When giving is receiving

Angels have been described a myriad of ways throughout history. Some are said to be living among humans, looking like humans and moving like humans. A few are pictured as warriors in white tunic bearing swords and shields ready to serve God’s cause at anytime. Still others are depicted as chubby children ("cherubs" they are called) with snowy wings to match iridescent halo and honey voices against harp music. But have you ever heard of ones who do house visits in lab gowns with stethoscope on hand?

If so, then you must’ve heard about Drs. Willie and Lisa Ong. If not, then you ought to hear about them; easily done by tuning in to their new show Makabayang Duktor every Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11 at NBN 4.

Doc Willie and Liza who are actually husband and wife team, began their advocacy as authors. In 1995, Liza found the notes Willie kept during his internship days in medical school. Scouring through these, she realized that Willie’s notes were not only complete and concise – but one to make any doctor’s life easier as he practices medicine.

Liza typed the notes, found a publisher and, today, The Medicine Blue Book is already on its sixth edition. More, it inspired the Ongs to write more of very practical and helpful books including Cardiology Blue Book, Altapresyon at Tamang Pangangalaga sa Inyong Puso and Health and Life (in Chinese language). Dr. Willie, particularly, is considered as the only Filipino doctor to have studied the history of medicine in the Philippines. For seven years, he traveled to and from Madrid, Tokyo and US to research and chronicle the vastness of the task. As the Ongs practice thrived, so did their yearning to use the profession for their countrymen. In their minds, it wasn’t enough that they have already set 50 percent of their earnings to charity, a significant amount of their time to free consultation and treatment for the poor, and giving away at least P50,000 worth of medicine to the poor every month.

But what to do first for bigger impact? Enter MIND or Movement of Idealistic and Nationalistic Doctors, an advocacy or support group for physicians. "The biggest threat to the local medical industry is the brain drain of doctors and nurses," says Dr. Willie. "Next to India, the Philippines is second largest source of doctors in hospitals abroad. I understand that practitioners do so to seek for the proverbial greener pasture. But what will happen to our people, our country if we all follow suit?"

A central idea behind MIND is for medical practitioner-members to undertake a Doctor’s Covenant which Dr. Willie thought of. Doctor’s Covenant simply asks Filipino doctors to sign a document signifying their intention to stay and serve the country for at least three years. During the period, doctors must spend a portion of his time for charity work.

The oath is renewable.

"It’s God who gave me the idea through Exodus 19:5," says Dr. Willie. "The passage goes: If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. That got me thinking about what God’s will is for Filipinos particularly medical practitioners like me. Is it not to stay and serve our kababayan in this time of need?"

When did Dr. Willie realize this calling? "Since I was six years old. Back then, I already knew my mission was to help the poor after hearing the story of a Christian boy named Kree. Kree helped his friends, especially the poor, but, he, sadly, died at an early age. Later I realized that it’s no tragic story at all because Kree was welcomed by Jesus with open arms in heaven." It’s the angel in Dr. Willie talking – the same angel his indigent patients see in him whenever he walks through their door almost always at the 11th hour of need. "People really call me ‘angel’ or ‘heaven-sent,’" Dr. Willie says. "Some tell me, ‘Di n’yo lang alam, pero ikaw ang sagot sa matagal na naming pinagdarasal.’ Always, I am touched and my life is changed whenever I hear this. The giver is as benefited as the taker."

So the Ongs’ decision to reach out to more people via mass media. According to Dr. Willie, some people have called the move impractical since it will not only take away even more time from their private practice but also entail even more hard work for the already hard-working couple. "Some even asked me if I have plans of entering politics? I just laugh at this absurdity and I say, No. I will not enter politics or any other field. The one I’m in already requires my full attention."

Makabayang Duktor will be presented ala-reality show. Drs. Willie and Liza are a roving tandem inside a van. They are out on house visits to those in need of medical attention. Every week, yours truly act as "Charlie" to these two angels as I tip them on their next mission. Drs. Willie and Liza Ong always say that they’re not made for TV, "not showbiz material," as they put it.

I agree. The two are no stars. For they both rank higher. They are Angels.

(Dr. Willie Ong is Cardiology Consultant to Manila Doctors Hospital and Makati Medical Center. He is president of Co Tec Tai Philippine Medical Museum as well as Medical Director of Pasay-Filipino-Chinese Charity Health Center. Dr. Ong is founder and chairman of Society of Philippine Health History as well as MIND.

Dr. Anna Liza Ong is director and organizer of Pasay Filipino-Chinese Charity Health Center, Inc.; chief executive officer (CEO) in Society of Philippine Health History, Inc; and was named Most Outstanding Intern of San Juan de Dios Hospital in 1994.)