Maine Mendoza, Atty. Chel Diokno, and more mourn the passing of Doc Gia Sison
Local personalities and organizations took to social media to express their grief over the death of beloved mental health advocate, Dr. Gia Sison, or Doc Gia.
The passing of the 53-year-old doctor's death on March 21 was announced by the Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda. Sison's contribution especially during quarantine, they say, has "left an indelible mark" on many Filipinos.
Her husband Rogin Sison, shared photos of them on Facebook, with a caption that says: "No words can express the sorrow but I am happy you are peaceful now, no pain, no sufferings. I love you so much my soulmate, my Henny Hen."
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she was "stunned" to hear about the news and that she will be "dearly missed."
"She was one of our staunchest #MentalHealthAct & #SOGIEEqualityBill allies. She always made time for us, was always so warm, always so generous with her light. Maraming salamat, Doc Gia. You will be dearly missed," Hontiverso said.
Actress and Eat Bulaga host Maine Mendoza said that Sison "will be remembered for many wonderful things."
Atty. Chel Diokno, who got Sison to guest on his YouTube channel during the pandemic, said: "Your voice and dedication to mental health awareness, especially during the challenging times of quarantine, have left an indelible mark. Your legacy will continue to inspire and help many. Thank you for everything."
It was the same for comedian Red Ollero, who appeared on Sison's project #ItsOkToCry during the pandemic.
"RIP to Dr. Gia Sison — what a great human being who has left a great legacy of raising awareness about mental health. During the pandemic she collaborated with comedians for the campaign #ItsOkToCry—just one of the many many efforts to progress how we perceive mental health in our country! We lost a real good one today," he wrote.
RIP Dr. @giasison 🕊️ Your voice and dedication to mental health awareness, especially during the challenging times of quarantine, have left an indelible mark. Your legacy will continue to inspire and help many. Thank you for everything. https://t.co/QnmgHdYI41
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) March 21, 2024
Roanne Carreon, co-founder of Safe Spaces, said Sison was one of the few who supported their group even after Pride Month.
"You reached out to me when others were literally done celebrating us right after the Pride month. You were a true ally through and through. Marami pa tayong plano doc, it’s too painful to have lost a genuine person like you. Rest in power, doc Gia Baquiran Sison," Carreon said.
Volleyball player Carmela Tunay also said: "Sad to hear about Doc Gia’s passing. had the opportunity to talk with her years back when she reached out to help about something. Ended that conversation with hopes to work on a charity project in the future. She was so nice, warm and undeniably a good person. RIP."
Sports news anchor Migs Bustos has "no words" but quoted a line that Sison always said. "We are our own light."
Journalist TJ Manotoc for his part, recalled how their friendship started. He said that his friendship with Sison and Doc Renz started with an argument as strangers.
"We had a petty thing about depression on Twitter that led to a friendship and partnership with each other’s Mental Health advocacies You were both there from day 1 of #YouWillBeAlright and I will forever be grateful. Rest in peace Doc Gia. You will be missed dearly," Manotoc said.
Podcast Network Asia also paid tribute to the late medical doctor and podcaster.
"She brought joy, insight, and inspiration to our lives through her thoughtful conversations and engaging content. In this time of mourning, let us remember the impact Doc Gia had on our podcasting community and the lives she touched. May we find solace in the memories we shared and the legacy she leaves behind," they wrote.
Sison served as the Head of Makati Medical Center's Women Wellness Center and advocated for mental health and breast cancer awareness. She was also one of the podcasters of Walwal Sesh on Spotify with Renz Argao and Vino Orajay.
Early this month, Sison revealed that she experienced “dying” for six seconds last Feb. 25 due to aborted sudden cardiac death—a condition when “the heartbeat suddenly stops, patient goes into cardiac arrest, pulse goes to zero, blood pressure drops to zero, and patient drops dead."
"It made me realize that life is short and any time, it can just be swept away from you like a rug, so live life to its fullest," she shared with PhilSTAR L!fe.