celebraTINg exisTENce: Massage

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I've been MIA for quite a while so I don't know where to start but here, a compiled post of what I (friends and I did) one afternoon.

Let's also call this our voucher day because we used the vouchers we bought from Metrodeal and Ensogo several days (or weeks) ago.

First, we went to Ace Waterspa in Kapitolyo, Pasig. (Metrodeal Voucher for P 349.00/person)

My first Ace experience was relaxing I had look forward to my second time to relax again, it turned out our other friend decided he'll be hyperactive that afternoon and what was supposed to be relaxing turned out wrestling, lazy pool turned out to be racing with I-should-turn-your-floater-the-moment-I-get-near-you, fun swimming turned out to be stressful and competition swimming, floating swimming turned out to be that one chance he can splash water towards our faces and all sorts of bullying he could ever think of.

The only times he let us de-stress was when we were inside the spa area, sauna and hot pools. But since we were in the lazy pool and lapping pool for most minutes we were there, imagine how hard it had been for us. Oh yea, we had three laps around the lazy pool area when he let us have our peace and quiet time. We are still wondering what the hell happened or what the hell he had eaten that the naughty and destructive boy got unleashed in Ace. Whatevs, still a memorable and fun experience with more back pains and scratches the next day.

Nipa Hut (Ensogo Voucher for P 376.00 for a set meal)

We've been wanting to eat at Nipa Hut for the longest time because we heard the view there's really good. Blame our love for overlooking sceneries.

Sizzling Boneless na Bangus + Chicharon Bulaklak + Three Sticks of Barbecue + Bulalo soups were what we had for dinner and they're all included in the voucher. Super sulit. Four of us shared this set meal and only added rice for P 25.00/serving.

Taste wise: All were good and have passed our taste not to mention that we purchased these for almost half the price.

The only downside of that meal or the restaurant was the number of mosquitoes. Good thing we had off lotion with us that night, it alleviated the problem. As we eat our food, mosquitoes were also sucking our blood. Eek! You know that UV-light mosquito killer? Maybe they can invest on that or any mosquito killing devices. People go in Nipa Hut mostly at night to have a dose of their alcoholic beverages and they wouldn't want to go out already a (possible) dengue patient.

Sorry, I used a different setting of my camera which blurred to the top part of the picture.

And this is what we had been wanting to see the longest time. It's the panoramic skyline view of Pasig-Ugong area. I believe Valle Verde's somewhere there in the left side... a village where a person I've shared bittersweet moments resides. (The last sentence is totally unnecessary. I know that but I just wanted to share. Hahaha!)

We decided to go to Chatime, Centris Station before heading home and I decided to try something else (usual orders are PMT, Matcha and Oolong Mousse) I got Choco Malt Mousse and I regretted it. Hahaha! That's P 95.00 for a glass of Milo and Cream. But I tasted their Milo Milk Tea or was it Malt Milk Tea and that was waaaaay better.

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I haven't seen a beach this whole summer time, I've been out swimming in pools (two times to be exact) but as much as I wanted to go on (at least a day in) a beach, it's just not possible. So there, with my friends, whom I had days of Caramoan planning with, went to Ace Waterspa in Kapitolyo Pasig for a four hours waterspa! And I must say that it's kind of addicting that I already have another day (hopefully!) in Ace set with a different group of friends. Hahaha!

Strictly no cameras allowed so this was taken from the viewing area.

I am a self-confessed camera buff (if that compound word exists) so I can say that a part of me suffered for the first few minutes when I entered the spa area. But heck, because it was too much, as in, too much fun. Whatever, cam. :))

It'll be hard to describe the whole experience so I'd just enumerate what I think were my favorite parts.

1. Lazy River
2. Rainfall acupuncture
3. Sauna
4. Herbal pool (Rose in 38 degrees Celsius, I also liked lavender but it's way too hot in 40 degrees Celsius. Feeling Goldilocks lang in finding which temperature and scent I want best.)
5. Cold dip (Hypothermia feels, dipping more than a minute may already numb your body)

Try to go there during non-peak hours for a more relaxing stay.

P 550.00/per person

You know the feeling when you're so hungry everything as in everything just looks good? Hunger unleashes the glutton in you. hahaha.

Since Brgy. Kapitolyo has a lot of restaurants we initially wanted to walk and look for a resto but as we saw the selections in Ace.
"Ano, tara?"

Eating at their buffet when we've spent the last four hours sweating and trying to burn calories somehow made us regret after. I actually lost 5 pounds (of water) but because of the foods, I think I gained more than what I had lost. Well, whatevs. This might be the last buffet I'd be having in a while.

P 605.00/person for a dinner buffet.

As I've said, I have another Ace Waterspa Set sometime in the fourth week of May but this might be the last buffet post. Might. hahaha!

Wearing of bathing suit was the reason why it took me so long before I got to visit Ace Waterspa eventhough I had known the existence of their Banawe branch for years. I just don't have the confidence to walk around wearing one but I can now. Not to mention that they have no mirrors in the spa area so guests will not be too conscious with how they look. :))

And...

