Pinay Wellness charms Frankfurt

By Jessica Noeline Domingo Gross

Frankfurt, Germany

In the bustling city of Frankfurt, where wellness and self-care have become essential

aspects of urban living, one name stands out in the spa and wellness industry:

Virginia Labrador, also known as Binggirl Labrador on her Facebook page.

Binggirl's story is not just about success, but resilience, determination, and breaking

barriers. A medical laboratory science grad from the Philippines, she arrived in

Germany with dreams of building a better future. Today, she owns one of the top

wellness spas in Frankfurt, a remarkable achievement that was anything but easy.

Binggirl’s journey began in Iloilo, where she earned her degree in medical laboratory

science. Although she found fulfillment in her career, she longed for new challenges

and a change of scenery. When the opportunity arose to move to Germany first as an

au pair in 2017, she seized it, packed her bags, and embraced a new world of

possibilities.

However, settling in Frankfurt was not as glamorous as she had envisioned.

Language barriers quickly became her biggest hurdle. She felt bullied by her

colleagues while doing her Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ – a one-year volunteer

work in a social sector), “feeling ko dahil nag- iisa akong Filipina sa klase ay ang

bobo ko na“ (I felt stupid because I was the only Filipina and I didn´t know how to

speak German that well.) The German language, with its complex structure and

nuances, often left her feeling isolated. Many times, she questioned her decision, but

Binggirl was never one to back down from a challenge.

Determined to integrate, Binggirl immersed herself in her classes while balancing

work. She has been practising tirelesly, engaging with locals and pushing herself

beyond her comfort zone. Slowly but surely, her fluency improved and with it her

confidence. After her au pair stint, she became a registered nurse, a certified medical

beauty esthetician and a certified massage therapist.

Binggirl exemplifies the qualities of her Labrador family name, offering emotional

support, loyalty, and resilience. Like Labradors, she is friendly and determined,

persevering through challenges.

Despite her progress, career advancement was limited due to her foreign

background. Noticing the wellness trend in Frankfurt, Binggirl saw a chance to merge

healthcare with holistic well-being using her medical expertise.

She founded Pinas Wellness, a spa that blends relaxation with therapeutic healing,

using her medical science background. Binggirl's Pinas Wellness quickly rose to the

Top 3 among Frankfurt's 16 best spas. See reviews here:

https://bestfrankfurt.com/spa/ Her goal was to provide high-quality treatments

with a scientific approach.

Establishing a business in a foreign country presents numerous challenges. The

bureaucratic system in Germany is intricate, and attracting investors demands

substantial effort. Luckily, her family gave her both financial assistance and

encouragement.

Pinas Wellness started small but quickly gained popularity for its unique approach.

Binggirl introduced humanistic and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, along with

personalized wellness programs like traditional Filipino massage and facial

treatments. Locals and expats were drawn to the spa’s holistic and scientifically

backed services. See link https://g.co/kgs/1vC4Qzh.

Customer Chakie Starr from Worms swears by the wellness treatments the spa have to offer.

"Grabe, sobrang sulit ng hilot massage dito sa Pinas Wellness spa. Mula sa ambience hanggang sa serbisyo, sobrang relaxing at therapeutic ang experience ko," Starr wrote in the spa's website review.

She also said her visit definitely deserves a repeat and recommends the spa to those out for a relaxing experience.

Within a year, Pinas Wellness became one of Frankfurt's top wellness destinations.

Binggirl's story inspired many, showing that resilience and adaptability can make

dreams come true.

As wellness culture increasingly influences Frankfurt’s lifestyle, Virginia “Binggirl“

Labrador emerges as a leading figure, driving the industry with her professional

knowledge and strategic vision. Her narrative transcends mere business success; it

encompasses embracing transformation, overcoming challenges, and making a

significant and lasting contribution.

For those who dream big but fear obstacles, Binggirl’s journey shows that passion

and perseverance make anything possible. Her advice to fellow Pinays: “Pursue your

dreams and use my story as motivation to become a better, stronger person.”

END.