The Smartest Spa/ Massage Therapist By yunesa@yahoo.

com

The Smartest Massage/ Spa Therapist

(Ang Pinaka-Matalinong Massage/ Spa Therapist)
By
Eunice
www.yunesa.blogspot.com

I would like to share a story about four people flying in a small airline plane going
for a vacation. Itong small airline plane na ito has four passengers inside: may
pilot, may minister and two young women, one of whom graduated on top of her
class as a summa cum laude in a prestigious massage and spa school.

As they were flying, the pilot turned to his three passengers and said, “We are
having engine trouble, I have a bad news and worse news, which would you like
to hear first?” They all agreed to the bad news first. “The bad news is”, the pilot
continued “we are having mechanical trouble, the plane’s going down and we will
surely crash. The worse news is we only have three parachutes in the cabin and
there are four of us”.

The pilot started to reason out “I have a wife and two small children, I am sorry
but I am going to have to take one parachute” and without any hesitation, he
grabbed one of the parachutes and jumped out of the plane.

The summa cum laude, immediately spoke, “I have been voted the graduate
most likely to succeed in my spa school and have been honored as top of my
class. I am sorry but I might be the one to come up with a cure for fibromyalgia
through massage, who knows? I might even be the one to solve the economic
problems of the industry.” With that said, the top graduate grabbed the second
parachute and jumped.

The minister then spoke and said to the remaining young woman, who unusually
remained calm, “Young lady, you take the last parachute, I have made my peace

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with God and I am willing to go down with the plane and die. Now take the last
parachute and go before it’s too late.”

“Relax, Reverend” replied the young woman, “the top graduate, the one voted
most likely to succeed jumped out of the plane with my knapsack. We have two
parachutes left for the two of us.”

Lesson? A lot of young people think they are pretty smart especially if they came
from reputable schools with high honors and adulation from people. But what
they do not understand is that in this industry as in all the others, many things are
to be learned, not in the massage table or in the spa lecture rooms but in the
streets called life especially in the work place.

Like the top graduate, these smart people as they see themselves, jump out into
the world without parachutes. They think they know it all, and they start pushing
their way around to the point of hurting people and they will soon
crash….because what they have is only a knapsack and not a real parachute.
It is okay if we are passionate at what we do, but if we, the younger generations
started criticizing older generations or people just to impress others on how
brilliant or talented we are, or we act on impulse at hindi tayo nagiisip bago
magsalita then we start to recklessly hurt other people. In the long term, we are
also hurting ourselves. Because believe it or not, the value we give to other
people, is the value we give to ourselves. So relax and take it easy…..

Take time to study, analyze, keep your opinion to yourself, sabi nga sa isang
lumang kasabihan na ang latang walang laman, pagulungin mo sa lansangan
mas maingay pa daw sa batingaw (there is an old saying that an empty can
sounds the loudest). Be tactful in saying things and pray before you react.
Although siyempre minsan talaga gustong gusto mo ng mag react di ba? (Of
course, sometimes you cannot help but react or defend yourself) As humans, we
would always choose the way which has the least resistance. Sometimes, ito

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yung pag sasalita ng walang pakundangan kaya nga minsan mas gusto ko yung
nag susulat kasi I can erase and edit eh yung salita? Pag nasabi mo na hindi mo
na maibabalik. (Sometimes these are the words that we hurl to another person
and sometimes, it is better to write because when you write something you can
erase and edit while a hurtful word cannot be taken back). Kaya mas masakit sa
aking palagay yung salitang isinulat or idinaan sa letter kasi may time pa tayong
mag isip isip bago natin matapos ito di ba at magbago ng isip? BUT of course, if
done in good taste, we should be open for a little nudge or reminder. Mas
maganda siguro kung love letters ang sinusulat natin sa kapwa…hehe….(It
would be better if we can write instead a love letter….)

In the massage and spa business industry, I also learned that there is a time for
everything Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. There is an appointed time for everything. And
there is a time for every event under heaven. There is a time to speak and
correct. Naniniwala ka ba na ang Diyos ang author ng time? (Do you believe that
God is the author of time?) Siyempre, if you believe that God is the author of
time, then you would trust him for the right time wouldn’t you? God is never a
second too early or a second too late. God is always right on time because He is
perfect.

