MANILA, Philippines—June has always been especially painful for dads since it’s school opening and tuition is especially shocking to the wallet.

As my special tribute to great dads out there, my articles for this month will be dedicated to them—a Father’s Month special.

For kids looking for a Father’s Day gift, ask yourself: What is it that bugs dad?

It may be persistently sore muscles, especially at the shoulders, back and calves. The condition is a result of stress from being hunched over a desk working on a computer or checking out spreadsheets for the budget and business.

Back and shoulder pain may also be due to walking long distances or carrying heavy loads around the house for years. This is a problem most dads I have spoken with wish would go away.

Take dad to a serious massage that will truly make a difference in his comfort level. Result: instant relief and a good night’s sleep as the masseuse knows instinctively where the balls of tension can be found.

You may try the salon and spa options of Philosophy. For example, there’s Moxa Ventosa aka cupping, an old eastern method of alternative medicine wherein heated glasses placed all over the back, calves and thighs vacuum out the cold air (or lamig, according to the manghihilot) that has bunched up deep into the muscle, making it sore and swollen. No masseuse can go this deep into the problem accumulated by years.

Downside: There will be bruising on deeply sore areas.

The treatment costs P1,250 for 80 minutes total, which includes a deep-tissue massage, stretching and cupping.

‘Hilot’

You may also bring your dad to a Pinoy hilot (P880), a tried and tested ancient form of Filipino treatment where an authentic kumadrona from Negros kneads the sore muscles, sprains and aches even as far back as injuries from childhood.

Problems such as bloating, gas and constipation may even be corrected as the kumadrona works on the problem areas.

Hilot is very similar to reflexology, but there is pain involved as the problem areas get sorted out.

For those on a budget, they may take their dad to the Xiamen foot reflexology (P300), a full-hour treatment dealing with the feet, arms, scalp and back, done in a dim air-conditioned spa with comfortable leather massage chairs. All masseuse are females. Call 8921574.

Dads who require a truly hard massage that hit all the sore spots may try You Salon, which offers Full Body Reflexology (P700/hour) or Deep Tissue massage by Joel Torrecampo. You may call 8181968.

Some dads may be suffering from excessive sweating, a condition called Hyperhidrosis which can be very embarrassing as wetness stains the shirt’s armpit areas and a slippery handshake is a turn-off.

Drop by your drugstore and grab Stieffel’s Driclor for dad. It is fantastic at keeping him dry and poised for 24 hours.

Big stomach

Big stomach is a man’s problem area. It especially gets more stubborn as a father ages.

Liposuction is drastic and expensive so here are instant treatments that make the skin contract so inch loss is possible:

1. Shiseido Body Creator Abdomen Toning gel firms up the skin, burns fat and gets rid of gas and bloating. Side effect: passing gas, frequent trips to the bathroom and a cold feeling.

2. Radio frequency machines such as Magic Slim found in any Godiva Skin station (known as Thermashape) and Blooming Skin Clinic guarantee a loss of at least one inch on the first painless treatment alone.

Other establishments that offer inch loss via radio frequency are Belo Medical Group’s Tenor and Facial Care Center’s Ultrashape. These machines are highly recommended but the taker must undergo at least 10 sessions for full impact.

But expect to lose less inches as the treatments progress as there will be less fat to burn and loose skin to firm up.

Belo Medical group: 8442939; Godiva Skin Station 9769051; Blooming, 4141619; and Marie France, 894-BODY