‘Ganda is in; tiis ganda is out’
Thus declared Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, co-founder and president of the Aivee Group, during the unique launch of its Aivee Star branch at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.
Aivee and her husband and co-founder Dr. Z Teo, also the group’s CEO, served up a starry launch—and lunch—that teamed Aivee Star with chef Josh Boutwood of two-Michelin-starred restaurant Helm Manila and Vix Rathour of Gaggan Louis Vuitton Bangkok, ranked No. 8 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026.
In between courses that were works of beauty as well, Dr. Aivee told us, “Filipinos want comfort, and they go to Aivee because they want to be comfortable; they want to enjoy their treatment. We have to consider that when it comes to treatments, it’s not one-size-fits-all. We have to cater to every patient. Many don’t want to feel bugbog (tender and swollen) after treatments. When you’re uncomfortable, you don’t want to come back because you get traumatized.
“Some patients don’t mind pain. But I think the trend now is we want less pain, but without compromising the results. So tiis ganda (suffering for beauty), it’s no longer in. Tiis ganda is out. Ganda lang (Only beauty) is in,” she said as we glided from the appetizers of goat cheese. beetroot. caviar (by Chef Vix) to smoked trout.ink.roe (by Chef Josh).
The posh and state-of-the-art Aivee Star (walls between treatment rooms are soundproofed for further privacy, for instance) is only a few meters away from Helm on the third floor of The Shops at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.
“So, we thought, if we are going to open beside the country’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant, why not bring that experience into Aivee Star?” Dr. Z earlier said in his welcome remarks, delivered as champagne and mocktails were passed around before. “That’s why we collaborated with Chef Josh of Helm and his team, and we also flew in Chef Vix from Gaggan Louis Vuitton Bangkok to join hands to create a culinary experience that is out of this world for our guests and for all special people like you.
“Because we are really about precision, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and creating and delivering an experience that people remember. So, it’s kind of linked together. Some might be thinking it’s kind of weird, but for us, great food and beauty and aesthetics are similar.”
The inauguration of Aivee Star also marked the 17th anniversary of the Aivee Group, which is now an umbrella of clinics (eight in the Philippines and one in Singapore).
“We’ve raised the bar in every single way that we can think of,” said Dr. Z.
A bespoke menu
A bespoke menu of carefully curated and sourced entrees was served during the collaboration of Aivee X Helm X Gaggan Louis Vuitton.
During the lunch at Helm, guests were treated to summer peas. lovage. horseradish (by Chef Vix ); lobster. sabayon. green apples (by Chef Josh); garganelli. clam. vindaloo (Chef Vix); guinea fowl. adobo koji. marmite. watercress (Chef Josh); scallop. curry. cucumber (Chef Vix); wagyu. celeriac. black trumpet (Chef Josh) and for dessert, lychee. white strawberry. tamarind (Chef Josh). All paired with five-star wines.
After lunch, we had barely taken enough steps to work off the calories before surrendering to another indulgence at Aivee Star, just a hop and a skip away from Helm. Aivee Star presented that day its own menu of bespoke treatments: Aivee 2Min Magic Lift, which instantly lifts, firms, and defines facial contours with no downtime; Aivee Xerf, which is advanced radio frequency for firmer, tighter, and more youthful-looking skin; Aivee Onda Pro, which targets stubborn fat while tightening skin for a smoother, sculpted silhouette; Aivee Snatch Fairy Lift, featuring needleless treatment that makes use of shockwave to deliver serums deep into the skin for facial slimming, tightening, and skin detox; and Aivee Titanium Lift, a triple wavelength laser that can gently tighten, lift, and brighten the skin. I tried the Titanium Lift and loved it because it was quick, complete (it targeted even laugh lines) and had no downtime.
Stars
Despite the rains, it was a bright day.
What is star quality to Aivee, who works with those who have it and those who need just a little boost to make it shine through?
“Star quality is a feeling. It’s an experience.”
Can you spot it, I asked.
“I think everybody has a star quality. You just have to discover it,” said Aivee, who recently led a medical mission and classroom donation to indigenous communities in Porac, Pampanga.
“To be a star is to be beautiful inside. That’s what makes one a star,” she added.
No need for tiis. Ganda only.
