The Team Behind the Summit
The Philippines World Massage Summit is brought to life by a passionate team of massage therapy professionals, educators, and event specialists dedicated to producing a world-class experience.
Organized by Practitioners, for Practitioners
The Philippine World Massage Summit (PHLWMS) was initiated by Al Poliarco, an international massage championship gold medalist, educator, and founder of Chavuttidhara™, together with a dedicated organizing committee of world massage champions, experienced international competitors, respected championship judges, and massage educators from around the world. Inspired by their collective experiences participating in and judging international massage championships, the committee shares a common vision of creating a world-class event that celebrates excellence, promotes education, encourages innovation, and elevates the massage profession in the Philippines. The PHLWMS is committed to providing a welcoming platform where therapists can learn, compete, exchange ideas, receive constructive feedback, build lasting international connections, and proudly showcase Filipino talent on the global stage while fostering friendship, professionalism, and unity within the worldwide massage community
From the competition floor to the judging panel, every aspect of the summit is designed with the competitor in mind — ensuring a safe, professional, and unforgettable experience for participants from around the world.
Meet the Committee
Al Poliarco
Al Poliarco is a Filipino-American licensed massage therapist, international massage championship gold medalist, educator, author of the Ashi Sutra and Chavuttidhara training programs, Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy Instructor, and creator of The Travel Bars. Passionate about advancing the massage profession, he founded the Philippine World Massage Summit to unite practitioners from around the world through education, friendly competition, cultural exchange, and professional collaboration.
Ana Kawamura
Ana Kawamura is the owner of AN'NA Wellness & Spa and a dedicated professional in the field of wellness and massage therapy. She has been recognized as a Wellness Ambassador and received the Best Wellness & Spa Award. In 2025, she participated in the World Massage Association World Tour held in Singapore and earned Overall 2nd Place at the 2025 Philippine National Massage Competition. She also competed in the 2025 Holistic Massage Championship in Singapore, where she won the Deep Tissue Massage (Oil Category) and received the Best Decoration Award. Additionally, she was a Top 5 Finalist in the Asian Freestyle Category during the 1st Edition of Newma Phuket, further demonstrating her commitment to excellence and innovation in massage therapy.
Joel De Leon Capistrano
Joel De Leon Capistrano is a retired Master Teacher who dedicated his career to teaching Physical Education at both the high school and college levels. With more than 30 years of experience, he served as a Provincial and Regional Trainer and Coach for Sepak Takraw while also working as a dance teacher and choreographer specializing in Philippine folk dances. He holds National Certification II (NC II) in Massage Therapy and Hilot Wellness Massage, demonstrating his commitment to promoting wellness and professional massage practice. To further enhance his knowledge and understanding of international massage standards, he participated as an observer in several prestigious events, including the Singapore Massage Championship (February 2025), the NEWMA Asia Massage Championship in Phuket, Thailand (January 2026), the Philippine International Massage Championship (April 2026), and the Asia Massage Championship in Japan (June 2026).
Susan Barg
Susan Barg is an accomplished massage therapist and internationally recognized competitor with multiple award-winning achievements. She is a three-time Gold Medalist in Freestyle Eastern/Barefoot Massage, a Silver Medalist in the Asian Inspired category at the European Massage Championship, and a Bronze Medalist in Tandem Ashiatsu/Wellness at the Canadian Massage Summit. In addition to her competitive success, Susan is a certified DeepFeet Ashiatsu Instructor, dedicated to advancing barefoot massage techniques and sharing her expertise with massage professionals around the world.
Mary Krupp
Mary Krupp is a highly accomplished licensed multi-specialist with more than 22 years of experience in therapeutic massage, advanced bodywork, clinical lymphatic drainage, post-operative recovery, and holistic wellness. She is an internationally recognized massage championship judge known for her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in the global massage industry. Mary has served as a judge at the World Massage Championship in Turkey (2025 and 2026), the Multicultural Massage Championship in Istanbul, the World Massage Championship in Greece (2026), and the United Illinois-Wisconsin Massage Championship in the United States (2026). She has also received international judging invitations from İzmir (Turkey), Russia, Kazakhstan, and Bali. Her professional credentials include Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed Esthetician and Full Specialist, Certified Cosmetic Surgery Lymphatic Therapist, Advanced Thai Massage Practitioner and Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor, and Certified Vibrational Sound Therapist trained directly under a traditional Grandmaster lineage. In addition, Mary is the founder and proprietor of a successful private spa that has operated for more than 12 years and has extensive experience working in luxury resorts and exclusive private clubs.
What Guides Us
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and professionalism in every aspect of the summit.
Excellence
We are committed to delivering a world-class event that reflects the best of the massage therapy profession.
Passion
We are practitioners ourselves — we organize this summit because we believe in the power of therapeutic touch.
Community
We build lasting connections between practitioners, educators, and wellness advocates worldwide.
Reach the Organizing Committee
Have questions about the summit? Our team is happy to assist with registration, sponsorship, judging inquiries, and more.
Ready to Be Part of History?
Join us in Manila for the first-ever Philippines World Massage Summit — where world-class massage meets Filipino hospitality.