Beautiphil Health Holidays Corporation

January 11, 2006

Let me tell you where Emi Villanueva Padla, Liz Monponbanua Gomez, Dess Allanigue Madsen, Temi Padla (Emi's husband), and I (Vinchu Mantaring Lapid) were yesterday, January 10th. Yes, Beautiphil was at the media launch of the Philippine Medical Tourism Program at the Manila Diamond Hotel on Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

First, let me tell you a little about what Beautiphil is. About a year ago, Emi Villanueva-Padla and her husband Temi, Dess Allanigue-Madsen, Liz Monponbanua-Gomez and myself (Vinchu Mantaring-Lapid) incorporated a company that would promote Medical Tourism in the Philippines. Our name, BEAUTIPHIL HEALTH HOLIDAYS CORPORATION. Our objectives were multi-pronged. We were worried about the exodus of Filipino medical practioners to other countries (doctors, nurses, caregivers, even x-ray technicians were leaving the country to seek greener pastures elsewhere), we wanted to do something together for the country, and we wanted to earn money for ourselves.

We didn't realize the so many details we had to deal with to set up our operations. We had to establish relationships with hospitals, clinics and doctors, seek recognition by the Department of Tourism, foster alliances with tourist and travel agencies, acquire more than just a working knowledge about the different medical procedures that we would be marketing. Then there are caregiver agencies, spas, medical laboratories, car hire services, interpreters to network with. And very important was the development of the website that would have to be updated each time we started working with a new "partner".

We allied ourselves with RxPinoy - doing the same thing, in fact a competitor of sorts, who had already done these past several years the legwork that we're trying to do. RxPinoy was invited to participate in the media launch of the government's Medical Tourism Program. In turn, RxPinoy invited us to share his booth with them in exchange for providing manpower.

In the span of one week, we were able to have brochures printed, tarpaulin posters made, and even shopped for little souvenirs as give-aways (little mirror and comb sets that Emi bought in Divisoria for P4.00 each on which we put little Beautiphil stickers).

The event itself was a huge success considering the media coverage it got. However, it got quite a mileage for Beautiphil too - we met representatives from all the major hospitals, clinics, and even spas. Now all we have to do is market our services. Don't be surprised if you see any of us in your part of the world making a sales pitch.