24/05/2024
"A heart full of love"
Dr. Florante Calacal
1945-2024
In 2019 - I was appointed by our Department as the new Chief Resident. I was filled with fear, hesitant to accept the challenge. In my attempt to avoid the fire of the responsibility, I tried to convince some of my colleagues and consultants to not push with the decision. It is in that time that I saw one of my mentors smiling at the corner of the room Dr. Florante Calacal ("Boss Calacs" as we call him) and after a while he approached me and placed his arm around my shoulder and whispered to me "Wala ka na magagawa Richard, Final na ang decision namin" - to my surprise he handed me a piece of paper in which he wrote a phrase. In it, it reads - "The most valuable asset is not a head full of knowledge; but a heart full of love with an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help. We teach a little by what we say, we teach more by what we do, we teach most by what we are". After reading it and a few more exchanges he left me with his classic thumbs up and smile.
I will never forget, when you took your time, sat down with me while we drank those cold beers as you tried to talk me out of my resignation. You told me a lot of things to heal me and inspire me to fight once more and ultimately finish what I started.
It will take so much more than a Facebook post to tell stories of his kindness and love but in this small small simple way please sir, allow me to honor you one more time.
Today I (we) lost a mentor, a father, a friend. - much of the knowledge, skills that I acquired during my Orthopaedic Training I owe to him, I will miss you dearly po Boss.
Your words will forever be etched in my heart and in my response to you sir,
You taught me little by the things you said.
You taught me more by the things you did.
and you taught me the most for being who you are.
Rest In Peace my Dear Sir. Mahal na Mahal ko po Kayo.