The gospel of beauty

Preaching the gospel of beauty and wellness is best delivered if showcased on free and cable TV, which the famed couple of doctors Manny and Pie Calayan and their well-bred and highly-educated children have been enjoying through their aptly named TV show C The Difference, currently airing on GMA News TV on Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The husband-and-wife, skin care specialists, highly known for their significant clientele of showbiz stars and prominent people from other fields of interest, are actually fulfilling their long-time goal of educating televiewers about the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery and non-invasive procedures in beautifying one’s physical appearance.

C The Difference is a Calayan family concept venture that combines the elements of a beauty and health program and a travel show. Dr. Manny notes, “We take pride in the way we present each feature, that is, by hosting it ourselves as if we’re like in a reality TV show.”

Segments include the Best Face Forward hosted by Dr. Manny himself and which tackles cosmetic surgery procedures; Skin Upgrade with Dr. Pie zeroing in on several dermatological processes; and Tasty Travels wherein their daughter Bernice and partner Ral Javier go to various vacation destinations.

Modern Pinoys have always been interested in vanity issues that the show’s pilot episode last October garnered high viewership and top-trending status.

Another Calayan daughter, Andrea, anchors the Superfood segment of Vegan delicacies and other healthy stuff, while the popular doctor couple themselves lead the way in the total body makeover of two lucky, chosen ones.

Dr. Manny says, “We could not ask for more in terms of blessings, especially for the career and profession we enjoy and of course, the beautiful, very responsible and independent kids given us.”

Both Bernice and Andrea studied in California, with the former earning her college degree in Los Angeles prior to taking up naturopathic medicine online, while the latter finishing high school in Beverly Hills High before dabbling on plant-based cooking. Bernice is the Manny and Pie Calayan Clinic’s marketing head with Andrea helping in the related planning process.

The 26-year-old Bernice is more involved in the family business now that she’s staying with her parents while Andrea is making herself busy abroad with charity projects.

Interestingly, Hanna Calayan, the eldest in the beautiful and fabulous brood, is still finishing her medical degree in Canada.

“We simply tell our children to always be at and do their best, and then focus on what they want to achieve in life,” says Dr. Manny.

He recalls that their children were quite marked in school because of their label as Calayan kids. But what he can be proud of is the way they remain humble, approachable and by nature downplay their celebrity roots which is kind of a family trait.

Dr. Pie, on the other hand, says, “We want to show beauty as a wholistic process. That it’s not just about beautifying you from outside, but nourishing and nurturing it from the inside of our bodies as well.”

The Manny and Pie Calayan Clinic has continued its expansion with its first branch in Visayas opening July 2016 at SM Seaside City in Cebu. Months later, the clinic opened its first branch down south with the opening of an outlet at SM Lanang Premier in Davao.

A Manny and Pie Calayan Clinic outlet will also rise at the Festival Expansion Mall in Alabang.
The popular beauty enhancement clinic offers the latest state of the art Hi-Def Vaserliposuction for minimally invasive fat reduction; Cutera Laser for skin rejuvenation, pigmentation, stretch marks removal (and also for vaginal repair); Double HIFU Ultherapy for nonsurgical facelifting and skin tightening, among others.

Dr. Manny shares, “We started introducing the organic-based dermatology where we use plant-based products instead of the traditional medical dermatology. And we also ushered in the use of alternative medicine like acupuncture and facial treatment where no pricking is needed; purely organic.”

In talking about their hectic schedule, the patriarch of the Calayan family says that Dr. Pie starts her clinic hours in the Makati branch 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with him coming in to stay 5 p.m. onwards. One of them goes to Cebu branch on Mondays and in the Davao outlet on Thursdays.

As for their good reputation as doctors to the stars, Dr. Manny says that, they treat clients as family.
Being the vanguards of confidence-building beauty and wellness, the Calayans have mastered to live by example by looking ageless themselves. The secret is simple in the words of Dr. Manny, “Of course, we stay in love with each other; go for a healthy diet and exercise; and go out on dates and spend wisely.”

(C The Difference airs Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on GMA News TV, Channel 11 on free TV and Cignal Cable, as well as Channel 24 on Sky Cable.)