Why the sudden shift?.
"I’ve always wanted to become a doctor. I was just sidetracked and took Pol Sci because of my fear that I might not be able to meet the demands of studying Medicine," Rizza says. " Then, after years of contemplating on what was really meant for me, I decided not to give up on my interest without trying. For one year, I took supplemental science subjects to prepare for Med school. Here I am, enjoying what I like to do." Rizza, the daughter of Dr. Efren de los Santos and the former Josie Hidalgo, has finally given in to her heart’s desire.
Rizza hopes to become a pulmonologist or a cardiologist. "Being a doctor," she says, "means being a good communicator. Besides the expertise, years of practice and knowledge, a doctor should be able to talk to his patient and establish good rapport. A doctor should treat his patient as a friend instead of a patient. He should learn how to give him hope and cheer him up. Laughter is still the best medicine."
Since studying Medicine is a no joke, Rizza, who describes herself as "simple, down to earth and friendly," considers Medicine a whole new world. "One can’t let a day pass without reading. One has to be focused. One must not only learn how to memorize details but to understand them," she says.
If given the chance to take a back seat for a while, Rizza, who loves to swim and to dine, wishes to visit Bora-Bora Resort in Tahiti. "I heard the place is frequented by international figures," she says. "More than that, the place is really a soothing getaway with clear water and air, an ideal place to forget your cares. "
Although her calling is to serve people through Medicine, Rizza also wishes to start her own family soon. "I think my man should be a balance of everything. He should be smart and humorous. Though we have to be serious in what we do, I think life can be best lived if we learn to laugh at it sometimes," she ends. –Jerry Donato