Massage Therapist Spotlight: Melody Abunda

Melody Abunda is someone who, when she speaks, you’re inclined to listen to. Soft-spoken yet articulate, ate Mel fills up any room she enters with her calming presence. Today, we shine the spotlight on her work and life experiences as a GoodWork Massage Therapist.

“Ate Melody has a personal touch. She makes sure that all stress knots are focused and she makes relaxing conversations during the session. Will definitely have another session with her! She fixed my 1 year worth of stress this pandemic. Totally safe and highly recommended!”

– Eunice C.

“I’m actually a newbie,” ate Mel explains. “Well, not exactly. 3 years naman na akong massage therapist.” Although 3 years of experience in the industry isn’t insignificant, she considers herself a “newbie” because other massage therapists have decades of experience under their belt. “Nagstart kasi ako sa ibang company tapos doon ako natuto mag-massage. Dati akong office girl, siguro around 10 years, pero kasi sobrang kulang yung income since I have 4 kids. At alam ko sa sarili ko na binigyan ako ni Lord ng skills sa massage kaya tinry ko nalang rin. Hanggang sa natuto talaga ako at nag-apply sa isang massage company.”

Before GoodWork, ate Mel was a massage therapist for a different company. Asked about the difference between her experiences there and in GoodWork, she had much to say: “Malaki yung difference, sobrang laki. Mas nahahandle ko yung oras ko kaysa before na full-time ako dun sa isang company. Sa GoodWork kasi kahit nasa bahay ka lang, pupunta ka lang sa client pag schedule na ng client.” Not only is she safer at home as she anticipates booking requests, she also gets to spend more time with her 4 children. “Sa iba nasa field ka lang. At syempre sa GoodWork, mas malaki ang income at ma-eencourage mo pa yung clients mo na i-try yung ibang services ng GoodWork,” she adds.

Ate Mel strongly believes in the benefits of massage therapy. Addressing misconceptions about the industry, she believes that the impact of an hour or more of rest and relaxation is no joke: “Akala nila nagpipindot lang kami. Yung stress ng katawan natin, ‘di nila alam na nawawala yun after the massage at mas makakapagisip ka ng mas maayos, mas gagaan yun pakiramdam mo, at matatanggal yung mga naipon na bigat sa mga activites natin sa buhay,” she explains. “Ganoon ka-importante ang massage sa buhay natin once nagpagawa tayo ng massage. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam yung sasabihin ng client nag-iba yung energy nila after ng massage. Kapag naririnig ko yun, ibig sabihin na nagawa ko yung trabaho ko.”