Belo Beautiful Stories: Coach Hazel Benipayo and the Rhinoplasty Glow-Up That Changed Her Life

Coach Hazel Benipayo is no stranger to transformation. As a fitness coach, she has long championed discipline, self-care, and confidence from the inside out. But in 2023, she took a brave and bold step towards something she had only joked about before—rhinoplasty. What began as a light-hearted birthday wish turned into a journey that transformed not only her face, but her self-image and confidence, too.

The Birthday Wish That Manifested

“It was around November—my birthday was in November. My partner was asking what I wanted for my birthday,” Hazel recalled with a laugh. “And I said, ‘Oh, for my birthday and Christmas? I want a new nose.’ Jokingly!”

Fate perhaps had other plans.. Just a few weeks later, on December 17, Hazel received a phone call that would change her life.

“I got a call confirming my rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Yap,” she said. “I asked if it was a prank. I didn’t schedule anything that day—it’s like it just happened. It turned out that it was scheduled by Dr. Vicki Belo herself.”

Despite her lighthearted start, Hazel admits the nerves eventually caught up to her. “I had a lot of what ifs in my head. What if it doesn’t match my face? What if something goes wrong?”

But during her consultation, Dr. Eduardo Yap—renowned for his expertise in rhinoplasty—reassured her. “He said, ‘I will make your nose complement your face,’ and that’s when I said, okay. I let go. Complete, 100% trust.”

Hazel candidly shared, “When I look at my photos, I only see my nose, and my nose is like… dinikit lang. That was when Dr. Yap told me this was going to be for life. That’s when I gave my full trust.”

The Belo Signature: Art Meets Science

Dr. Eduardo Yap, one of Belo’s long-time surgeons, performed Hazel’s procedure using an open-structured rhinoplasty technique—a gold standard in longevity and natural results.

“This technique will achieve longevity,” Dr. Yap explained. “This will still be your nose until you’re a lola or senior age. 

“When I see noses, I try to create one that fits the face, to restore harmony. Southeast Asian noses tend to be small and retracted—we bring them out, shape the tip, and work with the entire facial structure.”

Dr. Yap’s work goes beyond reshaping a nose. It’s about symmetry, harmony, and enhancing a person’s natural beauty in the most subtle yet impactful way.

When the cast was removed, Hazel was stunned. “I was looking at myself and I felt my face is different, like my eyes are smaller because I finally have a bridge. I just couldn’t believe it. Once the cast is off, it feels like a masterpiece that’s right in front of you, that you can see in the mirror.”

Her recovery, she described, was “surprisingly smooth”. She did not find any discomfort returning to exercise, where she was cleared to do so after her cast was removed. 

“I was lifting weights! Just no contact sports like volleyball or basketball,” she said.

A Confidence That Benefits

Hazel describes her rhinoplasty as the best glow-up she’s ever had. “It affected my confidence a lot. I finally wanted more pictures of myself. I was smiling more. I liked saying yes to photos. Before, I didn’t want to see my photos, especially not from the side.”

Her newfound confidence was undeniable. “It’s not just the nose that changed. It was the way I smiled, the way I carried myself. So many people love it.”

Dr. Yap agrees: “Many describe rhinoplasty as another chapter in their life. Confidence is boosted, and because of that, your personality blossoms.”

Hazel is firm in her belief that when it comes to aesthetic procedures, expertise matters. “You want to look good, you want to feel good. That’s why I chose Belo. It’s the name you can trust when it comes to rhinoplasty and liposuction. It’s something they’ve mastered.”

Eventually, Hazel underwent 360° Liposuction later on – but that’s a different story.

“Belo’s has got the best people who will take care of you and make sure that whatever procedure you go through, you’re well taken care of, it will be safe, and you’ll get 100% satisfaction. That is their signature.”

Thinking about starting your own transformation journey? Rhinoplasty is available at Belo Greenhills and Belo NEXA. To book a consultation, call 8819-BELO (2356), or book online here. Click here to read more Belo Beautiful Stories.