Ella V (fourth from right), executive vice president of Ella’s Aura Wellness Spa, is joined by fellow Viva Hot Babes members (from left) Katya Santos, Zara Lopez, Andrea del Rosario, Maui Taylor, Sheree Bautista and Jaycee Parker. Diana Zubiri (fourth from left) also attends the spa launch
Leah C. Salterio - The Philippine Star
July 25, 2025 | 12:00am
Viva Hot Babes member Ella V (Villanueva) recently opened her dream business, which saw an instant reunion of her former pop girl group.
At the opening of her Aura Wellness and Spa in its first location in Marikina City along Marcos Highway, Ella V was joined by Katya Santos, Maui Taylor, Sheree Bautista, Andrea del Rosario, Jaycee Parker and Zara Lopez. The ladies even did the popular Bulaklak dance for the guests.
“Sana kaya pa ng powers natin,” smiled Katya.
Ella, who has been based on the US West Coast with her family for nearly two decades now, was here three years ago to test the waters. “We changed our plans into this setup now,” Ella said. “We don’t want to offer expensive machines.”
They are looking for possible franchises in the south or Makati. “I know this is kind of far, but hopefully, we can branch out by next year.”
The challenge that Ella encountered from the start was to make her Aura Wellness Spa “unique” than the others. “We want to be unique from any other spa. We offer non-invasive treatments and our therapists do the services in an excellent way.”
At present, Aura Wellness and Spa has 15 staff members that cover her nail spa. “We teach and educate,” Ella said. “I joined the program that taught the curriculum. We sent our educator for neo-lifting and buccal to Singapore early this year to get the certification for the massages. They’re anti-aging treatments that include the scalp. Our educator is now qualified to teach.”
Ella’s younger sister, Paula Villanueva, is the co-owner, president and chief executive officer. “She invested her savings, too,” Ella said. “I love it that we now have a collaboration together.”
When show business inevitably beckoned to Ella, she lost no time to try her luck. She grabbed every opportunity to act, be on TV and perform onstage.
“Who would’ve thought that I was able to do it?” Ella said about her showbiz venture. “I may not be as big as I hoped I would be, but you know, it was a blast. I learned so much and I was able to leverage what I learned in all that I do in my personal and professional life.”
To be in showbiz was Ella’s original childhood ambition. She took up Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications at Dominican College. Initially, she got employed at Viva Films, where her college degree became useful and the doors to show business opened for her.
She appeared on the big screen and had the chance to be seen in such films as director Lyle Sacris’ “First Time,” with her fellow Viva Hot Babes stars (2003), Mac Alejandre’s “Lastikman” (2004) and even in Tony Reyes’ “Enteng Kabisote 3” (2006).
“I did work in radio, concerts and television, where I was able to put to good use the degree I took in college,” Ella asserted.
Eventually, she met the man of her dreams, tied the knot in May 2008 after she was uprooted from Manila and started her family in the US.
After the opening of business here, Ella will return to the US to attend to her weight loss clinic, which she opened in 2022. The clinic sells Ella’s VGlow products. Her sister, Paula, will manage the Marikina spa.
Back in the US, Ella is also busy attending to her family. She is married to physician-businessman Shane Manalang and they have four children — Isabella, 14, Jayden, 13, Justin, 10 and Jordan, seven.
On a daily basis, Ella checks on her kids and her husband. “Usually, my husband leaves the house early to go to work and I go on my day visiting our care homes and our spas,” Ella said.
“I am very lucky to be surrounded by a loving family. I know that they will always support me in all my endeavors. They not only support me in my professional career, but more so, on an emotional level that makes us a close-knit family.”
“I value my husband’s words of wisdom and how much he inspires me to work as hard as him for our children, family and our employees.”
“On weekends, it’s date night with my husband. It’s very important for us to spend alone time together. We understand that with our professional careers, our relationship and intimacy come first.”
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