Two countries, six clinics, three children, one heart: Aivee & Z’s pursuit of happiness

MANILA, Philippines - These two physicians have mastered the art of living and loving. Beautifully.

“It was never meant to work but it did,” beam the youthful power couple, Dr. Z Teo and Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, of their unconventional but successful lifestyle setup. This is in reference to their feat of managing two flourishing medical careers in Singapore and the Philippines, expanding The Aivee Group and its six clinics, and raising their young family, while shuttling between two countries every two weeks.

“It’s difficult, but not impossible,” assures the handsome aesthetic surgeon and CEO, beaming as he proudly shows off the fruit of their love — their three children (Ken-Z, seven; Kenzo, three; and Kelli, two) and their modern, French boudoir-inspired clinic at the Megamall, the newest addition to The Aivee Group roster. Indeed, one can have it all.

While many may not agree with the couple’s decision to live and work in two countries, theirs has proven to be a choice that has given them the most freedom and happiness. “While normally, one spouse would give way to support the career of the other (especially in cases where the partner practices in another country), with us, we felt that we had studied so hard to reach that point in our careers and thought it such a waste to throw it all away. Of course, we prioritize our family and our marriage, but our work is very important to us as well because it’s integral to who we are. We want to live our lives to the fullest,” explains Aivee, a radiant woman of allure.

‘We don’t plan too far ahead.’

And thus came the mutual decision to make it work, even if it meant travelling back and forth, spending 10 days in Singapore and 20 days in the Philippines. (Not counting the days spent abroad learning about new techniques and the latest modern skin care technologies.) 

Today, as one of the most sought-after dermatologists by celebrities and prominent individuals from the business, political and diplomatic circles, they can proudly say, “We found harmony without compromising.”

While unconventional, their current arrangement is much easier, less complicated than the one they had lived out only a few years earlier when they were still fresh and doe-eyed in Singapore.

When Aivee met Z

Needless to say, their first meeting was nothing short of romantic and even serendipitous. Aivee was on her first week in Singapore, fulfilling her preceptorship at the National Skin Center, while Z was on his last. But in those short, well-lived days, they found love.

“When I saw her, she was just this breath of fresh air. Simply beautiful,” remembers Z, still obviously giddy over his wife, recalling even the red outfit she wore that day in 2002.

Z was supposed to have stayed only a week at the Skin Center, but by the seventh day, he was so smitten by the daughter of Las Piñas Mayor Vergel Aguilar and his wife Imelda that he decided he could not go back to the UK (where he was then based) — not just yet. To buy him more time, he called up his professor and told a little white lie that would allow him to stay another month.

Doctors Z and Aivee with their kids Ken-Z, Kenzo and Kelli.

“I had to ask myself if you let this opportunity go, will you ever find someone like her again? Answer was no. So I had to pursue her,” shares Z with a smile.

This began their four-year long distance relationship that would test their commitment, a commitment that would even see Z flying 24 hours from the UK to Manila and back again, just to spend a precious 24 hours with Aivee.

 “Where there is a will, there’s a way,” chuckles Z, remembering the early days of their courtship. Then he adds, “The good thing about our work is that it’s not life threatening; Botox can wait!” he chuckles.

On a more serious note, Z explains, “Many are afraid of long-distance relationships. But the key really is communication. We made the commitment to speak to each other every day and would meet up every three months, be it in Singapore, Manila, Spain, etc. That helped set the foundation for the relationship.” This discipline and commitment would again be put to test when they decided to live separately (albeit temporarily) and build their careers in their respective native countries for the first few years of marriage. 

Today, celebrating over nine years of wedded bliss and three children, and with a loyal clientele that has allowed The Aivee Group to become one of the leading premier aesthetic institutes in non-invasive treatments like lasers, hair removal and Botox in the country, they couldn’t be happier. Since having their second child, they’ve decided to always be together. “I’m very proud to say that all these sacrifices that we did take in the beginning, were in preparation for our future. It was good for us to establish first our careers. We appreciate our relationship more now because we went through that.”

Aside from the launch of their newest clinic at the SM Mega Fashion Hall, their third non-hospital-based treatment center in Metro Manila, the couple also celebrated another success — winning, for the third time in a row, the prestigious Ulthera Visionary Award for Aivee. The honor was given in recognition of Aivee’s being one of the world’s leaders in administering the Ulthera treatment, a nonsurgical treatment to tighten and tone skin.

With such amazing success enjoyed in both their career and personal lives, we ask, “What’s the secret?” With a bright, relaxed smile, Aivee answers, “We apply the same philosophy to our work. We don’t plan too far ahead. We take it as it comes and do the best that we can. That’s the secret.”