Last year, I headed to The Medical City (my go-to hospital for emergency hospital visits and…read moreroutine check-ups) as I was suffering through a horrible cough. I asked at reception about which doctor was available at the moment as I didn't want to queue for hours on end. Thankfully, Dr. Agno was available to accommodate me. I was comfortable from the moment I entered her office. Dr. Agno is very respectful, polite, kind and knowledgeable. Based on my account, she immediately knew that iIwas suffering from an allergy from the pollutants/elements that were in the air due to New Year's celebrations and my extensive exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke (I'm allergic). She handed me a prescription and I was as good as new in a little under a week. Thank you, Dr. Agno! I hope never to see you again but I would happily refer you to anybody who needs your service.

Health Cube is one of my go-to places if I need to have some diagnostic services done such as blood…read moretests, x-rays, ultrasound, etc. It is conveniently located in the basement of Promenade in Greenhills. It's in the mall, but away from the hustle and bustle of everything happening upstairs. The place is clean and organized. It doesn't take long to register, pay and have your procedure/check-up done. I've been lucky enough to go there during off-peak hours (earlier in the day during weekdays or late afternoon of weekdays) and I have never lined up for long hours. I also like them because their prices are relatively cheap. Though I have not had a consultation with a doctor there, I wouldn't mind going there if ever needed in the future. For those simple lab works, ultrasounds, x-rays and quick consultations, this is the place to go.

Clinics and Diagnostic centres at the mall are what's hot right now. It's a very convenient way to…read moreget yourself checked up and shop or do errands when you're done or while waiting for the results. Health Cube is one of these types of facilities that I actually like since I used to prefer going to an actual hospital but they did change my mind about it. The facility gives you that high-end vibe which makes you feel at ease and reassures you that you're getting excellent health care and service. They have competent staff who can give you a run down on each and everyone of their services. If you want, you could also get a copy of the list of their doctors and the diagnostic services that they offer, they could also email it to you and they would right away. Their prices are more or less the same as what you'd pay at a private hospital. Don't forget to call first and ask for an appointment.

Part of the struggle of being a diabetic is finding a doctor that you can trust. Here in Manila,…read moreone of the challenges of finding good Endocrinologists and Diabetologists is finding one who doesn't exclusively hold clinic in some far-flung, commute-inaccessible places, or doesn't exclusively hold clinic during workdays. Imagine my surprise when I found a doctor who is not only capable and competent, but also accessible. Dr. Eveleyn Paraan, at first, became my doctor simply because she has hours in STI Megaclinic, and said hours also fall on a Saturday. I happily went, not really expecting anything other than a sober and clinical handling of my condition, at most maybe a boot camp-styled doctor, making me do calisthenics and sing in cadence while jogging. What I got was a doctor who was all that, except she's more of the "warm bedside manner" doctor than the boot camp-y one. Oh, make no mistake, Dr. Paraan is all no-nonsense Endocrinologist, an obvious master in her field, but she also excitedly asks if you've been maintaining your diet and exercise, and actually visibly deflates when you say you fell off the wagon. Dr. Paraan is less cold doctor, more a confidant and a companion in your journey in diabeetus.

Hi-Precision is my To Go place whenever I need to do a lab test (blood/Urine). The team is…read more professional and the place is modern and clean. It can get quite packed but they open early so it's good to go then. But the wait is never too long and they are well organized. Furthermore you get the results online and it's fast as well. Their pricing is reasonable.

Efficient, courteous, on time, easy access. As a visiting lab testing service I was very happy.read more

We found Dr. Maningat when I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes on my second pregnancy. I was…read moreadvised by my OB-Gyne to consult an endocrinologist to control my blood sugar, and our health insurance company referred me to Dr. Patricia Maningat. When I went to my first consultation, I didn't like her for the reason that she instructed me to change my diet (no sugar, boo!) and monitor my blood sugar levels. Now I realized that that was one of the best advices I got regarding my health. My mom (who is a diabetic) also started seeing Dr. Maningat after she accompanied me to one of my checkups and saw how thorough she was with every patient, and how effective her advices were. My mom was having Hypoglycemia at that time because of her diet and medications, but Dr. Maningat helped her overcome that. The drive from our house to St. Luke's takes a minimum of 30 minutes, but we don't mind because we know we get the best medical advice from Dr. Maningat. We have to leave early though to be first in the long list of patients she sees in her clinic.

I did my acne treatment with Dra Gatan, and I must say, after 6mos of religiously following her…read moretreatment plan, I was free of acne and left with glowing and bright skin afterwards. Definitely recommend her to anyone who wants affordable yet a very effective treatment plan! She's very nice and accommodating with my questions too and always answering them, the best she could.

I've known Dra. Gatan ever since I was a kid. I remember going with my sister to her clinic at…read moreGreenhills whenever she would get her facial twice a month. My sister is gorgeous but the skin on her face is so acne-prone that she needed to visit the dermatologists when she started breaking out. Thankfully, I managed to inherit my mother's genes when it comes to skin. I rarely ever get pimples and when I do, I either prick them on my own (which, of course, isn't advisable but I do it anyway) or, if the acne problem looks quite severe, I take it to Dra. Gatan for a check-up. While I had less time going to her for my acne problems, I realized that the few times I did, I always felt taken good care of. From her receptionists to her nurses to Dra. Gatan herself, I have always felt secured whenever I visit. The same goes for my sister. I mean, she's been going to Dra. Gatan since she was 16 and they've gotten so close that she even took Dra. Gatan as one of her godmothers during her wedding. What I also love about Dra. Gatan is how meticulous she is with her patients. But that doesn't go to say that she prescribes creams, soaps or medicines that are ridiculously pricey. In fact, she either tells you to use whatever good brands are in the market or buy her own stuff! Dra. Gatan's line of creams, which I use as my night moisturizer, is actually cheaper than other leading brands. She also has a wonderful sunblock cream that my sister and I swear by. So if you're looking for an alternative to the Belos and the Calayans of the dermatology world in the Philippines, I think Dra. Edna Gatan is one of the best. She's never failed me, my sister or any of the people I've recommended!