I remember that when Fortune Magazine asked the Chief Executive Officers of
many Fortune 500 companies what they consider the most important qualities for
hiring and promoting their staff. Do you know what the unanimous answer was?
Its their attitude especially of integrity and trustworthiness. Hindi pinag uusapan
kung saan ka grumaduate (we are not talking here where you graduated). It is
not your technical skills, knowledge, education and work experience that matters.
But the good-old fashioned attitude. The qualities that God wants us to emulate
from Him.

After more than eight years in this industry, I have come to realize that an
inexperienced worker with a track record of loving his work and impeccable

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attitude of work ethics is much more preferable than a brilliant employee who
graduated with high honors from a top university with questionable ethics. If I
were to choose only one, I would rather hire for the attitude rather than the
credentials.

Ang problema lang sa work ethics and attitude (the problem with work ethics and
attitude)…..is that there is no school for them. The only thing we can do to
achieve that is to surrender our lives to Christ and let Him lead our way. Even
management experts agree that your attitude towards your work, determines the
outcome of your work. Our attitude determines our future.

We would often encounter classified ads that says they are looking for someone
with a bachelor’s degree, someone who graduated from well-known universities,
with pleasing personality, a Licensed or Certified Massage/ Spa Therapist, hard-
working, talented, ambitious, proficient in oral and written English and so on and
so forth. Although these are very good qualities, no doubt about that, but they are
not the most important qualities to look for. Mas maganda kung meron ka ng
magagandang credentials mabuti ka pang tao. Talagang nakaka bless. Double
blessing ika nga. Believe me, we need more of those people today more than
ever before. I think if attitude and values are stressed more in our massage and
spa schools today, less and less problems will be faced by spa owners and
operators regarding staff attitude and lesser incidences of back biting, rumor
mongering and lower percentage of staff turn-over. Because everyone will be
looking out for each other’s benefit and not to each his own.

In Japan, managers and supervisors are not hired based on their education,
abilities or skills. They were hired based on their mutual obligation to teach and
train their staff. So Japanese managers devote 20-30% of their time developing
the potential of their staff. If we are neglecting to look into the applicant’s passion
to learn, to teach what he/she knows to the staff, we will have stunted growth in
our spa, massage clinic or wellness center. Training should not stop with skills. It

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is a continuous process. If we will only train people in skills, the result is a pool of
graduates who are bright, very good with massage and spa skills and educated
in theory but who are individualistic, selfish, unable or unwilling to be a team
player. Gusto lagi kanya-kanya. Para sa kanila…. Akin, ako…yun ang
mahalaga…..(For them, I, me and myself are what is important). The hard truth
is, kaya nagkakagulo sa spa dahil ang daming ayaw mag patalo. (That is why the
spa human resources sometimes experiences chaos because nobody wants to
give way). Everyone wants to have his or her own way.

The height of achievement in Japan is for the manager or supervisor is the

promotion of his/her staff to a position higher than his/hers. Take note
ha….higher than the manager or supervisor. There is a special ceremony pa nga
to celebrate the occasion, and the celebration’s center of attention is not the one
who got promoted but the supervisor or manager that made the promotion
possible. There is a spirit of self-sacrifice at work within the framework of the
corporate organization.

Ang totoong leader is someone who is willing to share their knowledge to

develop people to the point of letting others surpass him in knowledge and ability.
Effective leadership is always being a servant first and it does not come for just a
year or two. It comes with years and years of persistence and hard work and
believing in yourself and your people. One day at a time. The fruit of one’s labor
does not come only after two months or a year, it comes in years and even
decades of persistence. So there is still a lot to learn and to accomplish out there
and we have only scratched the tip of the iceberg. We have to be sure we are
hanging on to a parachute not a knapsack.

We know already that we are an effective servant if we are willing, at any

moment, to receive from others and to learn from others.
Are we helping because we want to get something? Are we are helping even if
we are not getting any monetary rewards? It is always a pleasure to give than to

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receive. But, we cannot give what we don’t have so we have to cultivate

ourselves first before others. Even in an emergency inside an airplane, one
should place the oxygen mask first to himself/herself before placing the other
oxygen mask to a child di ba? Simply because you cannot help another person if
you, yourself are also helpless.

When we also did or said something, we should be quick to apologize. It is said

that the three most neglected words and the difficult things to say are: I am sorry,
I love you and Thank you. So let us start practicing to use them more.

