And then there's Serenity

Number 2 Torralba Street up in Lahug, Cebu City is the site where you'd find a bungalow situated at a focal point of a considerably big compound set within safety confines surrounded by flowery shrubs and some tropical greens. They call it Serenity Spa.

It seems to be just a house on first sight. The cool afternoon breeze rubbed against my skin as I walked towards its door and the surroundings gave me the feeling that I was somewhere in the countryside, savoring a quiet life.

The structure's interior achieves a homey, medium-lit atmosphere accentuated by the invigorating whiff of orange-scented oil, green window curtains and intricately built wooden furniture at the lobby. A quick tour of the relaxation haven gave me the preview of what relaxation they are offering - soothing, invigorating and refreshing.

For my pampering I got Tamarind Exfoliating Glow, Meditative Thai Massage and the Dermalogica Basic Facial. It all started with feet cleansing.

Serenity Spa's Body Scrubs and Wraps are treatments to detoxify, re-hydrate, soothe and relax aching muscles, incorporating the use of heat and an exfoliant. With Serenity Spa's unique blends, one can feel and look beautiful inside and out. What I had was the Tamarind Body Exfoliating Glow - an age-old beauty treatment inspired by the Tamarind tree that is grown in the lush garden right at the back of the Spa. Known for it's whitening effect, this signature Body Treatment lightens and leaves the skin glowing and baby-smooth.

After washing off, I was led to the Thai Massage room at the bottom part of the Spa. I then had the 60-minute Meditative Thai Massage, performed on a mattress on the floor. It uses pressure, muscle stretching and compression, practiced in gentle, rhythmic, rocking movements. I just surrendered myself to my therapist's nurturing touch and thought of nothing but relaxation.

Right after the relaxing massage, I laid on my back at the cushioned facial bed inside one of the five facial rooms. There weren't many machines except for the facial steamer, the magnifier and, of course, an array of Dermalogica products. "We don't prick. We extract," I remembered Bernadine saying.

Each facial procedure begins with Face Mapping, a revolutionary new approach to skin analysis developed by The International Dermal Institute exclusively for Dermalogica. For the first time ever, professional skin care therapists have a comprehensive technique with which to analyze every aspect of their client's skin, dramatically enhancing not only the effectiveness of every treatment, but also making the prescription of a home care regimen as focused on the clients' actual needs as possible.

Face Mapping divides the face into fourteen distinct zones, each with its own set of potential problems and unique needs. Using the zones and the Dermalogica Face Map as a guide, the therapist is able to conduct an inch-by-inch, methodical analysis of the facial landscape, guaranteeing that the subsequent professional treatment and home-care prescription will fully address the client's concerns.

On my treatment, a series of applications and face massages were performed and within intervals, my therapist muttered some sort of lectures on the care of my face. "You have to put sun block an hour before exposing yourself outside, you have to drink a lot of water and get a regular sleeping pattern," she advised.

At the end of the whole pampering, I went out of Serenity Spa completely refreshed, soothed and totally relaxed.

Surrender and escape to the harmonious perfection of nature's healing environment right at the center of the metropolis. And there's nowhere else where you can get that apart from Serenity Spa - a sanctuary of wellness amidst the splendor of nature.

For more information about their pampering, you can call Serenity Spa at telephone numbers 233-9897 or visit them at No. 2 Torralba Street, Lahug Cebu City. They are open from 10 in the morning to 12 midnight.