Wensha Spa Body Massage: Affordable Way to Reduce Stress and Bring Back Your Sanity

That last week of November still lingers. Tasks piled up and work deadlines gave me stressing thoughts even while having my morning shower – totally toxic week. Sunday comes with our annual Family Day at SMX-Mall of Asia Convention Center, which I was tasked to do the emceeing. That gig becomes a disaster due to some badly prepared program. It was totally energy draining.

Hell week

I badly need a break. This is one of those hell weeks when stress becomes too much, days when I feel like crawling down the floor or just want to melt. Now, more than ever I need to find something to diffuse this stress, to defizzle it. Hence, we decided to try Wensha’s full body massage.
 
It is a good thing Wensha Spa has a branch in Manila that happens to be the first 24 hour Spa in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) area, just a few minutes ride from SM Mall of Asia. We decided to try the Wensha Body Massage for only 680.00 Pesos with unlimited food and drinks for 6 hours stay, a totally inexpensive way to relax and re-charge.   

A relaxing body massage is not always a luxury

Wensha poster at male reception

I noticed that Spa establishments are growing like mushrooms in Manila and other major cities nowadays. If the number of spa goers and spa establishment in Manila mirrors the amount of stress that people is experiencing, then I think it is safe to say that this is a stressful city to live in.

Spa and body massage has become synonymous with peace and serenity, which many believed to be a luxury in this stress-driven world. With the pressure of deadlines and the strain of dealing with irresponsible managers and co-employees, there is no denying that being stress-free is a state of mind that we have to master.

But I must say that body massages and a few hour of relaxation and of emptying the mind is a must to keep me sane.

What to expect at Wensha – Pasay Branch

A nice Thai temple-like entrance to the facilities welcomes us so we immediately took pictures before checking in. After the quick camwhoring, we excitedly checked out the packages and promos posted at the lobby. We choose the Wensha Full Body Massage with six hours stay.

Me and my Wensha Yakuza buddies

You have to remove and check-in your footwear and use rubber slippers before entering the locker room that connects the wet area and the dining. A  cool bracelet with a locker number was distributed to us after we paid then we proceed to the locker room to deposit our clothes and other stuff. The lockers have a sensor type locking mechanism, which are being unlocked by the magnetic part of the bracelet that is pretty convenient and secure.

1. Prepare to get TOTALLY NAKED at the wet area: After we settled our belongings in the locker room, we then proceed to the wet area for a quick shower. It was a common room where the shower cubicles with frosted glass doors, steam room and sauna is located. After the quick shower, we tried the steam room and sauna which gives me a magically detoxified feeling. The room also has a large TV screen with lounging chairs to entertain you while relaxing

Shower cubicles at the wet area

After sauna, we tried the Jacuzzi. You can only use a towel while in the wet room and you have to be totally naked if you want to use the public Jacuzzi. The wide hot and cold Jacuzzi is at the center with lots of naked people, mostly working men relaxing after a tiring day together with lots of foreigners. At first, I was hesitant to use the Jacuzzi because it was my first time there, and getting naked while swimming with other people and friends seems unusual for me. Our culture mold us to be modest, however, everybody is doing it, and I think it would be immodest if you use the Jacuzzi with your towel. Besides, the crowd all seemed oblivious to the rest of the people in the room so I tried it and it was really relaxing.

We can’t help but wonder and imagine what it would be like in the girl’s wet room.

2. Eat-All-You-Can buffet and drinks: Wensha is not your traditional massage and spa center. What makes it unique is that all massage treatments are inclusive of unlimited buffet and juice drinks and the accommodation would be that you can chose to stay for as long as 12 hours. So you can lazily eat and stay at the cozy dining area while cooking shabu-shabu style. This dining place also has TV screens projected on corner walls where you can watch news or other programs together with other guests.

Buffet and shabu-shabu before & after the body massage

 Like most eat-all-you-can resto, you have to pay a certain amount if you have left-overs. So don’t take more than you can eat.  

3. Professional body massage and a nice sleep: I learned that their therapists came from their own Wensha training institute to maintain their standard massage. They have what they called the wensha style body massage, which is a combination of Shiatsu and Swedish. Choosing to sleep after the massage would be ok and no one would wake you up if they are not fully booked, or until your time ends.

