Finding wellness in luxury
‘Women are extraordinary. The same as a species, yet unique as individuals. Women are powerful, resilient and ever-evolving.’
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‘Women are extraordinary. The same as a species, yet unique as individuals. Women are powerful, resilient and ever-evolving.’
game-changing talk by Marilen Gonzalez-Elizalde.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MARILEN GONZALEZ-ELIZALDE
Anya Resort Tagaytay
Anya is a haven rest and renewal.
PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHANIE MAYO FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE
Ramon Orlina’s exhibit at the resort.
Some days, I feel like Dr. Jekyll — chill and in control. Other days, I wake up as Mr. Hyde, hijacked by emotions I don’t understand.
That’s why, on the afternoon of 14 March, I found myself hanging on to every word of Marilen Gonzalez-Elizalde’s talk on female hormones at the luxurious Anya Resort Tagaytay. Her lecture, “Mindful Conversations with Marilen,” was part of the resort’s Women’s Month celebration.
Our small group of women, in our 30s, 40s and 50s, sipped kombucha and mint tea as we listened to her animated talk on estrogen and progesterone, which she described as the extrovert and introvert of hormones. We gasped, laughed and nodded in recognition of our all-too-familiar symptoms.
Elizalde, a certified lifestyle coach and holistic wellness specialist, was radiant in her late 50s. Her toned arms, youthful energy and glow were proof that she has mastered the art of navigating hormones and cycles. And as she told us to brace for perimenopause and, eventually, menopause, because the rollercoaster isn’t slowing down anytime soon, she also offered guidance on managing them.
It was the kind of reassurance we needed, a reminder that, as she put it, “Women are extraordinary. The same as a species, yet unique as individuals. Women are powerful, resilient and ever-evolving.”
That mindset extends beyond her words. As the innovator behind the wellness initiatives at Anya Resort Tagaytay’s Niyama Wellness Center, Elizalde, who is married to Santi Elizalde, chief executive officer of Anya Hospitality Corporation, has worked closely with the resort team to design a hospitality experience rooted in luxury and mindful living.
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Before the talk, our group had lunch at Samira by Chele, the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, led by Chef Chele Gonzalez. The four-course meal featured “soulful” dishes, including vegan tuna tartare and a no-bake carrot cake so good it nearly brought me to tears.
After Elizalde equipped us with mindful tools to conquer our hormones, we returned to our villas. Some walked, while others took buggies.
The villas exude understated luxury, prioritizing comfort over ostentation. Mine, on the ground level, had glass sliding doors that opened to a view of dense foliage and sloping lawns under a clear, blue sky dotted with slow-moving clouds. Chirping birds completed the scene, as if I were in some secret, magical woodland.
Upon my return from the talk, a bottle of cold Spanish latte and a plate of langka-and-ube turon had been left for me. Later, after an evening of lively conversations about theater, film and culture over dinner, I found my hot tub waiting. It was filled with floating rose petals, flickering candles and a QR code to generate relaxing music from my phone.
It was just what I needed after a rough time in the city, compounded by a series of emotional events exacerbated by my crazy hormones.
Good thing I had also attended the game-changing talk earlier that day. Now, time to pamper myself toward wellness.
Wellness is effortlessly woven into the luxury experience at Anya Resort Tagaytay. This high-end sanctuary, where bespoke service is the norm, is more than just a getaway. The staff not only remembers your name but also your list of allergies and how you take your morning coffee.
Set amid the scenic landscapes of Tagaytay, with its fragrant pine, citrus, and earthy scents, the resort provides a retreat where relaxation takes many forms. Whether it is soaking in a creamy milk bath, indulging in a Filipino massage with warmed banana leaves slicked with virgin coconut oil, or experiencing a luminous facial that leaves your skin feeling refreshed, Anya is a haven for rest and renewal.
One of only two resorts in the Philippines recognized as a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Anya also offers wellness programs that go beyond pampering. Yoga sessions, osteopathic therapy and body composition analysis are among the experiences available. And for those needing to decompress, an infrared sauna session can be the perfect antidote to stress.
Beyond the spa, simple pleasures await. You can take a dip in the heated pool as the sky turns magenta, spend time with rabbits in the Sensory Garden for a little oxytocin boost, or curl up with a book in the cozy library.
Adding another layer to the experience, Anya also brought art into the wellness equation. Studies have long shown that viewing art can have a profound effect on the mind, body and emotions. On the same day as Elizalde’s talk, the resort unveiled an exhibit of glass sculptures by none other than the father of glass sculpture himself, Ramon Orlina, on display until 15 May.
The dazzling pieces, featured in the sculptor’s coffee table book Visions in Glass, glint under natural light. Their vivid hues — midnight blues, sea greens, soft rose pinks and fiery oranges — play against the large window overlooking the sky and a body of water. It is a striking sight, adding to the resort’s quiet elegance.
I also had a small chat with Mr. Orlina, who graced us with his presence at the unveiling. I was surprised to learn that he’s already 81. I asked him about his secret to health and wellness, and he shrugged. “I don’t worry about anything. I don’t see the point of stressing about problems because all problems have solutions.”
Even his mindset is aligned with the resort.
The resort’s thoughtful approach to wellness, its warm, attentive staff, and its serene surroundings create an experience that lingers. It is not just about indulgence. It is about recalibrating, listening to what your body needs, and giving yourself permission to pause.
And so, the following day, as I packed my bags to head back to the city, more aware than ever of how short, and hormonal, life is, I made a promise to myself. I will prioritize my well-being, listen to my body and honor its needs.
