
After getting backlash due to a recent video advertisement, the Belo Medical Group has issued a statement and apologized.
In a post on social media, the beauty clinic, headed by Dr. Vicki Belo, issued a statement of apology to the public and has taken down the said video.
The statement reads, "We apologize about our recent Pandemic Effect film. Thank you for being gracious in letting us know your thoughts about it.
"We hear you. You helped us see what we failed to see, which is that the film is insensitive and upsetting. Because of this, we have taken the ad down.
"We commit ourselves to learning from this and bringing our learnings into the future."
On August 10, the clinic released an ad created by the Gigil Ad Agency. It depitcted a woman going through a significant physical change while in quarantine. The changes include, acne breakout, growing facial and body hair, and gaining weight.
This triggered a response from netizens, claiming the video shows "beauty standards" and "shaming women" for their insecurities and imperfections.
Let's talk about what's wrong with the Belo ad.
-- Nina (@theninaellaine) August 10, 2021
It's not the pandemic, Dra. It's society's beauty standards and the way capitalists ride on it to exploit our insecurities. It's the way you make it look like our fatness is a disease and your clinic can cure it away. pic.twitter.com/4nvx4gujHn
i have always loved gigil's work but the belo ad just didn't hit the mark. it preyed on how flaws don't make you beautiful and how imperfections need to be resolved through beauty enhancements. even the copy can't save the whole ad. disappointing. https://t.co/1Quce73GzK
-- ally (@reginevlsqz) August 10, 2021
After releasing the statement, netizens quickly expressed their understanding of the issue, and thanked the poular beauty clinic for taking accountability over the issue.
One commenter wrote on Belo Medical Group's Instagram post, "That's what you call professionalism. You admitted the mistake, apologized, and listened. Kudos to you Belo Medical Group! God bless & stay safe."
Another netizen said, "Salamat sa pakikinig samin. Hindi lang ito para sa'kin hindi lang din po para sa inyo kundi para sating lahat."
The Belo Medical Group is a "medical aesthetic ambulatory clinic in the Philippines" according to their website. It was founded in 1990 by Dr. Vicki Belo.
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