Medical Tourism : Davao-born cosmetic surgeon to open beauty hotel

Determined to go into medical tourism, a Davao born cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist ventured into operating a beauty hotel now named as Oroderm Hotel where guests could indulge into various services from spa, facial or body massage.

Dr. Neil Oropesa who first practiced his profession seven years ago in Davao City and made good in treating the skin of Dabawenyos opened up 25 other branches all over the country but made a hit in 2006 when he opened 12 branches within that year.

Noting the increasing number of clients that come from other parts of the island and even the balikbayans, he decided to open a hotel where he could offer to clients a place where they could stay.

He acquired a foreclosed property from the bank, the former Hotel Mario along Magallanes Street that stayed idle for ten years and transformed the structure into an attractive edifice in Davao’s old time street.

Beside the hotel is the Gazing Restaurant where it offers its specialty menu - “paksiw na buntot ng tuna”. Hotel guests like foreigners love to hang out in the restaurant not only because of its varied menus but they could also catch the dawn scene of farmers dropping their agricultural produce at the “bagsakan center” just across the street.

Amelda Saramosing Oropesa, mother of Dr. Oropesa, helped in the operation of the businesses and in an interview said they are fulfilled when they find their clients satisfied of the services they offered.

The old Oropesa as far as the hotel operation is concerned even go into the details of selecting the beds and the pillows for the 27 rooms that they operate.

The guest has choices of rooms from suite, family, standard, double, or single. All aircondition rooms are equipped with hot and cold shower, telephone, cable tv and the six floors hotel has a service lift, a function room and fire exit.

She said they never thought this business would click even as she said that they are guided by the principle of good, quality and transparent business.

Right now she said the hotel other than servicing their regular clients also capture new clients for the dermatological procedures done by Dr. Oropesa or to the Oropesa Spa Clinic.

The Oropesa’s, she said is into business since the 70s where her husband Roger manages Radiowealth branch offices which grew to 18 branches during his watch.

She said they are also into Oropesa Marketing where they sell appliances but folded the business in 1982 during the financial crisis.

The Oropesa’s in the early 80s while still into the business were among the victims of the San Pedro Street fire. Though heavy with her second child she went into the store and tried to save some of their records. She failed to gather those records and instead got a third degree burn on her face because of the heat of the fire.

“My face got burned and it was destroyed,” she said.

She recalled hopping from one dermatologists to another in Cebu and in Manila because none was available in Davao that time and they incurred big amount just for her skin treatment. She then ventured into the dermhaus business where she opened an outlet.

The business also was doing well that time until finally the Oroderm Clinic was established.

She said medicine was not the love of Dr. Oropesa because he wanted to become a lawyer. “I did not pushed him to take up medicine but just throw the idea to him. And maybe because of my condition perhaps he was challenged.

Dr. Oropesa in his clinic has over a dozen top of the line laser machines that cost millions of pesos. These high end equipment are the same equipment found in Belo Medical Clinic in Manila.