For The Manila Times President and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado, taking care of oneself is not simply a matter of relaxation. It is an essential part of leading effectively, nurturing relationships and staying present for the people who matter most. As a media executive, mother and grandmother, Mercado understands the demands of balancing professional responsibilities with family life. Through her 15-year partnership with BlueWater Day Spa, she has learned to make wellness a regular part of her routine, finding time to recharge while sharing the experience with her daughter. “Wellness is very important to me because leadership requires energy, focus and a clear mind. I’ve learned that taking time to recharge allows me to come back to work with better perspective and make better decisions. As a mother and grandmother, taking care of my health also means being present for the people I love,” Mercado shared. Leading with confidence and compassion Mercado believes effective leadership is not measured solely on the ability to make difficult decisions but also on creating an environment where colleagues feel heard, supported and encouraged to grow. “Being a ‘girl boss’ is about being confident in your abilities while remaining compassionate and grounded,” she said. “Most importantly, I believe in inspiring and empowering other women to believe in themselves and become the next generation of leaders,” Mercado added. That perspective also informs how she approaches her own well-being. “I make it a point to take care of myself despite a busy schedule. I believe balance doesn’t always mean having equal time for everything, but making sure that the important things — including yourself — are not neglected,” she said. 15 years with BlueWater Mercado’s relationship with BlueWater Day Spa has been a longstanding part of her personal wellness journey. As the brand celebrates its 21st anniversary, she is marking 15 years as one of its ambassadors, a partnership she said has allowed her to witness how the spa continues to respond to its clients’ needs. “I truly consider myself a ‘BlueWater baby.’ Over the years, I’ve seen how the brand has remained relevant by consistently understanding what its clients need and making wellness an important part of their lives,” she said. For Mercado, visiting the spa is also an opportunity to spend quality time with her daughter. “On my free time, I spend time at BlueWater Day Spa with my daughter for our relaxing massages and my favorite non-invasive facial machine treatments such as Oxygen Infusion Therapy, Hifu Face Contour and 5D Laser,” she said. “I look forward to having my ‘me’ time while I enjoy having these non-invasive beauty and anti-aging treatments so I can always look and feel my best as I take on life’s daily challenges. For me, beauty and wellness is not simply a luxury — it is part of living well.” Self-care is not selfish For women who are accustomed to putting their families, teams and careers first, Mercado says personal well-being should not come at the bottom of the prio­rity list. “Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself. You cannot give your best to your family, your team or your work if you are constantly running on empty. Make your health and well-being a priority, because taking care of yourself is not selfish — it allows you to continue taking care of others,” Mercado said. She also connects personal well-being with the way people present themselves to the world, particularly in professional settings where confidence and pre­sence matter. “I also believe that your personal self is your personal brand. How you feel inside reflects how you carry yourself outside. At the end of the day, you are your own brand, so take care of yourself,” Mercado said. BlueWater Day Spa branches, services BlueWater Day Spa offers a widerange of treatments, including Traditional Filipino Massage, Traditional Balinese Massage, Swedish Massage, Chiang Mai Thai Massage, Athlete’s Massage, body scrubs, facials and selected face and body machine treatments. Hand and foot treatments are also available. Guests may visit BlueWater Day Spa at Eton Square along Ortigas Avenue in Greenhills, San Juan (0917-8156659), open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; One Banawe Plaza along Banawe Street in Quezon City (0947-8965075), open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; or the Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons in Pasig (0917-8810092), open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Skin Elements, also at Eton Square in Greenhills (0917-1479142) open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.