Donaires at Posh Nails

It was a surprise to find interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and wife Rachel relaxing for a few precious hours at Posh Nails, a newly opened salon on the second floor of the BCGroup Building, Filinvest Alabang, last Monday night.

Since they arrived from the US three weeks back, there has hardly been a moment’s rest. Donaire has taped six episodes of GMA’s “Show Me The Manny” with Onyok Velasco, Benjie Paras and Marian Rivera in Manny Pacquiao’s absence. Rachel competed on TV-5’s “Shall We Dance.” They were guests at Malacañang where President Arroyo conferred on the fighter the order of “Lakandula” with the rank of champion-for-life and feted in a Manila motorcade by Mayor Alfredo Lim. They attended the PSA Awards Night at Manila Hotel and flew to Cebu to visit stricken Z Gorres. The grind of press conferences, guest appearances, negotiations for endorsement contracts and media interviews seemed endless.

Getting pampered at Posh Nails was a luxury for the busy Donaires.

“What a whirlwind trip,” said Rachel. “We arrived a few days after Jun won over Manuel Vargas in Las Vegas. But even as we had lots of commitments, we made sure there was time to hang out with our closest friends and relatives. In Cebu, we decided to take a day off and enjoyed Plantation Bay which is an awesome resort place.”

Rachel said while their schedule was hectic, they didn’t mind at all.

“We loved every minute of it,” she said. “Jun didn’t want to miss the PSA Awards Night because he has so much respect for the sports media and receiving his award in person was a big honor. GMA wanted Jun to tape more episodes of ‘Show Me The Manny’ since Manny won’t be able to appear until after the elections but Jun begged off because he starts training Monday for his next fight on May 8.”

Rachel herself kept busy, too.

“We were four pairs in ‘Shall We Dance,’” she related. “Maricar de Mesa was clearly the best dancer of us all. I was taught some salsa steps the night before the taping. It was lots of fun.”

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A big deal the Donaires just inked is a three-year contract to endorse a growing aesthetic center. It will involve appearing in TV commercials, print ads and billboards. A new campaign with the Donaires at the forefront will be launched in June. Another deal they’re working on is a business arrangement with an accessories group that markets products in the US.

“Things are looking up in 2010 and it’s the start of a great year,” said Rachel who has given up her taekwondo career to concentrate on her husband. “I’ve been advised to focus on Jun and set aside my taekwondo so as not to be a distraction. I’m here to support Jun in any way I can.”

The Donaires were treated like celebrities at Posh Nails but then salon franchise owner Mark Ngkaoin said everyone gets the same treatment when experiencing the comforts of lounging in the hand-and-foot spa.

Posh Nails was created by Cat Ilacad in 2002 and now has 10 outlets. The Alabang salon was formally inaugurated last Monday with a star-studded cast of celebrities attending the event. Among the guests were actress Francine Prieto, actress Jenny Hernandez, “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Say Alonso, actress Nikki Valdez, DJ Pam of Wave 89.1 FM and the Donaires. St. Jerome Emiliani and Sta. Susana church assistant parish priest Fr. Domingo (Jun) Batac Jr. officiated in the blessing of the premises located in the building beside South Supermarket above HSBC, Hap Chan and Aussie Café.

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Mark’s parents Ted and Verna flew in from Masbate to attend the rites. The affair ended up with guests queuing for manicures, pedicures, scrubs and massages. Mark’s grandmother Ester Lee, 86, was at the top of the list of satisfied customers of all ages, young and old alike. His sister Yummie, uncle Eli, aunt Amy and cousin Alvin had their turns, too. The Donaires and basketball legend Hector Calma’s wife Ines also enjoyed the pampering.

Other guests in the well-attended affair included TV broadcaster Dyan Castillejo’s mother and former Miss Philippines Edith, Mari and Christy Ojeda, Madie Dinglasan and the family of Mark’s fiancée Cristina, including her 94-year-old grandmother Marina, 84-year-old grandfather Dr. Jose Genato, proud parents, aunt Vicky, uncle Pepito and cousin Maricar.

Mark, a San Beda graduate who once played for the Red Bull junior PBL team, said Posh Nails offers a unique experience where every customer is pampered with the luxurious comforts of home.

“We’re the first in the Philippines to offer themed manicures and pedicures like green tea, coffee, margarita and citrus,” he said. “We keep clients up to date with nail salon services all over the world. Cleanliness is our No. 1 priority. We sterilize all our instruments with hospital grade barbicide and our seven nail technicians disinfect their hands with liquid sanitizers before attending to each client. Our polish, waxes, paraffin wax and scrubs come           

 from the UK, Spain and the US.”

Cristina said the atmosphere is just as important in relaxing Posh Nails’ customers. “It’s all about providing a pampered feel,” she said. “Our towels and sheets are crisp. Our music is soft R&B and chillout-oriented. Our colors are pink, lilac and white and our couches, footrests and pillows are unbelievably comfortable. We’re proud of our service and we make every effort to give the customers what they want and deserve. We also offer party packages for birthdays and showers. And for our customers, we give Posh Club cards which entitle holders to discounts and freebies.”

Cristina said the Alabang salon even offers robes, eye masks, coffee, tea, cookies and candies and more pillows for every client to enjoy the total Posh Nails experience.