MANDURRIAO, ILOILO CITY – Our first stop during our recent jaunt to this “Queen’s City of the South” courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air and the Department of Tourism Western Visayas after checking in at a local hotel was a place called, believe it or not, Smallville (as in the TV Series).
However, we soon learned its name has little to do with Clark Kent and Louise Lane but rather something closer to home for all five Cagayan de Oro Journalists in our party: Ed Montalvan, Butch Enerio, Froilan Gallardo, moi and Orwin Austria (in no particular order, believe me).
Rather, Ping Jimenea and Pam Cababasay from DOT Region 6 told us Smallville Complex is one of Iloilo City’s premier destinations dedicated to The Good Life, at Night, that is. It originally referred to a short row of restos, bars and clubs besides the Iloilo Business Hotel but has since grown to a huge complex. In Cagayan de Oro, this would be Limketkai Center’s Rosario Strip, just go give you an idea.
Interestingly, our destination for the afternoon the Skinetics Wellness Center, described in its flyers as a “Medical Spa, Skin Clinic and Boutique Hotel”, though I assure you in this case the whole is certainly bigger than the sum of its parts.
Besides the Fab Five from CDO and DOT’s Dynamic Duo, we were also joined by Cebu Pacific PR Consultant Charles L. Lim and beauty queen, Precious Heradura from Selrahco Management and Consultancy Services.
Opened barely eight months ago, the one-stop medical spa, skin clinic and boutique hotel of Dr. Yule Garcia- Quiampang and hubby Rommel, is at the forefront of the health and wellness wave that is sparking medical tourism in the region.
The first level of the building houses the Ohana Japanese Restaurant and Kiddie Spa though both were not included in our itinerary. Rather, we went straight up to the second level lobby where we were welcomed by Dr. Doniluz Garcia-Darroca and Skinetics’ staff of professionally trained nurses and therapists.
Straightaway we were whisked to third floor where we had our choice of Shiatsu, Thai, Balinese, hot stone and Hilot massages. They also offer head, chair and back massages plus hand and foot treatments and reflexology.
Later, Dr. Doniluz also briefed us that the third level also has sauna and special private rooms where one can enjoy value plus services like a Jacuzzi. After we had been thoroughly pampered and relaxed of our travel aches and kinks, we were brought to Skinetics’ Hydrocolonics treatment room which is essentially a high-tech version of the venerable enema better known to Kagay-anons as the dreaded hiringga!
But hydrocolonics is a high-tech version which takes all of 30-minutes to thoroughly cleanse your bowels of the ills of bloating and constipation, eventually resulting in improved absorption of nutrients and detoxification if done regularly. Prior to the procedure, your blood is analyzed to give you an idea just how your circulatory system is doing.
A three-day Hydrocolonics treatment in Skinetics would set you back a mere P4, 000.00 compared to the reported P60, 000.00 for a similar procedure in a well-known hotel in Central Visayas. Of course, Skinetics has a thousand and one suggestions on what one does with the balance of PhP 56,000.00 if one were to prefer coming to Skinetics in Iloilo for the procedure.
For starters, one can stay in the boutique hotel which occupied the two top floors of the building. Its executive and presidential suites not only offer among the best views of the city but are its most affordable as well! Its amenities and appointments would shame many a downtown hotel and for only PhP 2,500 a night for a double occupancy superior room, inclusive of a welcome foot massage and breakfast at Blue Jay’s Café, it’s not only a steal but highway robbery!
Things just keep getting better and better as one ascends the topmost level where a three room family suite for only P8,000 can accommodate up to ten people complete with a spacious living room with bar and kitchen. To top it all off, you can arrange for a Spa Party right in your suite!
Of course, the idea of luxury accommodations as a recovery room for those who have just undergone dermatological and cosmetic surgery in the fifth floor operating room, is an idea whose time has come; and what better place to pamper yourself than the executive or family suites of Skinetics Boutique Hotel.
If that’s not quite enough, you and your friends can always get down to Smallville and enjoy the night life among its bars, restaurants, coffee shops, chill out lounges, dance clubs, live bands and what have you. You have to get your doctor’s clearance if it’s okay for you to party after your procedure though. Even if you can’t still get down and paint Smallville red, a Spa Party in your suite would do just as well.
Wala sing ano man!