Extra Service (ES) After Massage Therapy

In the Philippines, “ES” or “Extra Service” is a term discreetly used among massage patrons to refer to sexual favors that clients may request in addition to standard massage services, often with additional payment involved. This term is similar to the concept of “happy endings” commonly known in some Western countries. While massage therapy is primarily focused on relaxation and therapeutic benefits, requests for ES highlight the nuanced and sometimes controversial intersections between wellness services and personal boundaries.

In the Philippines, prostitution and paid sexual favors are illegal. As a result, massage establishments do not openly advertise additional services. Instead, a massage therapist might discreetly offer this option to a client, usually towards the end of the session. This is often done through a “bulong,” a quiet whisper to see if the client is interested in the extra service. If the client shows interest, they start negotiating. The therapist will clarify what the client is looking for and may express any personal boundaries to prevent misunderstandings. They then agree on a price, which can vary depending on the service requested, and this amount is usually added to the standard massage fee.

What are Included in the Extra Service?

The range of services included in an Extra Service (ES) can vary widely based on the client’s preferences and the individual therapist’s boundaries. Clients often face limitations due to personal tastes and financial constraints, which influence the types of services they may pursue. Conversely, therapists may be guided by their own morals, beliefs, and the potential risks associated with offering extra services. These elements contribute to a highly personalized approach that differs with each interaction.

Extra services can cover a wide array of activities, such as kissing, oral sex, sexual intercourse, masturbation, fulfilling specific fetishes, engaging in intimate conversations, and providing companionship. Typically, each additional service requested comes with a higher price, reflecting the therapist’s comfort level and willingness to accommodate the request. Therapists usually outline their boundaries beforehand to ensure both parties have a clear understanding and to prevent any misunderstandings.

In the end, the negotiation process enables both parties to agree on terms that accurately represent the services provided and the associated costs, ensuring clarity and consent throughout. However, this practice exists within a legal gray area, adding complexity to how these services are organized and delivered.

Price Range of Extra Service

The cost of additional services depends on the specific requests a client makes to the therapist. There is also an option called the “all-in rate,” which is a fixed price that generally covers both massage and sexual services in one package. This all-in rate is attractive to clients who prefer a straightforward transaction, as it is expected to encompass all the services they want.

However, the term “all-in” doesn’t imply that the therapist is willing to accommodate every request. Therapists often have their own personal or professional boundaries and may set limits on the services they are comfortable offering, even with an all-in rate. For instance, certain activities or levels of intimacy might still be restricted. It’s crucial to have clear communication in these situations to ensure that the client is aware of the therapist’s boundaries and what services are included in the agreed price.

While the all-in rate simplifies the process, it also underscores the need for negotiation and respect for individual limits.

Extra Service and the Massage Industry

Due to economic uncertainties leading to a decline in massage clients, many massage businesses have adjusted their strategies to draw in more customers. To stay competitive, some of these establishments have started offering additional services to encourage clients to spend more and visit more often. Unfortunately, this trend has negatively affected the overall perception of the massage industry, overshadowing those businesses that focus solely on therapeutic massage.

In recent years, even some well-known brands have either subtly or openly embraced these additional services. These massage spas, referred to as “Spakol” (a combination of “spa” and the local term “jakol,” which means masturbation), provide more than just standard treatments. While some businesses officially discourage their therapists from participating in sexual activities, reports indicate that they may overlook such incidents occurring on their premises. This strategy is often viewed as a way to boost therapists’ earnings and ensure high employee retention.

Massage therapists who engage in these extra services face various risks, especially since prostitution is illegal in the Philippines. As a result, therapists may feel reluctant or even afraid to report abusive clients to the authorities, leaving them vulnerable. Moreover, there is a heightened risk of sexually transmitted diseases, as indicated by alarming contagion rates in the country.

As a largely Catholic nation, the Philippines has a strong moral and cultural opposition to the legalization of prostitution. This resistance means that individuals involved in the sex trade do not receive government support or legal protections. If prostitution were legalized, sex workers could access vital protections, including counseling, healthcare, and safety measures, which would help protect them from exploitation. Currently, however, these workers remain in the shadows, facing the risk of abuse and mistreatment, which underscores the complex challenges confronting the massage and broader wellness industries in the country.

Exploring “Extra Service” Techniques in the Massage Industry

In the realm of massage therapy, certain techniques are often seen as taboo due to their sensual or erotic undertones. These practices, which are closely linked to sexual elements, are usually offered discreetly in many countries, including the Philippines, where prostitution is illegal. Despite their popularity, these massages blur the line between therapeutic relaxation and sexual services, leading to both intrigue and debate. Here’s a look at five commonly recognized forbidden massage types that incorporate “extra service” elements.

1. Erotic or Sensual Massage

This type of massage emphasizes stimulating the body’s erogenous zones to enhance relaxation and pleasure. It typically involves full-body touch, focusing on creating a deeply relaxing and arousing experience. While erotic or sensual massages generally avoid direct sexual contact, they foster an intimate and pleasurable atmosphere that may encourage clients to seek more than mere relaxation.

2. Tantric Massage

Originating from ancient Tantric traditions, tantric massage seeks to harmonize sexual energy within the body. It features slow, deliberate touch and breathing techniques designed to help individuals connect with their own energy. The practice aims to increase awareness and deepen intimacy, often creating a strong bond between the therapist and client, which can easily be interpreted as sexual.

3. Yoni Massage

Yoni massage is tailored specifically for female clients, concentrating on the genital area. It is often framed as a therapeutic approach to release emotional or physical tension, enhance intimacy, and promote relaxation. However, despite these therapeutic claims, it is frequently perceived as a sexual service due to its explicit focus on intimate body parts, making it a highly contentious practice.

4. Lingam Massage

Similar to yoni massage, the lingam massage centers on the male genitalia. Its purpose is to promote relaxation and alleviate tension through gentle, therapeutic touch, fostering a sense of wellbeing. However, because of its intimate nature, it is frequently linked to erotic services rather than purely therapeutic benefits.

5. Nuru Massage

Hailing from Japan, nuru massage employs a slippery, odorless gel derived from seaweed to facilitate full-body, skin-to-skin contact. Typically, both the therapist and client are nude, which enhances the sensory experience. The massage features sliding movements designed to encourage relaxation, but the close body contact and sensual aspect of the technique often associate it with erotic services.

While these types of massage may appeal to certain clients, they remain contentious due to their overt sexual implications. Although these practices highlight relaxation and holistic wellness in various cultures, they often push the limits of professional massage therapy, attracting scrutiny and criticism from both the public and regulatory bodies.

Looking for Extra Service?

Extra services remain a sensitive topic in the Philippines, and asking a spa receptionist about them can be risky—not just socially but also legally, as it is viewed as solicitation, which is punishable under Philippine law. Soliciting sexual services, even in massage parlors, is illegal, making questions about extra services a delicate and sometimes unlawful issue.

While a few spas may openly provide extra services, they are the exception rather than the rule. Most establishments prefer to operate discreetly, promoting such services subtly to avoid legal issues and social stigma. Marketing for these services typically occurs online, where anonymity creates a safer environment for both therapists and clients to discuss arrangements.

Currently, a large number of these interactions happen in private groups on social media. Platforms like Facebook Groups and Twitter have become popular venues for clients and therapists to communicate and negotiate terms. In these online communities, clients ask about services and prices, while massage therapists respond, maintaining a discreet connection that helps them avoid legal scrutiny. Thus, the internet has become a crucial facilitator for extra services, allowing clients and providers to connect more openly despite the legal and social challenges surrounding these practices in the Philippines.