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PHILIPPIneS SPAS & SHOPPING The spa and wellness industry is a burgeoning market in the Philippines, resulting in a plethora of five-star centres. Visitors to the Philippines can experience everything from treatments at a luxurious spa to medical procedures at an accredited facility. Or spend days exploring the myriad high-rise shopping malls and local markets. The spa and wellness industry is a burgeoning market in the Philippines, resulting in a plethora of five-star centres. Whether you prefer to visit a day spa for a few hours of well-deserved pampering, or retreat to a destination spa for a week, there is something to suit everyone. Many visitors to the Philippines are now electing to combine their holidays with a medical procedure. State-of-the-art diagnostic and medical equipment, competent practitioners and an extensive range of services make for an increasingly popular option. Whether a complex procedure or simple medical care is required, the Philippines has excellent health services. Specific medical tour packages can even be arranged. Shopping is not just a pastime in the Philip pines but a way of life for many. Manila has a huge number of mall complexes and most have daily late-night trading hours with gourmet restaurants as well as live entertainment. Manila offers inexpensive luxury shopping with boutiques such as Prada, Gucci and Escada. If you're looking for local handicrafts, pay a visit to Tutuban Centre or the marketplace in Quiapo. Antique lovers should go to the old wares shops of Ermita, Makati or San Juan for vintage pieces. Few can resist purchasing the famous 'barong Tagalog,' a traditional shirt made from pineapple fibre featuring fine embroidery. Iligan or Mindanao have a good range of local Muslim-produced handicrafts, while Lake Sebu, home of the T'boli people, showcases weaving and betel nut box making. www.paradisesonline.com 129 There are also haute couture houses perfect for a custom- made ball gown or wedding dress. Makati has the upscale malls of Glorietta, Greenbelt and Power Plant. However if it's shoes you're after, Marikina boasts more than 600 registered shoemakers. No visit to the Philippines would be complete without experiencing the bustling street markets. 'Tiangges', or flea markets, are incred ibly popular. Open-air markets at Baclaran and Divisoria are worth a look; Baclaran is great for ready-to-wear clothing and accessories, while Divisoria specialises in textiles. Greenhills hosts over 10 'tiangges' a year and is the destination for pearls, stones, jewellery and furniture.