By Yrneh St. Lois Ladera Ф2019 and Christian Jirard Zara Custodio Ф2017A
“A Brod led me to the right path.”
Brod Laurence Tan “Owen” Loh Ф1984A came from a pure Chinese family who wanted him to become a businessman. However, despite having a career goal predetermined for him, he was adamant about wanting to become a heart surgeon ever since grade school. This was the endpoint that he has set for himself, and indeed, after graduating and becoming the only doctor in his family, he took his general surgery residency in the Philippine General Hospital.
The path towards being a heart surgeon wasn’t always clear though, and an opportunity was presented for him to take a grand detour. During his first year in general surgery, Brod David Yu “Dave” Dy Ф1979 had contacted him about the selection of candidate residents for the Department of Plastic Surgery. Brod Owen, still set on becoming a heart surgeon, was reluctant, but nonetheless, Brod Dave convinced Brod Owen to go to the interview. This was the beginning of how Brod Owen became an “accidental” plastic surgeon. Who would have thought that such serendipity would lead to him becoming the current President of the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS).
Life as a Plastic Surgeon
“I was just sent here.”
This was Brod Owen’s exact reply when asked why he wanted to become a plastic surgeon during his interview. During his time as a resident, he was more acquainted with consultants from Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (TCVS) than from Plastic Surgery. Even though TCVS, according to him, was “brutal”, he was still determined on becoming a heart surgeon.
Reflecting on his answers during the plastic surgery residency interview, he was expecting to be rejected but to his surprise, he got accepted anyway. This unexpected success has inspired him to give plastic surgery a try. In the end, Brod Owen had no regrets and totally enjoyed the process and the experience.
After graduating his plastic surgery residency, he and, now PGH director, Brod Gerardo Dizon “Gap” Legaspi Ф1983 set up a private clinic. It was not easy, but he overcame it with patience. After a while, he applied to La Salle, where several brods also practiced, and was accepted.
“Happy patient, happy doctor.”
Plastic surgery patients – using Brod Owen’s words – are the most makulit ever. These are the patients who always see their imperfections, yet they are also the most grateful for any kind of improvement that you can offer them. Once they are satisfied with your service, they would also recommend you to their family and friends. Therefore, your objective as a doctor of having a happy patient should be fulfilled.
Brod Owen’s message for future doctors is that plastic surgery is fulfilling. The results are always immediate, and almost all of the time, patients are satisfied and express their gratitude. There is not much preparation needed aside from having the mental toughness to handle it every day. However, desire is always a factor as becoming a plastic surgeon, or a surgeon in general, should be what you truly want from the start.
Life as a Phi
“In whatever lands we meet talaga, hahanapin ka ng brods. That’s savoring brotherhood.”
Wherever you go, if a brod catches news that you are nearby, he will go out of his way to meet-up with you. This was how Brod Owen described brotherhood. You are only one phone call away, and the brods will not refuse you. He cannot emphasize any further how brods are forever and will alyws be there for you, so get the chance to get to know them.
“My batchmates were the best students in class”
Brod Owen recalls his fondest memory of being a Phi – excelling in class as a batch while they relish the warmth of brotherhood. Learning a lot from his brods alongside just fooling around was part of that great experience. In reverie, he said: “whether what you’re doing is wrong or right, when you look back, it’s the memories you made. Those that you keep telling over and over again but keep laughing about them.”
The Phi Kappa Mu fraternity has imparted a milestone in Brod Owen’s life, and from his time in the fraternity, the lesson that he valued most was service to humanity. He also wants to remind his junior briothers that this is one of the things that you should not forget as a doctor. In his interpretation of this core value he belives that it entails being selfless when serving our fellow countrymen and giving service without thinking of what it can give back to you. Brod Owen proudly says that brods never lose that value.
“Maybe it’s part of how we’re brought up by our brothers.”
More than the fraternity itself, the brods helped Brod Owen grow as a doctor. At certain points in time, Brod Owen had different role models from Phi. During his residency as a plastic surgeon, he was inspired by how Brod Condrado De Guzman “Ding” De Gracia Ф1972 can answer any question you ask him, no matter how many they were. He can also offer solutions to any problem and provide a diagnosis to anything. As a resident, Brod Owen also admired Brod Jose Castillo “JoeGon” Gonzales Ф1969A, who was then the chief of surgical ICU.
“Wag kalimutan kung bakit tayo naging doktor.”
This is Brod Owen’s advice to the resident brods. He reminds the brods to not lose track when they start earning money because this is what most doctors forget when they start excelling in their practice. Always keep in mind the lessons that the brods taught you, do not give them a reason to lose their respect in you.
From growing up with dedication to a dream, crafting his own path and taking the right turns down the road, and surpassing more roadblocks at the other side of the journey, Brod Owen has truly stood the test of time. The values of Phi Kappa Mu are imbued in his person and in his practice, and he continues to grow these values as he passes them down to the next generation. Indeed, through the multitude of opportunities enveloped within the most venerable fold, there is no singular path to success.
