I've always wondered what it's like to get a hair treatment from a spa, since my hubby and son are still away and my little girl takes afternoon naps I decided to do it Easter Sunday afternoon.

I went to The Spa at the Podium and decided to try the Moor Spa Hair and Scalp Treatment. It costs 1k pesos, about the same price as hair treatments from reputable salons. Moor Spa is a brand of spa products derived from Austrian black mud, you can check it out at http://www.moorspa.com.

The treatment started with the therapist asking me to sit on one of the lazy boy recliners with a towel under my head. She then massaged the back of my neck and shoulders. Then she put what she called "complete oil" on my hair and massaged my scalp and forehead. The oil would keep the mud from sticking to my scalp later on. She also massaged my head with something she called a "tension balm", it was mentholated and felt very cool and refreshing. Then she also put another kind of oil called "hair revitalizer" (or was it "hair vitality" -- I can't recall exactly) and massaged again. After all the oils, she combed in the Moor Spa black mud and covered every strand with it. My hair was then exposed to steam for the next 15 minutes. After steaming, she made sit up and once again massaged my shoulders and a bit of my back. She then handed me two small vials of Moor Spa shampoo and conditioner (both of which smelled exotic). I was asked to take a shower to remove all the oils and mud from my hair.

It was a nice experience overall, The Spa branch at Podium is immaculate -- spotlessly clean and very well-designed. The staff are extremely helpful and courteous. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I not been stressed by all the scampering back and forth from Podium to Megamall due to Powerbooks' Easter Egg Decoration Contest...

Did it do anything to improve my hair? Well my hair does feel more moisturized, but I think the effect will last a few days tops.

You can call The Spa in Podium at 6388588.

Bored at home this Holy Week? Want to swim but don't want to drive to the ends of the peninsula? Ace Water Spa is the place to be! Where else can you cool off and get an all-over body massage at the same time via hydrotherapy?

Since my daughter and I are home alone this Holy Week with hubby and son on a tour of Taiwan, we trooped to Ace Water Spa with my sis early this morning.

Ace Water Spa is a water wonderland... a swimming playground... a hydromassage center... in short, it's the perfect spot to hit this summer! They have multiple jet streams of water to massage every part of your body from the top of your head to the soles of your feet and that's not an exaggeration! There's a notice posted on every water massage station that tells you which part of the body it's supposed to focus on, what position you should be in, and what health benefits you can expect from it. They also have very hot dipping pools infused with ginseng (among other infusions, there are three kinds) that are supposedly therapeutic. Aside from these water spa amenities, they also have a kiddie pool and a lap pool. Alas I could not take pictures inside the spa so I had to do it from a distance at their cafe. You also get a free bowl of hot soup after your session -- perfect for capping off the experience.

A session at Ace Water Spa costs 500 pesos for adults and 250 pesos for kids below 4 feet. It's all indoors too so you don't have to worry about getting too much sun, or getting rained on. Everyone is required to wear snug-fitting swimwear as the water pressure can be very strong and could literally knock your top off. They also provide you with a swimming cap to keep your hair in place. I wish I could've taken a pic of my little girl wearing the swimming cap and happily playing with the bubbles... so cute.

After getting your whole body massaged by the water, you'll sleep soundly for sure when you get home. My daughter was knocked out as soon as we got back.

Ace Water Spa is located at 399 Del Monte Ave. (near cor. Banawe St.), SFDM, Quezon City. Their contact numbers are 3678040-41 and 3678061. They open at 6am and they're open every single day, including all the lenten holidays.