20 questions: Dr. Vicki Belo: If you push me hard, I will push back

Manila, Philippines - If Dr. Vicki Belo were to have a weekly medical drama on television, it surely wouldn’t be a comedy series like Scrubs, or some dramedy like Doogie Howser,M.D. Certainly it would be some romantic drama like Grey’s Anatomy or House, complete with blood, sweat and tears. The blood and sweat would naturally be shed in the operating room, and the tears outside of it would be enough to fill the hospital.

No other doctor has become a national household word (“MagpaBelo ka para gumanda ka!”), an international beauty icon (it is every balikbayan’s agenda to get a Belo makeover), and, yes, a star in a series of unfortunate and heart-wrenching events involving another doctor and an actress.

Beneath all the celebrity fuss around her, there is the true Vicki who is a fighter and a survivor. Yes, she is determined to fight for the truth. And she will survive.

1. Describe your present state of mind

So many things have happened recently — this whole sex video episode, losing my biological father, and many others — but I can honestly say that I am at peace. My family is doing great, and the Belo Clinics have been generally unaffected, so I have a lot to be thankful for. I’ve sought peace in prayer, so a wonderful thing that came out of these recent challenges is a stronger faith and a better relationship with God.

2. Are you a fighter?

I would rather not be, because believe it or not, I hate confrontations. Most of the time, they just lead to a lot of undue negativity and stress. But I guess if you push me hard enough, there will definitely come a point when I will push back.

3. What would make you cry?

I’m one of those people who are “mababaw ang luha.” I get touched by the simplest things: a book I’m reading, a scene from a movie, or even just recalling past experiences. I’m a pretty sentimental person, and it comes out a lot.

4. What is your idea of happiness?

I believe that happiness is not the abundance of blessings, but the absence of want. If you are able to find contentment in simple joys — family time, a quiet evening with friends, a relaxing cup of coffee — then happiness is that much easier to find.

5. What is the best thing ever said about you?

People say that I am a loyal and dependable friend, who is faithful through thick and thin. I think that’s the best thing ever said about me, and buti na lang, madalas sinasabi.

6. What is the worst lie ever said about you?

That I am not qualified to practice my profession — it’s so unfair to me and the institutions I received my training from. For 12 long years I studied and worked hard to become an expert in what I do, tapos bale wala lang sa ibang tao. It’s really a low blow.

7. Do you believe in forgiveness?

I’m far from being perfect, so I definitely wish other people would forgive me for my shortcomings. The ability to forgive others — regardless of whether or not the one at fault asks for forgiveness — is a true blessing. This is something I have tried to apply in my own life, and an important lesson I would like to impart to my children.

8. Who or what would you describe as overrated?

Reality television. Every situation is now being turned into a reality TV show.

9. What book are you reading right now? What movie did you last see?

I’m reading Aesthetic Plastic Surgery by Dr. Sherrell Aston, Dr. Douglas Steinbrech and Dr. Jennifer Walden. It’s not exactly your typical leisurely reading material, but what can I say? I’m deeply in love with the subject matter. I am also reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle for my spiritual growth, and A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink, because I love learning the psychology of people.

The last movie I saw was Transformers. More than the robots, I kept on noticing Megan Fox’s lips — I think they were a bit overdone.

10. Is there any  movie that has touched you or given you a moment of epiphany?

There are so many movies that have touched me, and because I have such a wide variety of tastes in film, they include everything from period movies to Disney cartoons.

The Kite Runner is one of my favorites. It’s such a beautiful movie involving so many aspects of the human experience.

11. How has your being an adopted child influenced your outlook in life?

Being adopted made me more open-minded. People can have all sorts of backgrounds, and sometimes these do not conform to what society generally accepts as the norm. But it does not make them any less of a person, capable of loving and deserving to be loved in return.

12. What do you do to de-stress?

There’s a running joke in my clinics that “Dr. Belo de-stresses by working harder.” But seriously, I relax by having a good meal with my children or my friends, catching a movie, getting a massage, or meditating. When I’m particularly harassed, a little bit of retail therapy also helps, of course.

13. If you could be granted one wish right now, what would it be?

I don’t want to waste a wish, because I know that eventually this will happen. But right now, I wish everyone would finally realize that I am completely innocent of all these outrageous accusations against me and my clinic.

14. If not yourself, who would you be?

I really can’t imagine not being the mother of my two children, or having a different set of experiences than the one I’ve had. Ang hirap sagutin ng question na yan.

It’s funny, but if I really had to trade places with someone, I wouldn’t choose to become royalty, a Hollywood star or a historic figure. It would probably be Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, a world-renowned cosmetic surgeon from Brazil who invented so many procedures. That way, I would still be able to do what I love doing the most: practicing the art and science of beauty.

15. What is your unfulfilled dream?

To transform the Philippines into the prime destination for medical tourism and aesthetic expertise among all countries.

16. How do you picture yourself 10 years from now?

I’ll be better than I’ve ever been. Ten years more means better technology, more experience, a stronger team, and a whole new generation of Filipinos who associate “beauty” with “Belo.” I don’t see myself slowing down; in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

17. At this point, what does love mean to you?

Love is something that can cause great joy, but also great pain. Love makes life worth living.

18. How do you know it’s true love?

When you place the other person’s needs before your own, and share a trust and belief in one another that will help both of you attain your dreams. True love is not blind, of course, but once you recognize each other’s flaws, these are either cherished or changed for the better.

19. Do you believe in unconditional love?

It wouldn’t be love if it had conditions, right?

20. What kind of man would make you fall in love again?

Right now, falling in love again is the farthest thing from my mind. I can’t even begin to think about that. But if the right man comes along, why not? He would have to possess a quiet confidence, someone who is completely self-assured without being arrogant. He should be deeply compassionate, without being blind to the realities of the world. His ability to make me laugh would be based on his knowledge of the things I genuinely like, and the things that amuse me.

He doesn’t have to be the most handsome guy, but he has to have intelligence, wit, a good personality and a sense of humor. And definitely, he should accompany me when I do yoga and play squash.

Most importantly, he should be able to distinguish “Vicki” from “Dr. Vicki Belo, Cosmetic Surgeon to the Stars.” Although he will appreciate both, he will love, respect and cherish me for who I am and not for what I have achieved.