AN EYE FOR FASHION
Ophthalmologist Minguita Padilla has more than a passion for the eye
Sounding more horrified than flattered that a recent magazine article featuring her as a "fashionista" is spawning similar
pieces (like this one), Dr. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla nevertheless graciously gives in to do this interview.
The reservation is understandable. After all, there are more essential things that she can talk about. There is the ophthalmologic practice for instance; not to mention the unrelenting pursuits she has taken to elevate the profession.
Living her life's philosophy that "to whom much is given, much is required," she is known to champion the fight against corneal blindness in the country when she founded the Sta. Lucia International Eye Bank.
Ten years since its inception, Padilla's "baby" has gone a long way. But not the type to sit on her laurels, she is steering it into a new decade with the launch of the "Tears of Hope, Tears of Health" campaign. The eye-catching ads featuring celebrities are meant to up the ante in the fight against corneal blindness.
Asked however if she is aware that while other people's eyes are her concern, she herself catches the eyes of most people with her classic beauty and elegant manner of dressing, the otherwise exuberant doctor is suddenly lost for words.
Unsure if she is the right person to give fashion advice especially to her colleagues, she says with hesitation, "A good fashion sense begins with knowing and accepting one's body type." But
she is quick to add that it comes second only to having a total neat and clean look. Doctors must defy the image of having "just impeccably clean hands, but dirty shoes."
She says work clothes should be well-coordinated classic lines of blouses and skirts and pant suits. Whole dresses are fine, too, as long as like the former, they provide enough room for moving about as they enhance the figure.
As an ophthalmologist who does a lot of footwork with her instruments, she herself goes for these types. She says it goes with the territory that doctors must maintain a certain decorum for "being attractive, but not distractive" in their manner of dressing. Thus, very low necklines, flimsy materials, and overly extended slits are definitely no-nos.
For day clothes, she recommends Rustan's because of its varied lines and because RTWs are the best option for always-pressed-for-time-doctors. She says the store also carries a lot of foreign labels suitable for those with medium and large builds.
Doctors will never go wrong with a light-colored smart blazer and skirt when going to conventions or a simple, classic but elegant black dress (a must, she says in every doctor's closet) for cocktail parties. Although "surprising colleagues with a red or pink number is all right, too, as long as one doesn't pretend to be in her 20s," she says.
For more formal clothes, she recommends the striking bead work and hand-painted designs of Judith Pajaro that never go out of style and always attract attention. The ternos and Filipiniana numbers of Dita Sandico-Ong for the even more formal affairs are always unique and fabulous.
As an afterthought, she adds that wearing jewelry is fine, but must be subdued when working; make-up for enhancing the face is a must for that total smart and elegant look.
Casting one last glance at the total package, Padilla definitely knows whereof she prescribes.
Dina B. Sanchez
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