Rediscover Filipino Traditions At Balay Hilom Spa

The traffic gets really bad especially this rainy season and for me, the best way to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city is to get a massage. If you study or work in Quezon City, I'm sure you've heard of this quaint massage place called Balay Hilom Spa.

Balay Hilom Spa is a spa that focuses on spreading indigenous healing traditions of Filipinos, promoting the ancient art of Filipino healing or "Hilot" and other massage techniques from various provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.

It was my first time there and I'd like to commend these top qualities of the spa:

Accessible Location

Although I live in Manila, I didn't have a difficult time looking for the place since it's located across Ateneo de Manila University and is accessible via LRT or Grab. Their exact location is Ground Floor, FBR Arcade Building, Katipunan, Quezon City.

Tranquil Ambiance

The place is filled with sculptures, furniture and fixtures that are sourced from the Philippines and the interiors are designed like a Nipa Hut or "Bahay Kubo", a stilt house that often serves as an icon of Philippine culture. Soft ambient yellow lights surround the spa and relaxing mellow music serenade the customers to calm our senses. You'll also see that the place is very clean.

Accommodating Staff

Friendly and trained staff is very important for me since they perform the services and interact with the customers. I was so happy with my experience since they welcomed me right away as soon as I got in and even explained their services thoroughly. Plus of course, the whole experience was superb.

(This is Asam)

(With owners Krystine Antonio and Kurt Young)

Heirloom Tea Since the owner, Kurt Young, was brought up by a Filipino-Chinese family, he knows his cups of tea well. He makes sure that the complimentary tea he serves is tasty yet good for the body at the same time. Truth be told, the tea is really really good, it's like the syrup of the taho but better. I think I drank at least 5 cups that day. HAHAHA I couldn't help it. It was so good!

Unique Spa Experience Aside from hilot, they also offer a more cultural and healing experience like the Dagdagay, Suob, Bentosa , Dinalisay and a lot more.

Dagdagay - Traditional foot massage from Ifugao. They use wooden sticks for the foot and wrap the legs using banana leaves.

Suob - Organic steaming or sauna using organic leaves. It is a great treatment for post-natal relaxation and for those who have colds and cough.

Bentosa - Compared to other massage places wherein they only do stocking of the cups for bentosa, Balay Hilom Spa's process consists of stocking the cups, running and airing it as well with hilot. That way, the cupping bruises or markings won't be too dark and it stays on the body for a short period of time only versus the regular bentosa.

Bato - Instead of using ordinary stones, Balay Hilom Spa uses seafloor hot stones with hilot for this type of massage.

Dinalisay - For this massage, you get to indulge in your choice of organic scrubs in strawberry, mango, rice, coconut, ginger orange, seaweed, guava or papaya to be applied on you.

Hilot Balay Hilom - And of course, I tried their signature hilot massage. I like how they break the cold using the fingers instead of the usual way of doing it in other massage places. My favorite part was when my head and back were being massaged. I was so relaxed, I went to bed right away as soon as I got home (I usually stay up late at night).

(Ana of Balay Hiom Spa doing the hilot)

And guess what? My back was featured on Good News TV 11 too! I got interviewed during my visit. I was trying to explain my experience in these photos. HAHAH :)

Price Is Just Right

The services are priced at Php450 and above and I guess that is just right for the amazing relaxing feeling and cultural experience that you get.

And BTW, they're having an anniversary promo until August 30, 2018! So hurry and avail of it.

I can't wait to go back and try their other services. You should drop by the "House of Healing" or Balay Hilom Spa too. For more information, visit their Facebook page here.