July 18, 2002

     A year and two days ago, I wrote my first "Dose". The possibility then that this column would last this long was more remote than pigs flying. Forty-eight "Doses" and a year later, I'm still here. And for good reason - more than one person actually read my thoughts week after week. That's probably the ultimate "kababawan ng kaligayahan" but that's all I promised myself - just one reader, excluding myself and my wife.

     It was Thanksgiving Day 2001 when I received this e-mail from Dr. Delight Gudio-Montenegro of Class 1988. This is the first time I'm sharing this with you and I hope Delight won't mind - "I'd like to take this special day of celebration in thanking you for the conception of this great website and for the articles that you put in as much as you can. I personally enjoy reading them as it gives me a wonderful form of relaxation, and makes me laugh, too, once in a while, hence I always look forward to your new articles almost everyday. Please keep up the good work." I could've easily made the excuse that no one's visiting the site, a legitimate reason for me to shelve it. But e-mails such as this are too gratifying considering I got kicked out of journalism school and also the computer school STI because I don't know how to type.

     (Alright, I made up the last sentence.)

     I keep and treasure all your e-mails and comments regarding the site and the articles. I'd like to quote all of them but that will be tantamount to self-aggrandizement. I think I can do a better job doing that myself.

     The constant updates have attracted not only readers, alumni and non-alumni alike, but also contributors. You'll notice some new names in the weeks to come. Please show them your support, too. They are strictly voluntary writers (aside from my constant prodding) and are not compensated in any way other than the satisfaction of having shared their thoughts with their fellow alumni.

     I am devoting the rest of this column to the readers. Some of the comments here were received last week and never published before while others were from my previous columns. To my dear readers - I should be the one thanking you. Your e-mails, one-liners or a whole article, are the ultimate compliment.

     From Dr. Noel G. Binayas (1979), Re: Is the cadaver dead?

     "The College of Medicine had started implementing the PBL (Problem-based Learning) methodology in our curriculum. Other schools had difficult experiences with its implementation. We had been preparing for this for years; the faculty have fair enough understanding and commitment to see the method succeed. We think it can be done. We're trying the hybrid approach and adapting to available resources. It's certainly not easy. We're patient, and patiently fighting one another in preparing the complicated and numerous modules! I think we're doing better than most... as usual... D'yan tayo magaling!

     From Dr. Rosario Abaya-Blas (Board-certified, Philippine Dermatological Society), Re: A matter of ethics

     "In my opinion, Vicki's (Belo) all-out advertising hasn't caused me sleepless nights because I've always considered it to my advantage - people from all walks of life somehow find their way to me, asking about procedures/medicine they've heard Vicki, Rosanna (Roces) et al marvel about. And without me having to spend a single 100-peso bill :)

     What I know isn't right about Vicki's ads/interviews is that she fudges about her credentials and training. She never finished residency training in Makati Med (but she did graduate from UST Med School). To her credit, after the trouble she got into in Makati Med, she still pursued her goal by paying tuition to train elsewhere. However, she shouldn't use these didactic-type programs as substitutes for actual hands-on experience. Workshops, seminars, courses etc. are all, at best, a refinement of knowledge or skills learned through years of patient care. Being a member of the American Academy of Dermatology isn't as intimidating as it sounds, because she is in the "non-resident" category which the AAD extends as a courtesy to doctors who are practicing dermatology in their own country - assuming you pay your dues on time :) It isn't a license to practice in the U.S. by a long shot.

     As for her name being mentioned in the same breath Rosanna takes, it's simple: Vicki has to get something out of having given services for free, di ba? Vicki knew this day was going to come, so she's hired board-certified specialists on her staff - she's now more into marketing rather than the actual patient care. The PMA's intentions are good, but it'll be too little too late to make Vicki's case an example. The best the PMA can do is to educate the public.

     Personally, I object more vehemently to persons or companies that render medical services/diagnoses without ever having set foot in pre-med, let alone med school.

