This pandemic, there's a rising trend for nose jobs or rhinoplasty among the Pinoys.
Dra. Vicki Belo confirmed this during her exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the 32nd anniversary celebration of her aesthetic clinic Belo Medical Group.
She said, "Oo nga, e, sobrang daming nagpapa-[rhinoplasty] dahil sa pandemic and dahil na rin sa Zoom, nakikita nila lagi na double chin sila, kulang ng ilong, kulang ng baba.
"So ngayon, dumami talaga ang surgical procedures."
The use of face masks has made it easier for patients to "hide" while in the healing phase of their procedure.
She said, "Dahil may mask... Dati kasi hindi normal yung may mask paglabas. E ngayon, you don't have to hide anymore when you have your nose done.
"Kasi yung maga [swelling] which is usually here [around the nose], natatakpan ng mask. So mas open na sila, mas nakakalabas na sila. No problem."
Doc Vicki also had encouraging words to those wanting but wary of cosmetic enhancement surgery.
She said, "I promise you, the reaction they always say, 'Ganun lang pala kadali, ba't pa ako naghintay?' 'Hindi pala masakit.'
"And if something bothers you na hindi ka masyado confident because you feel conscious, you have it done na.
"Para you really enjoy your life. Hindi mo na iisipin, when you see people na, 'Siguro tinitignan nila, ang dami ko tigyawat' or 'napapansin nila pango-pango ilong ko o malaki butas.'
"Gawin niyo na para 'tapos na ang buhay, lalo yung may acne scars. Marami na po kaming machines na pangtanggal."
STAR-STUDDED ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Meanwhile, the beauty doctor and her "Belo Babies" reunited for the 32nd anniversary celebration of her aesthetic clinic.
On Friday, September 9, 2022, Doc Vicki and her husband, beauty doctor Hayden Kho Jr., gathered more than a handful of celebrities and top personalities for the company anniversary party that was held at Whitespace Makati.
Doc Vicki told PEP.ph, "I'm so grateful, of course, because we're still around after 32 years, we're still on top of our game.
"We weren't able kasi to celebrate our 30 years because pandemic, so it's so nice to have this and to see all our Belo Babies together."
This year's anniversary bash was particularly special for it celebrated as well the Diamond Award given to Belo Medical Group for being the "No. 1 clinic for botox and fillers in the Philippines."
The award was given by The Future of Aesthetics by Allergan Aesthetics, an American and Irish-domiciled pharmaceutical company that manufactures leading aesthetics brands and products.
Doc Vicki said, "That means a lot because every clinic in the whole Philippines na aesthetic, lahat sila gumagamit ng botox and fillers.
"So to be number one in that category, it really means you're the number one.
"And, of course, we've been number one for so long. More and more people are coming to compete. But thank You, God.
"At least the patients still trust us with all their fillers, their botox."
CELEBRITY GUESTS
At the anniversary event, Anne Curtis-Smith (in white) was launched as the face of Belo's campaign for its Renova Powerfacial along with Belo's new muses Rei Germar, Siobhan Moylan, Jess Wilson, and LA Aguinaldo.
Here are the celebrities we spotted at Belo's 32nd-anniversary party:
Rhian Ramos and boyfriend Sam Verzosa
Miss Universe Philippines 2022 1st runner-up Michelle Dee
Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi
Ivana Alawi
Chie Filomeno
Ruru Madrid
(L-R) Zeinab Harake and Alexa Ilacad
It's Showtime hosts (L-R) Ogie Alcasid, Vhong Navarro, Ryan Bang, Jackie Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, and Jugs Jugueta
Doc Vicki with former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno
Nicole Andersson and Raymond Gutierrez
Sparkada members Caitlyn Stave and Raheel Bhyria
Content creators Michelle Dy (left) and Christiana Collings (right) with Doc Vicki and husband Doc Hayden Kho
Tessa Prieto and Korina Sanchez with Doc Vicki
Maricel Laxa and husband Anthony Pangilinan with their daughters Hannah (left) and Ella (right)
BELO'S BIGGEST GOAL
While her company has achieved great heights in the local beauty scene, Doc Vicki said she still has unfinished business to tick off her bucket list.
Foremost, her biggest goal: "Belo world domination" with hopes to "open more clinics like in Dubai, L.A., Singapore."
Doc Vicki is also planning to start specializing in hair.
She said, "I have a new idea for hair. I want to specialize [in] hair clinic kasi the men don't like to go in so much into Belo.
"And so I need, parang, like a parlor. But we really have good things now to grow hair so I'm excited.
"Kasi finally... dati kasi wala talaga [treatments for] yung mga thinning hair or kalbo, wala na.
"Pero ngayon with Exosomes... May bago kasing produkto na Exosomes, talagang nag-go-grow. Kahit kalbo na, nagkakaroon ng buhok."
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