As I happily lips-synced Beyonce’s song, Irreplaceable,
while on the crosstrainer earlier today, an old lady, with hair all teased up
high, glasses so big that it looked like from eons ago, and wrinkles covering
most of her face, grumpily “requested” me to move out of the machine, while
showing me the sign up sheet that she was reserved for the 5pm slot, on machine
#2. Her name boldly written: DR. EMMA. It piqued my ire and I couldn’t stop
myself from making a disgusted face as I reluctantly stepped off and
transferred to the next machine. What’s up with the DOCTOR Emma?! For
god’s sake I am a doctor too! Do I have to tell everybody that I am one?!

     One of the biggest annoyance that never fail to irk me is
when I see doctors wear white coats to the mall, scrub attire to the
restaurants, or as what just happened, try to assert authority by writing down
their degree in totally inappropriate places such as, well, the gym for
example. LABELS: Dr., Atty, Engr, Manager, accountant, congressman, etc. It
gives a false sense of authority, a self proclaimed glory, and by that, a ticket
to talk down (I am guilty of this sometimes hehe), look down, and pretend that
the mighty being had just afforded them the highest human status ever to exist
– to lord over the so called commoners. Unfortunately, this always happens. I
am not saying am not guilty of this cause at times, especially when I’m
reckless on road, I always get away with it. It probably just doesn’t sit well with me when I’m on the receiving end
of it hehehe!

     Being Somebody is one thing. After all, 5 years of crap in
medical school, or how many years in law school, or climbing the corporate
ladder, is a fact that is hard to discount. But being a ‘nobody’ is just as
good. A person couldn’t be measured by the number of times he graduated since
nursery (I counted mine – 6 times ako naggraduate haha), or the number of
diplomas covering the wall of his room. Cause in the end, what truly matters is
when you have become a somebody for someone – be it a patient, a lover, a
sister, or a friend, regardless of social, financial or educational status.

     I have come to appreciate the way I have matured from a girl
who wanted her name to have it all (MD, PhD, etc), to just
plain simple, but appreciative of every single person that has affected my
life, one way or another. 9 years of UP culture had taught me to appreciate
that housewives are the true heroes in the family, and thus, my mom, is
probably one of the best persons in my life. Looking through people, and seeing
through their labels, and connecting with the true person inside, is always
gratifying. Kyla, despite being a kikay doctor that she is, has always been the
‘bestest’ kikay pal and life instructor of my life that I have become dependent
on her on almost every predicament coming my way of late. My newest, dearest
friend Cristina, (cristina, if you’re reading this, I always tell you how much
I truly appreciate you coming into my life), a kikay ballerina, has forever been making me smile even when
I’m going through the rotten days of my life. My blockmates, each one of them,
has seen through (or I would like to believe) my suplada façade and has come to
accept that I try so hard to be jologs too at times (at least I am trying).
Every person, no matter how high they are, status wise, will just be a
sister/brother/child when he comes home, a friend (if he truly is ah) when he
goes out with his friends or a confidant to a crying friend, or maybe an inspiration
to somebody they love.

     I had a patient, bedridden for 12 years, couldn’t even move
an extremity, couldn’t even recognize anybody, but with a loving family
surrounding her. My resident had told me to start dropping hints of the
possibility of a DNR order (do not resuscitate). The family refused of course.
Why? Because this patient, was every bit the mother that she was. It broke my
heart to see her code and get revived (aside from the fact that it dragged on like that for the
whole month of my med rotation na code ng code that I am forever endorsing
her). But I guess, when you have lived and become somebody for someone, then
your life has served its purpose. I always believe that a person, cannot be
living for himself and basking in his own glory. In the end, it doesn’t really
matter anymore.

     I would like to share a part of this poem written to me by a
friend recently. I have always looked back and thought of how fortunate I am to
have the love I have gotten from my friends and family. I never fail to remind my friends how happy I
am to have them. Try it. It feels good. =)

                Sometimes people come
into your life
                and you know right away,
                that they were meant to be there…
                to serve some sort of purpose,
                teach you a lesson
                or help you figure out who you are
                or who you want to become.

 The challenge now is, have you already become a Somebody for
Someone? We have a lifetime to learn. =)