August 16, 2008
Belo Tomas Morato

The Belo Medical Group is known for making filipinos beautiful but did you know that they help shape lives, too?

No, i’m not talking about the latest non-invasive Ultrasound technology for fat reduction and body contouring called BeloShape. Although this is a very good alternative to liposuction, what i’m actually referring to is the non-profit charity and other advocacies that the Belo Medical Group has recently launched.

I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. and listen to them talk about their beauty campaign, their non-surgical solutions, and about the Ike and Nena Belo Foundation. This private foundation, named after Dr. Vicki Belo’s parents, was set to help needy children with cleft palate requiring surgery, rehabilitation of burned victims, and scholarship grants for the less fortunate.

Just when you thought you’re there to sample the signature treatments and beauty breakthroughs at Belo Medical Group, they surprise you with a lot more. As Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. announced that Belo is set to launch a “Life Coaching” program with the aim of helping clients determine and achieve personal goals, i couldn’t help but think what could be next. The longer i stay there and listen, the more i grow fascinated with these doctors and their purpose to reach out and help people.

During my short stay in the States, i had the privilege of experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be trained and assessed by a Life Coach (Hello Pastor Wayne!). I was blessed to have that opportunity and to gain valuable lessons. Life coaching has roots in executive coaching and its techniques are developed and drawn from management consulting and leadership training. Life coaching also draws inspiration from other disciplines such as psychology, positive adult development, career counseling, mentoring, sociology, and other types of counseling. What struck me the most about life coaching is its use of multiple methods in order to help people reach their goals. Most importantly it is a practice that requires knowledge and a heart.

You cannot direct if you don’t know how to lead. Leading requires mentoring, and mentoring requires knowledge, patience, and lots of heart. As they say, “You cannot give what you don’t have.”

I’m not at all surprised to learn that on top of the charitable missions and all the activities at the Belo Medical Group, Dr. Vicki Belo also wants to be in the business of shaping people’s lives. After all, who can better do it than someone with a beautiful heart!

[logo credit: Belo Medical Group]