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.

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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

Going Chinese in Pulilan, Bulacan

Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan, and we’re on the fence here (yes if no choice, no if you can go elsewhere).

Published

2 hours ago

July 28, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

We happened to be in Pulilan in Bulacan, and I had pancit craving. As if on cue, we passed by Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan, which – after we Google-checked – is supposedly one of the more frequently-visited Chinese restos in these parts of the province, so… of course we checked.

@outragemag Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, this place is really, REALLY easy to find. Located along the Pulilan Regional Road in Barangay Cut-cot in Pulilan, this is right in the middle of the municipality.

Ikalawa, the resto is actually divided into three parts: one side is for those with reservations, another part is for walk-in diners, and another part is for events. If/when the resto isn’t full, only the main part (middle one) is kept open.

No, this isn’t some fancy resto. More like an airconditioned karinderya, complete with wooden tables and plastic chairs. Look-wise, it wasn’t dirty naman when we were there, so that’s a plus.

Ikatlo, the workers were friendly naman… and they moved fast – e.g. while waiting for our orders, we were given must-check peanuts, and since we finished what we got fast, our waitress was more than happy to accommodate us.

Ika-apat, now… how was the food?

The house specialty, the Lee Foo Chicken (₱265 for half, ₱495 for whole), looked like fried chicken with ketchup. Okay… the breading was okay since it didn’t overpower the meat. The chicken, too, was properly cooked, and it wasn’t dry. But it was tasteless overall; so the ketchup taste is what stays with you.

The Pancit Canton Bihon (₱255) had thin pancit noodles, almost as thin as the bihon. It didn’t have lots of sahog; instead, you’d notice the extenders (like kikiam, and so on). I like good pancit, I swear… but this isn’t one of them, sorry.

The weirdly-wrapped Hakaw (₱155) was small, so it was bitin.

And then there’s the Siomai Steam (₱155), which was, in a word, weird. The size was good, similar to those ₱10 siomais. But the way this was prepared was weird for us – e.g. like the meat was overwatered, and having a hard time staying solid, so that it was smudgy, and disintegrated in the mouth even without chewing. I suppose that, at least, it wasn’t disgusting taste-wise.

Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is, we believe, popular. Like President in Chinatown, or a branch of David’s in some mall. To each his or her own nga naman. But for us, we’re off to look for other Chinese restos na muna as we head out in search of more lafangan venues.

Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is located at 159 Barangay Cut-cot, Pulilan, 3005 Bulacan Province. For more information, contact 0925 800 0168, or email leefoopanciteria@yahoo.com.

Travel

Treacherous beauty: Hiking at South Stack Lighthouse in Wales

#Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales.

Published

4 weeks ago

July 2, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

Yes, tech has made many lighthouses redundant. Not that they’re no longer relevant. But navigation-wise, we know we have more advanced solutions. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, led to the reconfiguration of many of them.

In Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales, introducing the South Stack Lighthouse.

@outragemag #Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, you’d need a ride to be there. Some use private cars, as we did; others join tours; and others cycle to the place.

Ikalawa, what’s there?

The lighthouse itself is located on a small, rocky island off Holyhead. From afar, it looks like someone’s grand home; mansion-like. Accessible siya after you descend down 400 steep steps.

What will you see while there?

the former lighthouse engine room
the top of the lighthouse
South Stack is also home to breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins

Here’s an FYI: seasonal lang siya bukas.

This is a must-check for lighthouse lovers, of course. Historic, it was built in 1809 by Trinity House from the design of Daniel Alexander. 91-foot tall, it used to allow safe passage for ships on the Dublin–Holyhead–Liverpool sea route.

Another FYI: It is allegedly haunted, and has been visited by a team from “Most Haunted”.

The area housing the lighthouse is, itself, worth checking. There are trails for hikers or joggers or cyclists; though the same could be enjoyed by those who are there only to look for good shots.

Check when you’re in the area… even if you just pass by. Nice siya, promise.

But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…

Travel

Enjoying nature via trail hiking in Wales

Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales.

Published

4 weeks ago

July 1, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

When in Bangor, you’d be told often that among the best things to do is to hike. And among the must-check is the Snowdonia Slate Trail, which links the old slate-quarrying communities of Eryri/Snowdonia.

So… ayan na nga, even without the right outfit for hiking, but ayaw ma-miss ang chance to check the area, off we went.

@outragemag Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, the circular route starts near Bangor/Porth Penrhyn. And you need a car or whatever to get to the starting point.

Ikalawa, the trail isn’t just for hiking. It’s also for biking or walking dogs. So you’d be sharing the 133-kilometer long trail with others.

Ikatlo, what’s there?

Mountains built by remnants from quarry sites, to start.

So… Gwynedd used to be known for slate quarrying, and among the biggest players is Penrhyn Quarry which is near Gwynedd, part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now… with slate quarrying, around 75% of extracted material are inferior in quality, called overburden, and so becoming mineral waste. Here, they’re now mountains.

But the trail also shows views typically associated with Wales – e.g. rolling hills that go on forever, rock fences, sheep farms, canals with flowing water… and more.

Usually, sa matatag, people hike the Snowdonia Slate Trail for up to seven days, passing through Bethesda, Llanberis, and so on. But for others… it’s but an opportunity to commune with nature, in a way, while taking those must-have shots.

But we’re off for more LGBTQIA+ discoveries…