Dr. Vicki’s clinic leads Phl’s medical tourism industry

Curtain-raisers:

•  A couple keeps on denying that they are only friends although the truth could be that they are more than that. According to a Funfare DPA, recently the actress and some friends stayed at a high-end resort in Bohol and the actor followed a day after. After a few days, the actress returned to Manila alone and the actor followed a day after. Perfect “crime?” Hmmm, not quite. It was the same style used by the actress back then when she and another actor were trying to keep their out-of-town rendezvous (in Palawan) under wraps…though no successfully. The walls have ears and the windows have eyes, or so a song says. Did the company of friends act as cover-up? Say that again.
• Text from Federico Moreno, son of German “Kuya Germs” Moreno:

Nakakatuwa ang Papa. As part of his Occupational Therapy, he reads your column out loud every day. He sits at the foyer to get some sun while he does it. He has been improving. He’s thanking those who continue to pray for his recovery. (Keep it up, Kuya Germs! I know you will be back to normal soon! — RFL)

• Two friends, Ronald Constantino and Philip Tan, texted me to correct something in my write-up on Gerald Anderson last Wednesday: The director of Haplos is Butch Perez and not Danny Zialcita. Butch also directed Kumander Dante and Mumbaki. (Star Cinema’s Halik sa Hangin, now showing nationwide, is somewhat inspired by Haplos. Gerald co-stars in it with JC de Vera and Julia Montes. — RFL)

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Featured in a special section of a recent issue of Time magazine (cover are The Ebola Fighters named Person of the Year) is Dr. Vicki Belo, head of The Belo Medical Group which is described in the story as “at the forefront” of the country’s medical tourism industry according to the Department of Health. The clinic contributes a lot to the industry which is expected to earn $3 billion in revenues in 2015. Dr. Vicki is a pioneer in the aesthetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery which are among the most in-demand treatments.

“My vision is to make the Philippines a world-renowned beauty destination,” Vicki was quoted as saying. “We have continuously invested in raising the standards of quality in our procedures and patient care.”

The story noted that for over 24 years, TBMG has successfully performed more than 34,000 liposuctions, over 14,000 biepharoplasties, 13,000 rhinoplasties and about 5,000 breast augmentations. Quote-unquote: It holds the distinction as the clinic with the most number of successfully completed Thermage facelifts and Fraxel laser skin treatment procedures in the world for six consecutive years (2007-2012)…and has also received the Platinum Award from Allergen for being the Philippines’ top performing Botox treatment clinic for 10 consecutive years (2002-2012). In 2010, it received the Reader’s Digest Platinum Awards as The Most Trusted Brand in Beauty Clinic Category. In 2014, it was finalist at the ASEAN Business Awards.

Rep. Singson regains US visa despite HK drug conviction

This piece of news came from immigration lawyer and STAR columnist Michael Gurfinkel:

While serving 10 months in a Hong Kong prison, following his 2011 conviction for “drug trafficking,” Rep. Ronald Singson felt immense shame and embarrassment for this “unfortunate incident.” Among the thoughts swirling in his head was the very real possibility of never being able to step foot on US soil again. After all, a drug conviction is a “lifetime ban,” and no amount of political influence or connections can sway the US Embassy to bend or break the rules.

Ronald’s six-year-old daughter, Samantha, played a huge role in turning his life around, and fueling his desire to visit the US. From time-to-time, his daughter, who has not been to the US, would request him for a trip to US’ Disneyland. He knew he had to make a way for his daughter’s request to happen.

After his release from prison, Ronald attended a dinner with his father, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and Gurfinkel who told Ronald there was a possible, but little known way, for him to regain his visa to visit the US again, despite his prior conviction of drug trafficking. This was a special “waiver,” that requires a favorable recommendation from the Embassy, and approval from the State Department and the ARO (Admissibility Review Office)

“At first, I was very skeptical, not because of his ability, but because of US restrictions and how strict they were. I was afraid of being rejected by the US Embassy. As Michael said, trafficking is a lifetime ban (for travelers to the US),” Ronald said. “Because of Atty. Gurfinkel’s extensive experience, I knew that this was worth the try. If he says I’ve got a shot, then maybe I do. During the course of processing the waiver, I said to him what I say to all of my clients, ‘I will not give up, I will continue fighting for you’.”

The process was meticulous, regardless of the Congressman’s connections and position. The processing of the waiver took 15 months to be granted, and last Jan. 15, Ronald obtained his precious US Visa.

In support of his fellow Men in Uniform

2014 Mister Philippines Neil Perez leaves for South Korea on Monday to compete with 54 other hunks from the same number of countries in the 9th Mister International with finals set on Feb. 12 in the WAPOP Hall of The Palace Hotel in Seoul. José Anmer Paredes Jaimes of Venezuela is the reigning titleholder.

Pambato Ng ‘Pinas (PNP) will be Perez’s slogan campaign in his bid for the country’s first Mister International title in support to our men in uniform for their hardships and sacrifices for the country.

A policeman in real life and assigned at the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group as a bomb and explosives technician, Police Officer 2 Mariano Flormata Jr. dedicates his pageant quest in memory of his 44 comrades in the PNP-Special Action Force recently killed in a clash with the rebels in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao, seven of whom were his batch mates in 2008 Class Mabalasik in the Philippine National Police Academy.

Perez will wear an Olan Roque’s creation for the Formal Wear Competition and a Dinangyang Festival-inspired costume, an Edwin Uy’s original, for the National Costume Event. — Celso de Guzman