n the more than 28 years that she has been a beauty specialist, whose services include lipo and other radical procedures, Elvie Pineda has never been done any sex-transplant which is very popular in Bangkok where Elvie first had her practice.

“It's against God,” said Elvie, mother of actresses Rachel and Lani Lobangco, who heads her own Skincare Cosmetic International Limited. “I will never, never do that.”

But, she qualified, she can do what is known as “floral arrangement” if a client/patient wants it.

Her long-time model Rufa Mae Quinto doesn't need that kind of arrangement or something as invasive/incisive as lipo.

“All I need is skin treatment,” said Rufa Mae. “I owe my flawless complexion to Tita Elvie.”

Taking a cue from Rufa Mae, her former boyfriend Erik Santos has also started consulting Elvie who is a walking advertisement for her business.

“I used to be baluga,” said Elvie. “My skin used to be dark.”

Now, she's as white as daylight, with lips as thick as those of Angelina Jolie. Daughter Rachel, a bronze beauty, is likewise noted for her pouting, sexy, luscious thick lips.

Elvie put up her first clinic in Bangkok where she initially sold skin-whitening creams. Before she knew it, her business was expanding beyond her own expectations, prompting her to put up outlets in other Asian countries, the Philippines and Japan included. She's now building a big beauty factory in Tagaytay.

“I just put up an outlet in Bangladesh ,” reported Elvie.

Now, if the population in that country soon turns white, you know who's responsible.

Rufa Mae first consulted Elvie in 1997.

“I was intrigued,” recalled Rufa Mae. “I was curious. Lahat halos ng artista pumupunta sa kanya ay magagandang artista at mayayamang babae. So, as a birthday gift to myself, I went to see Tita Elvie. I've been in showbiz for almost 14 years and I'm often exposed to the sun. Sometimes during my shooting, I get submerged in the sea and it's bad for the skin. Wearing make-up all the time and lack of sleep worsen the condition of your skin. Thank God I saw Tita Elvie. I haven't stopped seeing her since then.”

“All that Rufa Mae needed was skin-peeling,” said Elvie. “Wala akong niretoke sa kanya. She has very delicate skin. After the skin-peeling, all she needs to do is maintain her flawless complexion by applying the cream that I myself manufacture. I supply her with a triple-whitening cream.”

Elvie gives the following skin-care tips to STAR readers (aside, of course, from endorsing her line of skin-care products)

• Avoid stress;

• Drink lots of water, at least eight glasses a day;

• Get enough sleep, eight hours per night if possible; or take power naps to make up for lack of sleep;

• Have a positive outlook in life;

• Don't store up negative feelings; and

• Maintain a healthy sex life.

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