It wasn’t hard to convince the women in my family to go on a Mother’s Day spa night out. In fact, the idea was met with instant enthusiasm. My mom, my sister, my teenage nieces, and I all signed up without hesitation.
And so, on Mother’s Day evening, we found ourselves heading to D’ Bollywood Nails and Spa near the Coca-Cola Rotunda in Tacloban. What followed was an hour of relaxation, laughter, and the kind of funny little moments that turn into family stories we’ll be retelling for years!
Why a Spa Night Out Felt Right
We could have gone the usual route, e.g. flowers, food, or cards, but this time, the thought of sneaking away for massages together sounded way more appealing.
D’ Bollywood was the perfect pick: it’s well-known in Tacloban, literally walking distance from our house, and easy to book with just a quick call. Everyone was excited, and it felt like the stars had aligned for our girls’ night out.
Of course, we didn't just call. Since their Marasbaras/Coca-Cola branch is just near our house, my sister and I decided to just visit them for a quick site visit, see if it passed our 'vibe check'.
Anyway, when we got there (I think it was a couple of days before Mother's Day), there were a few ladies having their mani/pedi sessions. We immediately liked what we saw (and smelled), we checked out their rates, and booked an appointment for Mother's Day.
Giggles, Towels, and Warm Lights
The spa greeted us with warm lights, faint floral scents, and staff who moved like they’d been trained to embody calmness.
First came the feet washing ritual, which already had my nieces exchanging looks like, “What did we just sign up for?”
Mom and sister were ushered into their own ‘rooms’, while I bunked with the nieces. Cue the whispering, the nervous laughter, and the quick dives under towels as we were told to strip down to our underwear. I couldn’t stop laughing with them. It reminded me of how new everything feels when you’re younger, how much fun there is in awkwardness.
The masseuses, to their credit, carried on like absolute pros. The ticklish giggles from my nieces didn’t throw them off at all. Before long, I found myself sinking into the rhythm of the massage – shoulders loosening, mind quieting, body remembering what it felt like to really rest. The pressure was just right, firm enough to ease the knots but gentle enough to lull me into half-sleep. I drifted in and out, only waking when the masseuse softly asked me to shift positions.
An hour slipped by. When it was over, we sat up with groggy eyes, hair in disarray, and skin perfumed with oil. We got dressed while talking and laughing softly. We could hear someone snoring softly a few meters away.
In the reception area, they offered us hot tea or water. I chose tea, savoring its warmth as we slowly came back to ourselves. Then I paid for our signature full body massage (I think total was around P2,500 for the 5 of us). We also asked the receptionist to call our assigned masseuses so we can give each of them their service 'tip' (completely voluntary).
The Sandal Chase
Just when I thought the night had wrapped up neatly, it turned into a comedy sketch. As we stepped outside and started walking away, one of the masseuses came running after us, waving a pair of sandals. My niece had forgotten hers inside. HAHA!
There she was, changing footwear right on the sidewalk, while the rest of us tried (and failed) to hold in our laughter. And walking home on freshly oiled feet? Let’s just say every step felt like a potential slip, and we clung to each other like tipsy women after a night out.
Meanwhile, Back at the House…
The men (my dad and brother-in-law) had been left in charge of babysitting. We expected frantic messages, maybe a call or two. But nothing. When we walked in, the kids were fed, tucked into their tablets, and the house looked surprisingly peaceful.
Maybe it was luck, maybe it was strategy, or maybe they had their own secret babysitting hacks. Whatever it was, it gave us the freedom to just enjoy our Mother's Day date without worry.
What I Loved Most About the Experience
Looking back, the massages were wonderful, but what I treasured most was simply being there with the women in my family. Over the years, I’ve tried to treat my mom and sister on Mother’s Day. It’s my way of showing appreciation for everything they’ve done and continue to do.
But this time felt different, maybe because it wasn’t just the three of us. My nieces were part of it too as they're now almost-adults, wide-eyed and chuckling through their first spa experience.
What struck me was how the evening seemed to pause real life for a while. My mom, who is usually the one giving and fussing over everyone else, got to simply enjoy being cared for. My sister, who juggles a hundred responsibilities every day, finally had an hour to breathe. And I got to watch it all unfold, feeling happy that I could give them that moment.
Our Mother's Day celebration wasn’t extravagant, but it was full of laughter, relaxation, and love. It reminded me a little of our trip to Cansiboy Mountain Resort in Leyte, where the best parts weren’t the activities themselves but the shared stories and the laughter in between. Moments like these, whether at a mountain resort or a neighborhood spa, always end up being the ones that stay with me the longest.
What About You?
Do you have a small family tradition that always makes you laugh when you think about it? Or a Mother’s Day memory that didn’t go as planned, but somehow turned out better? I’d love to hear your stories.