4. Convenient Body Massage rooms: They have private rooms that can accommodate two or four people. On our way to the massage area, we were greeted by a brightly-lit hallway with bamboo trees and white pebbles along the path. Massage rooms also has controlled lights. The massage beds are comfortable and nice to sleep at, which also gives me a more relaxing feel while being massaged. The whole place has Zen like ambiance, soft lighting and circular doors.

 Planning our next yakuza boy's night out

 Wensha compared to The Spa Wellness

My first luxury spa experience was when I won the 5K worth of gift certificates at The Spa Wellness in Trinoma for the Nuffnang-Enervon Hapontukin blog contest. It was an amazing treat but after our Wensha gig, I can’t help but compare the services of the two establishments. I can say that Wensha is more affordable with equal services and better facilities. But Wensha is crowded and more public unlike The Spa, which is exclusive and private, and services are done by appointment only.

Final Note:
More than anything, when stressed, I think it is a must to take time for ourselves. I’m sure my undiffused stress will result in friction with others and makes me unproductive at work — as often when I fail to have internal peace and relaxation, I manifest this outwards.

I am glad that I had the chance enjoying some relaxation and even more, that I’m able to push myself to be comfortable in yet another new experience to relax. Modesty aside, the Wensha experience certainly made me excited for my next body massage trip. This nostalgic experience at Wensha really gives me a relaxing time without hurting my wallet. It reordered and cleared my thoughts thus bringing back my sanity.

Ready for battle for the coming weeks again!!!

To my readers: How about you, any thoughts or personal tips on how you diffuse stress? Any spa experience you might want to share? Are you also anxious to be naked in front of total strangers?

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Related Information and Links
Wensha Branches Address and Contact Information:

Pasay Branch

Location: Boom na Boom Grounds, CCP Complex Roxas Blvd
Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pasay City
Contact numbers: +63 (02) 833-98-78 | +63 (02) 832-05-15 | +63 (02) 832-58-77
Fax:   +63 (02) 833-98-79

Timog Branch
Location: 1st and 2nd Level Pasda Mansion Bldg.
#4 Timog Ave. Cor Panay Ave, Quezon City
Contact Numbers: +63 (02) 375-13-98 | +63 (02) 372-58-22
Fax: +63 (02) 373-06-17
Both branches (Quezon City and Pasay) operates 24 hours.

Related Links:

» The Wensha Spa Center
» Wensha Spa Packages and Promos
» Wensha Spa Services and Rates
» Complaints, Problems and Suggestions and Appreciation Page 

The Rise and Fall of the Hapontukin » 7 ½ Tips on How to Avoid Snoozing on the Job

One rainy afternoon, I finally decided to finish the report my boss was asking a few months ago. I started typing, then suddenly stopped, and gave a big powerful tornado-forming yawn. Then I find myself staring at the cursor like a snake in trance. I didn’t move while the vertical cursor blinked a million times. I suspect Microsof Word is doing something evil to me – the cursor was hypnotizing me. The cool air-con breeze touched my skin. I blinked and then blinked again. The blinking becomes slow and slower and slower like that slow motion scene in the movies. I felt my eyelids turned into leather with my eyes as heavy as bowling balls.

The computer monitor is calling me, whispering “Come inside, they are waiting for you…come my child..forget the report…come..”

The Fight with the Cursor

I can’t help it, my head was slowly leaning forward - slowly slowly. I’m fighting it and managed to sit up straight, but then it happened again. This time the cursor was blinking faster and the monitor was eerily glowing, magnetizing my head. Again, my head slowly lean forward to the monitor, I fight it again but the fight lasted only for a minute. The cursor won. I closed my eyes, and collapsed into the keyboard, ready for a short journey to eternity.

I felt a hand touching my shoulder pulling me back to reality. Like a startled wide-eyed tarsier, I came back to reality. At my back is the most terrifying warlord I ever known – the person I call Boss.

“What are you doing? Where is the report?” the towering Mr. Boss growled.

