Thadeo "Ted" Catacutan, 26, never dreamed of becoming a doctor. This year’s topnotcher in the medical board was hooked on computers when he was in his teens.
"I had my first personal computer when I graduated from elementary school. It was given to me as a gift by my parents because they realized that I was so fond of computers," Ted says.
Ted admits that he had set his mind on taking up computer science in college, but was advised by his science teacher Larne Gayatgay to consider science courses upon his graduation from high school at the Don Bosco Technical Institute.
"She asked me to take up science instead. Perhaps she thought I was good in it," says Ted. "I knew that medicine is also a good profession so I gave it a try. It is a decision I would never regret."
Ted bagged the top place in the Physician Licensure Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission, with a rating of 87.92 percent.
"I never expected that. Maybe I am above average in science but I am not exemplary," recalls Ted. "Before the board exam I just told myself that I have to do my best. I aimed for the best."
Ted is the youngest and the only male in a brood of three. His parents are retired Navy Capt. Rodolfo Catacutan and school guidance counselor Rebecca Garcia.
"There was also a time I thought of going to military school but my father discouraged me. He said there are better opportunities in other professions," he said.
The new doctor was described by his mom as "a good son."
"He never gave us a headache. He also has a good choice of friends ... During school days, all he did was study. But during semestral break, he would do all the household chores. He is a good cook," the mother proudly reveals.
For his pre-medicine course, Ted took up Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Santo Tomas where he was a full scholar. He participated and won in various science competitions and later graduated summa cum laude.
Last year, Ted graduated magna cum laude with a degree in medicine also at UST.
But the young doctor admitted his interest in information technology has not waned.
"At present, I am studying computer animation on my own. I could use it, maybe when I make presentations during conferences. Computers and medicine are somehow related to each other," explains Ted.
With his achievements, Ted may find his hands full of job offers but he is in no hurry.
"I am planning to take up residency training in internal medicine in the United States, probably with my girlfriend," reveals Ted, in reference to Jennifer Uy who also passed this year’s board exams for physicians.
The two have been engaged for seven years but have no plans yet to get married.
"We’ll come to that .... As of now, what I want is to be able to study in the US. After that, I will go back to the Philippines to work in a hospital here. I will be back," Ted says.