Mike Padlan loves ballroom dancing and digging out bullets
March 15, 2004 | 12:00am
His laid-back demeanor belies the magnitude of his task as chief resident surgeon of Makati Medical Center. Mike Padlan, 31 years old, has to oversee and manage 15 resident doctors, checking out their knowledge of surgery and ensuring that they make the best use of their talents. One of our bachelor’s special skills is trauma surgery, which he describes as exciting. "Digging through a bullet wound interests me because the experience is full of surprises," he says.
Mike grew up in Pangasinan where he lived with his parents until he turned 16. Since his father was a doctor, Mike, 5’11", had an easy time convincing his parents to allow him to study Med Tech and Medicine at the Far Eastern University. Fifteen years later, Mike is now a surgeon.
Mike also engages in medical missions. He estimates that he performs as many as 10 surgeries per day during these missions. On a recent trip to Pontevedra, Mike joined 80 Filipino and American doctors and nurses.
An excellent ballroom dancer, Mike Padlan reflects here on his favorite quotation, a Gloria Romero movie and his being probinsyano.
Which living person do you admire most?
Dr. Vicente Arguelles, as a surgeon and as a boss. He is the chairman of the surgery department of Makati Medical Center.
How do you resolve your conflicts?
I just keep quiet until mapuno…
Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of?
"Jesus is coming. Look busy."
What sports do you like most?
Badminton at Power Smash
What film influenced your life?
A movie featuring Gloria Romero – Tanging Yaman… It’s a story similar to my life story.
What book influenced your life?
I am not a book lover.
Which hero of fiction can you most identify with?
Superman. He can do everything. Since I was young I wanted to be Superman.
What is your greatest fear?
It happened already when my mom and dad died.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Tahimik na seloso.
How do you start your day?
At 6 a.m., I read my books on medicine. After a few paragraphs, I dress up.
If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?
I don’t want to be a doctor. Life is too short and as a doctor, We can’t live the normal way. We are very busy with our work. We train long in order to achieve a goal.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Sapatos. When I buy shoes, I have to save money first.
What is the first thing you look for when you meet a woman?
Puwit – because the breasts can still be altered (laughs).
Name a moment that brings back happy memories.
When I was a kid with my parents, my six brothers and five sisters.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
When I became a full-fledged doctor after studying for 10 years. I was the first male doctor in the family. The rest are females. I plan to take vascular surgery so I have to study another two years in America.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
I am a happy-go-lucky man living one day at a time so I don’t want to answer this question.
What does your dad often say to you?
"Mag-aral kang mabuti. ‘Yan lang ang mapapamana ko sa iyo."
What is your favorite occupation?
Mag-butingting sa bahay at sa kotse. Mahilig ako sa sasakyan.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Being true to himself… If he wants to cry, then he can cry.
Who greets you when you get home?
Miguel, my adopted child.
Name an embarrassing moment.
On my first time to Manila, I went to Jollibee and used the hand-dryer. The waiter told me it was automatic and I did not understand, so I unplugged it. Siyempre, probinsyano (laughs).
What do you feel guilty about?
Whenever I lie.
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