Spa Cruising

Another common place for cruising are the spas. This does not refer to bath houses or massage parlors that have the word "spa" in their name, but to your regular spa that offers a menu of massage treatments, body scrubs, oils and whatever else, and have separate areas for men and women. These spas have a wet floor, or an area where the showers, hot and cold jacuzzi and dry and wet saunas are located, giving rise to and inducing cruising. These areas have turned into virtual bath houses without the cubicles. Towel clad men roaming around, eyeing each other, sitting stark naked in the jacuzzi or in the sauna, it's up to you to make the most of it.

Without the facilities of a gay bath house, does sex happen in places like these? It's up to your imagination. Just don't get caught.

In some of these spas, you can choose to have a male or female therapist. Some male therapists are known to offer "extra," but only if you have your massage in a private room and not in the common area, obviously. It would not be a surprise if these masseurs offer some "extra" to female clients.

To name a few of the known cruisy spas in Manila:

1. City Lifestyle Spa and Fitness Center (City Lifestyle Building, 80 Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato, Quezon City, +632 372 4722)

Reputed to be the one where some of the masseurs offer "extra services," similar to what you'd expect in a gay massage parlor, City Lifestyle Spa is quite popular. They have a gym as well. Male therapists available.

2. Wensha Spa (Beside Legend Restaurant, in front of World Trade Center, CCP Complex, Buendia Ave, Pasay City, +632 832 0515; or Timog Avenue corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City)

The only spa open 24/7, Wensha has two branches and offers an eat-all-you-can buffet already covered by your fee, though not offered all day. Because their prices do not differ much from other spas, expect the food at the buffet not to be the best you can get. The branch in the CCP complex is relatively new and must still be clean and well-appointed. The branch is Quezon City is very rundown with gaudy interiors. I heard a renovation is in the plans. Male therapists available.

3. SM Kenko Sauna (Roxas Boulevard corner Sen. Gil Puyat Ave, Pasay City, +632 536 7777)

Calling themselves "the first authentic health spa for you and your family," Kenko is part of Net World Hotel, a Japanese owned boutique hotel. At Kenko, you will find a lot of Japanese and Korean clients. This place used to offer Japanese style baths. Male therapists available.

4. Sanctuario (three branches, including one outside Manila)

A well publicized and internationally marketed spa, Sanctuario has won a few awards for its promotion of Hilot, a Filipino chiropractic therapy. Since its owner is gay, expect well-designed and elaborate interiors. Sanctuario is also known as the most cruisy of spas, with one branch located close to Manila's gay central nightspot. Male therapists available (some very good looking ones, I've heard).

5. The Spa (several branches)

The largest chain of spa in Manila, The Spa is among the priciest spas in Manila with prices just lower than the five star hotels. You can probably find one close to you, even in a few malls. Being pricey, expect clean surroundings, a relaxing ambiance and complete amenities. The relaxing ambiance will dissipate once the crowd builds up in the late afternoons and early evenings. In other words, the place has turned into a cruisy male meat market. Female therapists only.

6. Olympia Reflexology Center (The Olympia Tower, Makati Avenue, Makati City, +632 817-9509) Female therapists only.

7. South Bay City Spa (Penthouse, Airport Global Plaza complex along MIA Road, across Coastal Mall +632 851 0332, +632 407 6621) Female therapists only.

8. The Ritz Spa (1614 Adriatico Street, Ermita, Manila) Female therapists only.

Cruising in Manila

Manila’s cruising is not far different from other cities in the world. The usual cruising places you’d attempt elsewhere will probably work in Manila.

1.     Gyms

Gyms are a hot bet of gay cruising. Some cruise without hesitation, only to get in trouble with management if caught or if the object of the cruise is not gay and terribly offended. Fitness First and Slimmers World are the two largest chain gyms in Manila. You’ll find Fitness First in some of the busiest malls. Slimmers World was the first chain of fitness centers though you will not find them at malls but at the fringes or right next to a mall. Gold’s Gym has few branches in select malls. Don’t be surprised even if the no name gym next to corner store can be a cruising spot.

2.     Cinemas

 This does not refer to gay cinemas but mainstream movie houses. In the evening screenings, particularly the last show, you’ll notice lots of guys walking around, standing near the cinema doors or in the hallways and walk ups, or going in and out of the rest rooms. The larger cinema houses are obviously more opportunistic of cruising. Noted cruisy cinemas are the SM Malls like Megamall, North Edsa and Sta. Mesa, and Robinsons Malls like Galleria and Ermita. Particularly, Robinsons Galleria has a cinema that exclusively screens independent films, most of which are patronized by the art and gay public. It gets relatively crowded when a “gay indie” is on schedule.

3.     Public Restrooms

Take a pee and you might just get off. The restrooms in the MRT/LRT and in the malls are notorious. Public restrooms in office buildings in Makati are also known for cruising, particularly Enterprise Center on Ayala Avenue. Gateway Mall in Cubao has a huge restroom in the cinema level, which is always crowded. Well, the other restrooms in this mall are for pay, but that is just one reason. Take a pee in a urinal there and watch as the man in the next urinal attempt to take a peek at your wad.

4.    Malls

Filipinos like malls because it free air conditioning and clean restrooms. Aside from the cinema and the restroom, you can just cruise the mall. Notice those who stand or rest on railings that circle the escalators or overlook the atrium or activity center or to the lower floors. How about those that shop in the underwear section of Bench? They might just be cruising just like you.

More in future posts.

Safety Please

December 1 was declared World AIDS Day, a day to spread awareness about the disease. Let's all be careful out there. Though this is site that relates to cruising and massage parlors, please don't stop taking precautions. The HIV and AIDS numbers in the Philippines are increasing at a faster pace than before. Be Safe!