Richard Mata
{{short description|Filipino pediatrician, and media personality}}
{{Philippine name|Tesoro|Mata}}
{{unreliable sources|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| image =
| caption =
| name = Richard Mata
| birth_name = Richard Tesoro Mata
| birth_date ={{birth date and age|1972|2|5}}{{cite web |title=Certificate of Candidacy for Senator - Mata, Richard Tesoro|url=https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2025NLE/COC_2025NLE/COC_Senator138/MATA,%20RICHARD%20TESORO.pdf |publisher=Commission on Election|access-date=11 November 2024 |date=5 October 2024}}
| birth_place = Davao City, Philippines
| party =
{{ubl|
- Independent
- KABAYAN
|}}
| alma_mater = [https://www.dmsf.edu.ph Davao Medical School Foundation] (M.D.)
| occupation =
{{flatlist|
- Pediatrician
- vlogger}}
| spouse = Erika Soriano
| children = 3
| relatives = Bong Go (nephew)
| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality
| channel_handle = richardmata36
| channel_display_name = Dr. Richard and Erika Mata
| years_active =
| genre = Informative vlogging
| subscribers = 126 thousand
| views = 4.7 million
| stats_update = October 12, 2024
| associated_acts =
{{flatlist|
- Erika Mata
- Dr. Willie Ong
}}
| silver_year =
| silver_button = y
| gold_year =
| gold_button =
| diamond_year =
| diamond_button =
| embed = y
}}
}}
Richard Tesoro Mata (February 5, 1972) is a Filipino pediatrician{{Cite web |last=Arquiza |first=Yasmin |date=2014-02-21 |title=A software for patients' safety |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/a-software-for-patients-safety |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}} and media personality.
Medical career
Mata graduated from Davao Medical School Foundation, which he got his M.D. degree in 1997. He also got his Diplomate American Board M.D. and Diplomate National Board in 2001 while at San Pedro Hospital.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Richard Mata, Pediatrician, Davao, Davao City |url=https://www.askadoctor24x7.com/doctors/dr-richard-mata/66334 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=HealthCareMagic |language=en-US}} He currently working as a physician for Good Shepherd Hospital of Panabo City, Inc.{{Cite web |title=The Filipino Doctor - Doctor Information, Health Articles, Drug Knowledge |url=https://thefilipinodoctor.com/doctor/richard-mata/clinic-schedule |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=TheFilipinoDoctor.com |language=en}}
He is notable for an article called Solving Dengue Fever. In the said article, it was stating that in an Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP case a patient remains normal even with 10K platelet count, if the patient is always hydrated.{{Cite web |last=Araneta |first=Tomas Gerardo |date=2013-09-24 |title=Water is best cure for dengue: Doctor |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/water-is-best-cure-for-dengue-doctor |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}} Platelet transfusion may present a wrong picture of the water/fluid leak of the Dengue infected patient, hence it should be avoided and proper hydration should be maintained.{{Cite web |last=Mandal MD |first=Dr. Ananya |date=2009-07-16 |title=Dengue Fever Treatment |url=https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dengue-Fever-Treatment.aspx |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=News-Medical |language=en}}
In 2014, he was interviewed by SunStar about his development of a web-based application software for patients' safety, and to promote computerization of medical facilities and institution on handling files of the patients. It was centered on Computerization of Prescriptions and Patient Records in a bid to address major concerns, but some doctors reluctant and still using the traditional writing method. The reasons for this according to him was: (1) Doctors think clinic computerization is difficult and may take more time than writing; (2) Software programming is expensive; (3) There is no government or medical society project that promotes computerization of prescriptions. He started the development of the software in 2004.