I checked the computer monitor and I magically saw that I already produced 5,6987 pages. But it was filled with unintelligible characters like Russian codes or an Egyptian ancient curse, because my head hits the @!$%*&))==_  keyboard keys.  

The Attack of the Absent-minded Hapontukin

Lost for words I thought of saying, “Oh, hi Boss, I was trying to pick up my contact lens without my hands."

But I saw my left hand holding my eyeglasses, so I just continue staring. Mr. Boss saw what’s on the screen and took a very deep breath, gathering all his magical powers to blow me into pieces. My mind rummaged for some magical spell to counter my impending doom.

While my off-white phlegmatic saliva was still slowly falling down the side of my mouth, I thought I whispered “Boss, I was testing the keyboard for drool resistance."

Mr. Boss just gave a deep-frustrated sigh and left.

I succeeded in sending the warlord away, but I know deep down in my pitiful slave heart that the battle has just began.

Are you a Hapontukin Too?

I am a certified Hapontukin (palaging inaantok tuwing hapon) or always sleepy in the afternoon. It’s a condition where you don’t have enough energy to last you through the day. Maybe you are also experiencing it once in a while.

The most obvious reason for afternoon drowsiness is lack of sleep, which can have a variety of causes. In my case, it is because of too much Facebooking or late night blogging or a mild hang-over. I know that’s bad for health, so I’m trying to limit those activities in the evening. However, sometimes we really need to stay awake late at night to finish some important stuff, which causes a terrible Hapontukin moment the following day. 

In the corporate world, we always have Mr. Boss who always have their noses smoking with rage if they see a Hapontukin employee because, of course it’s a business and they didn’t want to pay the price of our on-the-job-snoozing in the form of lost productivity. Also, it will badly affect our performance evaluation, hence we have to do something to stay awake and finish our deliverable. We also know that sleeping on the job can be risky to the point that it can cost us our job.

Therefore, it is a must for us to do something to help us get a steady energy and avoid Hapontukin moments.

7 and ½ Tips on How to Avoid Snoozing on the Job

Here are my personal tips on how to beat Hapontukin Moments:

When hapontukin sets in, I take funny pictures with my co-worker, make a quick video clip, do some clean-up, engage in a quick chat – the spiderman style, and take a magic pill.

1. Grab your camera and take funny pictures – Pretend you need graphics for the company brochure, newsletter, company website or a powerpoint presentation and ask co-employees to take a pose for you. Of course lots of them will be more than willing to help you. Here are some of our samples.

Yodz babysitting an emo accountant

May the best girl win

Where have you been slave dwarf?

Arrrgg!!! I'm giving birth to a witch!

2.  Create your own version of  “Sadako Movie” or “The Matrix” - or whatever movie or painting you like. Be creative. A quick brainstorming about it will definitely make your hanpontukin moment go away. 

Where is Sadako?

The Matrix

3. Help the cleaning lady - A little courtesy help in sweeping the floor would not hurt your pride. If you can’t do it, at least clean up your cubicle. 

The Matrix superstar turned janitor

4. Quick chat “The Spiderman” style - Prefer quick chatting and gossiping face to face, do not do it via e- mail, phone, SMS or Yahoo Messenger when you can easily jump up to your co-workers. 

Hey buddy what's the new chismis?

5. Photocopy yourself – Well, yeah, you can do it once in while but I’m actually not recommending it. But it’s fun – give it a try. 

Can you please make 500 copies of me?

6. Create a quick video clip using your phone camera – Ask your co-workers (who are sleepy too) to join you in making a dance clip. Some caution: shoot it in a place where others will not be distracted, such as the elevator or in the office pantry.

Please watch our short video clip entitled “Ang mga pokpok na lumilipad, minamahal ni Yodz”

7½. Take a magic pill - Most of these previous tips are just temporary solutions to afternoon Hapontukin. Nothing beats regular exercise and a balanced, nutritious diet in keeping our body healthy and lively. Also, taking multivitamins has always provided us with essential vitamins we need to help maintain good health and energy. But not all vitamins are alike, what we need is a Multivitamins with special combination of vitamins called Steadi-Energy Complex which can provide us with lasting energy (tuluy-tuloy na energy) throughout the day. This steadi-energy is important most especially if there are so many things to do at work. By the way, that 1/2 is for extra energy.

