Try this unique ‘therafish’ spa treatment in Iloilo City

Posted at 4:43 pm September 28, 2011

Tags: Physical Wellness, Spa and Massage

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By Gino Antioquia

ILOILO CITY, ILOILO – Dipping your feet in a pool of fish for a natural spa is quite a relaxing experience. If you happen to be in Iloilo City, try heading to the local Tibiao Fish Spa for this one-of-a-kind wellness treat.

I was walking around the mall when I noticed the spa’s blue neon sign featuring a curved fish in the shape of a foot. I decided to take a closer look and saw that there were several pools of fish and people sat along the pool side with pants up to their knees, feet in the water.

I would occasionally hear giggles and shrieks of delight, especially from those who had just dipped their feet. Curious, I decided to try it myself.

Like most spas, Tibiao Fish Spa offers traditional services like massages, manicures and pedicures. However, the main attraction of the spa are the fishes, the treatment called “Therafish”.

This patented name is very appropriate, because the fishes are the “therapists” that do the dirty work of cleaning up the dead skin cells on your feet.

These locally available fishes are less costly to maintain compared to the imported Garra rufa fish species commonly found in other fish spas. This particular fish specie was discovered by founder Flord Nicson Calawag, a B.S. Fisheries graduate from the University of the Philippines Visayas.

Calawag and other fellow students from UP Visayas started the first fish spa in Tibiao, some 172 kilometers from Iloilo City, and later transferred it to the SM City Mandurriao to cater to more clients.

There are two treatment packages offered by the spa. The “classic” fish spa package costs 120 pesos for 30 minutes and allows you to dip your feet in the pool with small fishes.

Meanwhile, the V.I.P. package costs 300 pesos for 45 minutes and you can enjoy the bigger therafish-es along with a free foot bath. I got the V.I.P. package because I could transfer anytime into the pool with small fishes.

All customers are required to wash their feet before the therafish session to maintain cleanliness of the pools.

At first, I was afraid I might step on the fish. I found out, after my first try, I had nothing to worry about it because they just avoided me when I stepped in.

For first-timers like me, I suggest starting with the smaller fishes and get accustomed to the sensation first before trying the larger fishes. The spa offers free WiFi so you can share this unique experience online while relaxing in one of the pools.

I thought there was going to be a feeding frenzy once my feet were in the water, so I was kind of disappointed when nothing initially happened and the fish were just swimming around my feet. I just kept my feet still until a few curious fishes started darting in for quick nibbles on my toes and under my feet.

Eventually, more fishes started nibbling until my feet were completely and literally covered by the fish. I even tried dipping my hand in the pool and allowed them to nibble on my fingers.

Once I got used to the relaxing sensation, I tried the other pool where the bigger fishes were. Unlike the smaller fishes which were initially timid and avoided my foot, one of the big fishes immediately closed its mouth on my toe as soon as I stepped in the water.

More and more or the large fishes started sucking on my toes. It was more ticklish compared to the nibbling of the smaller fishes and you would literally feel electrical jolts from every bite.

According to the brochure, Calawag’s group aimed to provide a unique form of relaxation at affordable prices, and catered initially to neighbours and local students.

Eventually, tourists started flocking to the spa and Calawag started another venture called Katahum Tours, this time, to showcase the different attractions in the town namely, nature trekking, kayaking and pottery making.

In between switching pools and taking photos, my 45 minutes was soon up and it was time to go. My feet were still tingling as I stepped out of the spa, and I couldn’t wait for my next trip to Iloilo again so I could enjoy this fishy experience once more.

How to get there:

Tibiao Fish Spa is located at SM City Mandurriao. Go there by tricycle or taxi within Iloilo City. For more information, visit the Tibiao Fish Spa website or contact them at +639198139893 or info@tibiaofishspa.com.

(Photos by Gino Antioquia)

As an environmental consultant, Gino Antioquia travels a lot for work and enjoys seeing what he can, when he can. Visit his blog at one trip after another.

Try this unique ‘therafish’ spa treatment in Iloilo City

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