How wellness retreat helps Filipino influencer cope with Sjogren’s syndrome

Popular Filipino influencer Pinky Tobiano recognised that, after years of struggling with Sjogren’s syndrome, she needed help to reset her mind and body. At the age of 40, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She beat the disease, but the prolonged radiation therapy to treat the cancer led to her developing Sjogren’s, a little-known chronic autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the moisture-producing glands, primarily in the eyes and mouth. American tennis player Venus Williams also has this affliction. “Living with Sjogren’s syndrome is difficult,” shares Tobiano, now 55 and in Manila in the Philippines. She is a chemist by training and an entrepreneur with more than 4.3 million followers on her Instagram account, @pinkytobiano. “I have no saliva or tears, so I have trouble swallowing food,” she says. “Just eating is painful and exhausting.” Other symptoms have worsened over time. “My body grew weaker and my hands would tremble uncontrollably. Tasks I used to take for granted, like writing, holding a cup and even getting out of bed, became uphill battles. It was frustrating.” Sjogren’s syndrome is estimated to affect 0.5 to 1 per cent of the general population and has no known cure, so Tobiano has had to learn to live with her symptoms. She regularly stays at The Farm at San Benito, a holistic medical wellness resort in Lipa, a city in the Philippines. There, she turns to alternative therapies like sound healing, which is said to help relieve anxiety and pain. She also meditates regularly to quiet her mind, and has meals designed to nourish and fuel her body. Wellness getaways like the ones that Tobiano goes on are popular, and resorts like The Farm offer programmes designed to help with a range of health concerns. At The Farm, medical chief Dr Marian Alonzo is the one who prescribes the holistic treatments for guests. “They help address the whole being – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual,” she says. “Whether someone comes to us seeking fertility support, hormonal balance, stress relief or simply a space to reconnect with themselves, we listen to their story and tailor a path forward for them based on their unique needs.” Ancient healing traditions combine with leading science in these treatments, from colon hydrotherapy and psycho-emotional clearing to NAD+ anti-ageing therapy – an intravenous vitamin treatment and regenerative medicine, she adds. They also integrate lifestyle education, art therapy and mindful movement, and encourage behaviour modification and healthier lifestyle habits. The setting of The Farm, surrounded by lush greenery and framed by mountains, helps to “recalibrate” the nervous system, says Alonzo. This environment is also ideal for longevity treatments as people seek ways to live longer, healthier lives. “Longevity is not just about extending time; it’s about enhancing the quality of that time,” Alonzo notes. “People are yearning not just to survive but also to thrive; to live in joy, to feel connected to their body and to love themselves deeply. “The Covid-19 pandemic awakened many to the fragility of health – and also to its preciousness. We’ve seen a shift from reactive to proactive care.” Through her stays at The Farm, Tobiano has learned to be kinder to herself and to celebrate the small victories, like getting through a day without pain, having meals that were easier to eat, or waking up with a little more strength than the day before. “Sjogren’s syndrome [has] tried to break me but it’s also taught me resilience, patience and gratitude,” she says. “I’m still on this healing journey, but I’m more hopeful and I face each day with the belief that I am more than this illness … I am healthier and learning to cope better with my symptoms.” No time to go on a wellness getaway? Three ways to reset and rejuvenate on your own Not everyone has the opportunity for a wellness retreat. Alonzo suggests three simple and inexpensive rituals that make it easy to let go of stress, restore energy and reconnect with yourself – wherever you may be. 1. Bare your soles Walk barefoot on grass or soil. Also known as earthing or grounding, this has an instant relaxing effect and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Walking on a trail in nature or along a beach offers the same benefits. 2. Just breathe Take a moment to breathe deeply with your eyes closed and your hand on your heart. Deep breathing has been shown to regulate the nervous system, reduce tension and increase energy. 3. Make “me time” Carve out “sacred pauses”. Alonzo says that this could be spending an afternoon without a device, journaling while sitting under a tree or drinking tea in silence. Savour these moments with yourself to increase mindfulness, which can help improve sleep, enhance concentration and regulate emotions. Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.

How wellness retreat helps Filipino influencer cope with Sjogren’s syndrome

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sjogren’s syndrome robs sufferers who include Venus Williams of saliva and tears. Pinky Tobiano finds relief from it at a Philippine retreat

Sjogren’s syndrome robs sufferers who include Venus Williams of saliva and tears. Pinky Tobiano finds relief from it at a Philippine retreat