NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan -- A reflexology expert here has introduced the use of bamboo, coconut shells and chopsticks in the massage industry.

Melie Juanico is serving as a massage instructor for St. Gabriel College under the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) here. She was also a trained and accredited massage therapist in London and Bahrain.

"Due to issues concerning Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing, I thought of bamboo as an alternative approach. I also used coconut shells and chopsticks. I used coconut oil in the massage as this is all-natural," she said.

Juanico said she discovered that bamboo and coconut have therapeutic effects in holistic massage.

"I am telling this to give ideas to all Filipino massage therapists all over the country that they could use bamboo as an alternative. I understand that many massage therapists got no jobs because of Covid-19 restrictions. With the Covid-19 pandemic still far from over, the use of bamboo is the best alternative," Juanico, who also owns the Alima Massage and Spa here, said.

She is also planning to promote the use of bamboo massage for tourists, especially in Boracay once the smoking restrictions have been over.

The Ailma Massage and Spa has a branch at the Kalibo International Airport but is still closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Juanico, while in Bahrain, has been featured in several newspapers for training several Filipino massage therapists. The training was conducted through the support of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, helping overseas Filipino workers in giving alternative livelihood while abroad. (SunStar Philippines)