TESTIMONIALS

Lilia Pagtakhan Luna, MD
PROFESSOR EMERITUS, FEU-NRMF, MHA, FPOGS, FPSRM, FPSGE

Dr. Lilia Pagtakhan Luna, is the daughter of Alberto G. Pagtakhan and Anastasia Hernandez Pagtakhan born in Pasay on June 11, 1937. Married to Dr. Teodoro J. Luna, they are blessed with four children, Dr. Judith Tellie P. de Guzman, Joselito Teodoro P. Luna, Dr. Jericho Taddeus P. Luna, and Dr. Jeffrey Thomas P. Luna. She graduated doctor of Medicine in Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation and began her clinical practice in the same institution. She used her talents to serve not only her own patients but chosen to influence others. The career path she took was greatly influenced by her desire to achieve clinical excellence and use it to serve the Filipino people not just as a community but as a nation.

SHE IS A MAGNIFICENT DOCTOR

Dr. Luna’s academic journey is nothing short of legendary. Graduating cum laude from the Far Eastern University (FEU) in 1961, she secured the 10th spot in the Philippine Medical Board Examinations. After graduation and residency in obstetrics and gynecology, her dedication to advancing her expertise led her to the prestigious New York University Medical Center, where she completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Not one to rest on her laurels, she returned to the Philippines and quickly rose to prominence. As she built her clinical practice, her expertise were well recognized by patients. She rose to the ranks serving the people in the university belt area as she became the Chief of Clinics of Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) Hospital in 1983. After 2 years of service, she became the Hospital Director and was the longest serving director of the teaching university hospital until 2003. During these 18 years, she tirelessly shared her expertise in the medical community not just in the field of obstetrics and gynecology but the entire medical practice as well. She encouraged medical practitioners and served as a mentor and an inspiration to achieve excellence in medical practice and help the community.

Her clinical practice was never limited to FEU-NRMF. She also served as chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology in United Doctors Medical Center (UDMC) and Capitol Medical Center.

In the early 1990’s, she dreamt of widening the span of the community served by FEU-NRMF Hospital. Though it has served the people in the area of the heart of Manila, she envisioned to help spread the wings of medical practice and the community it can help. She spearheaded the transfer of the hospital in Fairview Quezon City. She is the founding chairman of MARIAN PROPERTY HOLDINGS CO. INC. A company composed of medical practitioners in various fields of specialty whom she encouraged to help her serve a community in Fairview Quezon City who is in dire need of access to quality medical service. In 1993, she was also instrumental in putting up a Medical Arts Building and later the Marian Radiation Oncology Center.

Her desire to share her expertise in the practice of reproductive medicine among young aspiring clinical practitioners has never ceased. In 2001, she established a Fellowship Program in Reproductive Medicine, Gynecologic Endoscopy and Menopause. This is a consortium between Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Capitol Medical Center. This revolutionized the practice of reproductive medicine in the country. During these times, post residency training in the aforementioned field was only available in UP-PGH. Since its conception, the program graduated 22 fellows in the subspecialty achieving an almost 100 percent passing rate in the Philippine Society of Reproductive Medicine credentialing board. Uniquely, her clinical practice literally served the countryside as the graduates of this training program are practitioners spread all over the Philippine islands, the farthest up north is in Tuguegarao and down south is in Cebu.

SHE TEACHES

Teaching is her primary passion. She is always available to teach medical students, residents, fellows in training and even colleagues in need. She served as faculty of the FEU-NRMF for more than 50 years and her Alma Mater has given her several recognitions including MOST OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS, MOST OUTSTANDING FACULTY, MOST OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD. She was conferred the status of Professor Emeritus. Her excellence in clinical practice was recognized by other medical institutions like the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center who honored her as the GLORIA YAMBAO MEMORIAL LECTURER in 1999. The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) recognized her teaching prowess awarding her the DR HERMOGENES A. SANTOS MEMORIAL AWARD for continuing Medical Education. She is a mentor whose lessons extend far beyond textbooks, instilling values of integrity, grit, and service in all her students. Her commitment to training subspecialists in Reproductive Medicine in underserved areas speaks volumes about her vision of equitable healthcare. She has given countless communities a chance to access specialized care where none existed, touching lives in ways statistics could never measure.

