With just 16 days to Christmas, life is in a frenzy once again. The mood is frenetic despite the snarling traffic brought about by the season. Many have made their lists and bought special gifts. This early, I have received one unique Christmas gift from a friend. “Are you ready for the home spa experience?” Robbie Francisco asked me on the phone. “Of course!” I said, finding it hard to hide my excitement. “Okay dear. I will be at your home at eight tonight. See you later,” Robbie said. After work, I rounded up my husby, son and two best friends. Robbie and his cheerful looking staff arrived just as we were clowning around in the family room. In minutes, our family room was transformed into Spa du Soleil as Robbie and his gentle staff neatly dressed in aquamarine tunics began their set up replete with relaxing spa music, two massage beds, potpourri scents, a detox machine and foot spa bath, fragrant aquamarine and white towels and slippers. Not only that, there were also calming hot tea and the latest magazines in town. “Would you like to have a manicure and pedicure before your massage?” Robbie asked. Of course I was delighted to hear this; exactly what I needed. The boys eagerly succumbed to full body reflexology. My two friends chose to have the very popular detox followed by an invigorating foot massage. While we were comfortably attended to, Robbie and I had a chance to exchange family stories. Robbie told me his inspiration to put up his Spa du Soleil is his very close family. He is the youngest in the brood of five. His four other siblings influenced him in his choice of business because, growing up, they would always tag him along when they visit spas. “That’s how I started my fascination for spas, my addiction for massages. I started having hilot massage at an early age. My favorite was the blind masseuse at the Polo Club locker room. So keen was I that I even went to massage school. Once a week, I would treat my parents to a massage which I do myself. Their favorite is reflexology, which is my personal specialty,” Robbie shared. Robbie comes from a very interesting family with varied interests. His parents are dental surgeons Chiqui and Josie Francisco. With them doting on their youngest, Robbie developed very strict hygienic practices. He is very clean and so is his spa. His dad loves to drink wine and so does Robbie. He inherited his creative spirit from his mother, a gifted multimedia artist. She showcased her acrylic paintings in a one-woman-show last year which was successful because all the money went to Silong Panglaw, an orphanage. Every month, not only during Christmas season, the Franciscos feed the Greenhills’ street children on Wilson-Ortigas intersection. They also provide them notebooks and pencils and their monthly supply of toothbrush and toothpaste. “The street children fondly call my dad ‘Mr. Donut’ because he always buys them spaghetti, hotdogs and donuts from Mr. Donut,” Robbie beamed. He added that his mom is an excellent cook who daily comes up with delicious gourmet goodies from her kitchen. So popular are her ultra buttery ube cupcakes, tinapa and chicken liver pate, boquerrones, tuyo and dulong in olive oil. Her guava, pineapple and mango jams, mint jelly, hummus, banana cake and apple pie are all heavenly. (If you’re interested, please dial 584-2359 for Josie’s gourmet goodies.) “What are the greatest lessons you learned from your parents?” I asked Robbie while the manicurista was coating my nails with polish. He answered: “We are meticulous, ambitious and quite driven. My older siblings didn’t just stay home to rely on our parents’ money. While growing up, they reminded us that after college, their responsibility for our expenses would end. Laziness is not allowed in our family. This encouraged us to work, use and develop our talents and interests to the fullest in order to provide for ourselves.” Robbie’s eldest sister, Raquel, 43, went to the US and completed a course in dental hygiene at the University of California in San Francisco after taking up Interior Design in UP. Currently residing in the US, she is a certified dental hygienist, fulfilled wife and a proud mother. Tonton, 42, a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, is currently the general manager of Eagle Point Resort in Anilao, Batangas. He is enjoying his job as well as his beautiful wife and children. He has a gorgeous beach house where the Franciscos, being beach lovers, enjoy such wonderful times together. Roel, 39, finished musical theater in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. After some memorable performances, he was able to showcase his vocal talent in a CD that got sold out in New York City. He is a popular hotel concierge at The Plaza in New York and loving every minute of it. Rochelle, 38, finished dentistry in UP Manila and took over the dental practice started by their parents. Together with her husband, she now runs a bustling dental clinic in the Corinthian Gardens Clubhouse. And for his part, Robbie, 30, finished Industrial Design at the College of St. Benilde. As an independent PR consultant for his own company called One Up, Robbie enjoys handling PR needs of different establishments. “Being the youngest and seeing all my siblings successfully happy encourage me to better myself. My parents granted me a loan to start Spa Du Soleil and I am so grateful that they have allowed me to pursue my own passion,” Robbie said. Robbie said he is very proud of his loyal and very competent team of therapists — Jenny, Edna, Mirasol and Manilyn. “Together, we all enjoy what we are doing. They are so caring. Like they treat me to food when they are eating. Whatever they eat, they buy for me, too. During mealtimes, they prepare a setting for me and we eat side by side like one family,” Robbie added. He is proud to say that he’s most particular about very hygienic techniques, citing that he only uses good quality products from Bath Origins — from massage oil down to linen spray. Yet his services are so affordable. Robbie chose aquamarine as his spa’s color theme because it reminds him of the waters of Cote de Azure and the Maldives. He wants to make his clients feel like they are being transported to a different place. What makes Spa du Soleil special? It’s a sanctuary on the go so pampering does not include the usual traffic and the hustle and bustle of the world outside one’s home. You can avail of the total home spa experience and make it a family bonding one, to enjoy right in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Before I got on the massage bed, Robbie wished me “a very spa-cial Christmas.” The minute the masseuse’s hands started kneading my back, I knew I was in for a relaxing holiday treat. (For inquiries, please call Spa du Soleil at 0921-2576999 and 0915-2127999 or log on to www.soleil.ph. Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)
