Sensual Massage and Desiderata
I was at Sanctuario Spa in Malate last week. The silence, the ambiance, and the oh-so-sensual massage from my hunky, goodlooking masseur made me recite Desiderata in my mind. (Weirdo!) I found myself contemplating on life, love (and lust? hahaha!) amidst the greens of the outdoor pool and jacuzzi. There is something about the flickering flames of floating candles and the vibrations of bamboo all around that inspire pondering and reflection.
Max Ehrmann
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
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March 8th, 2007 at 10:06 am
how much is the spa and how long. i love the pampering touch of good looking masseur
March 8th, 2007 at 10:16 am
for a swedish massage, it’s about Php800+.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:57 am
i’ve tried that place the last time i was back in manila. pretty nice place … but …
yun lang! bitin no?
March 8th, 2007 at 11:03 am
@anton maton- nabitin ka? same here. kaya nga napa-desiderata na lang ako. kainis! hahaha!
March 8th, 2007 at 11:29 am
hi migs … yeah! what a tease! ha ha ha! actually mas magaling akong mag-masahe hanggang all-the-way! gusto mo i-try? ha ha ha!
March 8th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I’m an athlete so i always go for a sports massage, well it does served it’s purpose but not in a sensual sort of way.
I tried contacting a male massuer (from the ads) and presto! ALL TENSIONS RELEASED! P.S all tension came back as soon as my libog vanished..what have i done? “sex with a stranger is dangerous to your health and life”….funny but true.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:43 am
whats the name of your massuer
March 8th, 2007 at 11:51 am
God that’s one of the things I miss back in Manila! Sanctuario! Been going there every (other) week for two years and I had the most fun Friday/Saturday nights there.
I miss my masseur! Wonder if he’d still be there when I get back.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
SANTUARIO is indeed a nice place to go to destress. I see to it that I get there every month.
March 8th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
hay naku….
paano ba yan…
masyado na liberated mga tao ngayon….
March 8th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
For MARK:
Please describe your masseur. I know some of them.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Hala kakabasa ko lang ng Desiderata ni Max Ehrmann kanina sa chicken soup for the teenage soul….nakakaaliw!
at ang pics mahalay! haha
March 8th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
hey, josh masyadong liberated, pareho pala tayo pangalan d2, ikaw ba c groban??? - josh pogi
March 9th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Ang lalandi nyo mga pootah kayoh!
Sana nasa Manila din ako…
March 9th, 2007 at 1:49 am
anton maton, gusto kita i-try. Do you offer extra service? I don’t have money. Can i pay you in kind na lang?
March 9th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
totoo bang ganyan outfit ng mga nagma-masage s sanctuario? san b meron massage parlor n ganyan ang service? =)
March 9th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
ive never tried that…ahmm seems like a good idea
March 10th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Kaleena, in kind ba kamo? sure … shoes & bags please … more shoes! more bags!
March 10th, 2007 at 2:34 am
For DENNIS:
About 5′9″, straight hair, well-developed chest, kinda chinky-eyed, has a goatee, don’t know lang if he keeps it pa. His name starts with A.
March 10th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
How did the pic capture? is it from mobile phone or from a hidden camera in sanctuario?
March 11th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
protractor… that pic/screen cap is from the VIVA hot men video something.
March 12th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
For Mark:
OK. I’ll ask around if he is still there. I will inform you then.
Are you here in Manila? Perhaps we can visit him one of these days? Hehehehe.
March 12th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
For Mark:
Just a clarification - Does he wear his straight hair long?
March 13th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Hey Dennis,
I don’t know now. When I last saw him, which was around 8 months ago, he has short hair. He gives the best massage - ever. Nope, I’m here in Norway. But when I get back to Manila this year, I’ll surely come and visit Sanctuario again.
His first name ends with N. 
Thanks!
March 13th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
For Mark:
I have an idea who’s your masseur. I will ask around if he is still there. Will inform you then. Anyway, enjoy the beauty of Norway.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Thanks much, Dennis!
March 14th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
For Mark:
He is still there!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Might be back in Manila in August so I hope he’d still be there by then!!! Thanks a lot Dennis!
March 15th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
For Mark:
Shall I tell him you will be home by August? Hehehehe.
March 16th, 2007 at 5:56 am
Hahaha. So have you tried him yet?
March 16th, 2007 at 10:58 am
For Mark:
No. The fact is, I didn’t know he works at Sanctuario not until I read your comment about the experience of Migs on the said place. Also, I don’t know how he looks like.
April 18th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Can anyone tell me please where sanctuario spa is…exact add in malate please…how much should I prepare and what should I expect….thanks….the amateur
May 2nd, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Oo nga! Ano ang complete address ng sanctuario spa at magkano?
Isa pa, nasaan na ba ngayon ang Question Mark(QM)? Dati kasi nasa Orosa Street malapit sa Court of Appeals.
May 28th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
i would like to try sanctuario spa if the masseur are really good…please give me a name of the best massuer there….thanks
July 11th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
hi, I like to go there….how will I go there????
July 14th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
take a cab. Tell driver to drop you off at nakpil corner j. bocobo st. You’ll see sanctuario there
August 4th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Hey there Robbie and also to all of you guys there, would love to get some more stories about Sanctuario, like with Arvin, which masseur you can recommend (if there is someone willing to massage shirtless if possible), acceptable tip, stuff like that since i plan to go there for the first time… really appreciate any feedbacks, just email me at Thank you so much!
September 29th, 2007 at 10:04 am
i’ve been there at sanctuario, nice place… i had more action in the pool and in the steam room / sauna but the masseur, no hanky panky daw… that’s all
October 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I am a regular guest at Sanctuario Spa. I know for a fact that management is tolerant of guys cruising each other at the steam room and sauna, as long as they are discreet about it and not bother other customers. Anyway, things like these happen in Golds, Fitness and other gyms. Pero sex between masseur and customer is strictly prohibited. They fire the masseur kapag nahuhuli. There is even a notice at the reception area on this. Kaya lang nga it’s hard to prove kung may nangyayari behind closed doors.
October 6th, 2007 at 12:47 am
i will be doing sanctuario late october, after a long 26-hour trans-pacific flight. might be needing several (2-4) sessions to knead all the accumulated toxins away. will try to look for jericho and/or arvin, based on your posts. i will then post a feedback. this will be my very first spa experience sa Pinas, EVER !! Demasyado akong excited tlga !! PS…. i am enjoying this virtual support group…very helpful ang lahat.