Thank you for the friendship, Vicki

Twelve years ago, I met the young intern Dr. Vicki Belo at the Makati Medical Center. It was 2 am. I brought a dear friend whose face broke into huge mounds of horrible flesh in reaction to a hair dye she used. Vicki took good care of my friend. Today, she continues to take care of a lot of people. She says she’s most fulfilled when she sees her patients happy because they look good and feel good about themselves.

A couple of days ago, I received a present from Vicki. I’m not shocked anymore by her gifts, which are always things I like to have but her accompanying notes never fail to touch me.

Thank you Vicki for the friendship. These days when premium to friendship has deteriorated like the peso value to the US dollar, your friendship is like a Bvlgari watch. It’s always heartening to know that you are a friend I can be honest with. You tell me things that I don’t want to hear while I tell you things that you probably don’t enjoy hearing. But these things have made us better people and professionals. I may not premise my life and career on the beauty of my skin and the shape of my nose and body – I may not need your expertise to sculpt my butt – but you have given me much more than I would ever expect from a friend – honesty, loyalty, love – precious gems that cannot be scraped by the most powerful dermatological laser in the world.

I kept the card Vicki sent me. It had lines created by my favorite writer Maya Angelou.

We laugh at the same human foibles

We cry at the same human frailties

You care for the things I care for

Friendship like this adds years to life

(Vicki Belo is a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas where she received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. She received her diploma in Dermatology at the Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the International Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgery. Vicki’s expertise extends into the use of skin lasers after she underwent training at the Harvard University. She is a pioneer in the ultrasound tumescent liposuction, sclerotherapy and the latest techniques in skin rejuvenation and scar revisions).

The party she hosted at Ratsky’s for her Tomas Morato patients was such a huge success that other parties are now being planned for her Makati, Ortigas, and Alabang patients and friends.

Private Property search

Private Property image models Monina Bagatsing and Leandro Muñoz will perform at the third annual search for Private Property’s Private ei8gth models 2002. They will also be judges for this year’s search elimination rounds.

The elimination rounds will be held in different Robinson’s Malls on May 12 at Robinson’s Place Manila; May 25 at Robinson’s Place Imus; May 26 at Robinson’s Metro East; June 1 at Robinson’s Novaliches; and June 8 at Robinson’s Galleria. Grand finals will be on July 27 at Robinson’s Place Manila.

Monina Bagatsing and Leandro Muñoz are two of the hottest young stars in the country today. As part of the ABS-CBN Talent Center, they have made the rounds of various ABS-CBN top-rating shows in high-profile guestings. Leandro, in particular, has already starred in a number of box-office hits under Star Cinema such as Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko and Kahit Isang Saglit.

The contest is a production of Atheneaeum Talent Management and Creative Services, Events On Line and Robinson’s Malls. Ian Galliguez and Joel Yap will host. Del Pascual directs.

Last month, METTRO (Movement for Efficient Traffic n Trash Road Order), headed by its President and Founder Antonio Badmori Villegas launched a TV series titled Trash n Traffic. This started out as a TV special aired last February and due to the good feedback that it received, METTRO decided to produce a weekly show which will air soon. Trash n Traffic is a TV show that investigates, exposes and pinpoints trash and traffic problems all over the country. It also aims to offer solutions to viewers.

Antonio Villegas is an Ateneo graduate and is the only traffic specialist in the country. He has 20 years experience in directing and managing traffic. He served as consultant to former DOTC secretaries Prado and Orbos. He was appointed as consultant adviser of traffic affairs for Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Get well soon, Melchor

I got a letter from Melchor Bautista. He is diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lyphoma and Large Cell Diffuse. He is seeking medical treatment at Philippine General Hospital. I got your letter Melchor and I’ll be praying for your speedy recovery.