Pinay massage therapist of sports, showbiz stars

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Sports and style icons David and Victoria Beckham. NBA All-Stars Pau Gasol and Ron Artest. Record producer, Simon Cowell. Superstar singer Lady Gaga. Filipino-American comedian Rob Schneider. These are just some of the A-list celebrities who have passed under the hands of renowned massage therapist and former Philippine national football player Marie Escudero. And they’ve all been touched – literally and figuratively – by the amount of passion, professionalism and sincerity she has shown in tending to their aches and pains.

Escudero played on the national women’s football team in the late 1990’s, and like any other serious athlete, had her share of knee problems and pains. It was then that she discovered that she had an aptitude for and love of massage therapy. She began by practicing on her teammates and a few other athletes.

“I knew how it felt for them, so I also knew how good it made them feel to be able to do more even after a tough match,” says Escudero, a niece of resort owner Conrado “Ado” Escudero.

After her football stint, Escudero finished her studies in California, tried boxing, and became even more deeply enamored of treating athletes who were suffering from the grind of training and competing. After a year, she realized that it was what she was meant to do, and gave up boxing to pursue her certification and other necessary training to become a full-time massage therapist. Her break came through her first Hollywood client, kababayan Rob Schneider.

“The fact that he’s also Filipino helped a lot,” adds Escudero, who has traveled internationally at the expense of satisfied clients who needed more of her services. “It’s a very closed circle, and the people in it trust each other. So they refer people to each other because they know one another.”

Soon, her list of clientele included players from practically every professional sports league in the United States, from heavyweight boxers to basketball players, singers, producers and other celebrities. But since she didn’t fit the image of the heavy-set, unattractive massage therapist, some of the athletes didn’t take her seriously at first. But they all learned their lesson.

“I look kind of small for my profession,” admits Escudero, whose last clients before this latest trip to the Philippines were the Beckhams and who treats world champion Pacquiao when she’s in the country. “So some of them think I’m not there for massage but for some other purposes. But once I start working, they see that I can really help them.”

Marie especially values being able to help athletes coming off big competitions or injuries. She gives deep tissue massage to athletes to help flush out scar tissue which nobody sees, and helps her clients realize how well their bodies can actually perform, or regain their lost form. Her skill, professionalism and the fact that she doesn’t overcharge based on the depth of a client’s pocketbook (about $175 to $200 per treatment) or size, soon endeared her to most of her clientele.

“Well, I’m there because they need my help, so they can’t really be rude to me,” laughs Escudero, who has no qualms about walking away from clients who make inappropriate advances towards her. “But it’s really the purity of the thing. I believe I’m doing a service. And after the treatment, I feel like a part of me is with them. So every time I see them score a goal or do well, I feel that I contributed, even if I’m not there.”

Of course, being intimately close to these celebrities also gives Marie the opportunity to help them in other ways, such as restoring their faith in their abilities.

“Some of them don’t believe they can get back the level of performance they had years ago, and I help them with their confidence,” Escudero says. “The body has the capacity to heal itself, and if you believe in your mind that you can get better, the body will follow.” 

Marie Escudero’s warmth, sincerity and passion for massage therapy has brought her into the homes and hearts of the giants of the sports and entertainment worlds. And knowing she doesn’t want anything from them but the opportunity to give to them, those admired by millions have given her their respect in turn, and keep coming back for more.

Interested clients may contact her through [email protected].