By Jeehan V. Fernandez
MURCIA, Negros Occidental – The Mambukal Resort in Brgy. Minoyan here is scouting for prospective investors to transform the nature’s healing benefits of hot spring and clay into a booming spa business.
“We are looking for investors to develop the spas. The provincial government can only do so much. Thus, we are waiting for the investors to come in and venture on spas,” said resort manager Ellen Vasquez.
Meanwhile, Department of Tourism (DOT-6) regional director Edwin Trompeta has endorsed the establishment of the proposed spa projects in Mambukal by private developers.
He explained: “The government alone cannot do it. It is not a joke to operate a spa.”
“Spa is a very profitable business as it promotes wellness. People nowadays are very conscious about getting a massage – it seems like everybody is looking for that – as well as detox and facials, among other spa services,” said Trompeta.
“It is the new trend. Boracay is already host to at least four international spas,” Trompeta said.
Mambukal Resort is a potential spa haven even as it boasts of the Ishiwata Bathhouse which is equipped with five dipping rooms with highly-pressurized hot and cold sulfur spring water, three dipping rooms for women and four for men, shower and dressing rooms.
The Ishiwata Bathhouse was first built in 1927 and named after its developer, Japanese engineer Kokichi Paul Ishiwata.
It was restored sometime in 2002 when Governor Joseph Marañon took over the Capitol’s administration.
Mambukal is run by the provincial government’s Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) which includes income-generating projects for the province like Pana-ad Festival, food terminals, hospitals and tourism.
Mambukal offers kiddie and adult swimming pools, picnic huts, wall climbing, slide for life, canopy walk, boating lagoon, butterfly garden, cottages, tourist lodges, dormitory, conference hall, catering and transport services.
Situated in a jungle setting, tourists can trek to the seven falls hidden inside a thick forest which is a haven for bats.
“According to the visitors, the clay is good for their skins,” Vasquez told The Daily Guardian, adding they have yet to subject the clay to a test for its healing benefits.
Mambukal’s distinct multi-colored clays (gray, red, orange, grayish yellow and black) which are abundant in the area were highlighted during the 11th Mudpack Festival last week.
Mudpack is a unique event as it centers on the harmony of man and nature to stir people’s awareness of the importance of the environment.
The celebration is a festival of arts which serves as avenue where artists from all over Negros gather to exhibit their respective artistic talents in ethnic dances, crafts and music.
The festivities sprang from the 1986 EDSA Revolution when Mambukal Resort was in disarray – while people were scared to go up – and their spirits were really low.
Artists Rudy Reveche and Louie Dormido and their friends trooped to Mambukal to enjoy the place and started playing with the multi-colored clays creating souvenir items.
A foreign tourist then took interest in their artworks and encouraged them to make more.
Mambukal’s local artist Cris Garzon and members of the Art Association of Bacolod (AAB) have pledged their support and more artists were enticed to join – they would meet once a year in Mambukal and showcase their individual talents.
When NIDCORP (Negros International Development Corp.) managed Mambukal in 1996, they started celebrating what has been known as the Mudpack Festival.
Since then, the Negros Occidental provincial government has taken the initiative to support the celebration, developed more activities and integrated the relevance of the protection of the environment.
“Spa is a very profitable business as it promotes wellness. People nowadays are very conscious about getting a massage – it seems like everybody is looking for that – as well as detox and facials, among other spa services,” said Trompeta.
“It is the new trend. Boracay is already host to at least four international spas,” Trompeta said.
Mambukal Resort is a potential spa haven even as it boasts of the Ishiwata Bathhouse which is equipped with five dipping rooms with highly-pressurized hot and cold sulfur spring water, three dipping rooms for women and four for men, shower and dressing rooms.
The Ishiwata Bathhouse was first built in 1927 and named after its developer, Japanese engineer Kokichi Paul Ishiwata.
It was restored sometime in 2002 when Governor Joseph Marañon took over the Capitol’s administration.
Mambukal is run by the provincial government’s Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) which includes income-generating projects for the province like Pana-ad Festival, food terminals, hospitals and tourism.
Mambukal offers kiddie and adult swimming pools, picnic huts, wall climbing, slide for life, canopy walk, boating lagoon, butterfly garden, cottages, tourist lodges, dormitory, conference hall, catering and transport services.
Situated in a jungle setting, tourists can trek to the seven falls hidden inside a thick forest which is a haven for bats.
“According to the visitors, the clay is good for their skins,” Vasquez told The Daily Guardian, adding they have yet to subject the clay to a test for its healing benefits.
Mambukal’s distinct multi-colored clays (gray, red, orange, grayish yellow and black) which are abundant in the area were highlighted during the 11th Mudpack Festival last week.
Mudpack is a unique event as it centers on the harmony of man and nature to stir people’s awareness of the importance of the environment.
The celebration is a festival of arts which serves as avenue where artists from all over Negros gather to exhibit their respective artistic talents in ethnic dances, crafts and music.
The festivities sprang from the 1986 EDSA Revolution when Mambukal Resort was in disarray – while people were scared to go up – and their spirits were really low.
Artists Rudy Reveche and Louie Dormido and their friends trooped to Mambukal to enjoy the place and started playing with the multi-colored clays creating souvenir items.
A foreign tourist then took interest in their artworks and encouraged them to make more.
Mambukal’s local artist Cris Garzon and members of the Art Association of Bacolod (AAB) have pledged their support and more artists were enticed to join – they would meet once a year in Mambukal and showcase their individual talents.
When NIDCORP (Negros International Development Corp.) managed Mambukal in 1996, they started celebrating what has been known as the Mudpack Festival.
Since then, the Negros Occidental provincial government has taken the initiative to support the celebration, developed more activities and integrated the relevance of the protection of the environment.
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