Spa surprise for mom and dad
Arlene Paredes
Published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on December 19, 2006
CLEARLY puzzled and in doubt whether they got the address right, Mr. and Mrs. Petalver walked into the Terra Wellness Spa at Discovery Suites in Ortigas not knowing what to expect. They knew who to look for, but they were clueless why they had to be there. Well, isn’t that what surprises are all about?
Eighteen-year-old Jen Petalver casually asked her parents the previous night to drop by at the Terra Spa, without divulging any more details. When her parents asked, she only said, “Basta.”
“Basta,” in fact, was a touching story that would move Mrs. Petalver to tears.
Terra Spa general manager Nino Sinco and operations manager Angie Castillo welcomed the Petalver couple and explained to them the special treat awaiting them that day. The couple would receive a 90-minute rejuvenating Terra’s Touch (Swedish massage) session in a private couple’s room, courtesy of their daughter — much to their surprise.
Jen read about the wishes being granted by 2bU! to the Rescue, and decided she would make a wish not for herself but for her loving parents who always granted her own wishes, prompting her siblings to tease her as the family’s spoiled brat, or the one who always got special treatment.
In fact, she was going to celebrate her 18th birthday with a traditional debut celebration a day after her parents’ massage. But as the youngest of five children, Jen was ready to disprove that she was a spoiled kid. She asked 2bU!’s help to give her parents some pampering, and got it.
Ireneo Petalver, 52, and his wife Geronima, 53, both work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as hospital assistants. They lift patients from one hospital bed to another as part of anaesthesia procedures. Mr. Petalver has been in the same job for 25 years, while Mrs. Petalver joined her husband 10 years ago. They were here for vacation, for Jen’s birthday and for the holiday season, all in one blow.
The couple’s jobs obviously require a lot of physical strength. Mrs. Petalver said she had often felt pain and discomfort in her upper back area, while Mr. Petalver often complained of lower back pains. Despite the discomfort, however, it never occurred to the couple to give themselves much-needed treatment since they were just too busy.
At Terra Spa, located at the 4th floor of Discovery Suites, the Petalver couple finally enjoyed being at the receiving end of pampering and caring hands.
“Sarap,” said Mrs. Petalver of the experience. “Atsaka ang galing nila… pati pag-cover sa ’yo, maingat sila.”
“Exciting na, I don’t know. First time kong ma-treat ng ganito,” Mr. Petalver added.
Terra Spa’s masseurs are all licensed physical therapists with certificates from the Department of Health. They also trained with Kathleen Moynihan-Rodrigo of the Spa Association of the Philippines.
The spa also allows their clients freedom to choose not only their treatment, but the music to accompany their stay at the spa. Two catalogues were presented to the Petalver couple: the catalogue for oils and the catalogue for music. Mrs. Petalver personally picked the spiritual iPod for their treatment’s background music.
When asked about what they would like to tell their daughter Jen, Mrs. Petalver said they didn’t expect Jen to pull off a touching surprise like this.
“Hindi namin ini-expect. Kasi sabi ng mga kapatid niya, spoiled siya kasi bunso,” Mrs. Petalver said, teary-eyed.
Before they left, they promised to share the experience with their other children. Now, Jen has redefined “special treatment” for this family. (Inquirer link here. )
Terra Wellness Spa offers body massages, facials, bodyworks, foot massages, and stand-alone treatments (i.e. quantum chakra clearing). Special promo packages are still available for the Holiday season. Located at 4/F, Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Call (02) 6382977.
E-mail the author at lhenparedes@gmail.com
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