A few years ago, I told myself that when I reach age 60, I will simplify my life. Among the things I planned to let go was writing. But I couldn’t let go. I didn’t, and here I am – writing a column that probably only my former students in the medical school understand, and only my family reads.
Looking for a topic to write that would interest our readers is the first step I do practically every week. This is where at times, our able and fashionable editor, Millet Mananquil, comes to the rescue – by suggesting a health topic of current interest to many people. Somehow, she’s always able to perceive correctly what the public wants to know. And most of the time, it’s about sex!
Three of my children, who are physicians practicing in various specialties in the US, take care of supplying me with necessary medical information. A son, who heads the networking unit of a major hospital in the US, searches the internet for all the relevant information I need. So, my articles are always up-to-date and evidenced-based.
My wife, Dr. Ofelia L. Reyes, types my articles in her computer. She has full editorial prerogative – and she doesn’t hesitate to use it, too. She is my harshest critic and she doesn’t mince any word in tearing my articles apart if she thinks it doesn’t come up to the high standards of the STAR. Of course, she lavishes me with praises if she finds the articles interesting and well written.
Part of my problem in writing for a non-medical publication is that it’s difficult to get rid of years of writing using medical jargon. Yet, I do realize that if I have to reach out to all people, I need to write in a simple style – with the least use of scientific and medical terms. This is where our assistant editor, Ching M. Alano, had been of great help to me. Ching makes my articles look so much better than they really are. She’s my angel at the STAR.
It’s been a great experience writing for this paper. I think I’ve been fairly successful in providing our readers with valuable and practical medical information about current important health issues in a readable and interesting manner.
I have tried very hard not to write anything that would cause my medical license to be revoked!