Healing with a heart

The European Union Asia Invest Programme is a European community initiative that aims to promote and support business cooperation between the European Union and Asia.

This program approved a proposal submitted by the Spa Association of the Philippines (SAPi) to internationalise the operation of spas in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The project has a total budget of Euro 1,018,197. The EU contribution will be Euro 578,197. Counterpart of Euro 439,993 will be provided by the partner organizations.

For this two year project, SAPi partners with the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC), Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA), Bali Spa and Wellness Association (BSWA) and the Thai Spa Association (TSPA).

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End of project partners’ meeting in Bangkok

The project “Internationalising the Operation of Spas in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia” conducted an end of project partners’ meeting last March 27, 2010 at the Courtyard Marriott Bangkok in Thailand.

The objectives of the meeting were: 1) to discuss plans for sustaining the project and continue the cascade training to cover the other members of the four spa associations; 2) to come up with a plan on how to replicate the project in other countries especially the members of the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC); and 3) to discuss strategies on how to disseminate success stories and best practices.

The project staff and officers oF SAPI who attended the planning workshop were the following: Jomar Fleras (Project Manager), Cherryl Kho (Assistant Project Manager), Ellen Aguila (Accountant) and Gertie Cay (Project Coordinator), Cathy Brillantes-Turvill (President), Remedios Ramsay (Vice-President), Benjamin Eugenio (Secretary), Lynette Zotomayor (Treasurer), Zenaida Palisoc (PRO) & Michael Turvill (Member).

The attendees from the Thai Spa Association (TSPA) were Andrew Jacka (President) and Napalai Cain (Education Committee). Joanne Bruce (Educaiton Committee) was the representative from the Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA). The Bali Spa and Wellness Association (BSWA)was represented by its executive committee members namely Regine Winkler (Project Coordinator), Lulu Widjaja, Erika Dewi, Intan Indahsari & Feny Sri Sulistiawati. Jacqueline Le Sueur represented the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC).

Cascade Train the Trainers
o Philippines (February 9-11, 2010)

Monitoring Visits
o Indonesia (March 3-6, 2010)

Business meetings
o Indonesia (March 3, 2010)
o Philippines (April 2010)

End of project partners’ meeting
o Bangkok, Thailand (March 27, 2010)

CIBTAC examinations
o Philippines (April 12, 2010)

August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April - May 2009
February 2010
April 2010

SAPi conducted triple celebration of wellness

The Spa Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SAPi) had a triple celebration last April 10, 2010 at Sofitel Plaza hotel in Manila, Philippines. Included in the triple celebration were the official launching of PHILWELL (new name of SAPi), Graduation of the CIBTAC Scholars and Celebration of partnership with private and government partners.

Outgoing Officers of PhilWell were unanimously re-elected to serve for another term. Director Cynthia Lazo of the Department of Tourism inducted the Officers. EU Ambassador Alistair Macdonald gave a few words of inspiration before the awarding of certificates to all the CIBATC scholars and the certificate of participation to all member spas who gave time & money to support the EU project.

Plaques of appreciation were also given to PhilWell partners : Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines, PLDT SME Nation, Association of Traditional Health Aid givers (ATHAG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The event included fireworks display, tarot card readers, body painting and henna tattooing. Members & guests enjoyed the special barbecue buffet to the dancing beat of Samba performed by the Afro Latino band, Cubanila.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald with Cathy Turvill


Induction of the Officers of PhilWell with Director Lazo of DOT


Partners of PhilWell from the private & government sectors


1st & 2nd batch of CIBTAC scholars


3rd batch of CIBTAC scholars


CIBTAC scholars with their diplomas & pins