Tracing back the stereotype of every Filipino parent’s dream to raise their child as a doctor or lawyer, you’ll find that it was during the 50s to 70s that those jobs would grant a person a higher degree of status in society. Just like in modern society with clothes, toys, and memes, being a doctor or lawyer was a trend.
Coming from a family whose members were all composed of doctors and lawyers, Pherdes Escalona Galbo became an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). His exposure to hospitals, patients, and medicine from an early age inspired him to follow in his mother’s footsteps.
“I saw how to treat the patients and it was very fulfilling to treat the patients and give [them] comfort,” Pherdes said.
No path is a smooth one, and Pherdes recalled “being separated from the family [and] losing [his] dad during the first month of college.” There were also many expectations in college, where “you will realize that even if you are good, it will not be good enough” and that “you have to keep learning and improving yourself.”
Even though the road was strenuous, Pherdes mentioned that it merely motivated him to prove to himself that he could do it. Through hard work and perseverance, Pherdes was able to push through and gain many achievements throughout his career. He currently holds the positions of president of the Philippine Obstetrical Gynecological Society Cebu Chapter, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and chair of the Cebu Institute of Medicine and Cebu Velez General Hospital.
Regarding his achievements, Pherdes said, “You don’t settle with the laurels you got. The more distinction and more status you have, the more responsibility [you receive]. I want to inspire my students to be good in school [and] to achieve; I want to be an inspiration to become what they want to be.”
However, “if you aim for something that is for you, sometimes you leave less time with family,” Pherdes said regretfully. “That is what you have to balance in life: what you want to achieve and time with your family.”
Pherdes has gained and learned various essential skills and life lessons throughout his career, all of which have helped him to continuously take a step forward in achieving his next goal.
“Keep on discovering. Keep on learning. Keep on improving yourself. The time you are not learning anymore is the time that you are dead,” Pherdes declared.
Article by Jodi G. (Grade 11)
The views expressed in this article represent the personal views of the author and should not be taken to represent the views of Dragon’s Print and Cebu International School.
Dr. Silver
My ultimate idol. 🙌🏻❤️
Gina
Your students are so blessed to have you Doc!
On the other hand, you should continue to write Jodi. Or better yet write a song for daddy.