Let’s get to know Dr. Corazon Jose
If you have been wondering how cosmetic surgery started in the Philippines, here is the story of Dr. Corazon Collantes-Jose, a multi-awarded cosmetic surgeon, who introduced cosmetic surgery in the country. She is called the mother of cosmetic surgery in the Philippines.
More than half a century ago, Dr. Jose found herself as the only female Filipina doctor doing her internship in a male-dominated hospital at St. Elizabeth Hospital in New Jersey, US. Her colleagues were surprised by her command of the English language, at a time when the Philippines was not yet known. This didn’t deter her. In fact, she excelled and became the chief intern until she passed her internship with flying colors. She took her residency in city hospitals in New York until she passed her boards.
Dr. Jose pursued ENT/head and neck surgery and took further studies in otosclerosis (abnormal ear bone growth). She eventually learned about cosmetic surgery when she was observing at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital.
Asked about success, Dr. Jose has achieved it because of dreaming big, doing hard work, and always striving to learn.
During this time, cosmetic surgery was not as known, so Dr. Jose continued to learn in New York until she decided to come back to the Philippines, where she became one of the first cosmetic surgeons in the country. She continued to hone her skills and took post-graduate courses while inviting other cosmetic surgeons to teach the skill and make cosmetic surgery more known in the Philippines and its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
Eventually, Dr. Jose received numerous accolades and international awards for her contribution to cosmetic surgery, among them, being acknowledged as one of the Top 100 Cosmetic Surgeons in the World, presented by the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (IACS) in Colombia in 2008, Top 100 Cosmetic Surgeons of the Millennium, presented at the 2nd World Cosmetic Surgery Congress in Vietnam in 2005, and the Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Asia presented by the International Society of Aesthetic Surgery (IACS) in 2003. Asked about success, Dr. Jose has achieved it because of dreaming big, doing hard work, and always striving to learn.
Currently, Dr. Jose is the founding president and president emeritus of the Philippine Society of Cosmetic Surgery (PSCS), the founding president and chairman emeritus of the Asian Pacific Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (APACS), the founding president and president emeritus of the Philippine Society of Liposuction Surgery, Inc. (PSLSI), and the president of Corazon Aesthetics, Inc.
Fast forward to today—Dr. Jose continues to teach young cosmetic surgeons of her knowledge and skills. Her achievements are a testament to her success.