Internet career
In 2008, he started his YouTube career by uploading videos about showing his web-based application software for safely storing patients' records and for prescriptions, and some seminars and interviews about dengue. But, after some years, he started to give medical advice in a Q-and-A type.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Richard and Erika Mata |url=https://www.youtube.com/@richardmata36/videos |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=YouTube |language=en}} In TikTok, he started to create comedic skits with inserting some medical facts.{{Cite web |title=richarderikamata - TikTok |url=https://tiktok.com/@richarderikamata |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.tiktok.com}} He is also giving some comments about some issues, and nicknamed as Pambansang Marites na Doktor.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=Road rage driver vs cyclist.Sabi nga ni Dr. Richard Mata - hindi pa pala tapos. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/16637rh/road_rage_driver_vs_cyclistsabi_nga_ni_dr_richard/?rdt=45605 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=r/Philippines}}
In 2024, amidst of family issues of Carlos Yulo and Milo's selection of EJ Obiena as its new brand ambassador, he jokingly answered questions of the netizen's Milo snub of Yulo saying: The one who buys Milo are mothers, not girlfriends. (Tagalog, original post: “Dahil alam ng Milo na ang bumibili ng Milo ay mga nanay, hindi mga girlfriends.”){{Cite web |last=Monserate |first=Glory Mae |date=2024-09-18 |title=Dr. Richard Mata,may sa hirit niya tungkol sa pagkilala ng MILO kay EJ Obiena |url=https://kami.com.ph/sports/168877-dr-richard-mata-kinaaliwan-sa-hirit-niya-tungkol-sa-pagkilala-ng-milo-kay-ej-obiena/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Kami.com.ph - Philippines news. |language=en}}
Political career
In 2022, Mata was selected as one of the nominees of Kabayan Partylist.{{Cite web |last=Rubrico |first=Jayson |date=2024-10-07 |title=Ika-7 araw ng COC filing, dagsa ng mga nais makakuha ng puwesto sa Senado, Kamara |url=https://smninewschannel.com/ika-7-araw-ng-coc-filing-dagsa-ng-mga-nais-makakuha-ng-puwesto-sa-senado-kamara/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=SMNI NEWS CHANNEL |language=en-US}}
On October 7, 2024,{{Cite web |last=SERQUIÑA |first=CELINE |date=2024-10-07 |title=Ex-Defense chief Gonzales, ex-Rep. Sahidulla seek Senate seat in Eleksyon 2025 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922840/gonzales-sahidulla-senate-seat/story/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} he filed certificate of candidacy for a senate seat for the 2025 elections.{{Cite web |title=LIST: Celebrities, personalities running for the 2025 elections |url=https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/937708-celebrities-personalities-running-for-the-2025-elections?page=2 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Philstar Life}} He raised the issue of late diagnosis of children with disabilities like autism, blaming it on bureaucratic system in the government, and stating that lack of free and accessible medical needs can burden the parents of those children. He proposed a better coordination with the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, which facilitates the diagnosis of such disorders among children.{{Cite news |last=Villaruel |first=Jauhn Etienne |date=October 8, 2024 |title=Aspiring 2025 lawmakers eye redefinition of the 'Filipino family' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/7/aspiring-2025-lawmakers-eye-redefinition-of-the-filipino-family-111 |work=ABS-CBN News}} He is running as independent candidate.{{Cite web |last=SERQUIÑA |first=MARIEL CELINE |date=2024-10-07 |title=Comelec: Day 7 sees filing of 49 senatorial aspirants, 50 party-lists |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922890/comelec-day-7-sees-filing-of-49-senatorial-aspirants-50-party-lists/story/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}
Personal life
He is married to Erika Soriano,{{Cite web |date=2014-11-18 |title=ERIKA SORIANO MATA |url=https://metromom.net/2014/11/erika-soriano-mata/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=MetroMom |language=en-US}} who started a women's livelihood program and to young scholars. They have 3 children, named: Patricia, Amanda, and the youngest, Rich.{{Cite web |last=Llane |first=Jonathan |date=2015-05-20 |title=Weaving fashion and mission in a bag |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/weaving-fashion-and-mission-in-a-bag |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}
He is also the uncle of Senator Bong Go, as Go's mother is Mata's cousin.{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2024 |title=#OBP {{!}} Kilalanin ang senatorial aspirant na si Dr. Richard Mata |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KPLUAR81r_c |work=One PH}}