Oh yes, Miss O is in town!

Olivia Quido-Co, founder of California’s celebrated O Skin Med Spa

US immigrant success story Olivia Quido-Co, founder of California's celebrated O Skin Med Spa, is back in Manila upon the invitation of the Miss Universe Philippines Organization (MUPH).

As the main pageant organization's continuing skincare partner and official judge in 2022's Miss Universe proceedings in New Orleans, Quido — who is better known as “Miss O” across aesthetics communities on the West Coast and many Latin American Miss U national organizations — excitedly told The Manila Times Lifestyle that she is one of MUPH's special guests in the ongoing whirl of activities for this year's contest.

Just last night, she joined MUO owner Anne Jakrajutatip and reigning half-Filipina Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA at the VIP table of MUPH's Charity Gala in Okada Manila. She is now eager to observe the remaining pre-pageant competitions in an unofficial capacity and finally grace the grand coronation night on May 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where Miss Universe-PH 2022 Celeste Cortesi will relinquish her title.

As everyone knows, this is only the fourth year of the MUPH pageant to proceed as a solo entity after breaking away from the country's foremost beauty pageant umbrella organization, Binibining Pilipinas, in 2011.

For 50 years, the country's representative in the most prestigious pageant in the world was determined by this national contest, along with the Miss International-PH title, among other global crowns. To be sure, if asked for advice at the end of Quido's visit on ways Miss U-PH can still be improved, her four-year exposure to the mothership and other national editions around the world will prove handy.

“If there's anything I could do to help, of course, I'll be happy to do so if asked,” the ever-amiable Filipino-Chinese balikbayan and beauty expert assured. If not, she is only too happy and excited to witness her second Miss U-PH coronation night.

Quido also shared that despite being US-based, she has forged strong connections with past Miss Universe candidates, especially when the main pageant is held in the States or if, like Pia Wurtzbach, the Philippine candidate wins and makes the MUO headquarters in New York her home for the year.

The bubbly lady was incidentally thrilled for her friend when she learned about Wurtzbach's secret wedding to Scottish businessman Jeremy Jauncy during the interview.

“Wow! Best wishes to Pia. We've never lost touch since meeting each other. Just last January, I texted her for suggestions on where to stay in Switzerland, and she sent me her favorites right away,” Quido trilled.

Asked about her working relationship with MUO's Jakrajutatip, the stateside entrepreneur happily related they get along very well.

“After inviting me to Bangkok when I judged the last Miss Universe, I'm looking forward to taking her around Manila this time.”

Quido was part of the welcoming party for the Thai business magnate when she flew in on Tuesday, along with MUPH national director Shamcey Supsup and creative and events director Jonas Gaffud of Empire. Besides entertaining the energetic Jakrajutatip, the group will also attend several business meetings related to the pageant.

Finding herself flying more often to Manila since the pageant season began, The Manila Times Lifestyle finally asked Quido if she is considering opening a branch of O Skin Med Spa in the capital.

“Yes, of course!” she excitedly affirmed. “In the States, our clientele is around 60 percent Filipino with the rest being Latinos, Asians and Caucasians. The wait to get a facial is two months long because of our brand of service. I've always wanted more of my fellow Filipinos to have access to our O Skin Med Spa experience, so yes, I think it's time to open one here at home.”