Healing in 3D: How Innovation and Compassion Are Rebuilding Lives

A Childhood Dream Reimagined

For Dr. Maria Monique Theresita Soliven, becoming a doctor was more than just a goal—it was a childhood promise to herself. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ateneo de Manila University in 2010, followed by a Doctor of Medicine in 2015 and a Master’s in Public Health in 2016, both from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Initially set to pursue general surgery, her experiences during internship—especially witnessing residents catching naps in their cars—led her to reassess the path she wanted to take.

The turning point came during an ENT-HNS (Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery) rotation, where she observed a cleft lip surgery. The visual and emotional impact of the procedure, with its immediate transformation of a patient’s quality of life, made a lasting impression. “There are so many directions you can take with ENT-HNS,” she shares. “That versatility drew me in.”

When Art Meets Innovation

Dr. Soliven met Dr. Rentor Y. Cafino during her residency, and their collaboration began in 2018 over a shared passion for innovation and a casual experiment: a ₱13,000 3D printer initially used to print a toy and skull-shaped pen holder. That skull model, painted by Dr. Soliven—a longtime enthusiast of both traditional and digital art—symbolized something greater: the potential for personalized, life-changing medical solutions.

From that moment of creative play, a mission was born. Together, they established the Zamboanga City Medical Center ENT-HNS Medical Makerspace, where they began using 3D-printed models for surgical planning and patient education. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their efforts, as they pivoted to producing face shields and PPEs amid global shortages. From modest beginnings, the lab grew into a space of groundbreaking possibility.

Partnering to Bring Ideas to Life

One of their transformative collaborators is Dr. Rolando T. Candidato, Jr. from Mindanao State University (MSU), whose team had long been exploring 3D printing applications. For years, their research remained theoretical—lacking clinical execution. That changed when they partnered with Dr. Soliven and Dr. Cafino, who were uniquely positioned as both practicing surgeons and researchers.

“We had the patients. We had clinical insight. They had the technical expertise,” Dr. Soliven explains. This collaboration allowed long-shelved ideas to be implemented and tested, giving rise to 3D-printed implants that are now changing the lives of Filipinos.

Transforming Patient Outcomes

The impact of these implants is more than technological—it’s deeply human. For patients in a public hospital setting, many of whom face significant barriers to care, having access to custom 3D-printed PEEK implants can mean the difference between chronic suffering and recovery.

To date, the team has collaborated with surgeons from various training hospitals who provided clinical expertise and have supported the project for potentially implanting custom-designed PEEK devices in actual patients. Surgical time could be reduced by up to 50%, leading to shorter exposure to anesthesia, lower operating room costs, and greater efficiency. “When you lessen surgical time, it’s not just about speed,” Dr. Soliven emphasizes. “It’s about making things safer—for both the patient and the surgical team.”

What’s more, these implants are designed to fit precisely, eliminating intraoperative guesswork and instilling greater confidence in the team. “There’s no wasted time. Everyone moves with certainty,” she adds.

Change Begins Within

For Dr. Soliven, these innovations have changed her as much as her patients. Working with the lab has deepened her sense of purpose as a physician, mentor, and problem-solver. “Seeing a patient walk out of the hospital with a part of their body we helped restore—it’s a kind of fulfillment that stays with you,” she says.

But the transformation is also professional. Once hesitant to navigate administrative hurdles, Dr. Soliven now leads the makerspace while Dr. Cafino is pursuing surgical fellowship. She has learned to handle procurement, coordinate with funding agencies, and rally a self-sufficient team—skills that weren’t taught in medical school but became essential to keeping the mission alive.

 

Behind the Breakthroughs

While Dr. Cafino is the project’s "idea man," constantly imagining what’s next, Dr. Soliven manages day-to-day operations. Their team at the makerspace functions like a well-oiled machine. “I don’t need to micromanage,” she says proudly. “I’m grateful for that.”

Still, the road hasn’t been easy. Skeptics questioned the need for such technology, and institutional resistance—fueled by bureaucracy, red tape, and politics—often made progress difficult. “You have to defend your idea tooth and nail,” she recalls. “But DOST-PCHRD took a chance on us and believed we were worth funding. That made all the difference.”

Many researchers, she notes, are discouraged by the complexity of government systems or by the resistance of peers with differing mindsets. “You just learn on the fly. You do your research. You build your network. And you don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Moving Toward Acceptance

Despite its measurable success, full integration of the technology remains a work in progress. Some departments and units have embraced the lab’s offerings, but many senior surgeons remain cautious, preferring traditional methods. “The technology gap is still a barrier,” Dr. Soliven admits. “We have more work to do to educate and build trust.”

Still, the momentum is growing. The lab’s accomplishments are increasingly featured in hospital annual reports, earning the attention of both the local medical community and national agencies. Every request they receive—every patient served—is a step closer to widespread acceptance.

A Life in Balance

Outside the hospital, Dr. Soliven carves out time to recharge. She listens to music, watches sitcoms, and dabbles in art and design. She even enjoys making PowerPoint presentations and video editing—creative outlets that feed into her professional life. “It helps me stay grounded,” she says.

A Message to the Future

To aspiring scientists and innovators, Dr. Soliven offers simple but powerful advice: “Be curious. Be determined. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

For her, the beauty of science lies in its ability to connect, uplift, and transform—not just the lives of patients, but also those who dedicate themselves to the work.

“Science is a fulfilling field,” she reflects. “Because you can truly change people’s lives. And sometimes, it even changes yours.”