Catherine Brillantes-Turvill, visionary behind Nurture Wellness Village and advocate for Filipino wellness traditions worldwide.
In a world where speed is prized over stillness and digital noise often drowns out inner calm, where the pace of life rarely pauses, a quiet sanctuary thrives in the mist-covered hills of Tagaytay. More than a spa resort, Nurture Wellness Village is a soulful return to what it means to be whole. Here, beneath the shade of native trees and beside fields of coffee and greens, healing is not a service—it is a way of being.
Rooted in Filipino cultural wisdom and guided by the principle of pakikipagkapwa—their deeply held belief in shared humanity— Nurture Wellness Village is redefining wellness for the global age. This is not a borrowed tradition repackaged for tourists. It is an authentic, heartfelt movement that brings together ancient healing, scientific integrity, and a sense of home.
This is not just a destination. It’s a homecoming.
“It’s about pakikipagkapwa,” says Catherine Brillantes-Turvill, founder and president of Nurture Wellness Village, and current president of the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines. “That deep Filipino sense of shared humanity—connection to others, to the land, to something greater than ourselves. That’s what true wellness means.”
Under her leadership, Nurture Wellness Village has grown beyond its beginnings as a serene retreat in 2001. It has become a cultural movement, championing the Philippines as a global leader in holistic healing rooted in community, tradition, and nature.
ROOTED IN SOUL: HEALING THE FILIPINO WAY
Well before wellness tourism became trendy—Nurture Wellness Village was envisioned as a sanctuary that honored, rather than imitated, Filipino traditions. Brillantes-Turvill, who once held a high-powered corporate role, was driven by a mission: to create an authentic space that would bring Filipino healing wisdom to the modern world.
CNN Go named it one of Asia’s “28 Most Relaxing Spas.” Asia Spa Magazine placed it among the “Top Seven Spas in the Philippines.” Yet for Brillantes-Turvill, the true success lies in a deeper recognition—that Filipino healing is a complete system, one that sees body, mind, and spirit as inseparable.
“Western medicine often compartmentalizes,” she explains. “But our traditions understand that healing happens in relationship—with ourselves, with nature, and with one another.”
At Nurture Wellness Village, this is called ecotherapy, where healing takes place in harmony with nature, rooted in the Filipino values of empathy and community.
SPACES THAT BREATHE: ARCHITECTURE WITH INTENTION
At Nurture Wellness Village, every structure tells a story—one that honors Filipino heritage and embraces nature as an essential partner in healing. The iconic Ifugao huts, far from being mere aesthetic choices, embody centuries-old indigenous wisdom. These traditional houses, originally designed for practicality and resilience in mountainous regions, have been thoughtfully adapted to provide guests with modern comforts while maintaining their authentic essence. Each hut is a testament to sustainable building practices, crafted from locally sourced bamboo, wood, and other natural materials that harmonize with the surrounding environment.
The architecture itself is a silent healer. Open-air layouts invite cool mountain breezes and soft sunlight to circulate freely, encouraging a deep sense of calm and presence. Earthy tones, from muted browns to the subtle greens of native plants, blend seamlessly with artisanal Filipino crafts—woven textiles, hand-carved wood accents, and indigenous pottery—that adorn interiors. This thoughtful design creates a sanctuary where one’s body and mind are gently coaxed into relaxation even before the first treatment begins.
Walking through the grounds, visitors feel the subtle yet powerful effect of this intentional space. The rhythmic rustle of leaves, the distant calls of native birds, and the fresh scent of lemongrass and sampaguita mingle to awaken the senses. It’s a place that breathes with life—inviting guests to slow down, listen, and reconnect to the natural rhythms of both earth and self. Here, the boundary between indoors and outdoors dissolves, reminding everyone that healing extends beyond the body into the environment that nurtures it.
