Destinations

Nurture Spa Village: The Making of a Personal Haven in Search for Tranquility

In 2002, some P1 million was invested to establish Nurture Spa Village at Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II, Tagaytay City as a “personal haven in search for tranquility.” The place is now a must-visit for wellness.

Published

14 years ago

September 7, 2012

Mikee dela Cruz

In 2002, some P1 million was invested to establish Nurture Spa Village at Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II, Tagaytay City as a “personal haven, as I was seeking tranquility at that time,” recalled Cathy Turvill, Nurture Spa Village president. That “personal haven” soon evolved, so that it has become one of the pioneers in the Philippine health and wellness industry as a venue offering “international standard spa with a distinct Filipino theme.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATHY TURVILL

ALL FILIPINO
A big source of pride is in the introduction of a distinctly Filipino-branded spa menu. Among the favorites are: the signature “aruga” treatment and its “magsing-irog massage”, and “nilaib” massage (a Filipino version of the hot stone massage).

The village is said to be guided by the SENSES model of wellness (as authored by Dr. Marc Cohen), i.e.: S = stress management; E = education; N = nutrition; S = Social Interaction; E = exercise; and S = spirituality.

As it offers “ecotherapy”, or the healing by and through nature, Nurture Spa Village is located in coffee orchards. As such, and as described in the venue’s Website, “rooms overlook lush gardens and/or a tropical forest which generously showcase a natural symphony of birds singing, beautiful butterflies weaving in and out of flower beds, bright sunlight bathing the gardens and cool, fog-draped evenings gently settling in the nightfall.”

Nurture Spa Village offers a range of facilities and services, including an enhanced spa menu featuring international facial and spa brands BIODROGA and ALGOTHERM; wellness services that include detoxification, weight reduction, anti-ageing and chronic disease management; expanded food and beverage services; and events hosting, including an events pavilion, a technologically backed business center; and accommodations, including deluxe rooms and dormitory rooms for groups. There are also: a swimming pool, a butterfly haven, a herb garden, and a reflexology path.

To even better its products and services, the village partnered with experts, e.g. Tanglad Bistro for vegetarian and nonvegetarian cuisines, Institute of Natural Healing (INH) under Dr. Samuel P. Dizon for its alternative and complementary medicine programs, Healthway Medical for its executive check up programs, Brahma Kumaris for meditation and lifestyle counseling, and Tagaytay Hospital and Medical Center for its medical, laboratory and emergency services requirements.

Nurture Spa Village’s health programs vary, formed in partnership with those with the know-how in their particular fields. For instance, its Joyful Health Program is under the supervision of the INH under Dr. Dizon, a US-trained Doctor of Medicine with 19 years of experience in natural medicine, having studied methods on longevity, wellness, and alternative cancer regimens in Colorado and California. Nurture Spa Village has also partnered with Josiah’s Catering and Dulang Restaurant to whip up nonvegetarian and vegetarian dishes served at Tan’aw Bar, which overlooks the swimming pool and garden.

Having the right people working for it is a big thing for Nurture Spa Village, which is among the few spas in the Philippines with at least six management and staff internationally certified by CIBTAC, UK. All its therapists are trained for a minimum of two months, with refresher training provided by sister company Spa Professionals International Development Center.

HEALTHY CHOW
Nurture Spa Village has also partnered with Josiah’s Catering and Dulang Restaurant to whip up nonvegetarian and vegetarian dishes served at Tan’aw Bar, which overlooks the swimming pool and garden.

While the company makes use of Amu’in massage oils and room amenities blended by another sister company, Spa Essentials, Nurture Spa Village is also proud to offer such international brands as BIODROGA and ALGOTHERM. BIODROGA is a spa and beauty range developed in Baden Baden, Germany, using natural ingredients to purify the skin and help fight the effects of ageing. Nurture Spa Village offers anti-ageing , golden caviar deep cleansing, nourishing facial, and men’s vitality BIODROGA facials. Meanwhile, ALGOTHERM is a marine based product from the thalossotherapy region in France, offering anti-ageing, slimming, detoxifying and anti-cellulite body treatments.

