At a time when artificial intelligence can generate information in seconds and social media is flooded with unverified health claims, finding trustworthy and legitimate medical guidance has become more important than ever.
While digital platforms have made health information more accessible, they have also made it easier for misinformation to spread. For many Filipinos, distinguishing fact from fiction can be challenging, especially when it comes to medical concerns that affect their daily lives. This reality inspired physician Dr. Larry Sembrano and director Roman Perez Jr. to create a digital platform that delivers credible health information in a format that ordinary people can easily understand and relate to.
The collaboration between Perez and Sembrano stemmed from a shared desire to continue educating the public about health issues, particularly after witnessing the challenges brought about by recent health crises.
“Family doctor si Doc. Ang kanyang hospital ay nasa Caloocan, Our Lady of Grace Hospital. And then we created this project kasi naghahanap kami ng isang project na makakapagbigay kami ng health support lalo na itong nagkaroon tayo ng health health crisis,” Perez explained.
As a practicing family physician and one of the leaders of Our Lady of Grace Hospital in Caloocan, Sembrano has spent years helping patients navigate health concerns. Perez saw an opportunity to bring that expertise to a wider audience through digital media.
The idea gained momentum as both men observed a gap in health programming following the disappearance of some of the country’s most recognizable medical television shows.
“Napag-usapan lang namin kasi wala na yung Salamat Dok,” Sembrano said. Salamat Dok is a now-defunct public service program by ABS-CBN geared toward giving free medical advice and onground medical missions.
Although medical content is readily available online, Perez believed there was room for a different approach, one that would engage viewers through storytelling.
“Nagbigay tayo ng health support sa mga taong may mga sakit, may nararamdaman at may mga gustong i-maintain sa kalusugan nila. Pero kasi marami ng lumalabas na ganitong projects na online direkta lang. Nagsasalita lang si doc, nagsasalita lang, nagpapayo. Ito ngayon, bumuo kami ng isang project, it’s a online YouTube project na narrative,” he said.
The result is Itanong Natin Kay Dok Larry, a digital series that combines comedy, drama, and practical medical information. Through fiction inspired by real-life situations, the show aims to make healthcare discussions more engaging and accessible for viewers of all ages. Perez described the project, “It’s a light comedy health advocacy project ni Doc Larry dahil gusto niya ma-reach ang audience mula A to Z na bracket no na lahat ay pwedeng magtanong, lahat ay puwedeng makipagkwentuhan at higit sa lahat ang project na ito kaya pinamagatan naming Itanong Natin Kay Dok Larry.”
For Sembrano, the narrative format is crucial to the show’s mission. Instead of presenting medical information in a clinical setting, the stories are designed to capture the attention of ordinary Filipinos, including younger viewers who may not otherwise seek out health-related content. “Noong na-conceive namin ni Direk, noong nag-usap, kami, mas maganda ’yung parang mahook ’yung common people. ’Yung may narrative ba na kahit ’yung mga bata kung susubaybayan nila,” he said.
The show’s initial eight episodes will tackle some of the country’s most common health concerns and leading causes of hospitalization, including dengue, pneumonia, asthma, diabetes, and animal bites. Future episodes are also expected to address more sensitive topics such as HIV and other public health issues that often cause misconceptions.
Asked about the topics featured in the series, Sembrano said each one was chosen for its relevance to the lives of ordinary Filipinos. He shared, “Lahat favorite ko kasi lahat may social significance, lahat ay socially relevant na I think will have a big impact on the community kasi target namin ‘yung masa.”
The program follows the lives of characters portrayed by Tabs Sumulong, Divine Villareal, Enki Gray, and other cast members. Guests in upcoming episodes are expected. The goal is not only to entertain but also to equip viewers with knowledge they can apply in their everyday lives.
While Sembrano is accustomed to speaking with patients and managing healthcare operations, stepping in front of the camera proved to be an entirely different experience. Days before production began, he openly expressed his concerns to Perez.
“Direk, alam mo to be honest hindi naman talaga ako artista. Doctor ako yun talaga confident ako to do that,” he recalled.
Perez immediately reassured him. “So, sabi niya, ‘Okay lang yan kukuha tayo ng acting coach.’ Yun ’yung pinaka-challenge sa akin,” Sembrano said with a laugh.
Despite his initial hesitation, the physician embraced the opportunity, viewing the project as another avenue to educate and serve the public.
The Man Behind the Medical Advice
Sembrano’s credibility is rooted in decades of academic and professional training.
When asked to share his credentials, he had a lot to share. Sembrano said, “I graduated from premed ko is BS Biology from De La Salle University Taft, graduated sa Birheng Milagrosa in San Carlos, Pangasinan. I trained and had my residency in family and community medicine at the MCUF DDMF hospital. And I also have a masteral degree in Hospital Administration from St. Jude. Presently I’m a fellow of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians and a fellow of the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators and a diplomate of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine.”
Those credentials, combined with years of clinical practice, form the foundation of the medical guidance presented in the series.
As misinformation continues to compete with legitimate health advice online, Itanong Natin Kay Dok Larry seeks to offer something increasingly valuable. Watch out for digestible medical information served in the form of situational comedy.
The show premieres today, June 13.
