In a now-deleted series of posts on Twitter/X, a self-described health spa enthusiast – @Spa_POV19 – initially publicly posted about alleged human rights violations committed against massage therapists allegedly by a person helming a facility that is frequented by men who have sex with men (MSM) in Quezon City.
Lūminère Spa was eventually named, with some Twitter/X users even tagging the facility to verify or deny the allegations, which stemmed from a post first shared by a person who claimed to be a former therapist in the said facility.
According to @Spa_POV19, the “co-owner of a famous spa in Quezon City, ginagawa ito sa kanilang mga (do these to their) therapists”, and then enumerated alleged unwanted and even criminal acts, particularly since the alleged acts were nonconsensual.
“Handjob at blowjob mo siya, para makapasa ka.”
“Try out para makapasok ka, need mo serbisyuhan siya.”
“Pag di ka nag-extra sa kanya, balik training ka.”
“Araw-araw, need mo siya extrahan, para hindi balik training ka.”
“Handjob at blowjob ang alam ko, pero hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang pinapagawa sa iba naming kasama, nagpapa-finger din ‘yon.”
Considering the power dynamics within the facility, those making the allegations and who were quoted by @Spa_POV19, added that they didn’t have a choice because of the risk to their job security.
“Walang choice, need mo ibigay ang gusto niya, kasi sa training, walang bayad.”
“Pakiramdam namin, baboy na baboy na kami, at walang magawa.”
“Ang sakit isipin na kailangan mo gawin ‘yon para kumita ng pera para sa pamilya mo.”
Sadly, it was claimed that the issues were already reported to higher-up in the facility, but nothing happened.
“Nagsumbong na kami sa ibang owner, pero kami pa ang binaliktad.”
“Marami pa kaming kasama doon na naiwan, tinitiis ang kalakaran para sa hanap-buhay nila.”
“Nakakalungkot, nakakaawa at nakakagalit. Ang daming ambassadors ng spa na ito! Do they know what is happening in the spa they are promoting? Are you patronizing these malicious acts?” @Spa_POV19
Outrage Magazine managed to take screenshots of the publicly-available posts before they were removed with no reasons provided.
Outrage Magazine reached out to @Spa_POV19 while the posts were still online, and yet again after the posts were taken down. No reply was received.
In the spirit of fairness, Outrage Magazine also reached out to the health spa where the alleged acts happened, Lūminère Spa.
Messages were sent to the publicly-listed email addresses of the company (luminerespaph.marketing@yahoo.com, luminerespa.ph@gmail.com), as well as to their Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram accounts. The publicly-listed phone numbers (0945-630-9767, 0996-819-8888) were also contacted.
Not a single response was received as of press time, though the Messenger message was already “seen”.
Outrage Magazine will continue to wait for responses from @Spa_POV19, who first posted the allegations that have already been seen by over 15,000 Twitter viewers alone; as well as from Lūminère Spa to allow the facility to air its side of the story.
UPDATE:
As of 3.00PM of June 5, @Spa_POV19 has turned his account private for fear of reprisals for sharing the allegations that he received.
