As if the Philippines’ fabulous beaches, dive sites, food and festivals were not enough, here’s another reason to visit the country and take along hordes of friends.

The Philippine government has
unveiled a concerted drive to turn the country into one of the better destinations for tourists keen on enjoying not just the traditional sights but also a spot of health, beauty & wellness, and a little surgical rejuvenation. (See related story.)

In fact, Ace Durano, the country’s Tourism Secretary, recently led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of Beverly Hills 6750 Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Institute at the posh 6750 Building on Ayala Avenue in Makati. In addition to fierce rivals in cosmetic surgery in the Philippines – the Belo Medical Group and the Calayan Medical Group – the new skin institute is the newest and perhaps the most poised in the Philippines to serve up “beauty packages” to tourists and locals.

So, for balikbayans eager to meet their long-time-no-see friends and relatives, treating their face, their teeth, or various body parts to cosmetic ministrations may be their first order of business.

Offering the best and latest in plastic surgery and aesthetic dermatology at competitive prices, Beverly Hills 6750 is founded and operated by glam couple David Bunevacz and Jessica Rodriguez. With their background in showbiz, the two certainly understand the value of achieving beauty, maintaining it, or just improving it. But they’re also more sensitive to their clients’ needs. They go through elaborate lengths to help clients keep whatever treatment they’re going to have at Beverly Hills 6750 a secret. (If you want it badly enough, they can pick you up at an agreed location, whisk you from the building’s parking lot straight to their private elevator and up to their private consultation room.)

Not only that, they claim their Filipino professionals will do the makeovers perfectly so that transformations don’t look obvious and false. “If you’ve had a nose job and everybody can tell, you’ve had a lousy nose job,” said Bunevacz.

Best of both worlds

Bunevacz also said that before Beverly Hills 6750, one had to shuttle to separate beauty spas and clinics for a host of beauty treatments. For instance, one would probably consider St. Luke’s Hospital, Belo or Calayan for a little tummy or face tuck, or a breast lift or augmentation. Then, one would have to search for a good dentist for a teeth whitening or a makeover.

Bunevacz told ONE PHILIPPINES Beverly Hills 6750 offers beautification from head to toe. The clinic offers skin care treatments, the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry, and various cosmetic procedures to take care of the every conceivable body part...including one’s privates.

David and Jessica opened the new facility in September after studying the so-called vanity business for 18 months.

They decided to affiliate themselves with the Beverly Hills Surgical Institute (BHSI) of California, USA, which began and brought plastic and aesthetic dermatology to the mainstream of the Hollywood community more than 10 years ago. The tie-up gives Beverly Hills 6750 an advantage in so far as the “exchange of experience in best practices, clinical protocols, and the latest technologies” are concerned.

In addition, Bunevacz feels Beverly Hills is a “credible partner” that would provide a “good comfort level for clients.” This means giving tourists the confidence in maximizing the reliable yet cheaper costs of health, beauty and wellness services in countries like the Philippines.

Moreover, the couple got 1993 Miss Universe Dayanara Torres to sell the clinic internationally, and by extension, promote Philippine Medical tourism. (See sidebar).

In the name of beauty

Though their facility and services are upscale, expect no snobbery as Jessica Rodriguez-Bunevacz herself promises that each client will be attended to in a friendly manner as soon as possible. They welcome inquiries and consultation with their doctors so the client can get the most appropriate beauty services for their needs. In Beverly Hills 6750, “real trained doctors will directly attend to you, and not just ‘assistants,’” Jessica says.

Another plus factor is their price. Considering their new equipment, high technology and skilled professionals, their prices are either at par with (or even lower than) those from other known medical groups.

Bunevacz proudly told us that their dental services are recognized by the American Dental Association. They also use laser in the “art and science of creating a beautiful smile.” They do restorative dentistry, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, crowns and cosmetic bonding. What in plain language does it all mean? They’ll save and improve the appearance of one’s teeth as much as they can. Much like a house that’s under repair and general maintenance, they’ll fill holes, whiten walls, cover the teeth if it’s chipped or cracked and if some can’t be saved anymore, they’ll create the best imitation of the original using porcelain, which they said is the best available so far.

Beverly Hills 6750 also does liposuction, tummy tucks and surgeries to lift, augment or reduce breast size.

It can “erase” wrinkles and frown lines, improve skin texture and clarity, address acne, or simply rejuvenate the face and rid it of the pollution’s ill effects.

Bestselling treatments

The current bestselling services at Beverly Hills are Thermage and Fraxel, Bunevacz said. While Thermage has been used primarily to reverse the signs of aging in the face and neck, it has also been recently used to tone the skin in the abdomen, arms, buttocks and thighs.

Fraxel, meanwhile, uses “dermatologic laser system” to rejuvenate the skin of the face, neck, chest and hands. It’s a safe, time-effective procedure to even out one’s complexion caused by age spots, sun spots, wrinkles and acne scars. The procedures are said to cost significantly lower compared to other cosmetic surgery centers.

So, attention balikbayans. Before meeting your relatives and friends to give them their pasalubongs, treat yourself to your favorite I-love-me treatment. You can even leave the clinic in style – chauffered in a BMW Beverly Hills 6750 provides. Then, you’ll be ready to surprise your loved (and not so loved) ones with your better-looking self.

Beverly Hills 6750 located at the 11th floor of 6750 Bldg. at Ayala Ave., Makati City in Manila. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm. For inquiries, call 632.893.8888 or email bunevacz@yahoo.com.

Amy Oliveros writes for a weekly newspaper for expats in the Philippines.