Beauty talk

Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo started her clinical practice at the Las Piñas Doctors Hospital in 2002 with the vision to help people achieve disease-free, healthy skin. After years of clinical practice, she gained a special interest in cosmetic dermatology and was truly fascinated by advanced aesthetic lasers and their potential to bring out healthier, blemish-free skin. In 2009, she opened a multi-specialty clinic offering advanced dermatological therapies and anti-aging treatments called The Skin & Laser Clinic.

Innovation and focus on her patients’ needs allowed Aivee to fully cultivate her growing roster of advanced aesthetic treatments. A team of esteemed surgeons joined her growing practice and established a cosmetic surgery unit with a full hair restoration unit. The Aivee Institute was then established in 2013 to fully house the multi-faceted treatments the center provides. 

The Aivee Institute is a first-class center for advanced dermatology, cosmetic surgery, hair restoration and aesthetic stem cell therapy. These treatments are all anchored on the latest in cutting-edge technology and premier patient service. The Stem Care Institute is a premier center for pain and regenerative medicine focusing on technology and research to harness the multi-potential capabilities of stem cells extracted from fat. The Aivee Skin Science is research-based skin care facility created to develop highly effective cosmeceutical and nutriceutical products.

As a board-certified dermatologist, Aivee encountered countless cases of unique aesthetic and pathological skin concerns all with a common goal — healthy, glowing and blemish-free skin. She and her husband Dr. Z Teo established the Anti-Aging Institute more than a decade ago and their practice evolved from performing simple maintenance skin procedures like medical facials, peels and noninvasive lasers to administering cutting-edge anti-aging procedures like liquid face lifts, stem cell therapy and cosmetic surgery.

Aivee and Z recently opened the Aivee Clinic at SM Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong City. The clinic offers SmartSkin Typing Concept, a skin-only module attuned to 12 years of dermatological experience, fashioned to an innovative one-of-a-kind concept, involving a thorough multi-faceted skin-typing system and analysis with a digital tailor-made skin evaluation. After SmartSkin, their skin experts will present a preset template elaborating everything about one’s particular skin type from its current condition, skin care and treatment requirements, health supplements, and tips and tricks to keep the skin healthy and vibrant. 

The clinic also offers other services, which include Protégé Elite, a special skin-tightening and firming technology utilizing powerful focused radio frequency pulses, optimized for collagen remodeling, elastin proliferation, and fibroblast stimulation of the face and neck; X-Wave, an advanced aesthetic shockwave therapy for the temporary treatment of cellulite; Exilis  Elite, a technological breakthrough using focused Monopolar Radio Frequency and Ultrasound to deliver unprecedented skin tightening and body contouring results;  iLipoXcell, a cutting-edge, fat reduction and weight loss dedicated machine that utilizers low-level lasers to help eliminate unwanted fat; Excel Skin,  a high-powered long pulsed 1064nm laser, which delivers unprecedented bulk heating deep within the skin for rejuvenation, regeneration, and repair; and Soprano Ice, the latest, and most advanced in permanent, pain-free laser hair removal.

(The Aivee Clinic is located at the SM Mega Fashion Hall, fifth level, Building D. For inquiries, call 642-4833 or 0917-8719500. Visit www.aivee.ph.)

Fashion meets furniture

Behind the fashionable clothes and the impeccably crafted furniture featured at the “Fashion Meets Furniture” weekend trunk show is an advocacy to help send less fortunate children to school.

 The trunk show, a collaboration between Cebuana fashion designer Mia Arcenas and furniture manufacturer Philux, was born out of the desire of both parties to help perpetuate the mission of MovEd — a non-profit organization that brings quality holistic early childhood care and development programs to marginalized communities. 

Guests arrived at the Philux showroom at Power Plant Mall in Makati City for a first look at the one-of-a-kind fashion pieces and newly designed furniture offered by the collaborators.

Arcenas showcased colorful kaftans, elegant resort wear and studded accessories. The highlight of the event was the launch of her “Year of the Horse” collection specially rolled out for MovEd, where 50 percent of the sales will be donated to the future of the next generation.

Philux’s owners, sisters Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez and Jessica Kienle, embody the values of hard work and artistry passed on to them by their parents and founders of the company — Max and Zelda Kienle. The sisters shared with the guests how milestone moments such as Jessica’s big move back from California served as the inspiration behind their latest California 2014 collection and why they chose to give back through MovEd.

 The weekend trunk show raised enough funds to send more than 30 children to school. The proceeds for this project will specifically be channeled towards MovEd programs and operations in the third district of Camarines Sur, under the leadership of Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

‘Project Ark’

It has been 10 months since typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) wrought havoc in the Visayas region. To this day, HSBC continues to find ways to prepare for disasters while responding to the needs of communities still recovering from the typhoon’s aftermath.

