Bliss Spa's Lori Villafuerte: Chef turned spa manager

New York-based Bliss spa has finally opened its first outlet in Singapore at Sephora ION, the beauty retailer’s largest store in Asia. But running the local Bliss operations is no American but Lori Villafuerte, a Filipino who was born into a family of politicians (her father is serving as an elected Congressman, her mother is one of the Monetary Board Members of the Central Bank of the Philippines and her brother is one of the youngest incumbent Governors in the Philippines) and who trained as a cook in America.

CNNGo speaks to the acting general manger of Bliss Spa Singapore about her assorted background and which celebrities she's rubbed shoulders with.

CNNGo: What was it like growing up in a family of politicians, and why aren’t you pursuing politics?

Lori Villafuerte: When I was born, my father was already in politics. So I really don’t know what it’s like to grow up without the politics in my life. It was part of my upbringing. My childhood is definitely not the same compared to a typical child growing up. At times, it was kind of challenging growing up as a teenager because I could not go wherever I wanted to go without a bodyguard accompanying me. On the upside, being part of a family of winners and go-getters makes you always want to reach for the goal and continuously improve. One thing is for sure; I'm not standing still and will move forward wherever my destiny leads me. So hey, politics may just be a part of it one day since it runs deeply in my bloodline for three generations.

CNNGo: What led you to the Culinary Institute of America to become a chef?

Villafuerte: I started cooking when I was around 11, playing in the kitchen with my "manang" (nanny) and making my mom’s recipes. My passion is cooking and I’ve always wanted to work in the hospitality industry whether it may be a hotel or restaurant. I originally applied to some cooking schools in Switzerland but found out that the Harvard of all cooking schools was in New York. So I moved to NY when I was 17 years old and lived with my sister who is doing her residency at Cornell University.

CNNGo: Why pursue cooking in the first place? Did you work as a chef at any point in time?

Villafuerte: I love to cook! It’s an art. Cooking actually relaxes me and gives me a sense of satisfaction every time I finish making a dish. I love to watch the people enjoy eating my concoctions and hear from them how much it tastes good -- which is the best part. The only downside is I can’t eat what I cook. I know it sounds weird but I get full just from tasting and smelling the food that I make. Yes, I did work as a chef for a year. It's hard work and its tough working in a busy kitchen in NYC but very fulfilling when you are preparing 100 covers in three hours! It’s a great rush.

CNNGo: Have you rubbed shoulders with celebrities during your 8 years stint with Bliss Spa Soho?

Villafuerte: Yes of course! I am a movie buff and growing up in the Philippines watching U.S. films, I never imagined that one day I would actually see in person any of those U.S. celebrities that I love to watch. But living in NY and working at Bliss I see them all the time and have taken care of them personally at Bliss. To name a few famous celebrities on the top of my head, Liv Tyler (my favorite!), Uma Thurman, Renee Zellweger, Kate Hudson, Keanu Reeves, David Schwimmer, Tom Cruise, Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Natalie Portman and Paris Hilton. There are so many to name that I have dealt with over the years!

CNNGo: What were some of the most ridiculous requests you’ve had from your spa guests?

Villafuerte: (Laughs) One I’ve dealt with was a boyfriend asking to be in the room while his girlfriend was getting a Brazilian (wax) so that he could film it! That was quite awkward.

CNNGo: You managed the US$12 million Bliss Spa SoHo in New York -- Bliss’ most profitable spa operation to date -- for eight years before coming to Singapore. What do you make of Singapore and the local spa scene?

Villafuerte: I feel that Singapore is another melting pot like NY but most definitely cleaner! I actually don’t feel like I’m in an Asian country living in Singapore. There are so many different kinds of interesting people and expats in Singapore. Like in any Asian country, I think spas are all over Singapore as well. It is a bit crowded but what sets bliss apart from all the other spas out there is we offer seriously effective services and skincare products. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we take what we do seriously! Bliss brand strikes a balance of being fun, witty and clever. We come up with service names like fatgirlslim, hangover herbie; tiger toes/paws for the Chinese New year. Bliss is approachable, hip, modern and pristine. We want to deliver the best possible feeling in the world and our goal is for our guests to be ‘blissed out’ after they check out from their treatments.

CNNGo: If you weren’t with Bliss Spa now, where would you be?

Villafuerte: I would be traveling around the world, to countries I have never been to, while at the same time running my own business. I am actually the only one in my family who has worked or is currently working for someone or with a big corporation. All of my siblings have their own businesses. But the learning experience I’ve had working at Bliss and all the people I have encountered and made friends with is definitely something I will never forget.

getting there

Bliss Singapore
Sephora at ION Orchard
01-05/06 ION Orchard, Orchard Road, Singapore
Open daily 10am to 9pm
tel +65 6509 3511
www.blissworld.com