Retirement village focuses on wellness 24/7

Photo by Tessa R. Salazar

Stress kills. I’ve seen people die from stress. Your hormones go berserk. You age prematurely,” quipped Dr. Virginia Jean Alva, medical director of Saujana Premiere, a new 16-hectare eco-retirement community in Silang, Cavite, that has complete health and wellness facilities geared for retirees, seniors and the health conscious.

Saujana Premiere features the Medi-Spa, the first spa facility to incorporate medical-grade aesthetic services, alternative medicine with complementary energy healing modalities, life coaching, mind-body classes, Western Medicine including Diabetology, Cardiology and rehabilitation.

On Jan. 8 at the site’s clubhouse, Saujana Premiere’s medical and wellness team engaged media people and guests in activities that included bone screening, blood sugar analysis, foot detox, body fat analysis, rejuvenating facials, ear candling, peripheral artery screening, ultrasound, vitamin tests, hand paraffin treatment, ECG and hot wax depilation.

A powerful lecture on reversing and preventing diseases via plant-based nutrition, indigenous greens and the biochemistry of sugar was conducted by licensed dietician Blecenda M. Varona, doctor of public health. Dr. Al Lagaya, MD, CMA, talked on energy and acupuncture, among others. A lecture by health advocate David Varona, master of public health, described the characteristics of “Blue Zones.” Aileen de Guzman lectured on superfoods for super health and showed examples.

More important

“What you do on a regular basis is more important than how you enjoy the rest of your life. The regular thing that you do is walking 3 km every other day. (We are developing a) pedestrian lifestyle. I don’t care if people will complain about walking. You’re not part of Saujana (if you refuse to do it). You have to change your mindset first, then you can join us.”

“Saujana Premiere is technically by invitation only. We don’t open it to the public. There is no walk in. We made a decision that our company will only cater to people who will believe on what we will teach them because we need people to cooperate to make it successful. I’m talking about people who will live here and will come here for treatments. This is not for profit,” Alva reiterated.

“This is basically (because) we also want to stay here in this place ourselves. We want to stay with people who do not quarrel about health. There is no reason to quarrel over health. It’s either you agree with us or not. And we only need 500 people who agree with us.”

The Medi-Spa and Medical facility is open to people from abroad.

Alva encourages people not just to be dependent on medical treatments but to change their lifestyle.

“Food, exercise, good environment, balance in your life—these are the things you should understand. The medical team will design it in such a way that your treatment will not be one-stop or a pill-pop. It doesn’t happen that way. The facility will be here for you to learn more. You are encouraged to stay here for several days (for guests or nonresidents).”