Recently, over 350 volunteers from HSBC Philippines and HSBC Global Service Center (GSC) Philippines worked simultaneously in two sites to pack meals for families in Iloilo affected by the typhoon. The event “Project Ark,” a volunteer-driven initiative that aims to be one of the many avenues to provide immediate aid and create positive change in communities, was a collaborative effort among HSBC Philippines and GSC Philippines operations, Stop Hunger Now (SHN) and International Care Ministries (ICM). 

HSBC COO John Nicholls came up with the idea of linking these international and local charities after volunteering in the typhoon’s aftermath. Nicholls and head of production management for GSC Philippines Munnish Banbah spearheaded the initiative and rallied behind the Project Ark team composed of members from HSBC Technology and Services, GSC Philippines and HSBC Corporate Sustainability.

Volunteers completed packing over 33,400 meal packs containing rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins, which were provided by Stop Hunger Now, an organization that provides fortified rice-soy meals in sealed packs and extends relief aid to vulnerable communities. 

Nicholls said, “Together, teams from HSBC Philippines and GSC Philippines are supplying the poor communities in Iloilo with more than 200,000 meals. This will help our partners to continue their amazing work in the field of values, health and education for those who need it most, and support our other partners with one more step on the way to their aim of stopping world hunger in our lifetime.” 

Banbah added, “This was a great collaborative event bringing some eight percent of the HSBC Philippines’ population to work on a single day. The enthusiasm and energy of all involved was amazing.”

SHN president Tiki Keh said, “We extend our gratitude to be associated with HSBC for taking on such a wonderful meal packing event to serve the needy community and for hosting the biggest meal packing event ever in the Philippines.”

The meal packs are being distributed by ICM to 3,000 families in Iloilo under its Transform Program.  ICM’s Donor Services manager Raquel Hopton said, “Because of the generous gift of time and energy from HSBC volunteers to Project Ark, ICM is able to provide thousands of nutritious meals to some of the poorest families in the Philippines affected by typhoon Yolanda. They are now on the road to long-term recovery. On behalf of the recipients, we want to say ‘Thank you!’ to HSBC and Stop Hunger Now.”

Project Ark is one way HSBC aims to contribute and help communities build their lives back after typhoon Yolanda. 

Hail to the chefs!

Chefs at the Marriott Hotel Manila have undeniable passion for perfection. This trait was displayed by the hotel’s team of culinary and pastry chefs as they garnered the most number of awards at the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), the annual competition and the only continental competition endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).

After four days of competition at the SMX Convention Center, PCC’s roster of WACS-accredited judges awarded the team of Marriott Hotel Manila with four gold medals, three silver medals and five bronze medals.

The chefs who brought home the gold were Rej Casanova, Jae Louise Cortiñas, Francisco Santiago and Sarah Patricia Mendoza for the Dream Team Challenge; Prince Patiño and Rej Casanova for Sous Vide; and Joal Albert Garfin for the Chocolate Pastry Showpiece; and Francisc Oliveros for Fantasy Dessert.

Silver medalists were chefs Oscar Gutay and Christopher Saquing for the Young Chefs Challenge; Jimmy Manalo for US Poultry; and Michael John Fauni for US Pork.

Bronze medalists who followed suit were chefs Brainard Vito, Jaime Lagunday and Erwin Marquez for the Filipino Cuisine Challenge; Maxine Cornista for the Quick Fire Salad; David Socrates for Wedding Cakes; Mary Joy Cueto for Dress the Cake; and Joana Paula Tiglao and Marty Santiago who both won for Pasta.              

The chefs of Marriott Hotel Manila are sharing the glory of gold medals by offering sumptuous dishes at Cru Steakhouse this month. Diners can enjoy slow-cooked grouper (squid ink crepe, tomato pepper relish, compressed apples, and saffron kafir aioli), sous vide US Angus beef tenderloin (kafir-corn puree, truffle potatoes, and port wine sauce), pan-roasted US Angus Beef flank steak (smoked goat cheese, vegetable ragout, cauliflower truffle puree, wild mushroom stuffed rigatoni pasta, port wine ox tail jus), and sous vide halibut fillet (tomato pepper relish, corn shrimp crepes, squid ink kataifi crisp and smoke-infused hollandaise sauce). Cap these with delectable desserts like banana crème brûlée (chocolate ganache, almond walnut crumble and cream cheese icing) or dark chocolate Maracaibo mousse (vanilla custard, orange gelée, hazelnut crunch and salted nut crumble). The Philippine Culinary Cup Special three-course menu is also offered for the sous vide US Angus beef tenderloin, pan-roasted US Angus beef flank steak and sous vide halibut fillet.

(For reservations, call 988-9999. Visit www.manilamarriott.com or facebook.com/marriotthotelmanila.)(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)