     I came across your article because I wanted to go back through certain issues and see what I've missed while away. I enjoyed reading it, and will check your site out time and again."

     From Magic, Re: Valentine confessions

     "I don't think you are referring to me as the well-documented playboy who had a hard time wooing a classmate. For the record, I was never a playboy. Truth to tell, my wife is my first love. About the classmate you were dating secretly (illicit love affair?) back then, she married Joseph Fiennes (moustache included) not Freddie Prinze, Jr. Re: the Bombo incident, the lady involved then is again involved in another scandal worthy of Bombo airtime. Call me for details."

     (RG - Not to be 'out-scooped' by anyone (including Bombo Radyo), I gave Magic a call that night. Scandals are my cup of tea, you know. I am familiar, as well as the rest of class 1992, about the Bombo incident years ago, so I was interested what this new one is. Magic probably spent an hour telling me the story, but I'm sorry I can't share any with you, at least not in this space. There are some lines that I can't cross. To members of Class 1992 in Iloilo, just wait for Bombo Radyo, if ever they can get a hold of it. To a few 92'ers in the U.S., give me or Aries a call.)

     From a reader, Re: The room with a view

     "I certainly hope that the University Medical Center's current accommodation for both interns and PGI's has improved considerably. Otherwise, the Administration should do something to correct the situation. For many many years, this type of inhumane treatment especially to junior interns has been going on and sort of accepted by our stupid subconscious mind to be a part of the "culture". I have not been in contact with any of the recent or current jr. interns. However, I sure hope that they are in a much better situation now compared to your era. Please update us on this."

     From Dr. Jessie Villareal (1987), Re: Help for the less-fortunate

     "Your column about Kadil was inspiring. We did meet during his surgical mission in Guimaras in the operating room. I took up orthopedic surgery at WVMC in 1994. At present, my work is geared towards uplifting the poor handicapped children in Iloilo and Guimaras. I operate on a lot of clubfoot cases, cp's, congenital limb deficiencies in the different district hospitals in Guimaras and Iloilo, provide them with free prosthesis, braces and walking aids. Like in Mindanao, we have a lot of disabled in Panay and Guimaras alone. We have to do something about it, for that's what WVSU ALUMNI stand for. I'm into this project since 1994 and a lot of children have been helped and their future assured. My only request is that it has to be low profile. So, if any alumni would like to ask some help regarding prosthesis and orthopedic aids, you can call on me."

     From a reader, Re: Giving up on the COA report

     "Re: Giving-up on the COA report - Don't give-up! WVSU medical graduates are not losers. Let's continue to be vigilant (I don't mean "vigilante"). With our vigilance, the people in "power" will have second thoughts before they get involved in something fishy. Nothing may be happening now, but let's continue to keep an eye on what's happening around us. Damn it! Let's not be a passive observers. If we want our alma mater to remain respectable and prestigious, we should continue the cause and never retreat. Go on! Continue! Don't ever give-up! God bless the WVSUCMAA!"

     From Dr. Art del Rosario (1980), Re: Help for the less-fortunate

     "Your article on Kadil's works is touching. Kadil is truly a Filipino National Hero of modern times. A national treasure, totally dedicated to humanitarian services for our under-privileged brothers (and sisters). I hope that this article will encourage our fellow alumni to express their generosity in supporting Kadil's mission. This is truly a gargantuan task for him. With the alumni's support, I hope that Kadil's mission will realize remarkable achievement. His success is our (alumni's) success!"

     From Me

     "Thank you for your e-mails and comments. Please keep them coming. Here's to another year. (sounds of glass clanking in the background)"

Comments regarding this week's column are welcome. Please fill up the fields below and click Send to Author. Suggestions for future column topics are also encouraged.

     The author's e-mail address is at drgarcia@wvsumedaa.com

     All views expressed on this column and any other by-lined articles on this site are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization or its members. For comments, please e-mail the author.