We are not perfect but we can make a difference.

To conclude, here is a song that I found very timely from Noel Cabangon (or is
that a K?) entitled Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I am a Good Filipino):

AKOY ISANG MABUTING PILIPINO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARW551VzUFw

Akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (I am a good Filipino citizen)

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko ( I love my country)

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and

responsibilities)

Sinusunod ko ang kanyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and

regulations)

Tumatawid ako sa tamang tawiran (I would cross in the correct pedestrian lane)

Sumasakay ako sa tamang sakayan (I would ride and alight in the correct spot)

Pumipila’t di nakikipag-unahan (I would line up and will not get ahead of others
who are already in line)

At di ako siga-siga sa lansangan (I am not a street bully)

Nagbaba’t nagsasakay ako sa tamang sakayan (I alight my passengers in the

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right place)

Di nakahambalang parang walang pakialam (I do not just stop anywhere I want

as if I do not care)

Pinagbibigyan ko'ng mga tumatawid sa kalsada (I would always give way to

pedestrians)

Humihinto ako pag ang ilaw ay pula (I would stop when the red lights are on)

Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (Because I am a good Filipino citizen)

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and

responsibilities)

Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and

regulations)

Di ako nangongotong o nagbibigay ng lagay (I do not accept or give bribes)

Ticket lang ang tinatanggap ko’t binibigay (Only traffic tickets are given and
accepted by me)

Akoy nakatayo dun mismo sa kanto (I stand right in the corner)

At di nagtatago sa ilalim ng puno (And I do not hide under the tree)

Di ako nagkakalat ng basura sa lansangan (I do not throw trash in the streets)

Di bumubuga ng usok ang aking sasakyan (My automobile does not emit smoke
and polluntants)

Inaayos kong mga kalat sa basurahan (I throw trash in the trash can)

Inaalagaan kong aking kapaligiran (I take care of my environment)

Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (because I am a good Filipino citizen)

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and

responsibilities)

Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and

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regulations)

Lagi akong nakikinig sa aking mga magulang (I listen to my parents)

Kaya't pag-aaral ay aking pinagbubutihan (So I study hard)

Di ako gumagamit ng bawal na gamot (I do not use prohibited drugs)

O kaya’y tumatambay at sa eskwela’t di pumapasok (nor do I wander around and

not go to school)

Pinagtatanggol ko ang aking karangalan (I uphold my honor)

Pagkat ito lamang ang tangi kong kayamanan (Because this is my only wealth)

Di ko binebenta ang aking kinabukasan (I do not sell my future)

Ang boto koy pinahahalagahan (I give importance to my vote)

Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (because I am a good Filipino citizen)

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and

responsibilities)

Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and

regulations)

Akoy isang tapat at totoong lingkod ng bayan (I am an honest and true servant of
the people)

Pabor o lagay ay di ko pinapayagan (I do not allow special favors and bribes)

Tapat ang serbisyo ko sa mamamayan (I practice honesty in serving my

fellowmen)

Di ko binubulsa ang pera ng bayan (I am not corrupt and do not place the money
of the people in my pocket)

Pinagtatanggol ko ang mamamayang Pilipino (I defend my fellow Filipino)

Mga karapatan nila’y kinikilala ko (I acknowledge and uplift their rights)

Ginagalang ko ang aking kapwa tao (I respect my fellowmen)

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Pinaglalaban kong dangal ng bayan ko (I defend the honor of my country)

Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (because I am a good Filipino citizen)

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and

responsibilities)

Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and

regulations)
------

Attitude…. It’s an everyday thing, don’t you think?

===================================================================

The first informational blog regarding spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness with a
focus on the Philippines. Eunice’s blog and updates are found in this link
www.yunesa.blogspot.com

Some articles written by Eunice, which you can view, read, download and print for
FREE. Just click on the links:

What term should really be used?