Someday, Ace Hotel. I'll see you someday too.

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EDIT: I just found out today (June 23) that Apple Seed Skin Nail Spa branch here at Tandang Sora has closed.

My cousin purchased 99.00 (1 hour) massage vouchers from metrodeal.com which we used the other day.

This spa is near our place, so we didn't let the "promo" pass by us.

For a 99.00 massage, sobrang pwede na. I was just bothered with the hair pulling part, ilang strands kaya ng buhok ko ang naputol at nalagas? Hindi naman ganun ka-intense pag iba naghihila.

LESSONS LEARNED

(online voucher first-timers)

1. Call to make sure if you still need to set an appointment before using the voucher.

2. Be sure to check the website and/or e-mail and print whatever it is that you need to print.

3. Bring an ID.

4. Be on time.

Napansin ko lang na medyo Japanese-ish pala 'yung concept dun, ngayon lang,

Although, syempre may puna rin.

1. Parating fully-booked nung nagpapa-set kami ng date... bakit? Kasi dalawa lang sila Ate na gumagawa, imagine, ilang vouchers 'yun at sila lang dalawa para lahat. All-around. Kaya bengga! Pahirapan talaga sa pagpapa-schedule.

2. Masyadong maliwanag. haha. Masyado lang akong conscious, unlike Thai Massage na nakadamit, pinag-huhubad kasi tas sobrang liwanag pa, kitang-kita lalo na sabay at parehong kwarto kami ng pinsan ko. Marami-raming insecurities sa katawan.

3. Hindi nag-last ng one hour. Oo, whole body pero hindi talaga siya umabot ng isang oras. Kasama na kaya sa isang oras 'yung delay dahil wala kaming na-print na security code kaya bumilis 'yung masahe?

4. Medyo nakakainis lang 'yung customer service nung una, kasi hindi kami nakapag-print out nung kailangan nila, mali pala 'yung nadala naming papel, so nung kausap nung Ate 'yung boss nila, maldita lang 'yung dating, pero nabawi naman, okay naman na sila pagkatapos. Habaan lang din 'yun pasensiya.

Kaya... whole experience relaxing 49%, stressful 51%.

Meron kang nabiling voucher?

Sinabi ko na, okay na rin for P 99.00

Kaya sulit na rin 'yan. Good luck sa pagpapa-schedule hanggang November pa naman daw.

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UPDATE (NOV. 3, 2014) This is still one of my favorite massage places and that's obvious given that this was posted in 2012 and until now, we find ourselves going back once to twice a month. Anyhow, Tonton Massage in Joroma Building, Congressional Avenue has been renovated and is now called, Sabai-Sabai Authentic Thai Massage. There has been a great change in the interior. I am not that particular with how the place looks but I'm still posting pictures here.

This is their current price list.
Notice that they now have "lavender oil" option.
That's a great add-on especially for people who don't appreciate dry massage.

The new area for foot massage.
Although this place is dimly-lit and you're not supposed to mind other people, I think that I would find it awkward if someday there'd be another client seating and having a foot massage also in front of me.

Yesterday was their re-opening day and it was a solid 2 1/2 hours body massage for me. Hehe.
1 hour body
1 hour back
1/2 hour foot

Pwede na rin mag-shower for P 50.00

For the massage, it's still Thai so please refer to my post below.

We became tambays of Congressional Avenue today. It's not like we don't loiter there on other days, just that, we did lots of things this afternoon. One of today's itinerary was the uber-relaxing traditional Thai massage from TonTon Traditional Thai Massage Center.

This is the receiving area.
Customer's wait there until the masseuse are done preparing.

I know the rates aren't readable. Anyway, rate from 12NN to 6PM is cheaper than 6PM-2AM. We paid 250.00 for a whole body massage.

My body has been aching. I needed this. OMG. I don't know what to expect since we were only frequenting Shiatzu and Traditional Filipino.
Thai Massage first timer here!

They handed us this slippers to change into.

We washed our feet first. On other spas there were flower petals but this would do.

It was dark if not for the lamp shades hanging on the wall and only white thick curtains divide the area but I couldn't care less. Relaxing music were playing in the background and no outside noises can be heard considering that Congre is now a very busy Avenue; it was so quiet you could hear the ticking of the clock. I also loved the fact that the place was dim.

Those are my clothes hanging since we were asked to change to loose clothing. There weren't lots of bare skin since we were wearing pajamas the entire session. Also, Thai massage is a dry massage meaning they didn't use oils or lotions. Both plus for me 'cause I don't like that I have to be naked (top) during massages and I sometimes don't like them putting oil especially when I still have other things to do after; the feeling's so sticky.

I can't really describe how the whole massage went but Ate stretched, massage, squeezed, and properly located all the pressure points. It was like I was doing yoga with her help.

They offered us tea before leaving.

Erm, So relaxing, I forgot the meaning of stress for a time. I hope to come back there soon.

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