to "extra services".
"Let us evaluate it. Ang question karon is about morality kay kung wala'y sex mahitabo, ok ra man. Ari lang mo diri kung dili mo pwede didto (referring to other cities)," Young told reporters.
Lingam is a Sanskrit word for the male genitals.
Last March, the Cebu City Council passed a resolution asking the Cebu Anti-Indecency Board and law enforcement agencies to investigate if these massage parlors offering lingam massage were involved in immoral and lewd practices.
Young said there are many foreigners and tourists here in Cebu because of the lingam massage.
Lingam massage has been popular among male customers because it reportedly includes massage of the testicles and perineum. It said that the massage prevents possible prostate problems for elderly male clients.
But this kind of massage is not taught in massage schools because contact with a male client's genitals is not included in the scope of a professional therapeutic massage.
Young said he already tasked the two city council committee -the committees on health and tourism- to craft guidelines on the operation of lingam massage in the city.
"Karon wala man gyud makadungog nga naay reklamo except naa diha sa Mandaue," Young said.
Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu president Johnnie Lim suggested that the local government should also coordinate with the association when processing permits for spa operators.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Board yesterday invited the owners of Authentic Lingam Massage, Bella Talingting and Honey Yoo, to ask them about the benefits of the lingam massage as they claimed that aside from being therapeutic it is also a form of relaxation for men.
Lim and former CAIB chief Rene Bullecer were invited to discuss whether the business is morally acceptable or not.
During the session, Yoo stressed out that it is not genital massage but the stimulation of the soft tissues between the anus and the perineum wherein the prostate pressure points are located for the purpose of relaxation.
She adds that Lingam massage is therapeutic for elder male clients to prevent prostate problems.
SWAC president Lim said he believes that the operation of Lingam massage here in Cebu is legal as long as operators comply with business and DTI permits.
He said that he is not personally discouraging the nature of the business but questioned its moral acceptability. He also said it is the clients who should answer if lingam massage is indeed therapeutic. - Garry B. Lao and Flor Z. Perolina/BRP (THE FREEMAN)