Imelda, Ballsy in eye-catching event

It must have been one special event — it brought together former First Lady now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos and the late former President Cory Aquino’s eldest child, Ballsy Cruz.

They were guests of honor at the grand launch of the Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetics Center (Philippines) at The Enterprise Center in Makati City.

Mrs. Marcos and Ballsy were joined by Sen. Loren Legarda, Makati First District Rep. Monique Lagdameo, Pops Fernandez and Priscilla Meirelles in cutting the ribbon for the opening. The Shinagawa group was in full force led by chairman of the Shinagawa Clinic Group of Companies Dr. Hajime Watahiki and his wife and chairwoman of Shinagawa Singapore Miyuki Watahiki, Junichi Torikata, president of Shinagawa Philippines Masako Uemori and President and CEO of  IPS, Inc. Koji Miyashita. Making the event a definite success was veteran talent manager and columnist Aster Amoyo, who was the occasion’s over-all organizer.

The Shinagawa Clinic Group of Companies is the biggest and number one eye laser and aesthetic  center in Japan. Now that it has branched out to the Philippines, it aims to bring the first-ever Japanese medical technology to the country. The center also aims to boost medical tourism not just in the Philippines but in the whole Asia Pacific region as well by attracting   foreign clients to try its top-of-the- line services.

The center’s eye laser uses the most advanced and safest facilities for Lasik. Its highly competent medical team also underwent intensive training at the Shinagawa Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tokyo in the early part of the year.

An evening of charity with Asian Hospital and Cats

It was the purr-fect way to cap a busy work week and start an exciting weekend for the audience who watched the opening night of the recently concluded Broadway musical Cats, sponsored by the Asian Hospital Charities Inc., the charity arm of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

The medical center’s CEO Theo Seiler says, “Culture is a part of the wellbeing of people, so this is a good step for the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, through the Asian Hospital Charities, to sponsor such a cultural event in its commitment to promote total wellbeing and healthcare in the Philippines. Moreover, this is indeed a good opportunity to raise more funds and secure more support from the public to benefit more beneficiaries of the Asian Hospital Charities.”

Director Dr. Josephine Tuason adds, “We are truly grateful for the show of support from those who bought tickets and truly believed in what Asian Hospital Charities has been committed to the past five years — that is, providing indigent patients specialized services not available in government hospitals. Through this sponsorship, we are also delighted to have given our supporters entertainment through the wonderful performances of the Cats cast, particularly Ms. Lea Salonga.”

More fundraising activities are lined up by Asian Hospital Charities until the end of the year to facilitate the needs of its beneficiaries.

(To know how you can extend a helping hand, call Asian Hospital Charities, Inc. at 771-9000 to 02 local 8202 or visit www.asianhospital.com)