How Juan Flavier, DOH program changed 2014 bar third-placer’s life

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 10 years ago

Sandra Mae Magalang. FACEBOOK PHOTO

Sandra Mae Magalang, the third placer in the 2014 bar examination is a beneficiary of the Department of Health’s Oplan Sagip Mata.

The Oplan Sagip Mata started in 1993 under the late Senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier.

Magalang, who graduated Salutatorian from the University of the Philippines College of Law was born cross-eyed.

In 2014, she left a note in the guest book of the wake of Senator Flavier.

The note read:

To the family and loved ones of Dr. Flavier,

I apologize for writing at the back of this
guest list, but this is the only way I can think
of to convey my gratitude to your family and to
Dr. Flavier. My life was changed by his Oplan Sagip
Mata program almost twenty years ago, and thanks to
this great man I was able to live differently despite
being born cross-eyed and poor. Without him, I
could not have achieved the honors I have achieved,
and his health programs have helped me reach
places I never thought I would. I even graduated
summa cum laude from this university, and this is
all thanks to your great father/grandfather/loved
one.

Thank you, and my deepest condolences.

Sincerely,
Sandra Magalang, UP Diliman 2010, 2014

The Oplan Sagip Mata is an ongoing project of the DOH. It has already helped over 500,000 beneficiaries nationwide. ID