She is a walking advertisement of her clinic. What you see is what you will get.
But just who is Mikaela and why is she making waves in a crowded field dominated by the Ellen Lisings and the Manny/Pie Calayans and the Vicki Belos (who have become poster girls for mis-behavior)?
These past weeks, we have been treated to eye-catching ads featuring Ruffa Gutierrez upclose, for the salon line; Rufa Mae Quinto, covered with petals (inspired no doubt by the Hollywood movie American Sweethearts) for the skin care; and Pops Fernandez, embraced by a python (reminiscent of Nastassia Kinski in Cat People, another Hollywood movie) for the non-surgical body treatment. You can’t help but pause and look long and hard at the ads, wondering, “Just who or what is Mikaela?”
She is Mikaela Bilbao, single parent to a boy, a “beauty and wellness expert” who owns and operates the seven-year-old Philosophy by Mikaela Advanced Aesthetic Center.
“I am a responsible business-woman committed to helping women look beautiful,” she stressed, “and giving my clients their money’s worth. My center offers non-invasive, non-surgical services administered by experts (dermatologists, plastic surgeons, doctors, etc.). My center is the sole distributor of the highly-exclusive and stylish Frederic Fekkai products in the Philippines.”
She finished high school at the St. Scholastica’s College in Bacolod City (where she hails from) and Business Management from De La Salle University.
Asked how she got into the beauty business, Mikaela said, “I’ve always been vain, a kikay since I was small. I don’t get mad when they call me vain because it’s a woman’s right to be vain.”
She got Ruffa, Rufa Mae and Pops as endorsers because they are her friends and they have been going to her center even before they started coming out in Mikaela ads.
“For the skin to stay supple, you have to moisturize it. You have to keep your skin clean. Never go to sleep with makeup on. Wash your face with a non-soap cleanser, like Cetaphil, which is non-irritant. It’s good for both men and women. Remember, your face skin is different from your body skin; it’s more delicate.”
Is taking care of a woman’s skin different from taking care of a man’s skin?
“Yes, different. Since men are generally into outdoor sports, their skin is exposed to all kinds of pollutants. Men’s skin has more hair. A woman’s skin is softer and more tender.”
Are you, like most women, afraid of the sun?
“Yes, I am. The effects of too much exposure to the sun usually manifest themselves after 10 years when you start ageing. The way to prevent that should start now. But if you can’t avoid being under the sun, use sunblock. But don’t overuse it otherwise your skin pores get blocked and they can’t absorb vitamin D (which you get from the sun).”
Are you a vegan?
“No. I eat anything but in moderation. I don’t starve myself, I don’t deprive my body of food. I’m not choosy with food; I can eat anything, anywhere. It doesn’t have to be in a fine-dining restaurant. I’ve been adding more and more malunggay to my diet; it’s a miracle food. There’s even a malunggay pandesal now, di ba?”
What do you usually have for breakfast?
“I take organic cereals for fiber. I mix fruits and vegetables in a blender and that serves as my morning juice drink, two glasses at a time.”
For lunch?
“I usually have meetings for lunch in restaurants, so I eat anything but not too much.”
And for dinner?
“Very light. If I take a heavy dinner, I have a hard time falling asleep.
How much water do you take per day?
“A lot. Water is good for your skin, for your whole body. Hard drinks? Not for me. Neither do I take soda. I’ve been reminding my son not to take soda because too much sugar is not good for your body.”
Vitamins, minerals or food supplements?
“A lot! Too many for me to name all.”
Do you work out?
“I wear a body plate, a slimming machine that raises your bone density and hastens your metabolism. You just stand there and the machine vibrates vigorously. Makes you lose weight fast.”
Do you meditate?
“I pray a lot. I always go to the adoration chapel in Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes. I’m planning to take up yoga.”
How much sleep do you get per night?
“Not less than eight hours. If you lack sleep, you are irritable and you’re in a sour mood. It’s bad for your skin, huh!”
What’s your outlook in life?
“I am very positive. Why look at the negative side of life? I don’t let problems get the better of me. I believe that there’s a solution to every problem. Have faith. Life is a journey and you are bound to make mistakes from which you should learn.”
What about sex?
“It’s good for your health — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Sex is the best beauty secret! When you are in love, when you are sexually healthy, your skin glows. When you’re happy, you look pretty and you exude a nice aura — you shine!”
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)