THE WISDOM IN THEIR HANDS
The therapists at Nurture Wellness Village are custodians of an ancient Filipino legacy of healing touch. More than trained professionals, they are carriers of cultural memory and intention, blending technical expertise with heartfelt care passed down through generations. In Filipino tradition, a mother’s touch is sacred—imbued not only with skill but with a deep nurturing spirit that conveys empathy and respect for the person receiving care. Many of Nurture’s therapists are mothers themselves, bringing this unique quality into every massage and ritual.
Signature treatments such as Hilot Kagalingan and Haplos Kalinga are not simply physical manipulations; they are sacred ceremonies. Drawing from indigenous practices, these therapies harmonize therapeutic pressure with prayerful presence, balancing energy and promoting holistic restoration. The hands move with purpose—soothing muscles, releasing tension, and encouraging the flow of banlaw (life force) throughout the body. Guests often remark on a sense of being held—not just physically but emotionally and spiritually—an experience that transcends typical spa encounters.
This profound connection between therapist and guest exemplifies pakikipagkapwa, the Filipino value of shared humanity. Each session becomes an intimate dialogue of healing, where touch serves as language. In a fast-paced world that often feels isolating, the therapists’ hands provide a grounding reminder that we are seen, valued, and cared for. It’s a healing philosophy that resonates deeply, offering not only relief but renewal at the most elemental level.
SCIENCE AND SOUL, TOGETHER
While deeply rooted in tradition, Nurture Wellness Village embraces innovation through a harmonious blend of science and soul. At the heart of this synthesis is the Amu’in line of therapeutic oils, developed by co-founder Dr. Mike Turvill, a PhD chemist whose passion for Filipino botanicals led to the creation of these uniquely potent blends. Each oil combines indigenous plants long valued for their healing properties with rigorous scientific formulation, ensuring efficacy , safety, and a sensory experience that awakens both body and spirit.
These oils serve as more than just fragrances or massage aids—they are integral to the healing process. Crafted to address a range of needs from soothing restless minds to easing muscular pain or supporting digestive health, each blend reflects a purposeful marriage of ancestral knowledge and modern chemistry. This thoughtful approach respects Filipino cultural heritage while offering guests confidence in quality and results.
Beyond the oils, Nurture’s holistic philosophy extends to integrating evidence-based wellness practices into its programs. Rather than opposing science and tradition, the resort demonstrates how they can co-exist and enhance each other. The result is a unique offering that honors legacy while providing cutting-edge support for guests seeking deep, lasting transformation. At Nurture, healing is not nostalgia; it’s a living, evolving dialogue between past and present.
BEYOND THE MASSAGE: PROGRAMS THAT TRANSFORM
What truly distinguishes Nurture Wellness Village is its commitment to lasting well-being that transcends the temporary relief of a single treatment. Their comprehensive programs encompass detoxification, weight management, stress reduction, and lifestyle renewal—each carefully crafted to address the complex, interconnected nature of health. These journeys are guided by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and wellness experts, ensuring that care is medically sound, emotionally supportive, and culturally meaningful.
Traditional Filipino healing methods, such as charcoal therapy and herbal cleansing, are integrated with nutritional guidance, therapeutic massage, and mindfulness practices to create personalized paths toward balance. This holistic approach acknowledges that health is more than absence of illness—it is a state of harmony that requires time, patience, and community support. Nurture’s programs reject quick fixes and fad diets, focusing instead on sustainable habits and emotional resilience.
For overseas Filipinos, in particular, these programs offer a profound reconnection—not just to their heritage, but to their bodies and selves after years of living in often disconnected, stressful environments. Nurture becomes more than a destination; it becomes a vital pause, a reset button, and a source of empowerment for those seeking to reclaim their well-being and identity. Healing here is a process, a homecoming, and ultimately, a transformation.
HEALING THE WORKPLACE: THE WORKWELL PROJECT
Burnout isn’t just personal—it’s organizational. That’s why Nurture launched the WorkWell Project, a corporate wellness program that reimagines team building through experiential healing.
Here, team members don’t just attend seminars—they move, breathe, laugh, and reconnect. Sessions may include partner massage, juice therapy, tai chi gong, and the delightfully freeing “happy dance.”
