Another medical spa soon in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — A couple of aesthetic physicians ventured into the promising medical-spa industry in Cebu elevating the standard of beauty and self-care services here.

Doctors Andy and Sugar Mantilla recently opened a 141-square meter beauty boutique spa called “Bodyworkx Medical Spa” expanding the options of Cebu’s growing market for professional beauty service.

The husband and wife tandem started their home-based medical spa clinic in a subdivision in barangay Apas, Cebu City two years ago until they decided to open their posh beauty enclave at the new Solinea Tower 1 at the Cebu Business Park in May this year.

Amid the fast growing demand for aesthetic medicine service in Cebu fueled by the expanding middle-class and immense awareness on self-care, the industry here is still dominated by non-Cebuano companies or brands that have already established foothold in Manila.

According to the Mantilla couple, opening Bodyworx Medical Spa is not only meant to take advantage of the rising demand, but also to raise the bar in terms of standard reputation in offering their specialty field.

The young couple invested a significant amount of money to procure state-of-the-art machines and equipment coupled with globally-acclaimed brands of cosmetic products to ensure efficacy of their hands-on service.

From college-sweethearts since medical school, Bodyworx is the couple’s first business venture after they tied the knot of marriage.

The dawning of the wellness culture introduced the medical spa to help spa-goers maintain their youthful looks.

If a decade ago the “spaholics” were content with a relaxing massage, the market now has evolved into finding a one-stop place not just to relax but refresh the skin and body.

The Mantilla couple believes that aside from medical tourists, mostly Balikbayans, Filipinos regardless of age and social status are also spending their money on taking care of their skin, not just merely for vanity, but for over-all wellness.

Bodyworx Medical Spa, according to Doc Sugar is the couple’s personal reflection, as they are building their reputation as doctors.

Both are hands-on in working on each client’s peculiar need for treatment—highly personalized.

“We really want to educate the patients. We were once patients. We believe in holistic approach and close doctor-patient relationship,” the couple said adding that there are a lot of people who are yet to be properly educated on right skin regimen.

Unlike other branded medical spas that are now operating in Cebu, Bodyworx sealed its commitment to make professional skin care and beauty service affordable.

“We are also here to educate the market on the proper way of taking care of one’s skin,” Doc Andy reiterated.

A medical spa is a spa that has a medical program, operated under the supervision of a licensed health care professional. These spas use medical treatments such as lasers, microdermabrasion, Botox, and other medical beauty procedures as well as providing traditional spa services such as facials, nail care, among others.

The Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) earlier reported that Cebu’s medical tourism growth is driven largely by beauty and cosmetics services demand including cosmetic dentistry.

Balikbayans are the leading buyers of medi-spa services, although foreigners are also starting to come to Cebu just to avail of totalbeauty rejuvenation packages, with sight-seeing and beach trips, said Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) president Alice Queblatin.

Cebu’s bid to become a premier hub for medical tourism not only in the Philippines, but in Asia as a whole is reinforced by the establishment of medical spa facilities that are personally managed by certified doctors in aesthetic medicine. (FREEMAN)