Dr. Willie Ong (Internist and Cardiologist)
When I was younger, I remember a time when I started to believe that people all over are connected to one another. This concept, inherent in many religions, says that one’s action or inaction affects the life of another person. Some people call it karma, some call it unity, some call it being one with the universe. I have always felt that I am part of a bigger family than my own family.
Lately, I had begun to remember this concept again. I have met several people who have told me that they have been following my STAR column or my health advice that they read or heard somewhere. I am of course, very humbled and look to the person like an instant long-lost friend.
One time, I was seated next to a lady in a waiting room, when she told me that she knew about my likes and advices because she had read my columns and book “word for word.” Another time, I met an 83 year-old man who has read my book intently and even underlined several passages in the book. “I follow your book strictly because I want to live longer, Doc.”
To be honest, when I started writing, I thought that not many people would be interested in my columns. After all, I am not a trained writer. However, I am very much interested in helping other people and mostly people that I don’t know (yet). Aside from treating patients, I find it most fulfilling to share important health tips to the public.
For example, I’ve discovered hidden lesser known treasures on how to live healthier and longer, like (1) being conscientious, (2) thinking young, (3) eating only until you’re half full, (4) getting a room with a nice view, (5) staying short and slim, (6) avoiding bright lights at night, and (7) avoiding noise pollution. Each of these seven factors can add between one to five years to your lifespan. I will expound on these tips in future articles.
And once I discover a new health insight, I get this desire to share it with others. Maybe it could make their lives a little better, I suppose. I feel like I had climbed up a mountain and searched for a hidden treasure. And now, I have come back down to share it with others.
A wise man once said that a doctor’s job is “to cure sometimes, to alleviate often, and to comfort always.” For the past 27 years, we have been conducting regular medical missions for the poor in our area in Pasay City, and several other places, too. We are glad to be of help to many of our poor patients, although we don’t really know them.
For me, all doctors are instant colleagues. All health workers are our friends, too. The poor are our brothers and sisters, too. And the public are our patients, teachers and helpers in our life’s journey.
Some time ago, I bumped into a 40 something guy in a mall. He was wearing a simple T-shirt and slippers. When he saw me, his eyes immediately lit up, “Hey, I’ve found you Doc.” He held my hand tight, and I was holding his hand too like long-lost friends. We were in the middle of a busy mall, and I didn’t have an idea who he was.
“Ahem, I’m glad to see you but where exactly did we…” I started. The guy said that we had met at a hospital almost two decades ago when I was still a medical clerk. His two-year old son was in the charity ward with a serious fever illness. The man said that I helped him transfer his son to the pay ward, even if they didn’t have enough money.
“Um, then what happened,” I asked warily.
“Doc, I can never forget what you did for me. You were just a young student but I knew in my heart that you will be able to help many people some day.” He continued, “I transferred my son to a private room like you said and then he passed away the next day. Although I was filled with sorrow, I had some comfort because I knew I had given my son the best care I could…”
Even now as I write this, I still only have a foggy idea of who he was. So many poor patients and so many interconnected lives. As a doctor, I pray that they find some assistance or at least some comfort. Don’t lose hope because God loves you and kind people will help you, too.
In another way, I pray that my columns and advices will help add some years and happiness to your life. You may not know me, and I may not know you. But in some ways, I feel we have already met.
Take care of yourself. Take care of your family. Perhaps, we can do little things for our community too as we take care of our “bigger” family. After all, there is a thread that ties us all together. God bless always.
When I was younger, I remember a time when I started to believe that people all over are connected to one another. This concept, inherent in many religions, says that one’s action or inaction affects the life of another person. Some people call it karma, some call it unity, some call it being one with the universe. I have always felt that I am part of a bigger family than my own family.
Lately, I had begun to remember this concept again. I have met several people who have told me that they have been following my STAR column or my health advice that they read or heard somewhere. I am of course, very humbled and look to the person like an instant long-lost friend.
One time, I was seated next to a lady in a waiting room, when she told me that she knew about my likes and advices because she had read my columns and book “word for word.” Another time, I met an 83 year-old man who has read my book intently and even underlined several passages in the book. “I follow your book strictly because I want to live longer, Doc.”
To be honest, when I started writing, I thought that not many people would be interested in my columns. After all, I am not a trained writer. However, I am very much interested in helping other people and mostly people that I don’t know (yet). Aside from treating patients, I find it most fulfilling to share important health tips to the public.
For example, I’ve discovered hidden lesser known treasures on how to live healthier and longer, like (1) being conscientious, (2) thinking young, (3) eating only until you’re half full, (4) getting a room with a nice view, (5) staying short and slim, (6) avoiding bright lights at night, and (7) avoiding noise pollution. Each of these seven factors can add between one to five years to your lifespan. I will expound on these tips in future articles.
And once I discover a new health insight, I get this desire to share it with others. Maybe it could make their lives a little better, I suppose. I feel like I had climbed up a mountain and searched for a hidden treasure. And now, I have come back down to share it with others.
A wise man once said that a doctor’s job is “to cure sometimes, to alleviate often, and to comfort always.” For the past 18 years, we have been conducting regular medical missions for the poor in our area in Pasay City, and several other places, too. We are glad to be of help to many of our poor patients, although we don’t really know them.
For me, all doctors are instant colleagues. All health workers are our friends, too. The poor are our brothers and sisters, too. And the public are our patients, teachers and helpers in our life’s journey.
Some time ago, I bumped into a 40 something guy in a mall. He was wearing a simple T-shirt and slippers. When he saw me, his eyes immediately lit up, “Hey, I’ve found you Doc.” He held my hand tight, and I was holding his hand too like long-lost friends. We were in the middle of a busy mall, and I didn’t have an idea who he was.
“Ahem, I’m glad to see you but where exactly did we…” I started. The guy said that we had met at a hospital almost two decades ago when I was still a medical clerk. His two-year old son was in the charity ward with a serious fever illness. The man said that I helped him transfer his son to the pay ward, even if they didn’t have enough money.
“Um, then what happened,” I asked warily.
“Doc, I can never forget what you did for me. You were just a young student but I knew in my heart that you will be able to help many people some day.” He continued, “I transferred my son to a private room like you said and then he passed away the next day. Although I was filled with sorrow, I had some comfort because I knew I had given my son the best care I could…”
Even now as I write this, I still only have a foggy idea of who he was. So many poor patients and so many interconnected lives. As a doctor, I pray that they find some assistance or at least some comfort. Don’t lose hope because God loves you and kind people will help you, too.
In another way, I pray that my columns and advices will help add some years and happiness to your life. You may not know me, and I may not know you. But in some ways, I feel we have already met.
Take care of yourself. Take care of your family. Perhaps, we can do little things for our community too as we take care of our “bigger” family. After all, there is a thread that ties us all together. God bless always.
