The Department of Tourism has identified wellness tourism as one of its major programs to promote to the local and international markets. It is a vital force for nation building, not only because of the tourism revenues it brings, but also from the impact it has on the local communities. Behind the soothing aromas, relaxing spa treatments, and well curated surroundings, wellness tourism is about changing lives—both those of the guests and of the local communities that surround it.
Here we share stories from behind the scenes inside the Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City.
Now on its 23rd year, Nurture is a pioneer in spa and wellness in the Philippines. A rough 1800 sqm land planted to coffee trees, Nurture has grown through the years and now occupies a hectare of developed land. It offers a range of spa treatments, natural healing and detoxification programs, healing retreats, aesthetic treatments, corporate wellness programs, events, and many more. From only four employees when it opened, Nurture and its restaurant, Farmers Table, are now the biggest employers in the barangay, employing over a hundred staff.
Bea, the spa and wellness therapist, provides soothing massages.
Empowering Women
Bea is one of the mothers who works as wellness therapist at Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City. One of eight children and born and raised in a very poor community in Bicol, Bea did not get to complete high school. To help face her family’s financial difficulties, Bea moved to Tagaytay to work as spa therapist at Nurture. Bea was hesitant to take the job, saying, “but I do not know anything. Wala akong ka alam-alom!” Despite her self-doubt and insecurity, she applied for the job since her family desperately needed financial help.
Today, eight years later, Bea has developed self-confidence and assurance. After intensive training, Bea is now one of Nurture’s most sought after therapists, consistently receiving commendations from repeat guests. She is a Department of Health licensed massage therapist, has been promoted as a wellness therapist, and performs natural healing treatments under the guidance of Nurture’s medical team. From her earnings as therapist, Bea built a two-story house (“up and down po”), settled her family’s debts, and helped send her siblings to school. A sister she sent to school graduated with a Teaching Diploma and is now awaiting the results of the Licensure Examinations for Teachers.
Annabel and Jackie are Nurture’s spa and wellness trainors. Just like Bea, Annabel and Jackie were filled with self-doubt and apprehension when they applied at Nurture—“We are just housewives from the barangay! What do we know? We do not even have a degree!”
After 10 years at Nurture and as DOH Licensed therapists, Annabel and Jackie now lead the two-month intensive training of Nurture, teaching new recruits Anatomy and Physiology, Service Excellence, the Spa Journey, and many more.
Chair yoga during monthly team building sessions
Annabel and Jackie facilitate Nurture’s Corporate Wellness “Work Well Program,” confidently leading TaiQi classes, chair yoga, healthy juice demonstrations, and other innovative and interactive activities to encourage guests to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Annabel talks about how her training at Nurture has helped her family be healthier. When her daughter had a bad case of asthma, Annabel taught her breathing techniques she was teaching at Nurture. Her daughter is now healed.
Annabel and Jackie conduct spa and wellness training programs in 4- and 5-star resorts around the country. Many of Nurture’s therapists have gone abroad offering head and shoulder massages in the events of the Tourism department.
Nurture is a founding member of the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines, and is a dynamic proof of how wellness tourism impacts lives. As a wellness tourism destination, Nurture stands on 4 Pillars: Health and Wellness, Proudly Filipino, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability. Evidence-based treatments are developed and implemented by a strong medical and wellness team.
Driven by a deep respect of and pride in Philippine healing and cultural heritage, Nurture embodies the Filipino Brand of Wellness, from its Filipino-inspired treatment menu, specially formulated Amu’in therapeutic aromatherapy oils expertly blended by its owner Dr. Mike Turvill, to its healing piano music by Amy Gustilo Lopez, to its Inabel linen, the Filipino artifacts displayed around the property, and to the Filipino tender care or “aruga” in its home-grown spa treatments.
Wellness tourism promotes the best of the Philippines. It generates pride in the country, created jobs which empower, develop self-worth and dignity. It is about helping people—local and international guests, the local community -—to become the best they can be: body, mind and spirit, and be healthier, happier and better.
