Try Massage, Meditation (and Mango Biko!) at This New Tomas Morato Spa
Entering Payapa Spa is like entering an oasis. Newly opened and situated by the heart of Tomas Morato, the space is modern, comforting, and contemporary without being cold.
“It was a hard rule for us that we only use real plants – not fake ones,” shared Kat Eusebio, one of the six partners at Payapa. “It’s so difficult to maintain but it’s worth it.”
No doubt, this level of meticulousness will serve the spa well in the coming years. A nascent brand, it is the brainchild of six college friends, all of whom come from diverse professional backgrounds.
“Actually, this whole business was just an excuse for us to spend more time with each other,” joked Ramon Vinzon, another of the spa’s partners.
Kidding aside, the passion that’s put into the business is as strong as the support system that the group has built with each other. "It was also an active conversation between the six of us – that our friendship is more important than the business,” shared Ramon. “Whatever happens – whether we succeed or fail – we’ll come out as friends.”
Though they have varied backgrounds, the friends have come together with their shared background and love of wellness. A trip between the six of them always included a massage, whether it be in Thailand or South Korea. Today, they put the best practices of each country – and integrate the all-important Filipino touch – into their own business.
“It would be such a waste not to translate the Filipino touch into our wellness industry,” commented Kat.
Since its conception, the aim of Payapa has always been attention to detail and holistic wellness. The space aims to feed all the senses – from sight to touch to sound, and yes, even taste. Guests are welcomed to the lobby with pandan tea and crunchy otap from Cavite. Though guests can choose from a list of massage services, we highly recommend their signature Payapa massage which integrates stretching from the dry massage and kneading from the oil massage. The receptionist will also make sure to ask which parts of the body to avoid and which to focus on in order to fully customize the experience.
The service begins with a warm foot bath with rose petals. At this time, guests are also invited to listen to a guided breathing meditation in order to get into the proper headspace for relaxation. A calming voice will guide one through counted breaths – at the end of it, guests will hopefully feel more in tune with the sensations of their body.
To enhance the experience, therapists will use a few relaxing massage tools on their clients. The first is a scalp massager, and the second is a wooden roller. These aim to enhance blood circulation and will keep guests relaxed. A cool jade mask will also be placed on one’s eyes when the time comes to roll over on one’s back. Aside from the rejuvenation of having something cool on the eyes, the mask will also reduce puffiness, a key element to achieving that post-massage glow.
At the end of the experience comes the post-massage snack, a cup of warm tea and a slice of mango biko. Delicious and warm, the snack provides a hospitable touch reminiscent of Filipino tenderness.
For those who are still hesitant about getting a massage, we are here to affirm that yes, you do deserve it, and yes, it is good for your body. Payapa Spa should know, one of their partners is a doctor, specifically an OB-GYN. Aside from the physical benefits of massage – which include improved blood circulation and reduced inflammation – it also increases mental well-being by lowering cortisol while increasing serotonin and dopamine. Even the masseuse’s touch can be grounding and for some people, a way for people to connect.
While Payapa Spa is still on its soft opening – with reduced prices at the moment – the many great reviews it has already received bodes well for its future. As its six partners continue to develop the concept to perfection – with plans to expand to the South and furthering their program for pre- and post-natal services – it becomes obvious that this is more than just a passion project for its owners. It’s also an advocacy and a manifestation of years-long friendship.
Payapa Spa is located on 2F 61 Scout Rallos St, cor Sct. Tobias St, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila
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