SHE WRITES

Her influence as an outstanding clinical practitioner is not just limited to teaching in the classroom, the operating room and the clinics. She has contributed several articles in many publications including textbooks, journals and clinical practice guidelines of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), Philippine Society for Reproductive Medicine (PSRM), Philippine Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (PSGE) and Philippine Society for Climacteric Medicine (PSCM). She served as Editor in Chief, Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2005-2007 and was a member of the ASSOCIATION OF WRITTERS OF THE PHILIPPINE TEXTBOOK IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY serving as editor of various chapters.

SHE IS A BORN LEADER

She is an active member of various medical organizations locally and abroad where she served as either a chairman of a key committee of has become an officer. She is a member of the PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF LAPAROSCOPIC SURGEONS, ASSOCIATION OF WRITTERS OF THE PHILIPPINE TEXTBOOK IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, INTERNATIONAL MENOPAUSE SOCIETY

A BORN LEADER, she served as president of the POGS (1991), PSCM (1999), and PSRM (2002). During these years up to the present time, she has encouraged and taught clinical practitioners in the various fields of specialty which greatly served the Filipino. The PSRM has recognized her outstanding accomplishments by awarding her the OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 2023.

SHE SERVES THE COMMUNITY

Financial reward has never been the primary reason for all her activities. She has participated in various socio-civic activities of the hospitals and organizations she is involved with. She has given lay lectures in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Menopause, Midwives Post Graduate Courses, and various activities for the Elderly and Disabled and outreach programs, sponsored by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. She also participated in various medical and social activities of Capitol Medical Center’s adopted Barangay in Paligsahan, Quezon City. She is a strong financial contributor to construction of churches and shrines of Divine Mercy in Silang, Cavite and dela Strada, Quezon City and the formation House of Missionary sisters in San Pedro, Laguna and has contributions to the maintenance of the Home for the Elderly and Abandoned in San Pedro, Laguna.

HER EXCELLENCE IS RECOGNIZED

Her achievements in the practice of medicine has been recognized by several award giving bodies. Likewise, the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society recognized her excellence in the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has given her the BALDOMERO ROXAS AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE (2000), HONORARIA ACOSTA SISON AWARD FOR RECOGNITION IN RESEARCH (2006) to name a few. Such excellence will not go unrecognized by the Professional Regulations Commission of the Philippines who in 2009 gave her the MOST OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE AWARD. The Philippine Medical Association likewise recognized her excellence and has awarded her the OUTSTANDING PHYSICIAN award in 2024.

Needless to say, her achievements are not just recognized locally but internationally as well. She was conferred the WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD by Federation International Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) in 2009. The following year, READERS DIGEST recognized her as ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED Doctors IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Currently, she continues serve Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. She is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Senior Consultant, Head of the Section on Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Endoscopy and the Section on Menopause. She was given the Legacy of Excellence Award from FEU-NRMF in 2019, encapsulating decades of exemplary service and mentorship.

It is a rare privilege to know someone like Dr. Lilia Luna, a woman whose brilliance, compassion, and unyielding dedication to her craft have inspired generations. At 87, she defies expectations, proving that age is but a number when the heart burns with passion and the mind remains eager to learn. She continues to balance her towering professional achievements with a deep sense of humanity and humility—a combination that makes her a beacon of hope and excellence.

Despite her accolades, Dr. Luna’s essence lies in her kindness and vibrant personality. She has the unique ability to light up a room with a smile that reaches her eyes. Her genuine appreciation for even the simplest gestures reveals a heart full of gratitude. Behind the esteemed titles and countless awards is a “girl boss” who is independent, driven, and delightfully down-to-earth. She balances professionalism with an easygoing nature, proving that you can be both a force to reckon with and a joy to be around.

Dr. Luna’s story is a testament to what happens when brilliance meets boundless compassion. She has taught us that true greatness lies not in the accolades we receive but in the lives we touch. For those of us lucky enough to know her, Dr. Luna is not just a mentor, a doctor, or a professor—she is an inspiration, a role model, and, most importantly, a genuinely good person. Her legacy is one of excellence tempered with humility, strength infused with kindness, and wisdom shared generously.

Dr. Luna, thank you for being the luminous star that guides us. For us, you are the giga star. Your life is a masterpiece, and we are privileged to be part of the constellation of lives you have touched.

Anna Belen Ignacio-Alensuela, MD
Grace O. Cheng, MD