“The life in front of you is far more important than the life behind you.” —Joel Osteen

As life unfolds in all directions before me, I find myself looking forward to all the blessings that the universe has to offer. Eager to leave behind the gunk of the past, I march ahead toward so many exciting travel adventures, new friendships, and of course, opportunities for shopping!

It is a joy to once again be enjoying my social life just like in prepandemic times. I spent last weekend traveling to Cebu and Bacolod for multiple events.

Last Oct. 20, the country’s premier beauty authority Dr. Vicki Belo, together with her powerhouse cast of expert dermatologists and aestheticians under the Belo Medical Group, opened a 500-square meter clinic at the Taft East Gate in Cebu. The new branch is Belo’s largest clinic in the country. Its sheer size can accommodate clients not only from Cebu but also from all over the Visayas region—all in pure, luxurious style.

This landmark achievement isn’t just a career milestone for Dr. Belo; it’s also a personal one. It was a grand homecoming of sorts for the celebrated doctor, who was born in Cebu City. She kicked off the festivities last Oct. 19 with an exclusive dinner at new Cebu hot spot Mott 32 at the Nustar Resort and Casino.

Feasting on the signature dishes of Mott 32, I chatted with internationally acclaimed furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue about his pieces at the Belo clinic. We also enjoyed sharing life lessons and love stories with celebrity couple Derek Ramsay and Ellen Adarna Ramsay. They are celebrating their first anniversary in South America with the help of A2A Journeys (a2ajourneys.com).

Grand event

The next day, the Belo Clinic Cebu (G/F East Gate Shoppes, Taft East Gate Cebu, Pope John Paul II corner Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu City. For appointments, call 032-2342356; 0917-5526986; visit bit.ly/BeloDay) officially opened its doors with a grand event—one of Cebu’s biggest since 2020—graced by Dr. Belo herself, Dr. Hayden Kho, as well as brand ambassadors and celebrity friends and staff.

Proving that beauty is truly at the core of its business, the Belo Clinic Cebu space perfectly captured the details Cebu is known for.

Designed by renowned artist Budji Layug, it has eight treatment rooms, six doctors’ rooms, a VIP suite and a VIP lounge, all in a festive color palette that represents Cebu’s rich bodies of water and vibrant festival culture. Deep red, orange and yellow symbolize the province’s Sinulog festival, while ocean-inspired interiors and textures celebrate the area’s marine abundance.

Artworks by celebrated French-Filipino artist Olivia d’Aboville adorn the walls.

The clinic will house Belo Medical Group’s signature and exclusive services such as the Zoom Lift TM, Renova Powerfacial, Virtue RF, ADVALight and Picosure Pro, all world-class beauty treatments brought first by Dr. Belo into the country. Visayas-based clients will also get to enjoy key treatments enjoyed by their favorite celebrities, such as Angel Whitening, Onda Plus, Vivace and more.

Clean beauty

Cebu is like my second home. For my last two visits, I stayed at the Fili Hotel in Nustra Resort and Casino. The city has become so cosmopolitan but still has that warmth and charm of a regional city. I am glad the shopping scene has also been elevated.

Available in Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu, For Keeps products are great for cleaning routines and daily lifts of freshness. For Keeps is a local clean beauty brand transforming your skincare routine with simple, effective, nontoxic and environment-friendly formulations.

Made with people and planet in mind, For Keeps products are sustainably made with less energy consumption during production and less plastic for packaging. Refill options, the For Keeps recycling program, and sustainability efforts are in practice, too! They are #KindToBody and #KindToPlanet.

The line was launched a couple of weeks ago at Rustan’s Makati. I attended the refreshing event in support of its owner Pia Sy and her business partner Ana Niguidula. For Keeps Clean Beauty Skincare is dermatologically tested and suitable for most skin types, including sensitive ones. It’s available in the following locations: Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Ayala Alabang Town Center, Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza, Rustan’s Cebu and Rustan’s Gateway.

My Bacolod adventure is up next week. For now, I would like to end my column with some thoughts from Rainer Maria Rilke: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers but live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” INQ

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