Cat Arambulo-Antonio, an outspoken advocate of beauty treatments shares her journey to self-acceptance (and all the procedures she’s undergone) as a member of the MASJ Squad
You know how some women play coy about their age and beauty regimen, or swear that the secret to their youthful looks is nothing more than all-natural fruits and veggies, water and eight hours of sleep?
That’s not Cat Arambulo-Antonio. From the get-go, the fashion stylist, interior designer, TV and online personality, wife and mother of three has always been outspoken about all the treatments she’s undergone—from a nose job and fillers to post-pregnancy weight-loss solutions and every procedure in between. Refreshingly honest and unafraid to be herself, she recently became the Philippines’ sole representative of Merz Aesthetics Serendipity Journey (MASJ), a campaign launched by the global leader in medical aesthetics. As part of the MASJ Squad, Cat and 10 prominent women from the Asia Pacific region—actresses, authors, YouTube influencers, entrepreneurs, reality stars—will share their unique stories of self-discovery, overcoming personal struggles, and accepting who they are and what best works for them.
“As I grow older, I realize that aging gracefully takes a lot of work!” exclaims Cat, 38. “And that means maintaining yourself—eating right, exercising regularly and going to your dermatologist.”
“Beauty is very important,” she continues. “It’s not about being vain, but it’s just the way I am. A lot of my work involves being in front of the cameras. I also have to face people, and out of respect to them I want to be presentable and show my best self. You can’t feel good if you don’t look good, and I feel that when you take care of yourself, when you do all these treatments, when you feel great about yourself, you emit this energy to everyone around you.”
Since coming home from Los Angeles, California, where she grew up, Cat has been a regular of Dr. Aivee Aguilar Teo, who, together with her team of medical professionals, has seen her through various milestones in her life, and their corresponding FDA-approved treatments. “She’s not my first choice, she’s my only choice,” emphasizes Cat of the renowned dermatologist. “Even before I got married, I was a paying customer!” Among the procedures Cat has undergone are Ultherapy, a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production; Xeomin, an injectable that temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles and frown lines; and Belotero, an injectable filler with a hyaluronic base that addresses facial lines and folds.
“It’s all about transitions in life, and my treatments evolve as I evolve as a person,” explains Cat. Evolve is the word. While women will always be their own worst critic, finding perceived flaws on their faces and bodies every time they look in the mirror, “there comes a point where you have to know when you’re content and happy with what you’ve changed and enhanced,” reflects Cat. “I don’t want to look like anybody else but myself, and if I see what I like, then I’ll stop.”
“At the end of the day, it’s how you see yourself,” she decides. “It doesn’t matter how other people see you. I’m happy and secure with myself and the way I look, and that’s why I’m able to share my personal journey through beauty and wellness. I feel I’ve transformed in a good way and I want to inspire people, tell them that everyone goes through feeling bad about the way they look. And if a certain procedure changed my life, it can change theirs too.”
“In this day and age, there’s no excuse,” she declares of investing in self-enhancing procedures. “Not everyone is born naturally beautiful and there are people who can help you. Finding help is not a weakness. It’s a sign of strength.”
