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.

Being beautiful starts with good skin. This Sunday on “Salamat Dok,” Dr. Vicki Belo talks about the wonders that technology can do to help you achieve great skin. The episode will feature patients going through a special machine called Visia, a multi-dimensional skin analysis system that provides patients with a unique and individualized facial skin care regimen at the click of a button.

Patients Malou Dacumos, Yollie Aquino and Eizel Evangelio get thorough analyses of their skin through Visia’s multi-spectral imaging to obtain information regarding wrinkles, spots, pores, color variations and bacteria in their skin. It is the first step to achieving optimal skin rejuvenation.

(more…)

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo talks about the wonders of liposuction, the now-popular weight-loss treatment, this Sunday Nov. 23 in Salamat Dok, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on ABS-CBN.

Dr. Vicki Belo (right) with "Salamat Dok" host Cheryl Cosim

Liposuction has become the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the United States to date. In the Philippines, liposuction was introduced by the Belo Medical Group. From the traditional liposuction to the tumescent technique, the procedure has evolved through the years and liposuction has become a popular cosmetic surgery trend.

Today, it has become even better and more sophisticated with SmartLipo, a state-of-the-art procedure that uses laser on the surface of the body part where there is unwanted fat.

Recently, Belo also introduced a new service called Aqua-Lipo, which makes use of the new breakthrough water-assisted jet liposuction technique. With Katrina Halili as image model, aqua-Lipo was developed by German plastic surgeon Hartmut Meyer in Hamburg. He was looking for an innovative method to remove fat easily and painlessly.

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 program.

Multi-faceted is what best defines women of today. Balancing a competitive career and a healthy family life is what keeps them going. “Reyna ng Teleserye” and queen of her home, Claudine Barretto knows this by heart.

From growing up in the scrutinizing light of show business to transforming into a seasoned actress with prestigious awards under her belt, Claudine has made a stable career and a reputable name for herself. In the midst of this, she surprised the public by suddenly turning her life around when she adopted a baby girl. From being young and carefree, she showed everyone her soft and nurturing side.

These days, Claudine gives her all – at work and at home. Even during her Belo Essentials TVC shoot, she tried her best to combine mommy time with professional time. The shoot was a family affair, with both her kids present, along with her husband Raymart. The Belo family was complete as well. Quark Henares directed the TVC, Belo Essentials managing director Cristalle Henares supervised, and Dr. Vicki Belo was also there to give her unwavering support.

(more…)

After airing two successful seasons on The Filipino Channel (TFC), Belo Beauty 101, the 30-minute beauty and medical tele-magazine program, will now be seen on free TV every Saturday morning starting November 8, 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Studio 23.

Noted cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo lives up to her tag as the “Philippine Ambassadress of Beauty” by being the show’s resident beauty and medical expert who introduces the Belo clinic’s wide range of treatments and services.

The thematic episodes every week give viewers a peek into the world of cosmetic surgery, which Dr. Belo revolutionized for the past 18 years. From the glamorous side of beauty, the program captures even the unglamorous part with reality VTRs of the actual procedures done on celebrities and patients, documenting one’s complete transformation.

Celebrities who underwent specific procedures at the Belo clinic give testimonials on their cosmetic surgery experience. There are also beauty tourists who recount their actual treatments to promote Belo as the premier destination for medical tourism in the region and emphasize the clinic’s equipment and services, which are at par with international standards.

Moreover, Belo Beauty 101 highlights unique and beautiful locations in the country to entice more balikbayans to return to the Philippines.

Dr. Belo tries her hand at TV hosting for the first time and is joined by a male co-host in every episode – Willie Revillame, Albert Martinez, Troy Montero, Christopher de Leon, Derek Ramsey, Edu Manzano, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Jeremy Marquez, Christian Bautista, John Lloyd Cruz and Dr. Hayden Kho Jr.

Meanwhile, Belo Beauty 101 Season 2 is now on rerun on TFC until end of December.