Dr. Hector Singson is in

Patients rush into an emergency- room without knowing who the doctor on duty is. The challenge for the doctor is to get the patient’s trust, diagnose his condition quickly and present a semblance of efficiency that will help turn the patient’s panic into confidence. In triage, the doctor manages the flow of patients by classifying those who need to be treated first on the basis of urgency rather than their time of arrival. Controlling the number of people who accompany the sick and knowing how to deal with tempers that flare up are additional skills required of a good ER doctor.

With his skill and dedication as an emergency room doctor, bachelor Dr. Hector Singson estimates that he has treated more than 100,000 patients during the four years he has worked in the emergency room of the Makati Medical Center. Hector is known for telling patients the truth about their health. If he says that you will get better, then you are sure to do so. If one has reached the end stage and there is no hope of recovering, Hector is just as honest.

Hector, 33, has moved on from being a chief resident in the ER. He is now fulfilling various roles: as an associate to a cardiologist at Makati Med; as an emergency medicine consultant for Far Eastern University Hospital, United Doctors Medical Center and Europe Assistance. He is also a physician for Hotel Inter-Continental, Manila, Luscent Technologies and Barangay San Lorenzo.

On what occasion do you lie?

When I don’t want to go on a 24-hour duty, I come up with excuses like I have a date or previous engagement.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

It is hard to deal with politics at work. I avoid confrontation.

What sports do you like most?

Swimming, thanks to Speedo for coming out with graded goggles. I work out in the gym, often from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Where would you like to live?

I prefer living here, spending my money here and serving here.

What film influenced your life?

The Prince and the Pauper. It drew out the adventurous side of me to switch roles. Often, I do not want to be identified as a doctor because once people know that I am one, they immediately respect me.

What is your greatest fear?

Getting old.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My bad habit of delaying things until the deadline. I am at my best when I am being rushed; maybe that is why I work in the emergency room.

How do you start your day?

I wake up just in time to take a shower and go to work . My shifts change continuously so I catch sleep when I can.

What is your motto?

Honesty.

What is your current state of mind?

Relaxed. I make time to relax whenever I feel burnt out or tense.

If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?

The day I lost my 20-20 vision. When I was Grade 5, I noticed that my vision was getting blurry. I finally used eyeglasses when I was in second year high school.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Shoes. My feet carry the day’s load and they are the most stressed out part of my body.

What words or phrases do you overuse?

"Hi. Hello. How may I help you?"

What is the first thing you look at when you see a woman?

I am easily attracted to women with long, black hair.

If you could date any celebrity in the world, who would that be?

Jennifer Lopez and do the Latin dance with her.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

When I passed the board exam in 1994, my dad and I were at a flight simulator cockpit doing a test flight. My pager beeped with the great news that I had passed. I told my dad as we were landing. We crashed.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Not worrying about tomorrow.

Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of?

"A glass is not always half full. It is also half empty." When you view things, you don’t look only at the obvious.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

When you know that a patient is dying and you have to tell him the truth. I want to say sorry but I cannot because it is not my fault.

What do you do most with your hands?

Wash them.

Name an embarrassing experience at work.

I was invited for an interview and we met in Starbucks, Greenhills. As I entered the café, everyone was looking at me. I felt so important. When I went to the counter to pay, I noticed that my fly was open.

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