A Good Back Rub and More: Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa at Puregold Valenzuela Complex

After receiving her Daily Time Record for the month, One Valenzuela realized how much over time she has rendered at work. Whew! When the body is tired and the soul is weary from all the stress that the outside world brings you, nothing beats a good massage.  There are a handful of places where one can get some body pampering in the city. Together with Little One Valenzuela, off they went to Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa. It is conveniently located at one of the two buildings at Puregold Valenzuela. In a previous article that she wrote for V-season, One Valenzuela gave her thumbs up for their nail pampering treatments. (Read Here: V-Day in Valenzuela City: Simple Date Plans this Valentine's Season)

 

Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa

She first learned of Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa when she was looking for a nearby place where she can get her nails done for an event (Events - the only time she puts some color on those nails. Very simple, sneaker-loving gal here.). She is a very, very satisfied customer of their pedicure treatment (while sitting on those comfortable massage chairs!). One of the additions that One Valenzuela love about Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa is that it now has a massage area at the second floor. 

Le Classe Lounge at the second floor of Puregold Valenzuela

Looking around, One Valenzuela liked the serenity that the place evokes. Hay, when was the last time that she had a good back rub? It has been so long! After staying a bit at Le Classe's sofa, One Valenzuela decided that both of them will have the Swedish Massage (goes for Php300/hour).

The sight and sound of water add calmness to the place. 

It's in the detail. These accents at the dry sauna area are really eye-catching!

Other than the popular therapeutic Swedish Massage, Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa also has the following services: Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Pediatric Massage, Ventosa, Scalp and Facial Massage, Foot Massage, Hand Massage, Aroma Therapy Massage, Ear Candling, and the Le Classe Signature Massage.  One can also experience their Dry Sauna and Whole Body Scrub (Kojic; Moisturizing; Milk; Whitening Apricot Glutathione; Anti-aging and Whitening Cucumber Melon)

A couple of pastillas, green tea, a purple towel, and a happier you end the massage session at Le Classe Lounge.

So, how was the massage? It is indeed relaxing. Got energized for another week of work, work, work!  At the end of the massage, sweet pastillas and a cup of green tea (or hot water, depends on what you like) are placed beside the bed. Massages like this really do rejuvenate the body and soul. With the stresses that we get daily, we should at least consider doing this more often.

How to Go to Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa

It is very easy to go here. If you will be coming from Valenzuela City Hall along McArthur Highway, it is just an 8-10 minute jeepney ride going to Malanday. Ask the driver to drop you at Puregold Valenzuela (Balubaran). Le Classe Nails and Body Spa is a few steps from Max's Restaurant.

Le Classe Lounge

It is open from Monday to Sunday, 10:00am to 12:00mn. Like Le Classe Lounge Nails and Body Spa on Facebook here. For inquiries: (02)906-8249 / (02)876-9396 (brochure)

Who is the Colonel's Wife? Knowing More About the Egberts

Writing this post in celebration of the 59th National Public Library Day (every March 9).

We usually pass by a well trimmed grassy area where an old cannon is placed at the ALERT Center. If you take a closer look, the inscription says that it is dedicated to Colonel Harry C. Egbert (One Valenzuela wrote about the cannon about 5 years ago in 2013. Read: History in One Valenzuela's Day: Dr. Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal and a War Relic from the Battle of Malinta). Col. Egbert played an important role in the past. What else can we learn from his personal history?

The cannon was once placed near the Social Hall and was transferred here at the ALERT Center. 

"In memory of Col. Harry Clay Egbert, U.S. Army, Brigadier General-U.S. Vols. who was mortally wounded on this spot while leading his regiment, 22nd U.S. Infantry, 26th March 1899".

Details of the Labanan sa Malinta. Photo taken from the Valenzuela City Museum

Just a few days ago, the curator of Valenzuela City Museum tagged One Valenzuela on Twitter. Here, he mentioned that Col. Harry has a wife who happens to be a very important name in the library science world (especially in the history of public libraries in the Philippines). Being a lecturer on the topic of public libraries in the librarian licensure examination reviews at UST, her name will always be on the review materials: Nelly Young Egbert (Sometimes spelled "Nellie"). Yes, the Colonel's wife is a librarian. Not interesting enough?   

