Medicine topnotcher has mom to thank

MANILA, Philippines – This year’s topnotcher in the licensure test for medicine almost didn’t become a doctor because he had his sights set on engineering.

But his mother’s influence made Dr. Marlon Diaz Garcia decide to enroll in medical school instead.

“I’m actually a math person. When I was in grade school and high school, my passion was math,” the 26-year-old Garcia told The STAR in an interview at his alma mater Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) in Fairview, Quezon City.

His mother Liza earlier told him that he could help others better if he became a doctor. The idea apparently stuck and he slowly developed an interest in medicine.

After graduating from high school, Marlon enrolled in B.S. Biology at the De La Salle University for his pre-medicine course and eventually transferred to FEU-NRMF for medicine proper.  

According to Liza, her son has been “very helpful” even when he was still a young boy.

“I am a single mother and my son has been always on hand to help me in our piggery and even in household chores. Even to other people, he is always ready to help them,” the mother said.

Liza Garcia speaks highly not only of her son’s academic achievements but his being kind-hearted as well.

“He is really an ideal son. Believe it or not but he never frowned at me even if I’m scolding him. He would just smile. Even the security guard at FEU knows him because he deals well with people,” the mother noted.

Garcia had been doing well in school and graduated with honors from both elementary and high school.

He finished medicine as cum laude and also received several plaques for being an outstanding intern, an outstanding alumnus and outstanding in cardiology.

Garcia was also accorded recognition by the Makati Medical Center, where he spent his intership, for being an outstanding intern.

His girlfriend of six years, Dea Martinez, recalled that even after a long day in school or internship, he would still study his lessons before turning in.

Garcia admitted that he was confident he would pass the board but never expected to get the highest rating of 88.75 percent.

“I was just hoping to top the board but I really never expected that (to happen).”

There are now several offers for him to work in hospitals here but he is considering working in the United States to help his mother and to specialize in “interventional cardiology.”

He, however, intends to return to the Philippines to share his experience and expertise with other Filipino physicians.

Asked about the prevailing exodus of Filipino doctors, Garcia claimed these physicians could not be blamed for doing so.

“I think no one wants to be away from home, from their loved ones. But sometimes, you have to leave for the sake of your family.  I think they are doing that for their family,” he added.