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Dra. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla during the press conference via Zoom with Cebu media and bloggers
This 2022 election, among the senator aspirants, is an advisor to the Health Department and the President of the Eye Bank Foundation.
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Dra. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla |
The call to vote another doctor into the Senate has grown after netizens lauded the short film “Liwanag,” which tried to capture the life and legacy of Partido Reporma senatorial candidate Dr. Ma. Dominga Cecilia ‘Minguita’ Padilla, who aims to improve the country’s healthcare system.
In October 2021, after much soul-searching, she decided to heed the requests of various medical groups and seek an elected post.
Padilla is the founder, president and chief executive officer of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines for 26 years.
She led the medical team of Project ARK, which aimed to widen testing coverage through the use of antibody rapid test kits, said a "call" had been building inside her "for a long time" before she finally tried for the lawmaking chamber. She also has been helping senators, district representatives, and the Department of Health for about three decades now, as a health advocate.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic the nation faces, an eye doctor has decided to run for Senate in order to bring light for the country as well as those who are literally cannot see.
Ophthalmologist, Dra. Minguita, has to give up her position and several other local and international positions to pave the way for her Senate dream in order to help more people and see her advocacies on a wider scale.
"The COVID pandemic sort of showed me that we need to do more as doctors and our presence in government, especially in policymaking positions, is important," Dra. Minguita said.
“Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla"
The inspiring story of opthalmologist-turned-health advocate, Dr. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla, is now a 45-minute short film entitled "Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla"
“Liwanag” is delivered as a medical drama with a touch of humor and a lot of heart-based on key moments in the life of Dr. Padilla that led to her lifelong mission to serve as many people as possible through her public health advocacy.
"Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla" shows the renowned eye doctor's journey from an unassuming medical student to a public health crusader who is now one of the country's most active medical advocates in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Produced by Kapitana Media Entertainment--the company behind the comedy "The Women of TONTA Club that is now streaming on KTX and Upstream PH--"Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla.
"Liwanag" starring GMA 7 actress Valeen Montenegro. Producer and writer Rossana Hwang says, "Together with friends of Dra. Minguita, like myself, and some of her family members, we decided to create a medical drama, with touches of humor, that will shed light on what she has done for our country.
Long before the pandemic happened, Dra. Minguita has been helping the sick, especially those afflicted with eye ailments." As Founder and President of Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. Dra. Minguita has been leading in efforts for the procurement, processing and distribution of corneas and eye tissues since 1994 ---an endeavor that has helped restore sight to thousands of patients around the country; including indigent patients, who would otherwise remain blind.
When Covid-19 hit the Philippines, Dra. Minguita, together with her fellow doctors, raised funds for hospitals, and for PPEs, supplies, and even washing machines that were donated to the medical frontliners who were on perpetual duty at the hospitals.
Dra. Minguita, who is co-convenor of Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare, also served as resource person in several webinars and online forums in order to inform the public on the facts about Covid-19, the importance of vaccination and how to avoid getting the virus. She also helped the MSMEs through her work with GoNegosyo. Her efforts at training barangay health workers and other doctors at COVID-19 antigen testing, making her own home a virtual testing area, and making herself available for those who needed help in connection with the pandemic, have been recognized by the City of Makati, awarded her with the Exemplary Makatizen Makahero Award last December.
"Actually, I never thought that there would ever be a biopic about me," says Dra. Minguita. "I am very grateful to those who put this project together. I know it was because they truly care for me and they know my heart and my reasons for taking a very big risk, leaving my comfort zone and running for public office."
Watch "Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla," directed by the talented and sought-after Rember Gellera.
