Celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, Merz, a pioneer in the medical aesthetic industry, shone the spotlight on its exceptional partner clinics in the Philippines during the first-ever Tala Awards held on July 11 at Shangri-La at The Fort.

From its humble beginnings as a midsize pharmaceutical company in 1908, Merz has become a leading global provider in the fields of medical aesthetics and neurotoxins.

In the Philippines, there has been a growing demand for Merz, especially for Ultherapy, one of the company’s premier beauty treatments, and the only US FDA-cleared noninvasive procedure that lifts and tightens skin.

Since its launch in the Philippines, Ultherapy has been endorsed by Kris Aquino as well as beauty influencers Trisha Duncan, Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon and Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez.

Merz recognized its top accredited skincare centers offering its services and products through the first Tala Awards.

The company, led by CEO Philip Burchard and Merz Asia Pacific CEO Lawrence Siow, gave the Merz Portfolio Award to Advanced Aesthetics Center, CSA Derm Center, and The Dermatology Suite, represented by their respective aesthetic practitioners Dr. Maria Venia Concepcion A. Javellana, Dr. Contessa Salvador-Alapag and Dr. Maria de Leon.

Merz Philippines country manager Jorge Libanan, Merz Asia Pacific regional commercial director Conway Rappa, Merz CEO Philip Burchard, Ultherapy brand ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach and Charo Santos-Concio, Merz Asia Pacific head of legal and compliance Alvin Ng, Merz Asia Pacific CFO Dawn Neo, Merz Asia Pacific CEO Lawrence Siow

Another highlight was the Ultherapy Awards given to the top five most outstanding Ultherapy partner clinics in the country. Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo and Dr. Z Teo’s Aivee Clinic bagged the first prize for having the most number of Ultherapy treatments in the Philippines.

Ultherapy ambassador Charo Santos-Concio (left) and Merz CEO Philip Burchard (right) with Ultherapy grand winner Stephen Lacson of HOO Dermatology

Ultherapy ambassador Charo Santos-Concio (left) and Merz CEO Philip Burchard (right) with Top 2 Ultherapy awardees Dr. Philip Bunag and Dr. March Barbaran of Belo Medical Group

Top 3 Ultherapy awardees Dr. Jennie and Oliver Diaz of Skin 101 Clinics

Merz Portfolio awardees Dr. Ma. Venia A. Javellana of Advanced Aesthetics Center

Suzanne Datuin De Leon of Dermatology Suite

The top five also included The Belo Medical Group, Skin 101, House of Obagi Dermatology, and Luminisce, represented by Dr. Philip Bunag, Dr. Jennie and Oliver Diaz, Dr. Stephen Lacson, and Nico Bacani.

At the Tala Awards night, Ultherapy also welcomed its new ambassadors, prominent media personality Charo Santos-Concio and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

Santos-Concio shared her positive experience with the beauty treatment and emphasized the importance of self-confidence and self-love in bringing out the best version of yourself.

Wurtzbach, meanwhile, said that aside from proper diet and exercise, investing in the right skincare regimen at a young age is key to aging gracefully.