Coming to the Philippines two or three times a year (and sometimes more) is not for a vacation, but for medical and surgical missions; yet, the happiness they feel at the culmination of every stint is a fulfillment no money can buy. These good Samaritans have not forgotten their roots, and they keep instilling this virtue to the hearts and minds of their offsprings. It is a legacy that should be upheld, if only for the Christian avatar it is inscribed with. Dr. Ramiro A. Cadag is a prime exponent among medical practitioners with a heart of gold. A Cebuano by birth and affiliations, he married a Boholana Nurse, Winda Mascariñas, who introduced her to Boholano culture and affinity. They have three children (2 are in the medical profession and the third in research), whom they have to come to the Philippines, most particularly Bohol.
In my annual trip to New York for the past 11 years, I always made it a point to drop by his Clinic for medical check-up. The Saturday before yesterday, I met him at Café Atanacio, Bohol Tropics Resort and, over a cup of coffee, made this interview. He just came from Cebu and had just accomplished another medical-surgical mission in Bohol. From him I learned that they just turned over some equipment to TARSIER (Telephone and Radio System Integrated Emergency Response) for it to be more positively reactive to some emergencies. Dr. Ramie Cadag may not be a natural-born Boholano, but he himself always asserts, “I am a Boholano by choice.” There’s no doubt on his sincerity to be of help to Bohol in whatever may he is capable of doing. The first time I met him was during the incumbency of Governor Constancio Torralba, and later of David Tirol. Since then, he has led several medical and surgical missions to the Province, and he has not hinted of any plan to stop the program. Considering the sacrifices he has to make in order to hatch up and spearhead a mission, less dedicated benefactors would have called it quits a long time ago; but in his desire to help others, he will be of service to the less-privileged throughout his active life.
