Karla Tirol Magno does free eyebrow microblading for cancer survivors

Karla Tirol Magno, known as “Bohol's Kilay Doctor”, is doing free eyebrow microblading for cancer survivors in Bohol province as part of her advocacy "Brow Clinic's Brave Women".

When CM learned she had lymphoma, things came crashing down. She was in her 20s with a promising career when the terrible news of her health came. 

 

Then, her doctor told her to undergo chemotherapy. She conducted herself with maturity and displayed an immense amount of strength. 

 

CM beat the cancer, but she was left feeling incomplete. After chemotherapy, her eyebrows became thin. 

 

Wanting to do something for herself, CM heard of Karla Tirol Magno, known as Bohol’s “Kilay Doctor", doing free eyebrow microblading for cancer survivors who have lost their hair because of cancer or never had hair due to Alopecia, or spot baldness. 

 

It is part of Karla's "Brow Clinic's Brave Women" project. 

 

"I am focused on my advocacy to bring back the confidence and joy of beautiful eyebrows that look natural, like real hair. I have been so blessed with this skill, and I want to share it to those who need it the most," said Karla. 

 

"They've lost their hair, they've lost their eyebrows and eyelashes and you can give them a little piece of that to make them feel beautiful," she added.

 

Karla, a registered nurse, is the founder and CEO of Brow Clinic and Beauty Lounge (Contact Numbers: 038-502-1496, 09979406536) located at The Alley along J.A. Clarin Street in Tagbilaran City.

 

Trained abroad, Karla is an international certified permanent makeup artist who specializes in microblading tattoos to bring dignity back to people. 

 

The candidates should be healthy enough for the procedure upon their doctor's approval. 

 

Last week, CM availed the free service, and hopes this option becomes more known for cancer survivors in Bohol. 

 

CM was satisfied with the result. She is happier and more confident now.

Karla said, "I gave her the glam back, it makes me so happy because it’s giving her confidence again."

 

On lockdown like everybody else, Karla is trying her best to cope with COVID-19, a great equalizer. It has put most of the world’s population behind closed doors regardless of social or economic standing, whether young or old.

 

How are you doing during this extended lockdown; how does your day start and how does it end? It's still the same, I have coffee in the morning and “manghaplas” before I sleep.

 

What are your usual daily activities and how do you spend your spare time (if you have any)?

I used to be so busy everyday at the clinic and now that I have spare time, I have been trying to learn more about farming and aquaculture. I have been visiting towns in Bohol looking for other ventures to do. I also help moderate #BBCo - Bohol Barter Community. I visit and call loved ones to check on them. I try to stay busy to stay sane. 

 

Aside from your brush, what do you miss most about the “outside” world?

The simple joys of hanging out with friends, having coffee, eating out, chilling at the beach, the gym, and even traveling for work or vacation. Being normal. 

 

How do you protect yourself from COVID-19?

I have been following all protocols with masks and always washing my hands & keeping alcohol in my bag and car. I try to boost my immune system with supplements and vitamins too!

 

Has this crisis changed in any way the way you look at life and the future?

In so many ways. This pandemic brings out the good and bad in people. I try to focus on the good, and it has magnified with all this time we all have to reflect on life and what we all have been doing because whatever I thought was really important, is humbled down to basics. I see the world differently now knowing it can all change so fast.

 

How would the Karla “new normal” be like? 

When this pandemic ends, and I hope soon, I hope to instill what I learned to focus more on the positive and being more resilient to problems that you never saw coming and I may have developed a new germophobe habit. 

 

 

* * *

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

300 moms simultaneously breastfeed babies in Bohol

Wake-uppers:
Scene: Police Colonel Jonathan Cabal formally took over as Bohol Provincial Police Office director on Aug. 1, replacing Col. Julius Cesar Gornez, who was BPPO chief for six months. Cabal vowed to be more liberal and a result-oriented police director. “I will lead by example and I will always be fair,” he said.

Scene: The 10th birthday of Bohol Balita Daily News.

Scene: The alarming increase of suicide cases in Bohol has prompted the public discussion of the level of awareness on mental health issues in the province.  

***

The second Global Big Latch On in Bohol. Photos:  Leo Udtohan

"Breastmilk is still best for babies," a statement we usually see and hear at the end of formula milk commercials, still holds true until today. 

Invited guests. 

