REGINES SPA: A RETURN TO THE CLEAN IMAGE OF THE PHILIPPINE MASSAGE

REGINES SPA: A RETURN TO THE CLEAN IMAGE OF THE PHILIPPINE MASSAGE

Carmela Baluyut 10/7/06

Regine’s Health Spa has been in the therapeutic health service for 12 years now – longer than the survival years of many other spas in the business. “When we started in 1994, there were only three major players in the Makati area, including us. Now, there are at least 30 spas and that’s only in our area, Kalayaan, Makati, says Ammy Lemana, Regines owner and founder.” But Regines has outlived its rivals through 12 years of industry challenges and slumps. What’s their secret? “Traditional, effective, and no hanky panky spa services,” says Ms. Lemana. She believes “The best customer is a satisfied one. When he’s happy when he walks out of our spa, you can be sure he’ll be back – and he’ll bring friends.”

A DAMAGED IMAGE

Sadly, “satisfaction” from a spa, which is generally known as a massage parlor, seems to have taken on a less professional sound these days. Locally and abroad, spas and massage parlors face a new threat to their professional image. There is now a proliferation of unscrupulous “massage” parlors that maintain a bevy of young, attractive, however often unschooled young ladies. Why the particular requirements? Obviously these masseuses have been instructed to offer more than just massage. This new class of prostitution is causing serious problems to the credibility of spas and massage parlors in general. Says Ms. Lemana. “Now, if a man says he’s going to get a massage, you get raised eyebrows from those around him.”

Soyon Im wrote in The Great Divide: Interracial Romance Divides Asian Americans, that Asian women are portrayed in Hollywood as sex symbols because this is “an extension of the intercontinental Asian sex trade,” and this is because of “the system of military prostitution that has migrated overseas to the US in the form of 'Oriental' massage parlors, dating services, and marriage brokerages.”

REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

In June 2006, the newly-founded Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) met and discussed to create new provisions measures to prevent further deterioration to the industries image, and steps have been taken to reify these provisions.

The Philippines is also a winner in the Asian Tourism industry. In November 2005, The Philippine Spa Association bagged five top awards at the very first Baccarat AsiaSpa Awards (BASA), attended by over 120 spa owners, experts and supporters at a cocktail and spa cuisine event at the Inter Continental Hong Kong. And as Ms. Lemana says, quality of services go a long way. The global market is full of happy visitors to the Philippines. Here are some happy tourists’ testimonies:

“This is the best place I have ever been to…I don't know why this country suffers from bad publicity…The Philippines is a very nice place for people to shop and it is also has very cheap but very good quality goods. People are really friendly.” -- Sacramento, California

“Overall, I like the Philippine atmosphere, convenience, and values. It’s a great place to shop in and have spa and other massage treatments.”-- Hollywood, CA

“According to GAWC's 2006 studies, Manila is one of the Gamma Cities of the World. (a Global City). In layman's terms, it's one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. I love this city!” – Bangkok, Thailand

REGINES’ FAMILY FRIENDLY SERVICE

In support of the efforts of spa associations, Regines is promoting its massage services for the whole family. Amy and her husband Uly jointly manage their Makati and Boracay branches. “My whole family is involved in this business and I see no reason why a whole family should not get a massage together.” She believes that a family can get stress from work and school, and will invest wisely in therapeutic health services. “This is a real massage: Simply a health remedy for a tired body and mind.”

Sample the best of Regines services such as massages, scrubs, and other beauty treatments. Enjoy their homey atmosphere and the expertise of their masseuses trained by Masseuse Board Exam First placers. Visit their branches at the Mezzanine Floor, 8429 Kalayaan cor., Makati City, Manucmanuc Boracay, and soon to open in Plaza Aldea, Taytay. You can also visit their website at www.regineshealthspa.com