Watch for VERDE SPA

Been under a lot of stress and pressure lately, what with all the work backlogging because of the typhoons, with all the (tiring but fun) relief operations, and with both my reports for Grad School falling on the same week.

I finally finished my oral report on "Philippine-American Relations" and its 10-page written counterpart yesterday, for Foreign Policy Class. After the 2&1/2 hour ordeal (an hour report, the rest was defense/discussion), I told myself I needed a massage (I hadn't had one for weeks, anyway). I didn't get it last night though, because I was too tired, so I got one tonight.

I had originally considered SPADA, where I had gone the past few times, but I remembered one of the attendants there saying that there would be a new spa opening next door. When I asked her then why she was telling me this, she said she had been recruited by the said place and it would be bigger than SPADA. Remembering her advice, I decided to see if it was already open.

As I turned right going towards Adventist Hospital from Taft, I spotted it. It is literally next door to SPADA on the same building, as she said. This new place is called VERDE SPA, and it has just begun to operate. When I entered the place, I could already see that the place was bigger than the other. The counter and couch areas did not feel too cramped, and there was even space for a wash area behind the counter.

VERDE has a designated locker room area, I believe one for males and one for females, while SPADA lets their guests change in the bedroom (something I found not too spa-like). VERDE also supplies towels and "massage clothes" (i.e. robe and shorts) with slippers, while SPADA only has robes and slippers.

Intrigued by the melon scrub that the counter attendant told me they had, I requested for a body wash prior to my massage. I also wanted to compare this area to that of the other spa. As of now, this area is still a bit empty,having no matting for the concrete floor. The scrub/wash bed is a big block of concrete lined with a cushion-layer for comfort. I'd have to say that SPADA's scrub bed is still more comfortable than this, as that was a real massage bed designated for wash, but VERDE's bed provides better neck comfort as they have the facehole in the concrete bed (SPADA's bed did not). Also, I noticed that VERDE's scrub/wash room was a bit dark,but I was told that there were lights for the area, they just havent been switched on (normally done by request).

As I finished my body wash, I went up to the massage area. On the way, I spotted a little wooden sauna room, though this was not yet operational. Immediately, I thought this is going to make a huge difference with SPADA. Another this I noticed was more showers and bathrooms (SPADA has one communal little, err, people's room). When I got upstairs, I could see the size difference again with SPADA as VERDE's upstairs space looked like a large hallway with 9 bed areas. I'm not exactly sure about SPADA's upstairs because I haven't counted, or gone beyond their wash area (which is upstairs), but it still looked very much cramped compared to VERDE's area).

One vital improvement I noticed with VERDE compared to SPADA was that the beds were elevated. This "feature" makes it easier for the masseur/masseuse to focus on the massage, as the client is much closer to the hands and arms of the masseur/masseuse without the latter having to bend down or kneel. The beds of VERDE also have the faceholes on them, which are very vital to the customer's relaxation and breathing.

After my massage, I got to talk to VICTOR, the proprietor of the place, as he was manning the counter. Apparently (for those who want to try), they are having their GRAND OPENING on Saturday, Oct. 17, where their services are 50% off! When asked what other differences VERDE had from SPADA, he answered that VERDE has a Sauna Room (which I had already spotted) and a mini coffeeshop, where customers could order some snacks and drinks while waiting for their massage or waiting to go home.

So, here's a new place to go to : VERDE SPA, located on the same building as SPADA. Their price is the same, but the place is bigger, and soon to look better.

Spada Massage

By experience, I have found that the search for the perfect massage is a futile one. This holy grail of a quest is asymptotic at best, yet I still continue to look for different places that are both affordable and exciting.

Right after the Freshmen Day Event at LPU, I drove around looking for one such venue. I decided to try different routes, since I felt like driving and it was still just 9:30, relatively early in the night. At around 10:30, I spotted a well-lit place near the corner of Taft Ave and Gil Puyat (Buendia) called Spada Massage. The place had ample parking (for about 5-6 cars) and had a sign (huge one at that) saying that it was open 24 hours, so I decided to check it out.

I went up to the counter and scanned the list of services. Actually, since I was only interested in having a massage and since I was dead tired from the event, all I could remember were the massages, but there are other services such as body scrubs and the like.

After I chose my massage (I availed of the Reflexology Massage, apparently just a Swedish-Shiatsu Combo), they offered me a body wash. Since I felt like all the stink and grime of Intramuros had stuck to me after a whole day of stress, I took it despite the added cost. To my surprise, the body wash location (upstairs) had a bed in it. It felt like an initial massage already, as the warm water from the shower was run up and down my back.

After the lovely "bath/shower", I was led back downstairs where they had a row of beds side by side, separated by drapes. The music was calmer than elevator music, typical of most massage venues. The light, dim, so as not to keep one awake. The messeuse that was assigned to me was very highly skilled. She had sent me to sleep for almost as long as the massage itself.

Upon realizing I had been asleep for almost an extra hour (though they don't charge you for it), I rushed to settle my account

(300 for massage and 180 for body wash)

. You decide whether it's WELL WORTH IT, or not.