Novo and Avignon Clinic bring real-life weight-management stories to live lighter

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Philstar.com

October 27, 2026 | 2:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — Novo, a global healthcare company focused on serious chronic diseases, and Avignon Clinic, a doctor-led regenerative aesthetics, dermatology and longevity clinic, brought patients, healthcare professionals and guests together for the "Live Lighter" held on October 6 at Avignon Clinic Grand Alabang, 

At the event, they explored the realities of weight management beyond appearance and the number on the scale.

Live Lighter is Novo’s campaign to shift how we talk about weight management in the Philippines, making the conversation more relatable and informed through authentic stories, everyday experiences and conversations with healthcare professionals.

For people navigating weight management, the experience can involve far more than how they look. Biology, habits, environment, emotional wellbeing, social expectations and access to appropriate support can all shape how people understand and manage their health.

Through personal stories and conversations with healthcare professionals, Live Lighter invited guests to look at weight management through a more informed and less judgmental lens.

In the Philippines, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults has continued to rise. According to the 2025 National Nutrition Survey by the DOST-FNRI, 44.5% of adults aged 20 to 59 are classified as living with overweight and obesity, up from 39.8% in 2023.

The rise reinforces the need for more informed conversations around obesity and weight management, including the experiences of people seeking care.

“People can experience weight management in very different ways, and there is no single story behind the number on the scale. Through Live Lighter, we want to make more room for those experiences while helping build a better understanding of obesity as a chronic disease and the importance of informed, appropriate care,” said Wei Sun, general manager, Novo Philippines.

At Live Lighter, Avignon patients shared their experiences of seeking professional support for weight management, offering a personal view of the challenges, decisions and changes that can come with the process.

The discussion explored the everyday factors that can shape weight management, from habits and beliefs around health to the practical choices people make in their daily lives. Doctors and patients also shared perspectives on what can make those choices more informed and sustainable.

Their stories showed why weight management cannot be reduced to a single number or approach. People may also contend with stigma, body image concerns, social expectations and emotional pressures. Obesity is a chronic and complex disease influenced by multiple factors, including biological, environmental and social factors.

“Weight management is a personal journey, and there is no single approach that works for everyone. At Avignon, we want our patients to have people they can turn to who understand their goals, look at their health more broadly, and help them make informed decisions about their care,” said Christopher Cachuela, CEO and founder of Avignon Clinic.

Dr. Carl Ngan, a licensed medical doctor, lifestyle coach and health content creator, said: “Sometimes, living lighter starts with understanding the factors that make healthy choices difficult in the first place, whether that’s stress, sleep, eating patterns, environment or the way we think about our weight. When we understand those factors, we can have more realistic conversations about what support looks like and what sustainable weight management can mean for each person.”

One Avignon patient reflected: “My journey was not simply about seeing a different number on the scale. It was about understanding my health better, getting the right support and making changes that I could sustain. Having a doctor guide me through the process made a meaningful difference.”

Living lighter should not be reduced to a number on the scale. It is about understanding obesity as a chronic disease, recognizing the different experiences of people living with it, and ensuring that people have access to credible information and appropriate support.

References:

1. DOST-FNRI. 2025 Updating Survey: Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Other Population Groups. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Filipino adults aged 20-59 years.
2. World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight.

Editor’s Note: This press release is sponsored by Novo. It is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.