A new gem in Alabang

The Aivee Clinic officially opened another branch at the second floor of Commercenter in Alabang.

Doctors Aivee and Z Teo were joined by guests Sen. Cynthia Villar, Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Janet Olivarez (wife of Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez), Jackie Ejercito Lopez, Gretchen Barretto, Tonyboy Cojuangco, Heart Evangelista, Edu Manzano, Inno Sotto, Francis Libiran, Cat Antonio and Aivee’s mom Imelda Aguilar for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The event, hosted by JM Rodriguez, served as a double celebration — the clinic’s opening and a birthday surprise for Aivee, whose children Ken-Z, Kenzo and Kelli, and clinic staff brought out a three-tiered cake to greet her.

Guests enjoyed cocktails at the indoor garden setup by Barbie Pardo-Tiangco — mirroring the French-colonial interiors in all the clinics. Guests enjoyed food, wine and a dessert spread with Heny Sison’s masterpieces.

The Aivee Clinic brings in state-of-the-art innovations and breakthroughs in beauty. During the opening, guests were welcomed by doctors to explain new treatments. Many of the guests tried out these treatments as well.

Built with respect to its natural surroundings, the bright and open layout of the clinic feels more of a spa experience, a quick urban getaway from the city’s harsh aggressors.

The intrinsic “Aivee Effect” formula is unfailing: sophisticated design, personalized and top-notch service, state-of-the-art technology and professional beauty and wellness treatments in a pampering environment. With a team of esteemed experts and a holistic approach, the Aivee League provides modern and effective solutions. Enjoy luxurious getaways

Get bitten by the travel bug as Citi Card ties up with The Discovery Leisure Company Inc. (TDLCI) to give you fantastic local vacations at great discounts!

As it celebrates its 25th anniversary of leadership in credit cards, Citi rewards cardholders with up to 60 percent discount when they book and pay with their Citi credit card at any TDLCI’s resorts or hotels.

Citi Credit payment products director David Stoughton said, “Filipinos love to travel — whether it’s a quick weekend getaway to a nearby beach, an extended holiday in one of the finest islands in the country, or even just a day tour in an unfamiliar part of the city — the trip won’t be remarkable without having fun and pampering themselves in an unforgettable place that gives them a feeling of luxury.  That’s why we teamed up with The Discovery Leisure Company to provide our cardholders with unique vacation experiences in their posh hotels and resorts.”

The Discovery Leisure Company owns and manages award-winning hotels and resorts around the country. Available until Sept. 30, with stays valid until Dec. 30, these offers are available to Citi cardholders. Enjoy Discovery Shores Boracay with a 50-percent discount on a three-day, two-night stay in a Junior Suite plus a buffet breakfast for two and a roundtrip Caticlan airport transfers; Club Paradise Palawan with a 55-percent discount on a two-night stay in a Garden Suite plus buffet breakfast for two and a roundtrip Busuanga airport transfers; Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay with a 60-percent discount on an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room plus breakfast for two at Verbena Country and wine and cheese pairing at sundown; and Discovery Suites Ortigas with a 50-percent discount for overnight stay in a Junior Suite plus a buffet breakfast for two at Restaurant 5.

Citi cardholders also enjoy 55-percent discount on overnight stays at Discovery Primea, TDLCI’s newest luxury property, plus a complimentary gourmet breakfast for two at Tapenade. Citi cardholders kick off 2016 with discounted accommodation deals. Just make a reservation in any Discovery Hotel or Resort from Oct. 1 to Dec. 30, valid for stays from January to June 2016.

(For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone hotline at 995-9999.)

Rebuild Bohol

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) took part in Habitat for Humanity’s “Rebuild Bohol” program, which aims to provide earthquake-resilient housing to nearly 6,000 families affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the province in 2013.

Working alongside Habitat for Humanity and Department of Tourism Region 7, the TPB workforce constructed houses for the survivors of the Bohol earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda. They also helped preserve nature by planting trees at the Bohol Biodiversity Complex and mangroves at the San Vicente Mangrove Association (SAVIMA) adventure site and participated in animal feeding at the Maribojoc Organic Farm.

TPB’s involvement in the Rebuild Bohol program is part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, which focus  on helping preserve the country’s environment and cultural heritage. The team will also travel to Camigiun Island in Mindanao to do similar CSR initiatives. Last May, they started the CSR in Boracay where employees participated in coastal clean-ups and planting of mangroves and coral fragments,

After completing their humanitarian mission in Bohol, the employees visited the province’s two oldest churches, the Loboc Church and the Baclayon Church. The group also joined the locals in celebrating the Sandugo Festival, an annual month-long festival that commemorated the treaty of friendship between the Philippines and Spain. The festival was a featured event of TPB’s Visit the Philippines Year 2015.

TPB chief operating officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III said, “We at TPB are not just committed to promoting the country’s tourist destinations. We also want to uphold environmental and cultural preservation. That is why our CSR activities integrate efforts to rebuild communities and revitalize neighborhoods that depend on tourism.”

Celebrating freedom from joint pains

It was a hopeful day for millions of Filipinos suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) as Arthrite, the breakthrough phyto-medicine for joint pains, shared the results of the first clinical local study that further proved its efficacy in providing sustained pain-relief from OA. 

Arthrite is the first traditional herbal medicine approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It consists of 14 herbal components that work synergistically to reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis. 

Multicare Pharmaceuticals president Meneleo Hernandez Jr. welcomed guests as he shared the company’s heritage and vision of providing better healthcare to Filipino families by giving them access to quality, cost-effective products. 

Dr. Eduardo Rommel Poblete, assistant director and fellowship training officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center-Geriatric Center, explained that results of the clinical study proved that Arthrite is proven effective and safe in providing sustained pain-relief to patients suffering from osteoarthritis.

(For best results, consult your doctor.) (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)