“When people are well, organizations thrive,” Brillantes-Turvill affirms.
Companies can also host offsite retreats at Nurture, where nature and purpose combine to spark creativity and camaraderie.
WELLNESS FOR ALL SEASONS
Whether you’re a balikbayan longing for reconnection, a city-weary professional seeking rest, or a leader hoping to inspire your team, Nurture Wellness Village offers deeply personal and purpose-driven experiences designed to meet you where you are in life. From day visits to immersive multi-day retreats, from solo travelers to families and corporate groups—everyone finds a place of belonging here. Because wellness isn’t a luxury. It’s a universal need.
Further expanding their vision of whole-person care, Nurture Wellness Village will soon partner with Clinica Manila, a leading medical group specializing in integrative medicine. Under the leadership of Dr. Hernan Delizo, an expert in internal medicine, endocrinology, and geriatrics, this collaboration will allow Nurture Wellness Village to provide holistic, continuing, and connected care that bridges wellness and clinical expertise. The result: a true medical-wellness hub, supporting guests in achieving long-term, sustainable well-being.
Also on the horizon are physical fitness and mindfulness retreats led by seasoned holistic health practitioners. These programs will offer intentional, expert-guided experiences designed to strengthen the body, steady the mind, and renew the spirit—aligning with their belief that true healing is not only possible, but deeply personal.
Even the on-site restaurant, Farmer’s Table, embodies this guiding philosophy. Known for its nourishing Filipino comfort food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, it transforms every meal into an act of care. Open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM, it welcomes all who hunger for more than just a meal—those seeking warmth, memory, and meaning in every bite.
This commitment to inclusive, culturally rooted care recently earned Nurture Wellness Village national recognition. On May 26, it was officially awarded by the FIQH and Halal Council of the Philippines Inc. as the only Halal Certified Wellness Destination in the country.
As the global demand for halal-certified services continues to grow, this milestone marks Nurture Wellness Village as a pioneer in wellness hospitality—responding not only to evolving market needs but to a deeper mission of fostering cross-cultural respect, accessibility, and healing for all.
LEADING WITH CULTURE: A GLOBAL VISION FOR FILIPINO WELLNESS
As president of the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines, Brillantes-Turvill envisions the country as a world leader in culturally-rooted healing. Not by copying global trends—but by leading with authenticity.
“Filipino wellness is rare,” she says. “It integrates science, spirit, and community. That is our gift to the world.”
And the world is beginning to notice. Travelers—especially after the pandemic—are seeking meaning in their journeys. They want healing that feels real.
At Nurture Wellness Village, they find it.
THE CALL TO RETURN
We are living in uncertain times. And in times like these, people seek places that restore them. Not with extravagance—but with truth.
Nurture Wellness Village is one of those rare places. It is not just a spa, but a sanctuary. A place where you don’t just relax—you remember who you are.
For overseas Filipinos, it’s a return to roots. For local visitors, it’s a breath of calm. For anyone, it’s a quiet invitation to come home—to yourself, to your culture, to the kind of wellness that doesn’t fade when the vacation ends.
“Wellness,” says Brillantes-Turvill, “is not a trend. It’s a way of life—one we’ve always known in our hearts.”
COME HOME TO WHAT HEALS YOU
Step into a place where rest is purposeful, connection is sacred, and wellness is rooted in something deeper. At Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay, the Filipino approach to healing isn’t just offered —it’s lived. Whether you crave stillness, seek emotional renewal, or long for a retreat that feels like a return to self, Nurture Wellness Village opens its doors to the kind of well-being that endures.
Nestled in the serene hills of Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II West Luzon, Tagaytay, this sanctuary invites you to reconnect, reflect, and restore. Your next chapter begins here. Discover more at nurture.com.ph, or reach out for hotel, spa, and dining inquiries at +63 271 09786, +63 917 687 8873, or info@nurture.com.ph.
