Loi Ejercito facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loi Ejercito
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Ejercito in 1999
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| First Lady of the Philippines | |
| In role June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 |
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| President | Joseph Estrada |
| Preceded by | Amelita Ramos |
| Succeeded by | José Miguel Arroyo (First Gentleman) |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Luisa Pimentel y Fernández
June 2, 1930 Iba, Zambales, Philippine Islands |
| Political party | PMP (2004–present) Independent (2001–2004) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including Jinggoy |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas (AA, MD) |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Profession | Psychiatrist |
Luisa Pimentel Ejército–Estrada (born June 2, 1930), often called Loi Ejército, is a Filipina politician and doctor. She was a Senator of the Philippines from 2001 to 2007. She is married to former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, and she served as the twelfth First Spouse of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001. Her son, Jinggoy Estrada, is also a senator.
Early Life and Medical Career
Luisa Fernandez Pimentel was born on June 2, 1930. She grew up in Iba, Zambales, where she completed her early schooling. She then went to the University of Santo Tomas. There, she earned an associate in arts degree in 1949 and became a doctor of medicine in 1954.
After finishing her studies, she worked as a professor at the university's medical school. She also served as a doctor at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Later, she worked at the National Center for Mental Health. This is where she met her future husband, Joseph Estrada.
In the early 1960s, she trained in Australia at hospitals like Royal Park Hospital in Melbourne. In 1962, she returned to the Philippines. She helped set up the Mental Health Department at Davao General Hospital in Davao City. For 15 years, starting in 1972, she volunteered as a doctor at San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital in San Juan.
Public Service and First Lady Role
As a psychiatrist, Loi Ejercito became known as the First Lady of the Masses and Doctor of the Masses. This was because of her many medical and outreach programs during her time as First Lady. She helped many people through these missions.
In October 1999, she received an honorary doctorate degree in philosophy from Kyung Hee University in South Korea.
After her husband left office in January 2001, she decided to run for a seat in the Senate of the Philippines. She won her Senate seat in May 2001, placing 11th overall. This made her the first First Lady to become a senator. When her son, Jinggoy Estrada, was also elected senator in 2004, they became the first mother and son to serve as senators at the same time in Philippine history.
During her time as a senator from 2001 to 2007, she wrote many bills and resolutions. Several of these became laws, including:
- [R.A. No. 9241], which improved the National Health Insurance Program.
- [R.A. No. 9211], known as the No Smoking Act.
- [R.A. No. 9165], the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
- [R.A. No. 9275], also known as the Clean Water Act.
Ejercito chose not to run for re-election in 2007. After her Senate term ended, she retired from politics.
Life After the Senate
In June 2014, Loi Ejercito was named as the personal doctor for her son, Jinggoy.
On June 2, 2022, which was her 91st birthday, she released her memoir. The book is titled “Love, Mommyla: My Memories of 9 Decades.” Her daughter, Jackie, published the 104-page book. A portion of the money from book sales goes to support their medical missions.
