Juice, anyone?

Healthy fruit beverages are creatively at full tilt at Amuma Spa's Juice Bar. Annexed to the gym, massage parlour specializing in Filipino hilot, and a gorgeous pool perfect for swimming laps, the breezy juice bar is the perfect go-to for light nosh. The Amuma Spa is part of Maribago Bluewater's most recent make over. I can't wait to see all the improvements they've made.

My current fave drink is the fragrant lemongrass juice served cold, of course. It's so refreshing on a hot day---and it's always hot in Mactan Island!

Here's a portion of what I wrote for a glossy about the health benefits of this ubiquitous grass:

We don’t really need to look too far beyond our borders to find things that are medically good for us. The ink on the issue hasn’t dried yet but in Israel, they’ve reportedly found that lemongrass tea can be good for cancer patients because of the citral found in them. Researchers found that the substance induces cell death only in cancer cells. Now it’s uncommon for us to drink the stuff alone although we use lemongrass a lot in our cooking. Citral isn’t strictly unique in lemongrass but is endemic to lemon-scented herbs.

Critic's Log_Maribago Bluewater

The newly renovated Bluewater in Maribago, Mactan, exudes a new zen, catalyzed by the ubiquitous ponds and waterfalls now dotting the resort's grounds. It's played up its atmosphere of a cozy escape from citylife and the stress that comes with it by amping up their spa services, particularly with the Amuma Spa, which I've now come to experience. An airy Juice Bar complements their wellness offering while its menu showcases the island's many fruits in season served in juicy bites or in heavenly fresh and healthy concoctions. The gym is conveniently located just right behind the bar, so you don't have long to walk before powering up.

I will be treated to their Water Shiatsu this afternoon and lugged along a bathing suit just in case the wet element comes to effect.

When I come to Maribago Bluewater, I always enjoy the waiting moments---few to come by especially because of their PR, Ruben's, superbly solicitous attentions. I sit at their waiting lounge now, usually an awkward time at any other resort or hotel because at any moment the wait staff will come over to demand what the hell you're doing sitting at their tables, yet here I oddly feel compelled to jot my thoughts down, and this is how this piece came to be.



Ruben mentioned at a Barrio Fiesta dinner some nights ago that the resort is in the midst of a full-scale renovation in time for their anniversary---moved from July to December this year---in hopes of thwarting the gobal economic downturn. Like most Mactan resorts, Bluewater is largely dependent on South Asian guests who come to enjoy Cebu's eternally summer weather (the heat is up at 30-degrees Celsius at least even in our so-called rainy season). This makes the renovation perfectly timed. The recession too has made certain resources available as locally based foreign furniture companies scramble to sell their current stock where before, those same pieces would have to have been purchased in Singapore or Germany, they were instead shipped from the Mactan factory to the resort.



I love the ambience here. From the lobby, you immediately feel your blood pressure winding down. Maybe it's the sound of water falling, always a boon for my constantly wired system. I meant to buy one for my home but the thought of maintenance deters me.

Weeping bamboos camp in mini groves around Amuma's own swimming pool, again accented with a rippling waterfall flowing out from one of two massage kiosks. The main kiosk is called the Hilot Pavilion Massage where their services range from the Amuma Hilot, Traditional Filipino hilot, Swedish massage, Namikoshi Shiatsu, Thai Foot Massage, and the Travel Revive.

The Amuma Spa is ensconced in a different wing from the main resort. Unless one is a roomed guest in that wing, it's unlikely you'll find the usual beach revellers here. A gorgeously ergonomic chaise loung by Dedon graces the gravel path by the pool and makes for the penultimate lounging experience---even when enjoyed while the press conference convenes.