philippines

No Sale Yet For Imelda's Jewels

Filed under: Jewelry, Crimes and Misdemeanors

It looks like the incredible jewels of Imelda Marcos won't be up for sale any time soon. The AFP reports that Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has said that any decision on selling the seized jewels of the former first lady should be left to her successor. Arroyo will be stepping down on June 30 to make room for Benigno Aquino, the son of President Corazon Aquino and former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. His parents led anti-Marcos revolution that eventually led to Ferdinand Marcos and his wife leaving the Philippines.

Major auction houses have been brought in to appraise the jewelry and the government could use the cash but the president decided to delay the auction in order to avoid suspicious of a last minute deal. The collection is said to be worth millions and includes a ruby pendant as large as a thumb and a 100-carat diamond necklace. Imelda Marcos continues to insist that her famed extravagances were bought with her husband's personal investments.

Tags: imelda marcos, philippine, Philippines

The Spa At Mandarin Oriental, Manila

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Mandarin Oriental in Manila has opened The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Manila, a Thai-themed spa, on the hotel's top two floors. The spa experience starts with a relaxing foot ritual and treatments include facials, body massages, treatments, wraps and scrubs which are tailored to the guest's preferences and needs. The Spa uses the Ytsara line of organic Asian spa products which incorporate ingredients of herbs, roots and flowers with essential oils. The spa also plans to add heat experiences by mid-year. The design of the spa is Thai-inspired with silk upholstery and teak wood. The spa also includes an Oriental-style relaxation area and a mini Oriental garden on the upper floor, surrounded by four self-contained treatment rooms. The spa is probably one of the least expensive Mandarin Orientals I have seen, the Oriental Indulgence, a three hour and 20 minute experience that includes a 45-minute body scrub, 60-minute massage and a facial costs 6,388 Philippine pesos or around $134 dollars.

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Tags: mandarin oriental, MandarinOriental, manila, philippines, spa, travel