Setting aside competition in the tough Spa and wellness business in Cebu, Alibyo Boutique Spa, which specializes in authentic Filipino massage called “hilot” would like to share its expertise to the industry.
Alibyo proprietor Johnie Lim said that it is high time for Cebu to maximize the local way of massage to provide a unique spa and wellness services to tourists, that will become a great edge for Cebu.
Lim, who is also the president of Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) is determined to share the success of “hilot” and other Cebuano way in providing wellness services in Alibyo, so that other Spa outlet could also leverage on this potential concept.
Although, there is an ongoing advocacy from the government to push “hilot” as the primary service to offered by Spa and wellness outlets, Lim said he is going to start the crusade, to make “hilot” a well known service in the Spa industry for Cebu.
Alibyo, a specialty Spa outlet owned and operated by Body and Sole Franchise Corporation, has gained interest from several five-star resorts in Cebu, and other areas for possible partnership operation, Lim said he is now clenching deal with a five-star resort in Cebu to offer Alibyo-way of wellness services.
Alibyo, a Visayan term, which means “to relieve,” offers authentic Filipino health and wellness services. In fact, all packages are titled in Visayan term, such as Bang-gud (Foot Spa), Pahamis (facial detoxification), Pi-So (press), Tu-ob (smoke therapy), among others.
Through partnership with international resort chains, there is big possibility that “Hilot” will be made known to the international community. “This is our edge. Spa outlets should provide a right ambiance in addition to the authentic services.”
Although other massage concepts like Thai and Swedish ways will also be offered, but the primary advocacy for Cebu-base Spa outlets should be in promoting “our own” traditional massage service.
In Alibyo, Lim said the company has purposely hired “hilot” experts from mountain barangays, who are still practicing the very traditional Visayas massage.
In the Philippines, “hilot” is considered as therapeutic for several sickness such as fever, asthma, among others.
Lim still has to finalize, Alibyo’s formal plan to provide blueprint in intensifying the advocacy to adopt and promote “hilot” across the industry operators in Metro Cebu.
“This time, we have to set aside competition, its time to work together in starting to showcase our ‘hilot’ edge to the international market, and every Spa outlet who want to capitalize local and foreign tourists should adopt this,” Lim said. —Ehda M. Dagooc