More than 300 mothers from Bohol gathered at the BQ Mall on Saturday, Aug. 3, to breast-feed their babies simultaneously for one minute to join the Global Big Latch On.

The event, a second time in the province, was spearheaded by the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital for
the World Breast Feeding Month.

After the simultaneous latch-on, lactation experts, peer counselors, and breastfeeding advocacy supporters shared the benefits and importance of breastfeeding to the mothers.

There were invited guests like former beauty queen Ebone Cimafranca-Ong and Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap and wife Jane.

“Kilay Doctor” Karla Tirol Magno, proprietor of The Brow Clinic and Beauty Lounge also shared her breastfeeding journey.

Participant Hannah Balite shared that each latch is an intimate moment “which keeps my heart falling in love with motherhood and the wonders a mother’s body can do.” She said she feels so blessed to exclusively direct breastfeed her little one since day one with a relatively smooth experience.

Police Colonel Jonathan Cabal. Photo:  Leo Udtohan

For Angelica Omus-Trigo, breastfeeding isn’t easy.  “Sometimes, I doubt about having enough mil for lil one because my breasts aren’t that engorged,” said Trigo, a mother of one-month-old Clian Gideon. “Nevertheless, I continue to exclusively breastfeed my son.”

Photo and glam mom/baby fashion show contests were also held to enliven the event.

According to a UNICEF global database, 34% of Filipino children were fed only breast milk, with no additional foods or liquids, before the age of 6 months. The organization cited data from 2008, the most recent available.

Many of the mothers are having difficulty with breastfeeding, and they don't really appreciate the benefits of breastfeeding because the media promotes formula milk.

"We need to really advocate breastfeeding," said Karla.

The World Health Assembly calls for an increase in the rate of global exclusive breast-feeding to at least 50% by 2025.

*   *   *

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome atleoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

How to have a happy life

In this topsyturvy world, one should expect the unexpected. This was what this young businessman learned when he and his partners decide to expand their business. The (globetrotter) VRS said that after doing some pencil-pushing, this businessman totalled his losses to millions.

“Sheer talent is not enough to “stay alive” in business,” shared VRS.

VRS also said that this businessman is very lonely now inside his house.

“A big house or a new car won't actually make you happier; it's the simple joys in life that bring true happiness,” said VRS.

Bohol’s “Kilay Doctor” Karla Tirol Magno shares the 10 simple
ways to start living a happier life.  Contributed Photos

How do we find more joy in our life? Like anything else, it takes practice to cultivate ongoing happiness.

Incidentally, someone shared to me “How to have a happy life” which I learned was originally posted by Bohol’s “Kilay Doctor” Karla Tirol Magno, founder and CEO of Brow Clinic & Beauty Lounge, located at The Alley along J.A. Clarin Street in this city.   

Karla’s mom, the former Internet Princess Leah Tirol (who is running for board member for Bohol’s first district), also shared that by appreciating the things that we already have we will begin to feel happier in our lives.

“Always be thankful,” said Leah.

She also said that sometimes after we've achieved our own personal goals, we still feel empty inside because we haven't made a meaningful contribution to someone else's life.

“When we help others, it feels good to just be of service to someone else. The impact we make feels fulfilling and is a big potential source for our own happiness,” Leah added.

Being happy won't happen overnight. But here are the top 10 things you can do every day to discover the secrets of being happier.

1. Care less about what people say. No matter what you do , people have something to say. Whether you do good or bad, they will have opinions about you. Ignore whatever negativity that they are trying to inject on you.

2. Choose your battles. Not all battles are worth your attention. Not everything is worth your time. If you know the better truth, you have nothing to explain.

3. Think positively. Look at the brighter side of everything. Everything will fall in its perfect places.

4. Believe in yourself. Believe in your capabilities. Believe that you can do great things in life.

5. Never compare your progress with anyone. You have your own journey to take. You have different struggles. You will have your time soon.

6. Do not pressure yourself too much. Success takes time. It takes efforts. It takes hard work and commitment.

7. Do not forget to smile. No matter how tough the journey gets, keep on smiling. You do not own all of the problems in the world.

8. Embrace your flaws and imperfections. Accept your past. Correct your mistakes and learn from them.

9. Love yourself. One of the best kinds of love is self-love. You will never go wrong with it. It takes maturity to be on that level. It takes acceptance. It takes being strong.

10. Do good to other people and good karma will happen. Spread kindness. Forgive people. Life is too short to dwell on hatred. Be a catalyst for change.