Sanctuario Spa
Promoting the Filipino Way of Healing
By PePe Castro
PUBLISHED: JUNE 2009

IN 2004, AFTER noticing how “most spas in the Philippines tried to copy (those in) Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan,” Jomar Fleras invested approximately P15 million to establish Sanctuario Spa.  “I wanted to open a Filipino concept spa (since) I believe that we have a long tradition of healing that we can be proud of,” he says.

Fleras was on to something, since, aside from only taking three years to get ROI, Sanctuario Spa established itself as one of the Philippines’ premier spas, widely considered as “a holistic center for the promotion of Oriental healing traditions that cater to the body, mind, and soul.”  A member of the International SPA Association (ISPA), a founding member of the Spa Association of the Philippines Inc. (SAPI), and is accredited by the Department of Tourism (DoT), Sanctuario Spa was nominated for the Baccarat Awards of Asia Spa for Best Spa Treatment in 2005; nominated for Spa for Men of the Year and its CEO, Fleras, was nominated as Spa Personality of the Year by Asia Spa Magazine in 2007; and the CEO also given the Presidential Award as Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, also in 2007.

To reach its stature, Sanctuario Spa didn’t necessarily have a smooth ride.

Initially, “it was difficult to launch hilot as a legitimate spa offering (since) many still think that it is something of a quack medicine.  To counter this, we launch a multimedia publicity campaign – we went on TV and radio to talk about hilot.  Fortunately, as a member of SAPI, part of our advocacy is to promote hilot not only in the Philippines but also overseas.  We partnered with the DoT in promoting hilot, and now, it is required that for a spa to be DOT accredited, it has to offer hilot,” Fleras says.

True to the the reason of its existence, Sanctuario Spa continues to use indigenous Filipino, as well as Oriental treatment, therapies, and concoctions handed down from generations.  Its signature treatment remains the Filipino traditional hilot, a form of deep-tissue massage using virgin coconut oil, and performed by an authentic medicine man, though it also offers aromatherapy massage, Thai massage, reflexology, shiatsu, Tui Na, and lava stone massage, among others, using organic herbs, native chocolate, fruits, nuts, and vegetables in body scrubs, body wraps, facials, and herbal bath treatments.  There are classes in Chi Gong, Yoga, and Pilates; and alternative treatments like acupuncture, moxibustion, ba guan, and reiki are also available.

“We continuously develop the Filipino spa concept,” Fleras says, “as we aim to exponentially grow in the industry.”

For more information on Sanctuario Spa, visit 1829 Jorge Bocobo Street, Malate, Manila; call (+632) 4501127 or 5219904; email spa@sanctuario.com.ph; or visit sanctuario.com.ph.