Be happy, be beautiful

MANILA, Philippines -There is always a blessing waiting even in the most difficult situation. Many times, this discovery always leads to something good, something beautiful.

“I try to find humor in the most stressful situation. It makes me feel young,” says Dr. Cecilia Catapang, owner of Rejuvena Medical Clinic. She is also a practitioner of aesthetic medicine and the host of Generation RX, a health and travel program on Studio 23.

After 13 years of practicing ophthalmology at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Catapang shifted to aesthetic and rejuvenation medicine. According to her, it is the best decision she has ever made. Her advocacy to organize a training program for aesthetic and rejuvenation medicine in the Philippines made way for her to improve her craft by undergoing one-on-one seminars with Dr. Wilhelmus van Ewick on cell therapy and Dr. Han Jin Kwon of Dermaster clinic on aesthetic medicine.

She believes that beauty resonates from within. “I find happy and humorous people beautiful.” She adds, “In order to be beautiful, you have to make the people looking at you see what is beautiful about you.”

Well, in the subject of beauty, Catapang says she is partial to the products of Filipino cosmetic brand Ever Bilena. “Of all, I love Ever Bilena’s eye concealer best! But its two-way, age-defying foundation is also great for coverage. I also like its eye pencils, mascara and the Scarlet and Love That Red matte lipstick.”

Catapang’s outgoing and friendly nature fits very well with her hosting job in Generation RX, which she finds very therapeutic. “The show takes me away from the routine of my daily activities in my clinic. I’m happy that I get the chance to go to different places and meet all kinds of people because of this.”

Her happiness as a mother comes from her sweet moments with her son, Bryan. “Even at 21 years old, he comes to my room, lies on my stomach and chats about his dreams.” She says she has instilled in him the importance of hard work at an early age. “I deliberately allow him to have a hard time with money and make him work for it. I make him realize that in life, it is very important to strive hard.”

Despite all that she has accomplished, Catapang remains humble by thinking that she still has a lot of work to do. Being very passionate in her craft gives her the drive to focus more on achieving her other dreams.

Creating a lively and positive environment makes Dr. Cecilia Catapang an inspiration to her clients. “I wish I could make everybody happy all the time!” she concludes.  

Photography by: Mau Aguasin • Styling by Rudolph Leonor and Mikka Velasquez • Hair and makeup by Froilan Sulligue for Ever Bilena • Shot on location at OASIS MANILA, San Juan City

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