Holiday healing
Traffic, congested parking lots, malls teeming with shoppers, and no partridge in a pear tree! For some, Christmas can also be about frazzled nerves, endless deadlines, and stress and tension over gift-giving and hosting holiday meals. So we can thank Santa and the Mandarin Oriental Manila that The Spa exists. For those instances when we want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of this teeming city blanketed in holiday mode, for when we want to dig deep and go for well-being and relaxation — it’s nice to know that The Spa, situated at the Mandarin’s topmost floors, is a veritable aerie, that masterfully offers and blends various forms of therapy and massages that include time-honored Filipino healing arts and techniques.
The one I opted to try was the two-hour combination of hilot and bentosa! We started off with bentosa, the ancient “cupping” therapy that originated in China but is now practiced all over the world, each culture coming up with its own version or variation thereof. It stimulates the nervous system, activates and balances blood flow and circulation, dissipates cold spots in the body, while removing toxins and restoring balance to our body — and it’s not painful at all, one doesn’t feel that one’s body is being scalded or burned as the cups are placed strategically on one’s back.
The hilot then commenced — it means to rub, touch, massage and caress — and dates back to the fifth century. There’s a rich tradition in hilot, as it was originally practiced only in remote rural areas, and knowledge was gained through apprenticeship through generations of healers. Practitioners are noted for their ability to reset joints such as fingers, ankles, knees and metacarpals that have been sprained or dislocated. It’s deep tissue massage with smooth, flowing strokes, that restores health and well-being.
To be completely frank, I fell asleep during the hilot treatment and that could, in itself, be the best endorsement because that’s how relaxed I was during that 90-minute session. The Spa Concierge can be reached at 750-8888, extension 1901 or 1902; and from the moment one reaches the reception area and is brought to the welcome area, one is spoiled and pampered in a manner that’s refined and elegant without being overly fussed over. It may have been a power nap as they had to wake me up after the session, but I was extremely thankful and will remember the session as the holiday season descends and we’re made to attend endless parties, dinners and events!
