Risky business

It’s  risky sometimes to be a doctor.  It’s not all the time that a patient is cured  but I know for one that doctors really exert all efforts to save lives or cure the sick.  So it was a shock when a depressed patient shot and killed Dr. Cres Abbu.  I was told the patient was athletic.  As an athlete myself, I know how It is to be deprived of the things you love to do.   For instance, when I got injured and missed my slot in an international stint,  it seemed the end of the world.  With the advance age of the patient, his body parts can take just as much, the bones have become brittle and weak. Orthopedic doctors just could’nt offer an immediate cure.  Sometimes it takes a long time to get back to the groove.  Running for 35 years and counting, I’ve experienced all sorts of injuries, but I think It’s the attitude that counts.  “If dili na puwede di na jud pugson.”  According  to Clint Eastwood a.k.a Dirt Harry. “Man has his limitations.”  So don’t follow mantras like  “Defy your limits.”  My heel and plantar injuries have been nagging me for a long time.  And I’m thinking of shooting my rehab doctor too, Doc Ren Ramiro with a .... water pistol.  Seriously, Dr. Ren has worked wonders with my injuries.  Sometimes,  other people are happy with their doctors. Take the case of this not-so-pleasant looking guy who went to see one of Cebu’s dermatologist.  After the procedure, he swore he looked like Brad Cruise (combination of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise)

Runner’s hospital

When I founded the Cebu Executive Runners Club 17 years ago, we had so many doctors we could open a hospital.  My founding members were Doc Vic Verallo, undoubtedly the best dermatologiost in town and Dr. Abe Manlawe a pychiatrist and a veteran mountaineer  and the late Joe Abellanosa.  As the years went by, more doctors  joined the club cardiologists Rosan Trani and Alex Junia, pulmologists Doc Albert Santos and Reel Bontol, pediatrician  Romy Letigio, OB Gyne, Tata Casquejo and Mitty Ygana, surgeon Mat  Tigpos, dentist George Evangelista and orthopedic Ren Ramiro.  So with all these doctors, the club could indeed open a hospital.  Imagine, “if naa kay TV este.. TB, naa si Doc Albert and Doc Real, if naay mabuntis, naa si Tata or Mitty.  If naay mabuang, na si Doc Abe.