EVERYONE deserves a spa day. After a tiring day at work or school, a soothing time at a spa is always a welcome idea.
But what should be considered in choosing a spa? Simple. It should be a dwelling of true comfort and absolute relaxation.
And that is what exactly Maaruga Spa is offering.
Like its name suggest, Maaruga is home to a Filipino brand of service that is tender, loving and caring.
“We were thinking of a concept that is truly Filipino,” Ferizza Aileen Baja-Castro, co-owner of the newly-opened spa said. Castro is running the business with Celine Sarah Derequito-Bautista.
The spa opened its doors to the public on October 18.
Castro shared that while most spas in the city are offering the usual Thai, Swedish, and Shiatsu massage styles, Maaruga intends to promote the Filipino massage known as “hilot.”
Hilot is a traditional Filipino massage that is not only stress relieving but also has a healing aspect. It promotes rejuvenation and balances harmony of the body, mind and emotion.
“We like the idea of Pinoy Hilot because it is a nurturing massage. What we want to avoid is you only get one style of massage, it should be a combination. We want to be flexible, whatever the client wants, like a combination of Swedish, Shiatsu, more like a Pinoy hilot,” she said.
Maaruga Spa’s therapist trainer, she shared, is excellent in Pinoy Hilot.
The spa offers mainly body and foot massage.
What is more interesting about this spa is its selection of oil. Maaruga has five oils, three of which are truly Filipino: Pomelo, Sampaguita, and Ice coconut. The remaining two oils are the usual lavender and peppermint oil. All oils are sourced from a local supplier in the city.
“We use Virgin Coconut Oil-based oil because it is soft and is good for the skin,” the owner said.
Presently, the spa has five body beds and four chairs for foot massage. Branding the business as “maaruga”, the owners decided to a people-friendly price which can be afforded by many. The whole body massage services start at P299 per hour.
Castro added that they are making the spa open for franchising. In December, another branch – a franchise one - in the northern part of the city is expected to open.
Maaruga Spa is located at the Uncle Mark Building along Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City.