Lingam massage may lead to prostitution, Cebu guv warns

CEBU CITY, July 19 (PNA) – Lingam massage may lead to prostitution, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said in calling for the regulation, if not stoppage, of the service in local spas.

"This Lingam massage is one form of indecency that must be seriously looked into and we, in the Provincial Women's Commission (PWC), will continue to advocate its limitation, if not the complete stoppage," Garcia, who co-chairs the the PWC, said.

The PWC, through Provincial Board (PB) Member Agnes Magpale, asked Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes to investigate lingam massage parlors in his city.

Cortes ordered the temporary closure of two massage parlors in Mandaue City for the lack of permits.

"You are hereby requested to cease and desist from operating your establishment until after all proper permits have been acquired," read the mayor's order Friday to the staff of 789 Thai Lingam Massage on A. C Cortes St. in Barangay Cambaro9 and Authentic Lingam Massage in Barangay Bakilid, 10 kilometers away from the first establishment.

Business registration documents show Ernesto Restauro Cabalan is the owner of 789 Thai Lingam, which has 10 attendants, while Authentic Lingam Massage, which has eight attendants, is owned by Bella Talingting.

Both owners were not around when the notices were served.

Roger Paller of the Mandaue City Public Information Office said the city will check if the establishments ceased their operations.

The city ordered the closure of the two establishments because after inspections pursuant to the Anti-Indencency Ordinance, inspectors found their attendants did not have health cards and the owners did not secure sanitary permits.

The two establishments were given five days to comply with the requirements

Roxan Mauro, Authentic Lingam front desk officer, promised to comply with the requirements within the period given by the city.

Faith Villanueva, a receptionist of 789 Thai Lingam, said she will refer the matter to the owner.

Mauro said the massage gives relief to the client and promotes blood circulation in the prostate.

She assured their therapists or masseuses undergo proper training before they provide the massage.

She said only the therapist can touch the client and the client cannot touch them.

When asked if their attendants will not be placed in a compromising and demeaning situation inside the massage room with a client, Mauro said the therapist can go out of the cubicle if it happens.

"If the client is lewd, the therapist can leave the cubicle," Mauro said.

The governor warned against the operation of lingam message parlors, citing the Women Development Code of the Province.

Garcia worked for the prosecution of bar owners, celebrities and event organizers who staged a bikini show in Bantayan island during the Holy Week observance last year. Parties are trying to work out a settlement.

Garcia commended Magpale and Cortes for acting on a complaint against a lingam massage parlor.

Magpale learned the therapists there gave extra services to clients.

"That leads to further acts, which can fall under prostitution already. Do we want to be identified as the lingam capital of the Philippines?" Garcia said.

"It desecrates the dignity of Cebuana women," said Garcia.

The governor also belittled the therapeutic claims of lingam massage.

"Let there be a full academic discussion on lingam. It is only a claim that there is therapeutic effect but on the other hand, there is pleasurable effect. Come on, let us not be hypocrites here. Don't tell me all those who go there had prostate gland problem? Let's call a spade, a spade. They're doing that for the pure pleasure of it," said Garcia.

If a person needs therapy, Garcia said they should see a doctor, not quacks. (PNA)