The “southern belles”—as women living in the high-end south of Metro Manila are known—were thrilled when celebrity hairdresser-entrepreneur Vicente “Teng” Roma opened his eponymous branch in Alabang, Muntinlupa. They no longer have to brave the excruciating traffic to go to Makati for his solicitous pampering.
As in his flagship Emphasis Salon at Rockwell and Teng Roma at the Fairmont, the new salon is offering his signature services—great cuts and coloring, relaxing hair soda spa, all-in-one coif, manicure and pedicure in an hour, and hair and skin consultation services with a board-certified doctor. Clients come out refreshed and stylish.
Roma is the creative director of a seasoned staff. Trainer and licensed hairdresser Troy Manalo took up advanced courses at Berrywell Academy in Germany. Makeup artist Erich Gallano is known for his show-biz clientele.
Ito Yasu, Roma’s Japanese business partner at Fairmont, is available for bookings. “The Japanese have a precise way of cutting. They study the hair patterns, the volume, the natural tendencies, curliness and other details of what your hair is like,” said Roma.
Teng Roma@Westgate, as the new salon is called, maintains the brand’s DNA as a lifestyle shop. Its main selling points are the ambience, the attentive service and the minimal waiting time.
Understated chic
Paolo del Rosario has designed a salon of understated chic. Styling stations are spread out for privacy. Ornate hammered metal frames the huge mirrors.
Artworks on the wall are for sale. Barely calling attention are the hair products discreetly displayed on two shelves.
Huge tropical floral arrangements tie the whole decor together.
“You won’t see photographs of hairstyles,” said Roma. “I want this place to feel like a home.”
Filinvest, the developer, gave the salon extra terrace space for lounging. At night, the space is transformed into a wine bar where clients’ husbands can unwind.
Roma attributes the business expansion to his partners Susan Theuer, Bernadette Gundry and Gina Gandler, beautiful Filipino women married to expats who live in Alabang. (Gundry is an avid golfer, while Gina is married to the popular chef-mentor Norbert Gandler.)
A former flight attendant married to a German entrepreneur, Theuer followed Roma’s career in such luxury salons as Rever salon and BCBG at 6750 Ayala. She recalled getting a haircut in the bathroom of the Rockwell showroom that would be converted into the first Emphasis salon.
Little touches
Roma’s salon is known for little touches such as refreshing mini towels, iced coffee with liqueur and eclectic but soothing piped-in music. In the end, it was Roma’s great company, his generosity and his friendly stylists that lured droves to his salons.
For so long, Theuer had been urging Roma to make his services more accessible to Metro south clientele. Although many had offered to become investors, Roma favored the three women for their complete trust in him and their unconditional support.
Even their husbands cooperated. Theuer’s husband supplied the lighting and sound system. When Gundry’s husband saw Roma attending to tiny details such as the plants, he was convinced about the partnership.
“Teng puts his heart into it,” he remarked.
Teng Roma @Westgate is at Westgate Hub, Commerce Ave., Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa.
