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Tirta Spa in Sitio Malabunot, Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay,
Aklan celebrates its first anniversary on April 8, 2008 with the
theme: Paving the way to the Path of Wellness.” at a thanksgiving
reception at its lobby starting at 4 p.m.
Perched atop a hill overlooking Crocodile Island
and the Sibuyan Sea, Tirta Spa combines world-class comforts with
rustic charm.
Its name is derived from the Hindu word for holy
water: Tirta, Consequently Tirta spa focuses on the art of cleansing
oneself, through the spiritual healing powers of water, from
negativity to the achievement of a whole new sense of wellness and a
higher level of tranquility.
The brainchild of proprietor & Spa Director
En Acuna Calvert, Tirta Spa is the culmiation of years of research
and extensive travel. En recalls that her interest in spa dates back
to her youth when she enjoyed visiting spas around the world for
their therapeutic benefits. Deciding to commit to becoming more
holistic, to improve her quality of life as well as that of others,
in 2001, she enrolled in a college in Hong Kong, graduating with
diplomas in Physiiology, Anatomy and Holistic Massage techniques.
She subsequently was certified by both ITEC (International Therapy
Examination Council) and CIBTAC (Confederation of International
Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology), the world’s two most respected
bodies in their respective fields. To equip her to manage a spa, she
studied at the International Spa and Beauty College, affiliated with
a parent school in London.
If all these preparations weren’t enough, En
Calvert traveled to different countries to learn other treatments
and to experience various high-ends spas with the aim of developing
her holistic principles. Worthy of mention are her trips to Sedona,
Arizona for a retreat organized by world renowned aromatherapist
Michael Scholes, her stint in Kerala, India, where she learned about
Ayurvedic medicine practices, her visit to Cape Town, Africa, a
recognized center for holistic treatments where she studied crystal
healing and Reiki, and her Hawaii visit to study hot lava stone
therapy.
In June 2005, having accumulated sufficient
knowledge and experience to be in a position to share their benefits
with others, she deemed it time to start construction of Tirta Spa.
As a result of her retreat in the Himalayas,
at the source of the Ganges River, she had become keenly aware of
the benefits of spiritual healing, which she hoped guests at Tirta
Spa would experience.
The moment one enters Tirta Spa, a gong sounds,
not only to announce a guest’s arrival, but also to ward off
negative energy: Koi carp ponds with their colors and gentle rhythm,
add to the serenity of this holistic retreat.
The spa’s architecture, drawing inspiration
from a blend of diverse Asian cultures—Balinese, Thai, Filipino
and Indian—will calm the restless spirit. The interiors, from the
furniture, drapes, and fixtures to the various Buddhist sculptures
complete the spiritually grounded, paradise open to all Tirta Spa
guests.
Tirta Spa offers a wide spectrum of treatments,
including a variety of massages, using high quality blended oils,
holistic body wraps and scrubs, luxurious facials from Germany, all
based on aromatherapy, as well as the ancient Filipino therapeutic
Massage, Hilot, which En and her therapists have studied
extensively.
All treatments, held in any of the three
Royal Suites Villas (each includes a private bathroom, an outdoor
cabana bathtub, vichy shower and features a Koi carp pond) and the
two outdoor Thai pavilions, start with the “grounding ceremony”,
a delightful footbath and massage with rich organic cream. The
studied ritual of massaging body muscles in soft, gentle strokes
lulls one to sleep and lessens one’s stresses. The therapies last
for at least 90 minutes to as long as four hours.
Tirta Spa generally caters to a high-clientele
composed of local tourists, balikbayans, Americans, Europeans,
Australians, Singaporeans, Taiwanese and Hong Kong residents, but
welcomes everyone in need of relaxation and rejuvenation. It is open
from 9 a.m. to midnight, daily.
Tirta Spa’s global standard of service has
indeed paid off for her enterprising energetic en Calvert, who may
yet achieve the goal of making Tirta Spa a definite Philippine
Tourist destination in the foreseeable future.
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