Fruits don’t always fall close to the tree.
Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, who comes from a long line of politicians, pursued a medical profession and found success.
She is the founder and president of the Aivee Group, whose flagship Aivee Clinic is known for skin care and non-invasive beauty treatments.
She said becoming a doctor of medicine was her father’s wish, not her own. She obliged, not realizing the difficulties, sacrifices and hard work involved.
Her father, Vergel Aguilar, served as Las Piñas mayor for six terms, or 18 years, followed by her mother, Imelda, in 2016. Her sister, April Aguilar-Nery, has been vice mayor since 2019. Their late patriarch, Dr. Felimon Aguilar, was Las Piñas mayor for 23 years.
Aivee graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and trained in dermatology and cosmetic procedures in Louisville, Kentucky; Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand; and the National Skin Center in Singapore.
She is known as a specialist in non-invasive aesthetic medicine, particularly in skin management, laser technologies, weight loss programs and regenerative therapies.
“We always have to make room in learning and discovering new treatments to provide patients the results that they want,” she said.
She began her professional journey in 2002, working at Asian Hospital and Las Piñas Doctors Hospital.
In 2009, she opened the first Aivee Clinic at Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
She said success came through perseverance, hard work and determination in the competitive dermatology industry.
“My husband and I combined our strengths. We focused on providing excellent care to our patients and building strong relationships. Together, we ensured growth by constantly innovating, staying ahead with the latest technologies and we continue to educate ourselves by attending conventions and trainings around the world,” Aivee said in an interview.
She explained her vision statement, “Building confidence, changing lives.”
“This vision stems from our belief that aesthetics goes beyond physical appearance — it’s about changing lives by boosting self-esteem. When people feel good about themselves, they carry that confidence into their personal and professional lives. I wanted to create a space where patients could achieve their best selves and leave feeling empowered. This philosophy has been at the heart of everything I do,” she said.
She credits her husband, Dr. Z Teo, a Singaporean cosmetic surgeon. They have two sons, Ken-Z and Kenzo, and a daughter, Kelicia.
“I met my husband Z in Singapore when I did a fellowship training at the National Skin Centre,” Aivee said.
Her recipe for success: perseverance, hard work and keeping up with the latest beauty trends.
While looking forward to business expansion, including four more branches, one outside Metro Manila, Aivee considers Beauty Beyond Borders her “proudest achievement.”
She said the project enables her to reach out to underserved communities and help people build their confidence through aesthetic treatments.
“Changing lives and making a real difference in the lives of people who need it the most is something I truly value,” she said.
