1. What is your favorite virtue?

My favorite virtue is humility. It is acknowledging your talents and capabilities as gifts and blessings and using them to help others without fanfare. No recognition expected in return. It is about being an instrument of God rather than the center of attention.

2. What is your most marked characteristic?

My most marked characteristic is the ability to remain cool under pressure. To be discerning rather than impulsive when issues come along. To look at all sides before commenting or deciding on a matter.

3. What is your idea of happiness?

On a managerial level, I am happy when I’m able to get my group to work as a team to achieve set goals.

On a professional level, I am happy when a uveitis patient is able to walk into my clinic smiling with his symptoms improved.

On a personal level, I am happy when I go on a vacation with my loved ones.

4. What do you appreciate most in a friend?

I only have a few close friends, but I most appreciate their loyalty and honesty.

5. Who is/are your heroes in real life?

My original heroes are my parents. Through their words and actions, they taught me the value of education, the virtue of perseverance, and the importance of God and family above everything else. They sacrificed their personal comfort in order to provide for their 7 children.

A present-day hero is Fr. Manoling Francisco. Despite all his brilliance and accomplishments as an award-winning composer and Jesuit scholar, he remains humble and grounded. His quiet efforts in helping our marginalized and poor countrymen in the last two years of the pandemic through his Tanging Yaman Foundation are just so heartwarming and commendable.

6. What is your present state of mind?

My present state of mind is to be an instrument of change wherever I am needed. I don’t really aspire for or actively pursue leadership positions. Admittedly, I am not even the most accomplished or most popular person in an organization. But I know my capabilities so when the call to lead is presented to me and I feel I can make a difference, you can count me in.