by Telly G. Ocampo
Remembering the Doctors Who Never Lost the Common Touch
As I write this article today, Nov. 2, 2021, I remember three (3) doctors who epitomize passion, service, and kindness.
In this year of Covid-19, cemeteries are closed to maintain social distancing and keep many people from converging. Thanks God, active cases have consistently gone down but still we have to follow IATF protocol in order to attain zero cases to pave the way for a blessed and joyful Christmas the way we used to have. I am hoping that our celebration will be devoid of commercialism so we can find in our heart the true meaning of Christmas.
One good doctor I will never forget is Bobong Simplicio Yap Jr. Even when he became a doctor and established a good name as a professional, we continued to call him Bobong. That was how close he was to his friends and patients. His clinic was in the premises of the City Pharmacy, a business enterprise operated by his wife Daya. As you enter their place, you could see their daughter on the cash register. His availability to his patients and affordability of his services were his guiding principles. Sayon ra gyud to kaayo pagtawag ni Bobong. In present day parlance, he was someone who was always connected and easy to link with. And there’s his daughter Girlie who maintains a record of patients needing a link despite Bobong’s passing to the Great Beyond. Few more days from now, we will be celebrating his first year of heavenly birth. The family is looking forward to a homecoming to Daya and the children, Bobong is sadly missed. We miss the stories of people and events in the old Tagbilaran and the events of the present times and mostly sakit tuhod and the likes.
Another medical practitioner who is always worth remembering is Dr. Nito Ayaay. Juanito Malon Ayaay is one doctor who has not forgotten his roots. Years, years before his retirement and when his children were already on their own and have their respective families, he and wife Cora-Corazon Benitez-of Loay did their yearly medical mission. This is their personal mission bringing with them medicines distributed for free. There were times they joined the medical mission during Sandugo Season. The husband and wife tandem really makes themselves available most of the time. Both also find time for their friends and relatives. I’m always grateful for Nito’s time given to me even if he is on the other side of the universe. Thanks God for the mobile phone. Kon mag gubogubo akong dughan part of my post menopausal syndrome, I can always call him and be assured that i can be alright. Mura man gud ug molukso ug mogawas ang ako pitik sa kasingkasing. That was the kalbaryo phase of my life. And there was a doctor nga makahupay sa dughan just by listening to my sad plight.
Dr. Boy Renegado is the third (3rd) doctor I would like to present. He is Leonardo Renegado from Cortes, Bohol and a high school classmate of Dr. Nito Ayay. Dr. Renegado is always “boy’ to his friends and classmates. Like Dr. Nito, he was an only child. That’s the reason he raised 4 children in America. He was once at Kaiser but his longing for home and his care for his mother made him abruptly leave America. He could not go back to his once a place called paradise since he did abandon his obligation to the government. He lived alone until his death in the house his parents built for him. He is one doctor who incorporates traditions and a hands on one. Though mangasaba, his “sermons” were more of familial concern. Flor Naron Batoy Cimafranca and I used to visit his clinic together. When we knew he was already terminally I’ll in the hospital, we visited him and we saw him for the last time at his home in Cortes to pay our last respect.
To the three doctors; we know you are now in God’s embrace. But we, your patients, are forever grateful for the loving care you gave us during your lifetime. You remain true to the oath of Hippocrates. And for this you remain forever in our hearts.