Beyond offering health and wellness products and services, though, Nurture Spa Village has also diversified. Its Salo Pavilion and Garden features a children’s area; while its Salo Garden offers a venue for events. Also, counseling sessions with a Catholic priest or Christian pastor can be arranged; while Raja yoga, meditation and life coaching sessions can be scheduled at the neighboring Brahma Kumaris, a United Nations affiliated NGO.

A big source of pride is in the introduction of a distinctly Filipino-branded spa menu. Among the favorites are: the signature “aruga” treatment and its “magsing-irog massage”, and “nilaib” massage (a Filipino version of the hot stone massage).

Nurture Spa Village is jointly owned by Briton Dr. Mike Turvill and his Fllipina wife Cathy. Mike is a Doctor in Organic Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, UK; while Cathy is an internationally licensed therapist (CIBTAC, UK). They also own two spa related companies: Spa Essentials, a supplier of spa and hotel products to five star spas and resorts and Spa Professionals International Development Center, the only internationally accredited spa school in the Philippines which offers spa training and consultancy services.

Nurture Spa Village was named one of the “28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia” by CNN Go (June 2010) and one of the “Top Seven Spas of the Philippines” by Asia Spa Magazine (May-June 2010 issue).

“The wellness industry is the trillion dollar industry of the future. Many people are now joining the wellness bandwagon and are going to spas as part of stress reduction, and not just for pampering. Spas are part of complementary medicine. The UK House of Lords recognizes massage therapy as part of natural medicine. This is the industry of the future, and it is perfect for the Philippines because of our inherent compassion, healing touch and caring nature,” Turvill ends.

For more information, call Nurture Spa Village at (+63) 9188888SPA or (+63 2) 5844228, email info@nurture.com.ph, or call www.nurture.com.ph.

Up Next

Wabi-Sabi: At a Corner Full of Goodness

Don't Miss

Islands Banca Cruises Corp.: In Celebration of Natural Beauty

Mikee dela Cruz

Believing that knowing on its own is not good enough, "you have to share what you know, too", Mikee dela Cruz gladly shares through his writing. A (BA) Communication Studies graduate, he had stints with UNAIDS, UNICEF and Ford Foundation, among others, writing "just about everything". Read on as he does some sharing through Zest Magazine.

Destinations

Finding beauty, and not just of faith, at the Bangor Cathedral

Seeking #LGBT #faith or beauty in #Wales? Check out the #Bangor Cathedral in #Gwynedd.

Published

5 hours ago

June 27, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

A common practice among many Pinoy travelers is to visit a church, preferably Roman Catholic, in new places visited. Here’s the thing when you’re in the United Kingdom: it’s harder than you think because, while Catholics do exist, many of the churches here are of the Church of England/Anglican.

On one hand, without intending to gaslight, I often joke that it’s not like you’re praying to different gods (LOL).

But on the other hand, actually dropping by these churches can be eye-opening. Not just to faith, but seeing beauty in their richness… in history, architecture, and so on…

At least this is what was gleaned in the Bangor Cathedral in Wales.

@outragemag Seeking #LGBT #faith or beauty in #Wales? Check out the #Bangor Cathedral in #Gwynedd ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, if you’re in Gwynedd, this is very accessible. It’s there, in the middle of the oldest city in Wales. But if you’re from elsewhere, you need to travel to the city that’s over three hours away from London.

Ikalawa, this is formally St. Deiniol’s Cathedral, which has been used since about the 6th century.

As FYI: St. Deiniol, the 6th-century Welsh saint, wasn’t “made” a saint through the Roman Catholic canonization process. In the olden times, Welsh/Celtic Christian holy figures were usually recognized by local church tradition, reputation for holiness, and their role as founders/abbots/bishops, rather than by a formal Vatican procedure. In the case of Deiniol, he founded the monastery/church at Bangor around 525, so that over time, he was venerated as Saint Deiniol.

Ikatlo, what to see there?

Architecturally, it’s a mix of Norman/Romanesque and Gothic. It does feel medieval… and grandly so.

Inside, you’d see a layered medieval–Victorian Gothic interior, apparent in the stone arches, choir stalls, stained glass, and so on.