The curator mentioned that the information came from the Facebook account of R. Dante O. Perez. Sir Dante gladly allowed One Valenzuela to lift the passage linking Harry C. Egbert and Nelly Young Egbert:

"On March 5, 1900, a Monday, a century and eighteen years ago, the American Circulating Library of Manila, the earliest subscription library in the Philippines, was inaugurated at 70 Calle Rosario in Intramuros, Manila. It was dedicated  as a memorial to the American soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in the country. It was organized by Mrs. Charles R. Greenleaf with Nelly Young Egbert (widow of General H.C. Egbert who died in the country in line of duty) as its first librarian."

Credit: R. Dante O. Perez, Librarian-Archivist at Father Duenas Memorial School, Guam

The Colonel's wife was the first librarian of the American Circulating Library.

One Valenzuela was hoping to find a photo of Nelly Young Egbert online but was not able to do so. But she found a short entry in the book, The United States in Asia: A Historical Dictionary:

EGBERT, NELLY YOUNG (1843-1913). Librarian, born in Washington, D.C. Egbert came to the Philippines in 1899 with her husband, an army officer, who was killed that year. She became president of the Manila Aid Society, which provided services to disabled soldiers. She was the first librarian of the American Circulating library (later the Philippine Library and Museum) in Manila from 1900 to 1909, and its superintendent and librarian until her retirement in 1911. She returned  to the United States in 1911. Died June 2, 1913 (Reference: DPB 2)

An interesting fact to know on a day worth celebrating. Wish there's more to know and learn about the Egberts.  

How about today? One Valenzuela has been blessed to know of some Valenzuelanos who are rockin' it in the librarianship field. Two bagged the librarian licensure examination: one was born in Pasolo while the other hails from Balangkas. The latter is currently a very passionate professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Library and Information Studies, Mr. Elijah John Dar Juan. On the other hand, Ms. Eimee Rhea Lagrama of Parada is the head of UP University Archives Division and was recently accepted at the Archives Leadership Institute's ALI18. Another librarian from Gen. T. De Leon, Ms. April Manabat, who works at the De La Salle University Library was awarded in 2017 the 3rd Place Best Paper with a co-author at ICOaSL in Indonesia.

Made in Valenzuela: Dish Washing Liquid by Bahay Kalinga and Bahay Pag-asa Clients

One Valenzuela dropped by a school fair recently. While she was waiting for Little One Valenzuela, she went around the different booths (making her hungry during the process; daming pagkain!). From a far, she eventually saw that a small booth was selling packs of powder detergent and bottles of green dishwashing liquid. Since she just ran out of their usual dishwashing paste at home and still does not have the time to go to the grocery, she found it a perfect opportunity to grab a few bottles. 

As she was looking at the bottles, she read from the label that these are from Bahay Kalinga and Bahay Pag-asa. She then learned via phone call that the clients at both places made them. Come to think of it. By buying these products, you also get to support fellow Valenzuelanos and their livelihood program. 

Detergent powder at Php20/pack. It was mentioned that they also sell fabric conditioner.

Dishwashing liquid at Php20.00/bottle. One Valenzuela is currently using this. It does not leave any soapy smell on dishes which is a plus for her. 

Buy local, support local. 

For many, this might just be another bottle of dishwashing liquid. For One Valenzuela, it's a bottle of hope.
Contact Bahay Kalinga at (02)211-6584 for inquiries.
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It has been One Valenzuela's mantra to check the label of products that she buys and uses (reading the ingredients, calories, fat content, etc.). She would also look at where the product is made. She realized that it makes her happy to know that what she is buying is made from the Philippines. What more if it is made in Valenzuela City, di ba? Just sharing the happiness in every product made in Valenzuela by giving them a spot in the blog. Let us support local, Valenzuelanos!