For Dr. Victoria Belo, Christmas is a time to give back and make people happy. Despite the intrigues that she and the Belo Medical Group had to go through the past year, Dr. Belo remained grateful because the negative things could never compare to the number of blessings that constantly poured in.

Dr. Belo started the holiday season with a quiet dinner with people she genuinely cares about. Set in the quaint Café Romulo in the heart of Quezon City, dinner was served for a select group consisting of Belo scholars and burn victims who are receiving free treatments under the expert hands of the Belo Medical Group.

The café was beautifully lit up and adorned, perfect for the intimate holiday get-together. Also present, by Dr. Belo’s special request, were two people close to her heart – film critic and TV host Butch Francisco and “Salamat Dok” host Cheryl Cosim.

Cheryl Cosim and Dr. Belo enjoying the kids' game of Pinoy Henyo

That night, Dr. Belo, who sported a new haircut, veered away from her medical duties and public appearances and focused solely on spending quality time with people who are important to her. She sat down for some carefree chitchat and had lots of catching up with her young scholars and their families. She also checked on the progress of the burn victims who are under the wing of her charity foundation.

Belo scholars with Dr. Belo and Butch Francisco

For 2009, the Ike and Nena Belo Foundation – named in honor of Dr. Belo’s parents – gave out six full scholarships to deserving students, some of whom are children of Belo employees. Also under her foundation is Jessie Miller, whom Dr. Belo has given full educational support after seeing the boy in the noontime show, “Wowowee.”

The foundation also has four beneficiaries, Henry Poquiz, Johnlor Parto, Yuri Barcelona and Airen Carbellido, who are receiving full treatments for the burn wounds on their faces. They are well on their way to having nicer and smoother skin on their faces and are clearly happier and more confident already.

Dr. Belo and beneficiaries of the Ike and Nena Belo Foundation

After a sumptuous Filipino meal, the kids enjoyed a very exciting game of the well-loved “Pinoy Henyo.” Their “Tito Butch” also stood up to the challenge and tried his hand at guessing a mystery word.

The kids all came prepared with special numbers, which they performed in front of Dr. Belo and the rest of the guests. From dancing, singing, to rapping and poem reciting, the kids proved that they weren’t just smart; they were very talented, as well. The very amused Dr. Belo presented her Christmas gifts right after each child’s performance. Each family also received a special gift basket for their noche buena.

The simple celebration ended with smiles on many contented faces. For Dr. Victoria Belo, it marked a wonderful Christmas full of the spirit of giving and meaningful company.

BEFORE LIPOSCULPTURE BY BELO

For veteran perfomer Bing Loyzaga, a lot has changed since she entered show business. She’s had her share of teen stardom, hosting gigs and of course, young love. As a versatile actress, she has portrayed a wide range of characters. She can act kind and innocent, yet she can also play a very convincing kontrabida.

Like the ups and downs of her showbiz career, Bing’s body went through a lot of changes, especially after she became a mother. Before she knew it, her thighs weren’t as slim as they used to be, and her arms didn’t allow her to be as flexible with her wardrobe. She knew that she needed to get her old figure back to keep her confident as she plays the most challenging roles as an actress, a mother and as a woman.

Being Bing Loyzaga, she didn’t want just any kind of change. She wanted it to be dramatic, for people to see her in a different light. That’s why Bing went for LipoSculpting by Belo. LipoSculpting of her arms and thighs instantly made her look slimmer, and voila, a whole new Bing Loyzaga.

SmartLipo is a state-of-the-art procedure that makes use of a laser that comes in direct contact with the fat layer, allowing fat cells to burst and melt. As opposed to regular liposuction, SmartLipo allows easier, less painful removal of fat, better skin contraction, less bruising and swelling and a much shorter recovery time. After a few days, you will be seeing results. However, the real changes become more evident six weeks after the procedure, when most of the swelling will be gone.

For that dramatic change and that instantly sexy figure, it’s actually as simple as LipoSculpting with SmartLipo by Belo.

In line with ongoing awareness campaigns in the fight against cervical cancer, the Belo Medical Group demonstrates its support by making HPV vaccination readily available in all its clinics.

Dr. Victoria Belo’s very own daughter, Cristalle Belo Henares, is the face to the campaign. Cristalle herself is a strong proponent of this cause, and she fully believes that being beautiful inside and out also entails taking care of one’s health. She is confident that the company’s popularity can help take this campaign a step further not only by creating awareness of the dangers of the virus, but also by reducing the number of Filipino women who are at risk of acquiring cervical cancer and other HPV related diseases.

Making HPV vaccination accessible to women

Admittedly, the vaccine is a step away from their core business of beauty. But the typical Belo patient is someone who is as conscious of maintaining her health as well as her looks. Hence, the company believes that by making the HPV vaccine more accessible to its current patient base and other young women, more women could protect themselves against cervical cancer and other diseases related to HPV, such as vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer and genital warts.

