With the fast changing times, people are becoming more accepting of people who undergo cosmetic enhancements, which used to be a taboo topic.
In fact, in other countries like South Korea, the birthplace of the K-drama and K-pop idols, going under the knife is almost normal which makes the East Asian nation as the “plastic surgery capital” of the world.
In a report by 'Huffpost,' in 2011 alone, nearly 650,000 cosmetic procedures were performed in South Korea citing data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
in connection to this, cosmetic enhancement is a big business in the nation. Based on an article from voanews.com, the plastic surgery industry in Korea was worth $10.7 billion dollars three years ago.
Meanwjhile, here in the Philippines, more people (including celebrities) have become comfortable sharing to others the cosmetic enhancement done to their body.
A quick check on Facebook showed that groups like 'Plastic Surgery Support Group' has over 119,000 members, while the 'Philippines Rhinoplasty Support Group' has at least 92,000 members.
Another private group, 'Plastic Surgery and Vanity Philippines' boasts 41,000 members.
In fact, celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Aivee Aguilar-Teo, who both have a long-list of “A-list” celebrity clients and endorsers, have been instrumental in helping Pinoys learn more about the plastic surgery industry.
Thinking about getting some enhancements done to your body? Check out the cosmetic enhancement done to these famous actors and social media personalities in this gallery.
Practice what you preach. Of course, renowned cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo has also done enhancements in the past. In fact, before her glitzy dream wedding with Hayden Kho in September 2017 in Paris, she underwent “botox” procedure. Dra. Belo founded the Belo Medical Group in 1990, one of the top medical aesthetic ambulatory clinics in the Philippines.
Even Dra. Vicki's daughter with Atom Henares, Cristalle Belo, also opened up about going under the knife! In an interview in 2011, Cristalle confirmed that she got liposuction for her midsection and arms to remove her baby fats. According to reports, Cristalle became the managing director of the Belo Medical Group and CEO of Belo Essentials.
Cosplayer and entrepreneur Alodia Gosiengfiao, now Mrs. Quimbo after tying the knot with Christopher in February 2023, is also a client of Dra. Vicki Belo. In fact, she was open to the public about getting a 360° liposuction with the famed beauty expert. Alodia shared, “Well recently, I've been wearing a lot of corsets for my costume ganyan, I tried to incorporate that para we have this nice hour glass shape. Before, I can do spandex, 'yung mga latex ganyan. Okay lang, like my silholutte was okay. But now siyempre I try to compensate and try to make it better through other ways. Pero sana mabalik lang doon sa what we can do before.”
'Pepito Manaloto' comedienne Maureen Larrazabal did not think twice to confirm in an interview with PEP.Ph in 2007 about the enhancement done to her body. She did not elaborate what these procedures were but the actress stressed that she is already happy how she looks. “Unang-una, nagiging running joke na nga siya sa mga sitcoms na kinabilangan ko. Tapos, tuwing may topic sa talk show regarding pagreretoke, kinukuha nila akong guest. Kaya it's really nothing to be ashamed of. Proud ako to have a few things done sa katawan ko."
'Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2' grand winner Janine Berdin was the talk of the town in 2020 after getting some cosmetic enhancement done to her nose. In an article in cosmo.ph, it was reported that Janine spent least Php 100,000 for the procedure.
Finally free, todo na 'to! Sparkle comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto opened up about her breast implants in her Instagram post in 2014. According to the award-winning comedienne, she needed to remove her silicon implants, because it was causing her pain and the doctors found something, when she underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI.
She posted then, "Yes finally my boobs all naturan am silicon free! [sic] Infairness talagang pasabog makatotohanan ang ganap! Pang tutukan! Saya! I can't think of anything funny anymore so family said samahan Ako MRI ayun meron na pala ganap. So help me God benign naman."
Content creator and businesswoman Kryz Uy bravely shared in her vlog in August 2019 about her eye surgery for her monolids that was her biggest insecurity. In the video description, the wife of 'Pinoy Big Brother' winner Slater Young stated that she was “ostracized for being too Chinese." She said, "All the popular kids sort of made this whole culture a joke, and so all I wanted was to disassociate myself with it. I'd hear comments like 'Insik gyud,' or 'Pikot mata' and many others of the sort that really made it difficult for me to be proud of my heritage. This was back in elementary school, when we didn't have access to the internet and when people were far less open minded and exposed. As I grew older and became more exposed to the world outside school, I became more and more conscious of myself and how people see me.”
