"Para hindi sila ipamigay": Vicki Belo, ibinunyag ang kwento kung bakit itinatag ang Belo Clinic

• Celebrity doctor Vicki Belo opened up about the personal and emotional origin of her clinic
• Dr. Belo recalled being five years old during recess when a schoolmate bluntly asked if her parents gave her away because she was "ugly" and "fat"
• That painful moment sparked a lifelong mission for Dr. Belo, who resolved to make people beautiful so they would be loved and never given away
• The renowned physician emphasized that her famous beauty clinic was never built on vanity

Vicki Belo, a well-known celebrity doctor, recently guested on Dani Barretto's show where she talked about the deeply personal and emotional origin of the famous Belo Medical Group.

Guesting on The Bare It All Podcast hosted by Dani Barretto, celebrity doctor and aesthetic pioneer Dr. Vicki Belo looked back on the exact moment she realized what she wanted to do with her life. The journey began not in a clinic, but on a school playground when she was just five years old:

Read also

My husband forgot our 50th anniversary — Then he came home to find his stuff outside

"One day I'm playing lang there in recess, and then a little girl came up to me, five lang naman diba? Di naman bully siguro yun, curiosity lang. Ang sabi niya, 'Why did your parents give you away? Is it because you're so ugly?' And the other kid tried to protect me, 'No, it's not cause she's ugly, it's cause she's so fat.' Tapos umiyak na lang ako."

Rather than letting the remarks defeat her, the young Vicki made a vow to herself that would eventually transform the Philippine beauty and wellness industry a couple of years later:

"Tumatak talaga sa brain ko na, 'Oh wow, if you're ugly and you're fat, pinamimigay ka...' So I'll spend my life papagandahin ko everybody... para mamahalin sila, di sila ipamamigay."

As she grew up, dealing with severe acne as a teenager and spending hours waiting inside dermatology clinics, that early determination solidified into a clear career path. Writing in her notebooks while waiting for skin treatments, she decided she would become a dermatologist herself.

Addressing long-standing misconceptions about the cosmetic industry, Dr. Belo clarified that building the Belo brand was never an act of shallow vanity, but an effort to give equality.

"The reason I started Belo Medical Group is also because I find it very unfair that beautiful people get so many perks... It's not vanity, people. I never put up Belo for vanity, I really put it to equalize everything."

Read also

Barbie Forteza, prangkang ibinahagi na hindi lang panloloko ang dahilan para makipaghiwalay

She pointed out that society often rewards attractive people with higher pay, better opportunities, and more attention, leaving equally capable and kind individuals overlooked:

"I don't want people to judge other people on how they look... I just want them to be judged on how hardworking they are, how intelligent, how much integrity they have. And for me, that's more pantay."

The candid interview touched viewers and netizens deeply, with many praising Dr. Belo for turning her personal childhood trauma into an empowering enterprise that has helped countless Filipinos feel seen.

Vicki Belo is a well-known dermatologist, entrepreneur, and media personality. In 1990, she established her first clinic in Makati, where she pioneered the introduction of liposuction and laser treatments in the country. She later expanded her business and founded the Belo Medical Group, which now has more than 15 branches across the Philippines. Dra. Belo is recognized not only for her innovative contributions to the field of aesthetics but also for her personal journey. In 2016, she overcame Stage 3 br(e)ast cancer and celebrated her seventh year of remission in 2023. She has since openly shared how her family had supported her.

Read also

Sharon Cuneta, emosyonal na sinagot isyu kay Bb Gandanghari: “Sana 'yung friendship hindi naitapon”

As previously reported by KAMI, Vicki Belo's husband, Hayden Kho shared on social media that he injured his pinky finger while playing basketball. He took to Instagram on Wednesday, February 25, to show his bent finger. The doctor also noted that the sport takes more effort at his age. He added a humorous touch with a playful doodle, showing his warm approach despite the injury.

Meanwhile, Dra. Vicki Belo joined the trend on Instagram as she took part in the popular 2016 throwback trend. Her post featured 'tiny baby moments' of her daughter, Scarlet Snow Belo. Dra. Vicki also expressed gratitude to her 'favorite people'—her husband, Dr. Hayden Kho, and their daughter, Scarlet Snow. For her post, the doctor used Taylor Swift's song "Never Grow Up."

Source: KAMI.com.gh