The top 3 wellness resorts in Tagaytay
You don’t have to travel as far as Palawan or Batangas to heal the body and spirit. De-stressing in Tagaytay will not just be a staycation with a gourmet meal overlooking a view, a dip in the pool and a spa treatment. Amid the indulgent dining destinations are three resorts that offer traditional and complementary medicine-focused services under a doctor’s guidance.
For individuals and companies whose employees are overtaxed by work or carry long-term effects of bad eating habits, a few nights of health modalities, nutritious gourmet meals and massages can provide a wellness escape and, hopefully, jumpstart a balanced lifestyle
Nurture Wellness Village
Nurture Wellness Village (NWV) is a pioneer in destination spas, specializing in the Filipino experience. Since its inception in 2001, it has evolved into a holistic health oasis. As the Department of Tourism (DOT) makes a bid for medical tourism, it has tasked Cathy Turvill, NWV founder and president, to produce a manual defining Filipino wellness—a combination of ancient healing arts of hilot (massage), herbology and science as introduced by Western educators.
“We have skilled hands, caring hearts and science,” she says. “The Filipino brand of wellness promotes our heritage and the Filipino soul.”
DOT-accredited spas are encouraged to highlight the Filipino brand of wellness through the five senses. “At Nurture, we celebrate the various aspects of healing through the sense of sight with Filipino motifs; the sense of sound comes from pianist Amy Lopez’s music; the taste is derived from our homegrown tarragon and oregano teas; the smell is exuded from the homegrown aromatherapy brand, Amuin, and the touch is the Filipino massage,” she explains.
NWV’s famous spa treatments use traditional Filipino elements. Coconut leaves serve as diagnostic tools. When heated with oil and slathered on the back, they adhere to the sore areas. Herbal poultices relax tight muscles. The body scrubs use grated coconut and barako or ground coffee beans while the tribal foot massage uses herbal clay.
Overnight packages range from the romantic getaway to the quick detox and instant anti-aging, the last of which is designed by plastic surgeon Dr. Michelle Nunez who set up the Tagaytay branch of SansAge Wellness and Advanced Aesthetics Clinic. She developed a package that consists of consultation, upper and lower lid surgery, use of operating room in a partner hospital, fillers, Botox, skin laser resurfacing, a room at NWV, rejuvenation service and recovery meals.
As a restorative sanctuary, NWV’s packages are known for ecotherapy—activities in nature to promote general health. Guests on an intense weight-loss program or recovery from ailment stay for as long as three weeks. “Our unique selling point is the healing power of nature,” says Turvill.
Natural healing consultant Dr. Samuel Dizon customizes the program according to the client’s needs. They include diagnostics; PyroEnergen, an electrostatic machine that targets the root cause of ailments; Vita Cell, which uses electromagnetic energy to release negative ions (molecules with a negative charge) that reinvigorate the body; BioMat, which contains negative ions and infrared heat rays that cleanse the body; a charcoal fever bath that removes toxins; qigong, or a nature walk.
The tour of Nurture Farmacy, NWV’s organic farm with medicinal plants, can include how to make organic fertilizers and other planting techniques.
“Before the pandemic, people had this Yolo (you only live once) attitude. Now they ask about immune boosting. Studies have shown that if a resort has a wellness component, it becomes more appealing,” says Turvill.
Located at Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II, Tagaytay, Cavite. Call tel no. 8710-9786.
Sonya’s Garden
Functional medicine specialist Dr. Rolando Balburias supervises healing vacations for long-staying patients and wellness weekends for the average guests. “Functional medicine is personalized, precise, predictive and proactive,” he says.
The patients’ functional blood tests, nutrition tests and physical exams of the skin, tongue, nails and scalp, food intake and body composition analysis can indicate a dysfunction and its root causes which can subsequently lead to disease. The individualized restorative program caters to cancer patients recovering from surgery and chemotherapy and other cases such as autoimmune disease, chronic diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Spanning two to four weeks, the program aims to repair and rejuvenate their body systems, particularly the metabolic substrates—substances that produce energy and integrate larger molecules. “The objective is to coach nutrition, exercises, proper nutrition and meditation so that they can implement their learnings afterwards,” says Dr. Balburias.Following the precept of food as medicine, the doctor provides a master list of foods based on the patient’s tests. The fresh list consists of ingredients which supplements the individual’s daily requirements. The resort’s chef creates tasty and artfully-plated medical meals based on this fresh list.
The healing vacation also includes Sonya’s Garden’s Art of Doing Nothing which covers cooking, farm tours, gardening, leisurely walks and floral arrangement.
The Weekend Healthy Retreat is an abridged version of the healing vacation wherein guests are taught how to restore balance in their systems. “We give them recommendations on dietary and lifestyle changes, how to support sleep, etc., so that they can continue the experience when they come home,” says Balburias.
He stays connected with guests after their stay. They are encouraged to keep a food journal by uploading their photos to his clinic’s virtual platform.
“This is to check if they complied with their meal plan,” he says. “I make a comment or put an emoji. In the end, we explain the consequences of their habits.”
Located at Buck Estate Road, Alfonso, Cavite. Call tel. no. (0917) 703-3442.
Niyama at Anya Resort
Niyama Wellness Center is expanding its offerings beyond massage therapy, scrubs, lifestyle retreats and gentle workouts. It recently launched its Wellness Day weekend packages that include spa services, fitness activities and the Soul Menu. Created by a nutritionist, the Soul Menu, consists of nutritious gourmet meals for guests with dietary restrictions.
The resort recently introduced aqua aerobics classes which incorporate light weight resistance equipment. Aqua therapy is a personalized session that addresses joint pains, osteoporosis and muscle weakness.
Niyama is better known for relaxation treatments such as the signature bamboo massage. The cupping therapy applies suction to loosen muscles and stimulate blood circulation. Gua sha uses a smooth-edged tool to press on the skin and underlying tissues for a lifting effect.
As a therapy, the osteopathic manipulation balances flexibility with muscle strength and joint alignment. Osteopath John Paul Prado clarifies that it’s not a massage but a method of applying pressure on tight areas and stretching connective tissues and muscles to improve the joint’s range of motion. Manual manipulation can improve circulation, reduce hyperacidity, constipation and hypertension.
As Niyama’s consultant, Dr. Prado maintains quality control through regular education on anatomy and physiology and certification.
This year, Niyama will be ramping up health services that would boost the guest’s well-being.
Located at Buenavista Hills Road, Bgy Tolentino West, Tagaytay. Call tel no. 8657-1640.