Those stained glasses, let’s emphasize, are from the 19th- and early-20th-century, including works by Clayton & Bell, James Powell & Sons, Burlison & Grylls, and Mayer & Co.

Should you seek this one out? Deserving ba na sadyain? Kung nasa area ka na, keri. Welcoming naman ang church.

Otherwise… rampa elsewhere na, as I do sa patuloy na LGBTQIA+ wandering…

Destinations

Checking Llanfair PG, the town that’s long in name and not much else

Introducing #llanfairpwllgwnyngyllgogerychwyrn or #llanfairpg, the town with the longest name in #Europe, as discovered during this #LGBT #Wales trip.

Published

2 days ago

June 25, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

When in Wales, one of the must-check places – at least based on tourist recommendations – is this Anglesey town famous for its very long name:the Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, located across the Menai Strait, a short drive or train ride from Bangor.

How’s the place?

@outragemag Introducing #llanfairpwllgwnyngyllgogerychwyrn #llanfairpg, the town with the longest name in #Europe, as discovered during this #LGBT #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, let’s get one thing out of the way: Don’t come here expecting to see or do much. People just come here to take pics of the town’s name… basically.

The name is the one, if not the only attraction.

As FYI: Even locals have a hard time pronouncing the name. We asked someone to do that for us. We were told, though, that there’s a shortened version, Llanfair PG… which isn’t a mouthful na.

Ikalawa, the name was popularized in the 19th century, mainly as a publicity stunt. The town, of course, supersedes this popularized name.

Ikatlo, the name is usually translated to: St. Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the red cave.

The meaning actually revolves around local landmarks, including:

St Mary’s church,
the “Swellies” (the pool/hollow of the whirlpool in the Menai Strait)
St Tysilio’s church

Ika-apat, in truth, this isn’t the longest name for any place. Even Bangkok’s ceremonial name is longer. Then there’s that town in New Zealand.

But this is commonly described as the longest one-word place name in Europe.

So… since the name was crafted for tourism, exactly how many tourists come over? Roughly 200,000 a year. Doesn’t seem much, really, but considering the “offerings” of the place, marami na.

Besides, compared to the tourist numbers under the Marcos administration, marami na yan (!).

But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…

Destinations

Underground discovery: From Heathrow, commute using the Underground to reach central London

You arrive in Heathrow, the main airport in London, and – like many tourists – you need to head to the center of London for your accommodation. You have many options, like catching a taxi. But you can just take the “regular” train, the so-called Underground.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 14, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

So… you arrive in Heathrow, the main airport in London, and – like many tourists – you need to head to the center of London for your accommodation. There are, of course, a number of transportation options, from grabbing a cab to taking the express train.

There’s an option that isn’t always advertised: that is, for you to just take the “regular” train, the so-called Underground.

Special thanks to Ms Kayla Garcia for this tip, of course.

@outragemag New to #London and traveling from #Heathrow to the city center? No need to overspend via #taxi or #expresstrain; just take the #LGBT #Underground ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, the underground is, as the name suggests, underground. From the arrival area, follow the signs leading to the “Underground”, which is around five minutes walk from where you’d exit after collecting your luggage.

Ikalawa, be careful: it’s basically on the same area as the Express trains, so if you erroneously entered their area, you’d be forced to spend more.

Ikatlo, yung bayad, nagbabago depending sa exact location you’re going to, and time, too. But naglalaro lang sa 6 pounds pababa… usually. Which is much cheaper than the Express trains by a lot. Add na lang to shopping ang natipid… unless anak ka ng politician na male-maletang pera ang dala mo while undergoing your tax-funded UK education…

And ika-apat, you may buy tickets from those machines at the entrance of the station. But this is London, cashless is usual. Pay using PayWave; tap mo lang credit or debit card mo, keri ka na.

Kung rich ka and money is not a problem… avail ka ng less local mode of transportation, kaya mo yan. But for those who believe commercialization of service sucks, and – in the case of transportation – bettering public transport makes better sense than shelling out cash to make rich people in the transportation industry even richer, then… here’s how many locals travel to and from Heathrow. Huwag na pretentious and avail na…

And off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…