MEDIUM RARE

I’ve seen the future, and it is rich. In BGC, Bonifacio Global City.

On second thought, it doesn’t have to be the future; it’s happening now.

I was standing at the lobby of one of the buildings there, waiting to be picked up by my date, when I noticed that there were no about-to-fall-apart jeepneys, no dilapidated taxicabs passing by; no uncollected trash, instead every stretch of sidewalk highly walkable, without sidewalk vendors and their wares. The young women who waited to be picked up (obviously by a familiar car) were chic and neat in their working clothes and sneakers. The bright lights of the skyscrapers surrounding us provided just enough illumination to appreciate their youthful looks, no makeup required.

Not more than five minutes later, Marco Protacio, son of my classmate Socorro Eusebio in UST once upon a time, recognized me and guided me to the elevator, which took us up to the party to celebrate the fifth anniversary of his You+ Intelligent Aesthetics. I looked closely at the handsome Marco and admired his complexion, a healthy pink and golden brown, the result of intelligent aesthetics?

As if to answer my question, fate willed me to win the raffle prize of an “Ultherapy” where, I imagine, a dermatologist will clean my face and give it a sort of glow, akin to the warm, soothing feeling after a massage.

A guest whispered: “Your prize is worth six digits.” Feeling rich — will it make me look rich?

Marco’s industrial partner, Dr. Arnel Quiambao, is one of nine dermatologists on the You+  staff. He welcomed visitors to their party, where I spotted Ching Cruz, Dedes Zobel, AA Patawaran, Randy Ortiz, Badette Aquino. Belle, a 24-year-old guest, said she was eager to try the You+ special. “But you don’t need it yet,” I protested. She replied, “Never too soon,” with conviction in her voice and bright brown eyes.

The skin is the body’s largest organ. Do what you want, what you can to slow time’s advance on your face, but dermatologists will tell you that there’s no way to hide the age of your arms and hands. Still, who knows? Give Marco and his team five years plus...
The science of the future – wrinkle-free? — awaits.