Kapuso power diva Jessica Villarubin is a picture of a confident woman after she underwent surgery for a beauty enhancement. In 2021, the grand winner of 'The Clash Season 3' explained why she decided to take on this journey. “Ngayon po na parang nagbago na ako… hindi naman nagbago, 'yung face lang po naman. I'm still the Jessica that you know pero [sana] maging inspirasyon din po sa lahat ng nangangarap dahil wala naman pong masama kung i-e-enhance natin 'yung sarili natin as long as it makes us happy po.”
Viral singer Gigi de Lana is not hiding in the shadows, when asked about her plastic surgery. Gigi told Lionheartv in 2021 that if you “love yourself” then, you should “enhance” and “grow." The performer explained, “You love yourself; you enhance; you grow; you wanted to be the best version of yourself years ago. Personal preference ko rin kasi na magparetoke at umamin sa public. Kasi alam naman eh, mahahalata mo naman kasi.”
'Pinoy Big Brother 737' winner Miho Nishida confirmed in her interview with Boy Abunda in 2017 that since her cosmetic surgery, she felt a boost of confidence because of her improved looks.
Kapamilya singer and celebrity mom Angeline Quinto has no qualms about admitting that she is a “proud retokada." In several interviews, Angeline mentioned that she underwent an eyelid surgery in the past and confirmed that she had liposuction in her arms and belly. On her Instagram page, she talked about her beauty enhancement saying, "Never q ikinahiya kung ano ang mga pinagawa q. At hanggang ngaun napakalaking issue sa iba. Ikaw naman ang magttrabaho at gagawa ng paraan para makapagparetoke ka e. Hindi naman hihingin o nanakawin ang ipangbabayad. Kesa ho manggaling sa ibang tao ung IPANGBABAYAD mas pangit ho."
Another celebrity who didn't shy away from telling her own beauty enhancement story is Jinkee Pacquiao, the wife of former senator and Pambansang Kamao Manny 'Pacman” Pacquiao. Jinkee recalled in her interview with 'Salamt Dok' program that after the birth of Princess, she decided to undergo liposuction procedure for her arms and abdomen.
'The Clash' judge Lani Misalucha has said before that she doesn't see anything wrong if someone wanted to change something with her body through plastic surgery. In her interview in 2014 with a broadsheet, the Asia's Nightingale said, "It's my choice. Kung ikaka-enhance ng features mo, ikabubuti, ikadadagdag ng appeal sa face mo, why not?"
Actress Michelle Madrigal made a life-changing decision in December 2019 to remove her breast implants. The former 'Adarna' star told the public in her Instagram post that she had her implants done in 2007 or 2008. After the medical procedure, Michelle stated that she feels happy about her decision.
“I did it y'all!!! I was so nervous this morning because I wasn't sure what to expect post surgery (how my boobs would look without implants). Then I woke up feeling lighter and happier knowing that I am on the way to healing and recovery," she said.
Concert Queen and former 'Centerstage' judge Pops Fernandez wanted to get the same luscious lips like her idol Angelina Jolie. That's why in an interview in the defunct showbiz talks show 'The Buzz', she admitted that she had her lips “plumped”.
Bankable TV host and comedian Vice Ganda has previously mentioned before that he had undergone a hip surgery and a botox procedure for his underarms.
Former 'StarStruck V: The Worldwide Invasion' finalist Nathalie Heart (formerly Princess Snell) confirmed in an interview with PEP.Ph that she had her breast augmentation done abroad. She said in 2016, "In the past, I was 32B, now I am 32C. I just wanted to be enhanced. It's upsized but it's not really so big."
In 2015, Beauty Gonzalez wanted to achieve further changes in her body and opted to seek help from Dra. Vicki Belo. Beauty's cosmetic enhancement journey was featured in the Kapamilya news website, wherein she got liposuction like her arms and thigh area.
Comedienne and entertainer Kitkat was so transparent in her podcast interview in 2021, when she openly discussed her cosmetic surgery. Cosmo.ph reported that the TV personality had her nose and boobs done. Kitkat added that she also underwent a non-invasive lip and chin fillers, as well.
