Hello, September! This month officially welcomes my exciting mid-50s! It’s an age of wellness, enlightenment, inner beauty and peace.
It is also a time when science and technology have become essential tools to the aging process. Without going under the knife, I have discovered beauty treatments with visible, gravity-defying results.
Recently I had an opportunity to undergo Ultherapy treatment with Dr. Issa Cellona of SkinCell. Ultherapy is a nonsurgical procedure that uses micro-focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin on the brow, under the chin, neck and chest. It stimulates the body’s own natural healing process, which jumpstarts the production of fresh, new collagen. The use of safe ultrasound technology enables physicians to treat the deepest support layers of the skin without disrupting the surface.
Brand ambassadors
Ultherapy’s newest brand ambassadors include Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and media executive Charo Santos-Concio, who join the originals, Kris Aquino, beauty editor Agoo Bengzon, fashion designer Rosanna Ocampo and student Trisha Duncan in endorsing the United States FDA-cleared, noninvasive, skin-lifting and tightening treatment. Pia and Charo use the hashtag #BeYOUtifulStory to inspire others to discover Ultherapy.
Pia tells me that Ultherapy allows her to stay on the go while maintaining her fresh and radiant beauty all day. Charo uses Ultherapy to help embrace her age, define what it means to be beautiful, and stay confident and fresh.
Ultherapy is one of the brands owned by the 110-year-old global aesthetics company, Merz, Inc. Phillip Burchard, CEO of Merz, introduced Ultherapy to the Philippines in 2017, the year the company registered over 1 million treatments worldwide. Today, Ultherapy is available through 39 accredited partner clinics across the country, a growth spearheaded by Merz country manager Jorge Libanan. (Visit www.ultherapy. com and www.merzaesthetics.com)
For those interested in Ultherapy and who want to help a charity at the same time, join us in this year’s Red Charity Gala (RCG) on Oct. 27 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. A complete Ultherapy package will be auctioned off at the charity event, bundled with an executive check-up for two at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Ben Chan’s ‘Crazy Rich’ milestone
As in past years, Bench has been a major partner of RCG. Bench continues to grow exponentially, with new international brands in their flagship outlets.
One of the best things about this stage of life is financial security after many years of hard work and favorable business decisions. Having successfully grown his retail business for more than 30 years, Bench boss Ben Chan could certainly rest on his laurels.
But the hardworking, genius entrepreneur continues to venture into various brands and food outlets.
Celebrating another milestone, Ben chose the “Crazy Rich Asians” movie theme for his fun birthday bash. His niece Kai Lim and Bench stylist Noel Manapat were chosen as Best in Costume for the night.
Speaking of films, our eldest daughter Annika just started her junior year at Chapman University in Los Angeles, where she’s studying Film, majoring in Screenwriting. She already worked as the cinematographer and co-director for a documentary, “Farmacy,” about organic farming in California. The documentary will be screened at the Coronado Island Film Festival in November.
Before leaving for the States, Anna Sobrepeña, editor of LifestyleAsia Magazine, asked if Annika could be one of the cover girls of the September issue. Annika and I have been on the cover in a past issue, so we are delighted that she will grace the cover again.
Red Charity Gala issue
The September edition of LifestyleAsia is bannered as the first Red Charity Gala issue. LifestyleAsia has been a media partner of RCG over the years, supporting the event with features on the selected designer and cover stories. I am so happy that the longest-running luxury magazine in the country is featuring RCG and Annika, along with Juliana Gomez. Both are in Rajo Laurel gowns, as he is the featured designer at the Gala, celebrating his silver anniversary in the fashion industry.
Ethan Allen and Philippine Tatler Homes partnered for a special two-part event to celebrate stylish living and the magazine’s latest Entertaining Issue at the Ethan Allen Showroom in Focus Global Inc’s Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building, Bonifacio Global City.
Guests at the intimate morning brunch and afternoon tea session were the first to view Ethan Allen’s latest Uptown collection of furniture and accessories. After a short program led by Focus Global Inc’s Lolie Sy, Philippine Tatler’s Irene Martel Francisco and Mia Borromeo, and fashionable ladies in attendance like Sofia Elizalde, Ching Cruz, Zelda Kienle, and Fe Rodriguez, listened to a talk by wellness advocate Marilen Elizalde and joined in a make-and-take workshop of home fragrances using therapeutic-grade essential oils.
The showroom was decked out with the brand’s Uptown collection, showcasing pieces with a modern feel. Ethan Allen’s InHome Design Augmented Reality App allows customers to customize, play with fabrics, and arrange furniture and accessories. Accessories featured a lot of sheen, gold leafing, mirrored finishes and well-crafted veneers.
The American Ethan Allen brand stands proud in its advocacy of environmental sustainability and stewardship. It offers high-performance fabrics that are stain- and liquid-repellant and odor resistant, as well.
Winners of special prizes at the event included Techie Hagedorn and Tina Cuevas.
Let me end with birthday greetings to my brother-in-law Philip Romualdez and sister-in-law Myda Prieto, who share the same natal day.
And advance birthday greetings to all Virgos out there, especially cover girl Juliana, fellow Beacon School parent Bess Howe, Sen. Grace Poe, our sons Tyrone and Bryan, and, most of all, my indefatigable mother Marixi Rufino-Prieto.
Follow @seaprincess888 on Instagram.