If we treat our body properly, it will work like a well-oiled machine whether day, night, or afternoon. It may even help us in our early promotion.

I definitely agree with Enervon’s campaign “More Energy, Mas Happy.” In this stressful and fast-paced city life, I definitely need Multivitamins Enervon – of course because of its Steadi-Energy Complex vitamin combination. It’s truly a magic energy pill for me. 

Hapontukin bad,
Steady energy – Good!

Orgasm

I am currently reading the book “No Ordinary Moments” by Dan Millman and came across one section which I think worth sharing. It is a section about the primary gateways of stress release, which includes orgasm.   

Orgasm serves as a universal and relatively benign method of tension release, through masturbation, sex with a partner or spontaneously, as in nocturnal emissions (“wet dreams”). As an inherent biological drive to help ensure continuation of the species, orgasm can be distinguished from higher motives of love, affection or intimacy – we can, and often do, achieve orgasm without any of these higher motives. Mutually consenting adults can and do engage in uncommitted “sports sex” – having orgasms, then going their separate ways. However, the highest form of sexual intimacy includes both love and desire.

As with the other gateways, sexuality only becomes problematic when it becomes compulsive or addictive – when we abuse it rather than use it. Those who become addicted to orgasm pursue a variety of means to achieve it and tend to use partners or themselves as sex objects in order to release tension.

In today’s world, indiscriminate, promiscuous, unprotected sexual relations have become a high-risk behavior with serious even fatal consequences – not to mention the emotional turmoil related to the regret, deceit, and insecurity that sometimes accompany affairs.

For those without a partner, masturbation is recommended as a means of managing our sexual-creative energies. A near universal practice, masturbation provides an accessible gateway of release with no emotional strings attached. Masturbation seems preferable to deceitful, loveless, and compulsive sexual encounters that risk disease, pregnancy, or one-sided emotional entanglements. Masturbation also helps resolve, in a simple and harmless way, different levels of sexual desire in a relationship; if our partner is not interested or available when we desire orgasm, we can masturbate to relieve the sexual tension.

By definition, however, masturbation does not involve relationship with anyone else; it involves no circuit of energy exchange, vulnerability or intimacy. Those who are addicted to this particular gateway even though a partner is available may want to re-examine the level of openness and communication in their relationship, and to explore deeper levels of sexual intimacy.

The fewer internal obstructions we have, the less compelling our need for orgasm. With less need, we have more to give, which enhances the intimacy of our sexual relationship. Reduced pressure for orgasm is quite different, however, from inhibited drives, sexual blocks or repression, or guilt driven attempts at celibacy, which may signal a need to seek professional help.

Source: Millman, Dan. 1992. No Ordinary Moments: A Peaceful Warrior’s Guide to Daily Life. California, USA:H. J. Kramer Inc. p. 68-69 

Escaping the hullabaloo of my daily life

How does someone who is insanely busy manage to downsize stress? I tried doing it the man’s way – ending a toxic day with vodka and beer, late night gig, sleep-all-day-Saturday, coffee & peanuts, remote control & Sci-fi movies – but on the following day it was too hard to kick-start the whole brain again. Stress just pile up.

In my search to simplify life – and put an end to my fatal indecision – I realized that the perfect way to break the cycle of stress is to have a change of scenery – a day or two with nature best suits me.

Accordingly, I woke up at 6:00 am last Sunday, grabbed few stuff and headed to Subic Bay – Olongapo City with friends. The Master of our laid-up cargo ship, the “MV Pacific Islander II” invited us onboard.


I did hesitate going there a few days before, thinking that holidaying is a waste of time & money and that I should utilized that long weekend – Monday being holiday [National Heroes Day] – for completing my pending office work. It wasn’t until I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I saw my image as “stuck” – it was like I was frozen, too absorbed in my work, I can’t imagine living any other way.

Then and there I decided I wanted an exciting existence – an uncomplicated, full of adventure, enriching and slow life. By giving myself permission to leave my “cubicled life” and temporarily forget my deliverables, the introspection opened up an exciting alternative to what’s really important.

How about you, how do you downsize stress?

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More Photos Here and Scandal Video