MGallery Collection has unveiled Lola’s Sanctuary, marking the arrival of Bohol’s first international luxury resort spa. Set within the grounds of the island’s only luxury resort, the new space draws on the region’s deep-rooted healing traditions to shape an experience that is both restorative and culturally resonant.
Photo: Jason Lang
At Lola’s Sanctuary, wellness is defined by a connection to place, people, and the rhythms of nature. Every treatment reflects the knowledge passed through generations of Filipino healers, blending botanicals grown at South Farm with techniques that balance authenticity and refinement.
“At South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao–MGallery Collection, our vision has always been to create meaningful experiences rooted in place. With Lola’s Sanctuary, we wanted to preserve Bohol’s ancestral healing traditions while presenting them through a refined, contemporary lens. From the use of Asin Tibuok to our farm-sourced botanicals, every detail reflects a genuine connection to the island’s enduring wisdom,” said Danish Khan, General Manager of South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao–MGallery Collection.
This opening marks the final chapter in the property’s debut as Panglao’s first international resort, inaugurated in August 2025, and completes its vision of a destination where design, culture, and wellbeing are intrinsically linked.
A return to ancestral healing
At the heart of the sanctuary lies Hilod Dalisay, an ancestral body-purifying ritual inspired by ancient Filipino cleansing practices. The 90-minute treatment features Asin Tibuok, one of the world’s rarest salts, handcrafted in Bohol through a 400-year-old tradition. Combined with lemongrass and virgin coconut oil, the ritual brings renewed clarity and calm, embodying the quiet discipline and grace of traditional Filipino wellness.
Guests can also explore the story of Asin Tibuok through the resort’s MGallery “M Moment,” a cultural immersion that allows visitors to witness the salt’s creation alongside Boholano artisans. The experience reflects MGallery’s philosophy of curating Memorable Moments that celebrate each destination’s unique identity.
A sanctuary shaped by nature
Guests arrive through Lola’s Kitchen, an open-air reception surrounded by pandan, lemongrass, and fruit trees, where detox juices and herbal teas are prepared fresh each day. Inside, treatment rooms and open cabanas are designed for quiet retreat, with every oil, scrub, and compress crafted from ingredients cultivated at South Farm, just one kilometre away.
Photo: Lola’s Sanctuary
The spa experience extends beyond the treatment table through beach yoga sessions, mindfulness walks, and personalised fitness activities at the resort’s Fit Studio. Each element is intended to restore balance—a reflection of Bohol’s slower pace and deep respect for the natural world.
ALSO READ: This Resort in Bohol Brings Local Culture Into a Luxurious Island Escape
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
