From over 800 submissions, Belo unveils “The First Seven” and reveals major treatment progress.
Belo Medical Group today shared a major update on its ongoing Belo Scar Project, revealing significant progress in the treatment of its first group of patients, now known as “The First Seven.” Selected from nearly 800 submissions nationwide, these individuals represent some of the most complex and deeply personal scar cases in the country.
Since the project’s launch in May 2025, the Belo team has already completed most of the major surgical procedures for these patients, with ongoing treatments, rehabilitation, and long term care now in progress.
Leading this milestone is a historic surgical achievement: Belo has performed the first-ever facial bone reconstruction in the Philippines using a custom-made, 3D-printed high density polyethylene implant, restoring the underlying structure of a patient’s face with a level of precision previously unavailable in the local setting.
The procedure was performed on Kirsten Sofia Barin, a 20-year-old born with multiple facial clefts — a rare condition where portions of the cheekbones, lips, and surrounding facial structures did not fully form at birth. This resulted in severe facial asymmetry that could not be corrected using standard techniques.
“Because of the asymmetry and the irregular contour of the defect, there is no pre-fabricated implant that could give a satisfactory result for Kirsten’s case,” said Dr. Dax Pascasio, the lead maxillofacial surgeon on the case. “As far as we know, there is no documented case of a facial cleft repaired using a custom-fabricated HDPE implant in the Philippines.”
The surgery required careful planning and execution, especially given the complexity of operating on previously treated areas.
“Kirsten had already undergone multiple surgeries as a child,” Dr. Pascasio added. “We had to work around scarred tissue and limited soft tissue available for reconstruction, which makes reshaping the face much more challenging. This case shows what is possible when you combine the right expertise with a truly customized approach.”
The Belo Scar Project is a purpose-driven initiative aimed at providing advanced, fully customized treatment to individuals living with life-altering scars. The overwhelming response underscored the scale of need, with hundreds of Filipinos sharing stories of trauma, illness, and long-term physical and emotional impact.
“The volume of submissions changed us,” said Dr. Vicki Belo, Founder, Chairwoman, and Medical Director of the Belo Medical Group. “You begin to realize that scars are truly never just physical. They shape how people live, what they avoid, and what they believe they deserve.
Choosing the First Seven was about identifying where we could create the most meaningful change.”
Among the seven patients, Sophia Abalon, an 8-year-old burn survivor, embodies the heart of the project. After surviving a house fire that claimed members of her family, Sophia was left with extensive burn scars and contractures that limit her mobility. Despite everything she has endured, Sophia remains joyful. Her dream is simple: to one day be able to dance.
Her treatment involves staged contracture release surgeries, advanced scar remodeling, rehabilitation, and comprehensive long-term care designed to restore both function and quality of life.
Across all seven cases, Belo’s medical team applies a fully customized, multi-disciplinary approach that combines surgery, laser technologies, regenerative treatments, rehabilitation, and psychological support. Each case is approached as a long-term journey, recognizing that meaningful transformation takes time.
“This project represents a different level of responsibility,” said Gina Lorenzana, CEO of Belo Medical Group. “We are not treating isolated concerns. We are committing to full journeys. That requires coordination, discipline, and a system that supports patients every step of the way.”
For the surgical team, the implications extend beyond a single case.
“It gives us a glimpse of what is possible for future reconstructive cases in the country,” said Dr. Pascasio. “With a multi-disciplinary approach and the right resources, we can now achieve better outcomes even for the most complex craniofacial conditions.”
The Belo Scar Project will continue to document each patient’s journey, with the goal of raising awareness, advancing medical practice, and inspiring others who live with visible and invisible scars.
“This is only the beginning,” added Dr. Kho. “The First Seven represent what is possible when you combine compassion with capability. Our hope is that their stories encourage others to come forward, and remind people that healing is always worth pursuing.”
