Davao's Beauty Hotel

Determined to go into medical tourism, a Davao born cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist ventured into operating a beauty hotel now named as Oroderm Hotel where guests could indulge into various services from spa, facial or body massage within the hotel.

Dr. Neil Oropesa who first practiced his profession seven years ago in Davao City and made good in treating the skin of Dabawenyos opened up 25 other branches all over the country but made a hit in 2006 when he opened 12 branches within that year.

Noting the increasing number of clients that come from other parts of the island and even the balikbayans, he decided to open a hotel where he could offer to clients a place where they could stay and at the same take their regimen for their skin care.

Beside the hotel is the Gazing Restaurant where it offers its specialty menu - "paksiw na buntot ng tuna". Hotel guests like foreigners love to hang out in the restaurant not only because of its varied menus but they could also catch the dawn scene of farmers dropping their agricultural produce at the "bagsakan center" just across the street.

Amelda Saramosing Oropesa, mother of Dr. Oropesa, helped in the operation of the businesses and in an interview said they are fulfilled when they find their clients satisfied of the services they offered.

The old Oropesa as far as the hotel operation is concerned even go into the details of selecting the beds and the pillows for the 27 rooms that they operate.

The guest has choices of rooms from suite, family, standard, double, or single. All aircondition rooms are equipped with hot and cold shower, telephone, cable tv and the six floors hotel has a service lift, a function room and fire exit.

She said they never thought this business would click even as she said that they are guided by the principle of good, quality and transparent business.

Right now the hotel other than servicing their regular clients also capture new clients for the dermatological procedures done by Dr. Oropesa or to the Oropesa Spa and Medical Clinic.

The Oropesa's, she said is into business since the 70s where her husband Roger manages Radiowealth branch offices which grew to 18 branches during his watch.

The Oropesa Marketing was into selling appliances but in the 80s there store was among those that were affected by the San Pedro Street fire. Though heavy with her second child she went into the store and tried to save some of their records. She failed to gather those records and instead got a third degree burn on her face because of the heat of the fire.

"My face got burned and it was destroyed," she said.

She recalled hopping from one dermatologists to another in Cebu and in Manila because none was available in Davao that time and they incurred big amount just for her skin treatment. She then ventured into the dermhaus business where she opened an outlet.

The business also was doing well that time until finally the Oroderm Clinic was established.

She said medicine was not the love of Dr. Oropesa because he wanted to become a lawyer. "I did not pushed him to take up medicine but just throw the idea to him. And maybe because of my condition perhaps he was challenged.

Dr. Oropesa in his clinic has over a dozen top of the line laser machines that cost millions of pesos. These high end equipment are the same equipment found in Belo Medical Clinic in Manila.

Now you could not see any trace of burned skin (please see top photo of mother Oropesa in green tops). The Oropesa's toured us to their hotel and am sharing you some of these photographs.

You need a sunblock

Skin protection is a must especially during summer with so many outdoor activities.

Dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Neil Oropesa said people must protect their skin by using sun block and most of all avoid too much exposure without any skin protection.

Aging comes fast when the skin is exposed to the sun directly and when you
compare Filipinos to foreigners that love sun bathing they (Filipinos) appear younger because they see to it that they have something to cover their body especially their faces when under the sun.

"This is good for us Filipinos because we become conscious of protecting our skin and the consciousness today is now for both male and female," he said.

Oropesa who operates 25 centers all the over the country said they saw the trend that Filipinos are now conscious of maintaining and protecting their skin.

But he said next to food and other basic needs more people set aside money at the least for facial and spa.

"We notice this trend especially the younger once and I think with a good skin it could enhance their personality and self confidence," he said.

Oropesa meanwhile said that people had a notion that derma is expensive and he admitted that during his exposure to dermatology clinics in Manila and even in the US he noticed that most of the clients are the A and B as he was wondering where the C and D market go.

Based on interviews he said they found out that these sectors in the Philippines that have skin problems goes to the beauty salon and most of them do not have proper training on how to handle these cases.

Knowing this he vowed that he will put up a dermatology clinic that will offer services at affordable pay so those in the lower sector could avail of this type of services.

He however advised people to visit immediately a dermatologist once they notice a problem of their skin.

"Just a small pimple is enough sign that you visit a dermatologist," he said.

He said when the case is simple it will not incur much money on its treatment, what will make the cost high is when the skin after not being treated by an expert that would result to secondary diseases and that would be difficult to treat. It will also be costly because it would need a much-higher treatment, Oropesa said.