Manila, Philippines: Dina Bonnevie is a rarity in the world of entertainment and business. The divine Ms. D is both talented and intelligent, taking on ventures on- and off-camera with equal spunk and savvy. However, even this seemingly tireless individual managed to burn herself out, leading to health complications and a year-long hiatus. The break from the public eye was put to good use, nonetheless, and Ms. D is coming back as the face of The Medical City’s (TMC) Center for Wellness and Aesthetics. 

 

The road to her new role was tough. Back in April of 2009, Ms. D. had a mild stroke. She was rushed to TMC’s Emergency Room (ER) after her right arm went numb, and it was there that she learned about her poor state of health.  

 

“Stress, lack of sleep, pressure, physical exhaustion – all of these things took their toll on my health. Looking back now, taking on many tapings and working for my own company all at the same time really did me in. Plus, my protein-based diet wasn’t that healthy after all,” Ms. D recalls.

 

When she was still playing Malena Rodrigo on the TV soap May Bukas Pa, Ms. D’s schedule would run from 5 AM to 9 AM the following day. Once home, she would sleep for one hour, then proceed to her work as President of Fusion Telecommunications International (Philippines), Inc. She would have nothing but coffee for breakfast, and limited the rest of her diet to fruits, salads and fish. 

 

“I thought I was doing fine because I saw myself as active and a health buff. After talking to TMC’s doctors, however, I found out that a lot of the things I was doing to myself were actually ruining my health,” Ms. D continues.

 

Her attending physician, Dr. Rolando A. Balburias, Consultant-Director of TMC’s Center for Wellness and Aesthetics, met with Ms. D after her post-ER scare checkup. He talked to her about her present condition and analyzed all her past medical records. From there, Dr. Balburias introduced her to the Center and designed a wellness package that best fit Ms. D’s particular lifestyle. Upon his recommendation, she went on to see an allergologist, a nutritionist, and other specialists who helped her make the right health decisions and get her back into shape.

 

“Ms. D is very cooperative and a good listener. She also asks intelligent questions and does her own research, which allows us to learn a lot from her as well,” says Dr. Balburias. “That makes our partnership as doctor and patient much more effective, and that dynamic is what our Center, and TMC as a whole, is all about. We as experts are here to guide our patients, empowering them to make their own, intelligent decisions so that they can achieve optimum health for themselves.”

 

Ms. D agrees with TMC’s unique patient partnership philosophy, saying, “I liked the idea of working with a team of board-certified physicians who actually discussed my situation with me in detail. They didn’t just tell me what to do. I also appreciated TMC’s holistic approach to health. They analyzed my skin, my weight, my diet, my exercise regimen, my bone structure, and how all these related to my age.”

 

Ms. D also delights in the fact that the Center does not look and feel like a hospital. It has hotel-like facilities and a warmhearted staff, ensuring a relaxed and comfortable patient experience. The Center even serves gourmet meals prepared with each patient’s nutrition needs in mind.

 

Ms. D indeed fits the bill as the face of TMC’s Center for Wellness and Aesthetics. Working closely with the Center’s staff, making sure she follows her personalized and customized program to the letter, Ms. D is nearing her goal of achieving true health and wellness. 

 

As the Center’s motto goes, wellness is the new beauty—to look your best, you have to feel your best. The divine Ms. D epitomizes true beauty, and she now hopes to inspire others to lead healthier, more beautiful lives.