Meet Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, cosmetic surgeon and ?miracle worker?
GROWING OLD IS NOT ANYMORE A laughing matter. So for some VIP?s, getting the best cosmetic surgeon around is a must.

But Manila high society knows who?s the best around. Except that it?s difficult getting to Dr. Aivee Aguilar Teo?s new clinic at Forbestown Center?s Burgos Circle in Bonifacio Global City.

It was like a covert operation. There were no signages, no directions, I had to go around the block once and finally mustered the guts to ask the guard for its exact location.

I had my last operation under her a year ago in her old clinic when she was still holding office in the corner of 29th Street at The Fort. It was nothing drastic, just a simple filler called Juviderm to remove the deep frown lines between my forehead.

For the cost of a designer shoe on sale, it was the best investment I have done so far. It removed a few years from my weary face.

In her old clinic, I saw some patients who were quite popular given that the receiving area was small. Confidentiality was the least priority and even the receptionist at the office opposite the clinic could see the arrival of Teo?s patients.

But it?s different now in her new address. Confidentiality is all.

Walking into her new Leo Espinosa-designed clinic was like walking into a dream, a modern French Victorian with a refreshing twist. Plush couches and Lucite accent lamps with big gold-framed mirrors abound; high curtain drapes shielded guests from the afternoon sun; and there were lots of space to move in.

The door alone was a statement, a big white one with interlocking double A?s in cursive style acting as door handles.

The receptionist led me to Teo?s receiving/consultation room and there she was, sitting behind her desk, holding my record.

Given Teo?s glowing list of clientele, she has finally made the big move. Her Singaporean husband, Dr. Z Teo, who was in town for a visit, gave me a quick tour of the entire clinic, which occupied the entire second floor of the East Building. It has its own operating room and eight suites for those seeking more closely key remedies for their dermatological needs.

Privacy is their utmost concern: a special passageway that directly connects to the ground level driveway for Teo?s famous patients? entry/exit can be found near the operating room.

She even thought of adding a ?makeup? room for those who are in a rush to hop to a ?chi-chi? event after treatment, just bring your own makeup artist, though.

Another room is entirely devoted to hair treatment alone, ranging from dandruff to hair loss.

Top training

Teo got her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas. Deciding she wanted to be a dermatologist, she went to Singapore for her specialization.

She is in demand for her Botox treatment, dermafillers and liposuction/body sculpting.

The couple met when they were both doing their residency at the National Skin Center in Singapore, and their union bore an adorable boy, now 2 years old.

Z maintains a clinic of his own in Singapore at the Paragon Medical Suites on Orchard Road, and Teo comes over once a month there since she is maintaining three clinics in Manila.

When I asked Z f his clientele in Singapore is comparable to his wife?s highly top-secret Manila list, he gave out a hearty laugh and said, ?Not as famous as hers.?

On top of her main clinic, she has satellite clinics at the Asian Hospital & Medical Center and Las Piñas Doctors Hospital.

Teo is the scion of the Aguilars/Villars of Las Pinas. Her aunt is Rep. Cynthia Aguilar-Villar and her uncle is Sen. Manuel Villar.

Her entire week is divided into holding office in three locations, and she gives free medical services to the poor of Las Piñas every Saturday.

Looking at her face, it was hard to tell she?s 38. She smiles a lot and has a positive outlook. She said she does have Botox herself, but believes that it is more for prevention than for anything less.

Her following in Manila is like a cult one. She?s eagerly courted by high-profile sectors, from show biz to politics and high society, from publishing and broadcasting.

Name a beautiful person whose photo you have seen in the glossy magazines or society pages, most likely, it?s her handiwork. She keeps them supple and beautiful?and she keeps them all confidential.