This Is What Modern Beauty Looks Like Today

What does it mean to be beautiful? Is it embodying the beauty standards of the times, or embracing a definition that is entirely your own?

“There was always a ‘standard face,’” said Preview editor-in-chief Marj Ramos-Clemente. “But that conversation is evolving. It’s [becoming] less about prescribing standards as to what a woman should look like, and more about giving her all the information so she can decide for herself.”

That was the theme of the roundtable at Preview Conversations with Birch Tree, held on August 13 at Shangri-La The Fort. Moderated by host Janeena Chan, the discussion brought together Preview’s EIC, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Bea Chan-Benavidez, and Bea Ballesca-Martinez, marketing manager for Birch Tree Adult at Century Pacific Food, Inc.

It also welcomed actress Bea Alonzo-Co, the face of Birch Tree’s newest innovation, Birch Tree Adult Boost with Collagen.

Beauty has evolved beyond a single standard or definition. Now, it’s more personal and intentional. It is about having the confidence to define it on your own terms and the freedom to take care of yourself in ways that align with the life you envision.

If the physical qualities society glorifies today will just fall out of fashion tomorrow, and vice versa, maybe a woman’s best bet is to just be true to herself. That’s how Marj sees it.

“There’s confidence that comes from truly knowing yourself. What serves you, what doesn’t serve you, what makes you feel good,” the Preview EIC said. “When you have that, you [stop feeling] pressured to measure yourself against somebody else's standard.”

This perspective resonates with women even more as their lives evolve to make space for careers, relationships, family, finances, and personal ambitions.

“I’ve become more intentional and more conscious about longevity,” Bea Alonzo-Co said, reflecting on the mindset that now shapes her approach to beauty and wellness. “Before, I’d resort to quick fixes or the latest beauty or fitness trend. Right now, I invest more in my future self.”

“That’s not to say na ayaw ko maging maganda. Of course, I still want to look good,” the actress pointed out. “But ultimately, my priority is to be able to have the energy to enjoy every chapter of my life.”

So yes, there is a shift in beauty—from following a standard to making a choice. Does that mean women should stop caring about looking good? Not at all. Instead, it suggests that beauty coexists with individuality: You can be beautiful while being yourself, and you can define beauty on your own terms.

Rather than “fixing the outer,” the modern woman is shifting her gaze toward “inner work,” a term that refers to the practice of caring for one’s mental and emotional well-being. But inner work can also extend to physical wellness. After all, the three are very much interconnected.

Bea Alonzo-Co put it this way: “If you’re healthy, you feel good from within, so you naturally feel more confident.”

But what does doing inner work mean? Along with working on your mental and emotional health, Bea Ballesca-Martinez said, you must also nourish your body with a balanced diet, exercise, and supplementation.

Your approach to this will depend on your own goals. “Listen to yourself,” Marj explained. “Self-care is knowing what you actually need and what’s sustainable for you, realistically.”

Bea Alonzo-Co agreed, adding: “It should also be something you can do consistently—not [necessarily] perfectly. When you do something consistently, over time, it makes a difference.”

This shift toward an individualized, holistic approach to beauty is precisely the inspiration behind Birch Tree Adult Boost with Collagen. This latest innovation also reflects the brand’s commitment to making good nutrition accessible to all.

“There are nutrients that consumers are looking for, but they’re held back because of the investment—we saw this as an opportunity,” said Greg Banzon, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Century Pacific Food, Inc., which owns the Birch Tree brand.

“Every Filipino family deserves food that’s nourishing, genuinely good, and most importantly, as they would always tell us, affordable,” he added.

Described by Bea Ballesca-Martinez as a “beauty milk” for women who want to “glow strong,” Birch Tree Adult Boost with Collagen has hydrolyzed collagen peptides, vitamins C and E, and biotin to support glowing skin, with a balanced diet and active lifestyle. And that’s just the “glow” half.

For the “strong” part, Birch Tree Adult’s marketing manager said, this new powdered milk drink has 600mg of calcium, which is 80% of the daily nutritional requirement for women in their 30s. It’s also enriched with vitamin D to help strengthen bones, with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

According to Dr. Bea Chan-Benavidez, these nutrients are designed to work together. “Collagen and calcium, if you want to visualize how they work together, think of your bones,” she explained. “Collagen serves as the structure, while calcium is the cement you pour in to reinforce the structure.”

Together with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle, “antioxidants like vitamins C and E support collagen by protecting your skin against external stressors. Meanwhile, vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium,” the dermatologist added.

The event closed with an exciting reveal. Guests were treated to a behind-the-scenes video announcing Bea Alonzo-Co’s Preview August 2026 cover.

The sneak peek of the cover felt like a fitting final note to an afternoon about beauty, confidence, and embracing what’s next—especially for the actress. Fun fact: Her cover shoot took place the day after a major personal milestone, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

As the Birch Tree Adult Boost with Collagen brand ambassador said, “I’ve lived many lives, but somehow, there’s still so much I have to experience. I’m excited for what’s to come personally and professionally. I’m just getting started.”

Follow Birch Tree on Facebook to learn more about the new Birch Tree Adult Boost with Collagen. Read Bea Alonzo-Co’s Preview August 2026 cover story here.