In Salcedo, siblings Aly and Josh Arellano have created Cedo, a recovery space centered around contrast therapy and holistic wellness for Manila’s wellness-conscious community.
In Salcedo, a neighborhood of charming cafes, speakeasies, and restaurants, a new gem has made its debut. Walk past Tordesillas Street, across from Jaime C. Velasquez Park and the Salcedo Market, and you’ll notice block letters spelling out, simply: CEDO. It’s subtle, yet bold and inviting, and gently nudges you to step inside and discover something new.
An Introduction To Cedo Wellness
As you step inside, you find Cedo is more than just a name. It’s Manila’s newest, and arguably first, holistic wellness and recovery space, combining science-backed treatments, movement classes, and a cafe concept under one roof. Earth and clay tones, mixed textures, and warmth welcome you. It’s a space designed to ground you before any treatment begins.
Aly Arellano, who co-founded the space with her brother Josh, describes Cedo as “a tribute to Salcedo,” explaining that the name was chosen as a nod to the community. “All our modalities are science-backed and doctor-approved,” Josh adds. “We wanted to approach wellness in a way that wasn’t intimidating, but rather warm and inviting.”
At the heart of Cedo is its signature contrast therapy room. It features a traditional, custom-built Finnish dry sauna and three cold plunge tubs, each cooled to a different temperature: 5°C, 10°C, and 15°C. The varying degrees allow guests to choose based on their personal tolerance, making the experience customizable and accessible. A slab of real onyx lines the walls, casting a soft amber glow that turns the room into a calming retreat.
“We’re primarily recovery specialists,” Josh explains. “Our core modality is contrast therapy, but we also offer assisted stretch, which is done by in-house physical therapists, and is something we usually recommend right after a plunge.”
Currently, the studio also offers foot reflexology and a foot spa, with more recovery services on the way. Acupuncture, cupping, and IV drip therapy are set to launch soon, rounding out Cedo’s commitment to a full suite of wellness methods.
Building Cedo With Intention
Cedo is a project built with heart. Understanding the story behind it gives even more depth to what the Arellano siblings have created.
Aly, a creative entrepreneur, is known for founding the well-loved Spectrum Fair, now in its 10th year. She’s also a food blogger and the baker behind Aly’s Cookies. Her brother, Josh, works quietly behind the scenes. That was, until the idea for Cedo brought him into the spotlight.
“In 2020, we were actually building a cookie bar cafe in Salcedo,” Aly shares. “But two weeks into construction, the lockdown happened. So we had to forgo the project, unfortunately.”
Unfortunate at the time, but what followed was a period of personal transformation. Aly dove into the world of health and recovery while rehabbing from an ACL injury: “A lot of people don’t really talk about the mental barriers you go through with an injury.” Meanwhile, Josh’s journey into wellness came from an internal place. Like many others during the pandemic, he struggled to define his identity and purpose.
Soon, both were introduced to cold therapy. Their first experience was under the guidance of former football athlete Aly Borromeo, known in the fitness community as “The Ice Man.”
“I think it was so impactful for me,” Josh recalls. “Being under the cold was a really good reminder that you kind of choose your hard every day.”
“It’s a different experience when guided,” Aly adds. “In that moment, I saw so much value in terms of how I’d manage my anxiety levels. I’m only really focusing on how I’m breathing. And honestly, I have a hard time being present. I forget.”
That sense of presence, of choosing to pause, tune back in, and reclaim your power, is what ultimately shaped Cedo.
A Tribute To Salcedo
What began as a playful nod to Salcedo, a neighborhood the Arellano siblings have long called home, turned into something more meaningful when they discovered that Salcedo is derived from the Spanish word for willow.
The symbolism was too perfect to ignore. Known as a healing tree, the willow represents resilience, rebirth, and quiet strength. These were the values Aly and Josh hoped to build into their brand. More than just a place to recover, Cedo is meant to be a space for renewal, where people can soften, reset, and return to themselves. From the logo and name to the calming space and offerings, everything ties back to this deeper idea of wellness that’s rooted, restorative, and personal.
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While recovery modalities are at the core of Cedo, there’s a strong emphasis on holistic wellness and community. Cedo houses a movement studio, hosting classes such as yoga and Pilates. For the founders, movement is a key part of holistic recovery, a way to help the body heal and the mind find clarity. On weekends, the studio transforms into a hub for small workshops, from pottery to flower arrangement, each one designed to offer guests a tactile way to reconnect with themselves. Here, recovery is about slowing down, crafting something with your hands, and enjoying the process with your community.
At every level, the Arellanos have stayed true to their vision: to create a space that encourages slowing down, feeling good, and serving the community it was born from. Whether you’re in a cold tub, on a mat, or at a workbench, Cedo is there to remind you that recovery doesn’t have to be luxurious and inaccessible. It’s a return to something simple, steady, and deeply human.
Power Comes From The Pause
What started as a personal journey has become something bigger: a quiet but powerful movement toward more intentional living. Recovery, once treated as an afterthought, is front and center. And Cedo wants to make it a regular, even essential, part of people’s lives.
There’s also a noticeable cultural shift among younger generations, more entering their “sober era,” choosing stillness over overstimulation, connection over escapism. Cedo leans into that. While the space could easily double as a speakeasy akin to its neighbors, don’t expect to see a cocktail menu soon. As Aly puts it, “We’ll never serve alcohol at Cedo. That’s just not what we’re about.”
What they are about is the pause, the kind that helps you function better, think clearly, and feel more present.
When faced with this longevity trend, the Arellano siblings quickly point out that contrast therapy isn’t new. “Good health will never go out of style,” says Josh. “So for us, this isn’t a trend. It’s a way of living.”
And if there’s one sign they’re on the right track, it’s this: guests don’t leave thinking it was a one-time thing. “The comment that always makes me happiest,” Aly says, “is when people come out of the sauna already talking about their next visit. That’s when we know we’ve done something right.”
More than anything, they want people to leave Cedo feeling a little more at peace. “Everyone who walks in is fighting their own personal battle,” Josh adds. “It’s always so fulfilling when I see them come out of a session looking lighter. Everyone has reasons for plunging or showing up for themselves, and Cedo is here for that.”
Photography by Excel Panlaque of KLIQ, Inc.
