Personalities

Dieter Schrottmann
“Life is to be enjoyed and not endured.&rdquo

Spa owner, Shiatsu healer, visionary and lover of life, Dieter Schrottmann packed his bags in 1977 and left his native Germany, turned in his last photography assignment and walked away from a career in advertising. For the next 14 years he lived in Boracay, then left for Northern California. He returned to Boracay nine years later, consumed by the vision of a sanctuary for the body and spirit on the island, which is Mandala Spa today. Mandala Spa reflects the philosophy and lifestyles of the owners,the same team that conceptualized the Kon-Tiki Floating Bar in 1985. Dieter also founded Health For The New Age, the company that pioneered in educating blind masseurs in Shiatsu in Manila.

Karen Villarica-Neff

“My ethos in life is to be the sea, to embrace all that is.”

Through Mandala Spa, Karen recognizes that she is true to her ethos as she goes about her day: compassionate and nurturing characterize her style when giving Watsu and Reiki treatments as she surrounds you with loving energy. Karen's mission in life is to plant a seed of awareness through service with the hope that one day the seed will sprout , take root, and consequently create a better world.

Mo-Ching Yip
"Yoga and healing arts go hand-in-hand. Both share the same philosophies and principles; both are a way of life for me."

Mandala Spa resident healer, therapist trainer and yoga instructor, Mo-Ching Yip is fondly considered Mandala's best-kept secret for her gift of bringing healing and an understanding of one's path towards self-realization. Born in Hong Kong, Mo-Ching attributes being naturally drawn to the healing arts to her Asian roots. She began practicing bodywork in 1990, specializing in Deep Tissue Neuromuscular Therapy, studied Aromatherapy, Cranial Sacral, Polarity and was Reiki-initiated. In 1993, Mo-Ching was certified in the US as a massage therapist, and as a certified herbalist in 1995 in New Mexico. She has been practicing different forms of yoga since 1982 and earned her teacher's training degree from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram in India in 2003.

Tom Neff
"The journey is the destination."

This is one of Tom's favorite quotes when spending time with friends or guests. As a former entrepreneur of a successful insurance company in California, Tom learned a lot about people and what is really important SERVICE. A Watsu practitioner, poet, philosopher and yoga teacher he believes that giving is living.

"I get up each day and ask myself: how can I be of service today, whose life can I touch for the better?"               

Grateful and content, the highlight of his day is sitting and watching the Boracay sunset, counting his endless blessings

Louise Lee
"When life gets tight, breathe."

A Boracay resident since 1993, Louise is known as "the good spirit of the island".After earning a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communication Arts at the San Francisco State University, Louise sought out a Hatha Yoga ashram in India in 1999, continuing to practice it until today. In 2003, she pursued a teacher's training degree from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram in India where she returned in 2004 for the Advanced Teacher's Training. She has had the privilege of practicing Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore India with B.N.S. Iyengar and with David Swenson in 2004. Louise describes her yoga practice as "coming home". For her, personal yoga practice is the natural thing to do and teaching it, is following an inner calling.

Abbey Clariño

As a graduate of UP Diliman, Asian Institute of Tourism with a degree in BS Tourism, Abbey moved to Boracay back in 2001 and was supposed to be a part of the first batch of Mandala Spa employees. But when the opportunity to travel and work abroad came, she decided to take it. 7 years later with gained maturity and experience, she finds herself back home in Boracay, working for Mandala Spa. Yoga, detox and spa treatments made available to employees are a few of the reasons why she believes that Mandala Spa is incomparable to any other company.

Abbey is constantly inspired by the line: "Stop, breathe and be present." She says: "This reminds me to live in the present at all times, cherishing what life has to offer us at the exact moment."

Malou de Joya

Malou is one of the "green souls" of Boracay Island being a long-term leader and advocate of organic and eco-friendly products and services. A graduate of De La Salle University with a degree in BS Marketing Management, Malou has extensive experience in providing excellent sales and building relationships. She and her partners implemented the successful Saturday Organic Market in Boracay Island, which promotes the unique and creative products of the island residents. Malou is a believer in businesses that align with green ecological initiatives which is one of the reason why she fits perfectly in Mandala Spa.

Pia Mobo

Pia took up Philosophy at the University of the Philippines. She found a lasting career in Advertising and Events Management while she juggled the responsibilities of rearing her 3 children. Later on, Pia pursued her passion and studied spa management at the Chiva-Som Academy in Bangkok.

Spent many of her formative summers in the beaches of Boracay- wher she learned to appreciate the calming, and rejuvenating effect of the sea on a person. To Pia, the sea is not a vast static divide that isolates people; it is a moving sea whose shores help connect people and dreams. It is for this reason that she joined Mandala Spa. She believes that she can help provide the guests with a truly healing environment to help reinvigorate their lives. Her own experience has made her commit to giving to others what she has already found for herself.

Joan Pablo

"Keep life simple, live with gratitude and give the best of yourself."

Joan has been a resident of Boracay Island since 2004. She graduated Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a Major in Management at Wesleyan University and has since then, dabbled in different activities such as modeling, fashion styling and event coordinating. With experience as front liner and sales for Boracay real estate, she decided to pursue a more balanced lifestyle and share her talent and flair to Mandala Spa.