Now that awareness of cervical cancer has reached greater heights, and more young women are informed of the need to have themselves vaccinated, the Belo Medical Group is willing to take the next steps in supporting the cause – not just through the prevention of cervical cancer, but also in the treatment of patients who are suffering from this disease.

Belo Medical Group partners with CAREWELL

In partnership with the Cancer Resource and Wellness Community (CAREWELL), every dose administered by the Belo Medical Group translates into actual help to strengthen the campaign. Proceeds go towards the vaccination of young Filipinas and the treatment of indigent members of the Carewell Community with cervical cancer at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Taking the first step

Internally, the campaign was launched much earlier this year. Through the initiatives of Merck Sharp and Dohme Philippies, all the employees of the Belo Medical Group attended lay forums for cervical cancer and genital warts conducted by Dr Jennifer Co. In the seminar, she discussed the dangers of the HPV virus and the importance of being vaccinated against it. To pledge their belief in the cause, Belo employees themselves chose to be vaccinated. In its advocacy to help women become beautiful and healthy, the Belo Medical Group is doing its share by involving itself in spreading the knowledge and stopping the virus.

As a testament to their help in supporting the cause, the first fifty patients who avail of this vaccine at each Belo clinic will receive a cranberry colored baller band with the Belo Medical Group logo and the debossed message “I Just Did”.

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How does HPV affect me?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 70% of cervical cancer and 99% of genital warts.  HPV can also be a cause for vulvar, vaginal and other types of cancers.

Women in their teens and in their 20s are at a higher risk for HPV, but anyone can still get acquire the virus at any point in their life. It is said that at least 50% of sexually active people will get genital HPV.

Cervical cancer – Am I at risk?

In the Philippines, about 12 women die each day because of cervical cancer.  Globally, cervical cancer is second to breast cancer as the most common cancer in women and is the number three cause of death among women worldwide.

What can I do to protect myself?

Alarming as these figures are, it is good to know that right now, it is already possible to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts.  Aside from getting regular Pap tests, vaccination is essential to protect yourself from various strains of the HPV virus.

In its advocacy to help women become beautiful and healthy, the Belo Medical Group is involving itself in spreading the knowledge and stopping the virus.  Belo believes that beauty isn’t just skin deep, it also means having a body that’s clean and healthy, inside and out.

Protect yourself. Protect your future. Get vaccinated at any Belo clinic today.

Visit http://ijustdid.belomed.com.

Call our helpdesk at 819-BELO or e-mail us at info@belomed.com.

To defy age is a mark of lasting beauty. No one knows that better than the Divine Diva, Zsa Zsa Padilla. Along with renowned beauty doctor, Dr. Vicki Belo, who remains ageless herself, Zsa Zsa talks about beating the signs of aging and keeping her skin young and vibrant through the years. Watch them in Salamat Dok this Sunday, July 19, at 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on ABS-CBN.

Practically the modern-day “fountain of youth,” the Belo Medical Group offers a wide range of anti-aging treatments: Photogen, which combines radiofrequency and phototherapy for skin hydration, regeneration, tightening and firming; Ulthera, which uses ultrasould technology for effective skin tightening; and Cosmelan, which creates a light peeling effect that works for all types of melasma and acne, and is also great for skin rejuvenation.

Salamat Dok provides information on medical concerns, with free on-air consultation with the guest physician. Every third Sunday of the month, Dr. Belo guests in the program and discusses the latest treatments and procedures being offered by the Belo Medical Group. Cheryl Cosim hosts the show.

Multi-awarded actor, recording artist, sought-after product endorser – it is impossible for anyone to not have heard about Piolo Pascual. With his charm and humble aura, he has long won the hearts of many. It is also quite difficult to come up with a name that sounds as sexy as his. Think Piolo, and immediately, his hot, sexy body comes to mind.

This Sunday on “Salamat Dok,” host Cheryl Cosim and “doctor to the stars” Dr. Vicki Belo sit down with one of the country’s biggest stars, Piolo Pascual. As a loyal patient of the Belo Medical Group, Piolo talks about his favorite treatments and what he does to maintain his good looks and gorgeous physique.

Piolo shares everything, from his favorite facials to body toning and skin tightening procedures like IPL and Belo’s latest offering, the PhotoGen. Watch ‘Salamat Dok’ on ABS-CBN this Sunday, June 21, at 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning.

Salamat Dok provides information on medical concerns, with free on-air consultation with the guest physician. Every third Sunday of the month, Dr. Belo guests in the program and discusses the latest treatments and procedures being offered by the Belo Medical Group. Cheryl Cosim hosts the show.