Versatile actor and Sparkle comedian Paolo Contis underwent a laser liposuction procedure to get rid of his bulging tummy.
Actress-singer Rachel Alejandro confirmed in an interview with an showbiz entertainment site in 2018 that she had a botox procedure done to her face, but stressed that she didn't want to overdo it. Rachel told PEP.Ph then, “You still have to look like you. I think the key really is restraint. Kailangan konti lang, you still have to look like you.”
Entrepreneur and social media personality Cat Arambulo-Antonio openly admitted that she underwent several body sculpting procedures like tummy tuck, liposuction, and belly button correction.
In an interview with Dr. Aivee Aguilar Teo's vlog, Mommy Cat shared what pushed her to enhance her body. She explained, “But one thing I realized is that, it's not enough. If I can still do something about myself to become better and I can afford it naman with my own personal expenses why not, right? And the same way, I feel that I'm 40 years old. My goal is to live till I'm a 100. So, I have 60 more years to live, right? So, I'm not gonna spend that 60 years looking at that flab of mine.”
YouTube creator and actress Toni Fowler went on record during her interview with Karen Davila on her vlog that she's a 'retokada.' In fact, Toni explained that she had at least two operations done on her eyes and seven operations on her nose. She stated that improving her body is part of boosting her self-confidence. “Actually, it's always about building your self-confidence, e. Lagi naman ganun, 'tsaka kung ano man 'yung insecurities mo kung pupuwede mo naman gawan ng paraan kapag gusto mo. Sabi nga nila 'di ba, 'pag may pera ka, tapos pangit ka pa, kasalanan mo na 'yun.”
In 2022, Kapamilya actress Janella Salvador tapped the expertise of beauty doctor Vicki Belo to get a more slender body by undergoing a “360-degree liposuction.” This procedure removed unwanted fat from her back, arms, and abdomen. Janella gave birth to her son Jude Trevor Paterson on October 20, 2020 in the United Kingdom.
Former GirlTrends member Chie Filomeno told in her interview with 'The King of Talk' Boy Abunda in 2019 that she had a nose job. In a separate interview with PEP.Ph, the actress-dancer explained that there's nothing wrong about her decision. “Enhancing something sa face mo na gusto mo maging confident, that's something... kung nagawa mo man yun, it doesn't make you less of a person. Kung ikaka-confident mo yun, why not do it, kasi yun ang magpapasaya sa iyo and alam mo what's best for you.”
Sexy actress Ynez Veneracion denied that she had done something to enhance her face in an interview with an entertainment website in 2018, but confirmed that she had some surgery for her boobs and hips.
It was refreshing to see fashion blogger Bryanboy, or Bryan Grey Yambao in real life, document his cosmetic procedure for his fans to see. In 2016, he posted updates about his “upgrade” in his body like his nose reconstruction and his chill fillers. Just to name a few of the procedures he has done to get that "improved” look.
Sexy actress AJ Raval is embracing her new body after announcing on May 30, 2023, that she had gone through with her plan to remove her breast implants.
Back in December 2021, AJ already told PEP.Ph that although she's happy about the outcome of her breast implants, she also realized other things.
AJ shared, “Naging happy naman po ako pero ang dami ko pa rin realizations and I'm planning na ipatanggal ko next year.
“I'm planning po, kasi last year, nagpa-enhance po ako ng boobs. Ayoko pong magsinungaling, natural na po sa akin yun.
“Pero planning po ako na ipatanggal next year. Gusto ko pong magkaroon ng freedom sa sarili ko.”
Actress-vlogger Alex Gonzaga finally got her nose enhancement after years of postponing it. On her Instagram post on December 15, 2023, she said: “I say do what makes you happy! After so many years of contemplating, last month I finally decided to do it. Wala ng nakapigil. Now you nose! #filternomore #Belo”
In a TV interview in 2018, Kapamilya diva Morissette Amon revealed she had an arm liposuction procedure since she had been insecure about her arms.
Donita Rose revealed that she had a facelift procedure. In her vlog, she talked about the details of her cosmetic surgery and her thoughts on beauty enhancements.
She said, "I did a facelift. Yes, you can say what you want to say about it. Some people say natural beauty is better but you know what, people just want to enhance that beauty or whatever features that is that makes them feel good about themselves."