Client, Patient, Customer, At Iba Pa
Masseur, Massagist, Massage Therapist, At Iba Pa
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/03/client-patient-customer-at-iba-pa.html

Is the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry included in the Top Businesses to
start in these times of global financial challenges? Find out in this article so you can
adopt and perhaps change your business into profitable ones:
Top Businesses to Start in Uncertain Times/Sluggish Economy
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-businesses-to-start-in-uncertain.html

If you are an employer these are the things you should ask, or if you are a prospective
applicant, job seeker or someone who interviews people, this article can help you
answer and ask/probe questions:
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/suggested-interview-questions-and.html

Are you a smart boss, staff or employee? This article will give secrets on how to become
a Smartest Spa, Massage Therapist/Practitioner.
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/smartest-spa-massage-therapist-ang.html

Do you want to know the right type of massage for you? Do you you want to know the
common types of massage and how it is practiced? This article will give you the glimpse
of massage therapies locally and abroad:

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 The Smartest Spa/ Massage Therapist By yunesa@yahoo.com

The Basics of Massage Therapy (Massage 101)

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/basics-of-massage-therapy-massage.html

Do you want to know how much capital you need to start your own spa, massage clinic
or wellness center? Do you want to know what it is like being a spa owner? Do you want
to be (really) prepared before you shell out money into putting up your own spa,
massage clinic or wellness center? Do you want to know what steps you have to take
before putting up your own business in this field?
How to Start, Begin or Open a Spa, Massage Clinic or Wellness Center
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/organizing-opening-starting-putting-up.html

Are you tired of putting up with sexually charged clients? Do you know how to handle
sexual harassment in the spa and massage therapy setting? Then this article will
definitely help you:
Preventing/ Avoiding Sexual Advances during a Spa or Massage
session50 ways of Handling Client Advances
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/preventing-or-avoiding-sexual-advances.html

Do you want to know about Hilot, Dagdagay and other indigenous therapies of the
Philippines? If yes, then read on!
A Wee-bit of Philippine Indigenous Therapies with a Focus on Hilot
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/wee-bit-of-philippine-indigenous.html

Rules and Regulations on How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the

Philippines through the help of the Department of Health, here is the new update:
How to Be a Licensed Massage Therapist in the Philippines
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-be-licensed-massage-therapist.html

Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Assessment

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/licensure-certification-accreditation.html

On anti-aging and Physical Appearances

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/on-anti-aging-and-physical-appearances.html

How to renew a Massage Therapy License in the Philippines:

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/05/license-renewal-for-massage-therapy-in.html

If you want to be updated of spa, massage and wellness activities and events or be a
part of a support group
What is Meetup all about?
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/06/everybodys-meetup-dito-po-sa-atin.html

The most comprehensive resource and information guide on the list of training centers,
magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all
available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career
Book”. The First Book on Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Book and Career
Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-
Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book (this has the most comprehensive list of training
centers in the Philippines and abroad with tips from professionals and employment

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opportunities, legal laws and regulations, list of employment agencies, how to choose a
trainer, and information that you need in order to succeed in this industry and before you
shell out money for your tuition or training, there are a lot of ways you can grab a copy of
this valuable information para hindi ka mag sayang ng time and money enrolling in
trainings you do not even need. This book will give you the information to start right in
the industry with secrets you should know and being able to find your rainbow in the
wonderful world of massage, spa and wellness.
1. You can order it online via www.Amazon.com at 34.95$
2. You can order it via a Kindle device at $7.99
3. You can order an e-book copy through my blog at www.yunesa.blogspot.com at
$19.95
4. You can also get a copy from National Bookstores nationwide at P799Pesos
5. For locals only, you can order it from me at local discounted rates with free delivery at
900Pesos (via LBC or FEDEX Air 21. Anywhere in the Philippines. Please allow 1-5
working days
If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy
and wellness industry, this book is a must read.

Also, CD's included in the kit for spa management, practice and operations available:

The Spa and Wellness Business- Understanding the Basics (PowerPoint format)
Seven Deadly Mistakes to Avoid as a Spa Owner and Practitioner in the Spa Wellness
Business (PowerPoint format)
Spa, Massage and Facial Therapies 101 (The Basics) (PowerPoint format)
Business Worksheets for Spa and Massage Business in the Philippines (Excel and Word
format/program includes all the financial worksheets you need in computing for your
operational cost, etc.)

This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and
lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of
spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious
about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an
unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she
can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can
help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at
http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The
Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource
information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the
Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian
countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this
link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-
Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book

If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources
contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information
regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the
Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information
regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and
affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and
wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the

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preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you
will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take.
You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous
employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You
can order it from www.Amazon.com or for local Philippine residents, you can email and
get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.

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