Julia Montes is proud to have contributed in raising community awareness through her newest film, Hilom (Doctors to the Barrio), on the subject of access – or lack thereof – of Filipinos to proper health care services in the country.
In an Instagram post last Thursday, the actress said that she gained a better perspective on the current situation of the Philippine health care system during the taping of the movie.
“Nung shinu-shoot ko ito, pinagdasal ko talaga na sana sa Pilipinas matutukan din ang marami pang bagay gaya ng health. Dahil marami tayong mga kababayan sa bansa na dala ng ating mahirap na ekonomiya ay nanghihinayang sa pera na gagastusin sa pagpapatingin sa normal check-up, kaya kahit may iniinda ay titiisin na lamang dahil may paggagamitan pa sa pera na dapat sa gamot at check-up,” wrote Julia.
With this, the former Asintado actress commended volunteer doctors and nurses – itself the focus of ‘Hilom’ – who go out of their way to help those in need without expecting anything back.
“Kaya saludo ako sa mga tao na bumubuo at tumutulong para maging possible ang mga libreng checkup sa mga komunidad para sa ating mga kababayan dahil hindi lang panahon ang kanila ginugugol [kung hindi] ang puso at determinasyon na makatulong sa ating mga kababayan,” said Julia.
Hilom is an advocacy film initiated by the Department of Health to highlight the efforts of volunteer doctors and other medical staff who regularly visit barrios to hold free checkups on the poor.
In 2017, it was revealed that Julia, alongside Kean Cipriano and Ruby Ruiz, were set to topbill the film, directed by no less than award-winning director, Brillante Mendoza.
LOOK: Julia Montes and Kean Cipriano work on a DOH project
However, an airing date for ‘Hilom’ has yet to be announced as of writing.