29/05/2025
Warning: Long Read
Six years ago, in March 2019, I had hastily started my private practice after discovering I was pregnant with my son and realizing the risks it would entail if I had continued doing what I had been doing then in my medical career - that is working as a pediatric junior consultant / hospitalist. I vividly remember the month prior: how I was sick with the worst bout of respiratory infection and asthma in recent memory and how I was throwing up, dizzy and unable to keep food down due to morning sickness, like it all happened just yesterday. Reluctantly, I opened my first (and only) clinic space at Pope John Paul II Hospital and Medical Center where I spent hours just staring at blank walls while waiting for walk-in patients to come by. And just as my private practice was starting to fledge, the pandemic started and soon, like almost all in the field of healthcare, I found myself at a difficult situation when I had to close down temporarily. Slowly, I had to rebuild my practice following the lockdowns. I started doing home well-child visits, offered teleconsultations and in a move that was not very popular back then, resumed seeing patients face-to-face even those suspected of Covid.
Fast forward to 2025, I was blessed enough to be able to do clinic duties in several locations in both Las Piñas City and Cavite and be affiliated with two hospitals as active and visiting consultant, something I never imagined I will be able to do back when I started. There were still days spent staring on blank walls but I was more than privileged to be able to help in the care of around 3,000+ children to date. Although most were seen just once or twice, for a handful, I was their beloved "Tita Doc" that they see for their regular pedia visits. The "Tita Doc" who always reminds them to brush their teeth, eat healthy food and avoid/restrict their screentime. Some days were very tiring. Some days were equally frustrating. But in all days, I was happy doing what I loved doing best: caring for the world one child at a time.
As most of my regular patients know, our happy little world will have to be paused for a while because I am embarking on a new journey soon. But fret not as I have made several arrangements with respected pedia colleagues in the clinics I am affiliated with for the continuity of care of my patients while I am gone for two years. In preparation for this prolonged leave of absence, I have winded down my clinic schedules most especially in Cavite starting June 2025 as I am expected to start the new chapter of my career this July 2025.
So from hereon, I will be updating my F2F clinic schedules weekly or on a daily basis for your reference.
Las Piñas City
June 3 & 7 (Pope John Paul - 8 am to 10 am)
June 4 (KiddoMedika - 11 am to 1 pm)
June 7 (Madamba Medical Clinic - 12 noon to 2 pm by appointment)
Cavite
June 4 & 7 (HealthWealth Hope - 3 pm to 5 pm)
From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to say thank you, thank you very much to all the parents and guardians who have entrusted the health of their children to my care. I feel very privileged to be part of your children's lives and your families. I hope that I was able to help you rear happy, healthy children in the last six years. I will see you again soon.
*All photos posted with permission from parents.*
