Launched under Belo Medical Group, “The SCAR Project” is a long-term initiative that provides customized treatment and rehabilitation for individuals living with life-altering scars caused by trauma, accidents, abuse, burns and medical conditions. The project combines surgery, laser technology, regenerative treatments, rehabilitation and psychological support as part of what Belo describes as a holistic healing journey. 

After receiving nearly 800 submissions from across the country, the organization selected seven individuals — now known as “The First Seven” — whose stories and conditions represented some of the most complex cases submitted to the project. The initiative formally launched its first seven participants on 15 May.

Among the key figures behind the initiative are Belo Medical Group founder Vicki Belo, chairman and medical innovation advisor Hayden Kho Jr. and CEO Gina Lorenzana, alongside celebrity advocates Alden Richards, Bianca Umali and Iza Calzado. 

More than cosmetic repair

For Kho, “The SCAR Project” was never designed simply to make patients “look normal,” but to help restore identity, confidence and dignity.

“My role here is to organize and to make sure that every single individual will retain their own identities,” Kho said. “We extract their real desires and hopes and we make it happen.”

Kho stressed that the initiative extends beyond medical procedures and often involves helping patients reclaim dreams interrupted by trauma.