Stronger Together: Drs Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho reveal their secret to success in love and life

They’re devoted parents, doctors to the stars, and the innovative force behind a globally acclaimed beauty empire—in this exclusive story, the Belo Medical Group leaders share how they do it all

The science of attraction suggests that similarity has quite the pull. We are generally drawn to people who are like us—be it shared values and goals, or common interests and social circles—which leads to a deep sense of mutual admiration. This is how the love story of Drs Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho begins. A chance meeting as judges in a beauty contest finds the two renowned doctors in the same room nearly two decades ago; and the rest, as they say, is history.

“The clapping for him was so loud,” Vicki says, recounting that first encounter. She was instantly struck by his popularity. At the time, the founder of Belo Medical Group admits was already thinking of succession for her eponymous aesthetic company.

“I remember, I turned to my best friend and said, ‘Hey Liane, what if I passed it [Belo] on to a guy?’ I knew I had to get somebody from outside to come in, someone attractive with a strong personality—and he had it in spades,” she details. “That was a very superficial and shallow first impression. Over the last 18 years, I’ve realised there’s much more to Hayden than his looks. He’s extremely intelligent, hardworking, and a visionary who is actually perfect to bring Belo to the next level.”

Dr Hayden Kho (Photo: Courtesy of Belo Medical Group)

Vicki’s striking aura was likewise what caught Hayden’s eye back then, only to uncover and admire her sweet, near-childlike side not long after. “Behind this very strong personality is a soft heart,” Hayden muses. “I always use the image of a baby dragon when describing Vicki—very strong and fearsome, but very gentle, generous, and thoughtful at heart.”

Today, the couple impressively helm the Belo Medical Group side by side, building an eminent beauty empire that has put the country’s aesthetics industry on the map. “As far as business is concerned, our vision has always been to make the Philippines a beauty hub for Asia and even the rest of the world,” Vicki enthuses. “We’re very happy that oftentimes many people travel from all over the globe to come to Belo because they know that we know how to make people the best versions of themselves.”

Dr Vicki Belo (Photo: Courtesy of Belo Medical Group)

It’s particularly a landmark year for the brand, she adds. Vicki shares, “In January, we won Compare Retreat’s Medical Aesthetic Clinic of the Year award in their Luxury Wellness Travel awards in Hong Kong! We were up against the top clinics in the UK and New York. To even be included in that lineup is something we’re so proud of, and we brought home the gold. For us, it’s a recognition that Belo has made its mark in the world aesthetic industry.”

On home soil, Belo Medical Group was also recently named the first Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited surgery centre in the Philippines. “DOT has chosen to work with Belo in positioning the Philippines as a destination for medical tourism,” Hayden explains, beaming about the recognition. “Vicki is a visionary, and I guess how I complement her strengths is that I’m a problem-solver. When she wants things done, I try to fix that problem and operationalise things.”

Drs Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho (Photo: Courtesy of Belo Medical Group)

Indeed, the couple credits their longstanding partnership and chemistry to their ability to supplement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Vicki trusts in her husband’s decisions, both in business and family life, and Hayden stays rooted in his wife’s vision for the brand. “I’m so lucky and blessed to witness how he’s grown as a businessperson but also as a person of integrity and as a Christian who loves Jesus with all his heart. I love watching him be a parent. I always tell him, ‘How come you’re so good at being a father?’ This is already my third time and I’m nowhere near as good as he is,” Vicki jokes. “I just realised, looking back, I’ve become very spoiled. I used to think I had to work hard and do everything. But ever since Hayden has come into my life, I’ve been able to destress and relax.”

The willingness to give freely, even in challenging moments, underscores the overwhelming respect and admiration they have for one another. “There is always a mutual desire to honour each other,” Hayden relays on the subject of inevitable disagreements, adding that they always take time to sit down and talk about the issue at hand. “Any relationship is about recognising that we are all imperfect. Our marriage is about loving, respecting, and forgiving each other all the time—even when it’s difficult.”

Ultimately, it all boils down to their harmonious priorities in life—something evinced in their track record and conscious effort to make time for what matters most: God and family. “Finding time is a myth. If something is important to you, you have to make time for it,” Hayden remarks. “I think the trick here is to find that sweet spot of your talents, passion, and purpose. For Vicki, she loves what she does. She loves going to work and making people feel beautiful, so this doesn’t feel like work for her. This is a balance for her.”

Even then, Vicki is quick to revert that it takes a village to make Belo such a well-oiled machine. She recognises her spouse’s part in this, acknowledging Hayden’s servant leadership: “He puts everybody first and leaves nobody behind. He’s not the type to tell others what to do but encourages them to grow. More than anything, he’s willing to work right beside any of our staff, no matter how difficult the task may be.”

Hayden doesn’t scrimp on kind words for his partner in this regard, too. “She empowers people to be better leaders themselves,” he muses. “I think that mentality is so admirable; if you make better leaders, then you make a better organisation. She keeps on learning and she’s full of integrity—she will never compromise on this. She honours her word and does what she says she will do.”

There is no doubt that this couple’s partnership is a source of strength, support, and inspiration—not only between the two but to all who get to witness their enduring love story. Hayden, perhaps, captures it best when he expresses, “I’m so much better with Vicki. I’m a much better person because of her.” Truly in perfect accord, Vicki tenderly echoes the sentiment: “I feel exactly the same.”

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Credits

Photography

BJ Pascual

Location

Siren Studio

Make-Up

Juan Sarte

Hair