MikeLigalig.com

By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post

 Living up to an established name of a clan is, more often than not, a Herculean task. It reminded me of a friend whose father was his namesake. Recognizing the accomplishment of his father, the Junior felt the big burden of living up to the status of the Senior. Even to himself, he had to prove that he was worthy of the name. The stress must have been devastating, but he took the challenge. Perhaps thinking that he needed speed to reach his goal, he ran and he stumbled.

 One admired and respected clan in Bohol was planted and nurtured by Atty. Victoriano Tirol, Sr. through the first University of Bohol. His siblings in the second generation have lived up to his expectations. Today, the third generation of Tirols have also proven themselves excellent in their chosen careers. Consciously or subconsciously, they have discerned the challenge they are facing, if only to deserve the well-earned name.   

 Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno (MTM) is the eldest of the eldest son of the great patriarch. A Neonatologist by profession, she heads the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital. She is married to a seaman, a situation that gives her ample time for her patients. There was a time, she ventured into a prawn and milkfish farming; but because of the time she had to spend away from the hospital, she sold her agri-business.

 Now, she has found another business venture, which makes her unwind from the strains of endless hours of patient-care, “The Kainggit Grill”, which is now a favorite of gourmets who love to partake of seafoods while enjoying the sea breeze and listening to gentle waves just a few feet away.

 But her main concern is still about health-care, especially of babies born prematurely. She bewails the fact that the mortality rate of premature babies sometimes reaches a big 60%. One reason for this horrible outcome is the lack of a Portable X-Ray Machine.

 Thus, was born her plan to knock at the hearts of some benevolent benefactors who could spare a part of their extra earnings, the accumulation of which could buy the 1.2 million-peso hospital equipment. To reach the consciousness of the prospective donors, she and some friends embarked on a novel project: “Bike Around Bohol For A Cause”. She launched the project last September 25, biking from Tagbilaran City to Garcia Hernandez, where her group was met with enthusiasm. She hopes other bikers would join her cause and save many ill-fated newborns.

 This interview took place at the Prawn Farm of ICM. She was accompanied by Leah Tirol-Magno and a German Lady-friend who shared her dream of serving the indigents.

 LMP: What prodded you to take up medicine?

 MTM: Ever since, I always believe that the best way to serve the Lord is to become a Doctor; I just felt that way. Maybe because I was influenced by my parents and grandparents. There was never a moment in our life when we had any privacy at all. Every morning, there are people knocking at our doors asking for help.

 LMP: Was it not a disturbance?

 MTM: We were used to it.

 LMP: Did you enjoy life in a family of politicians?

 MTM: What I enjoyed most was seeing the people who left the house with slips of paper thinking that would solve their problem. What I don’t like was that people sometimes took advantage of the situation. I learned to deal with it by not being annoyed and just looked at the bigger picture. If people are bad, they get to be good by helping them. I just pick the best out of every situation and not focus on what others are thinking.

 LMP: If you’re going to make a comparison between the life of a politician and the life of a medical practitioner, what would that be?

 MTM: Both are interesting. If you’re interested, it’s not tough anymore.

 LMP: Aside from your profession, what else can make you happy?

 MTM: The idea of being in a profession where somebody comes to me for help and help them without restrictions… that would really make me happy.

 LMP: Why not enter politics? You could be of more help.

 MTM: I always considered my life to be guided by the Lord. I was offered the job in the second highest position at the hospital, which would have been a nice position; but I found out that there were limitations because of the rules, so I declined. About politics, if that is another venue so I could be of help, then why not? I am open to anything.

 LMP: If you become the Chief of Hospital, can you do more?

 MTM: Up to a certain point. But I don’t have it in my mind because you have to be prepared for that.

 LMP: Let’s go to the business side. Do you have plans of expansion or opening another branch?

 MTM: There’s always the plan of expansion. In fact, when we were just starting out, I already mapped out where the other branches would be. We’re planning to have five of them in five years time.

 LMP: I remember one time, we sponsored a lecture series about “bangus”. I remember you attending that in Ubay. Are you into that kind of business too?

 MTM: I was. But I had to give up my prawn farm because I was spreading myself too thin. Besides, my parents had a prawn farm and I can easily ask them to rent out the place and supervise it for them.

 LMP: Did it bring you out of your job?

 MTM: I actually considered it as my way of relaxing. I loved sitting on my dilapidated “nipa” hut and just looked into the stillness of the water and watched the prawns jump. It gave me so much joy.

 LMP: I remember when you were in high school probably, you were the Reyna Elena in a Santacruzan. Did it come into your mind to enter the glamour side and be on the spotlight?

 MTM: No. I’d rather be on the sideline supervising the activity than on the front with all the glamour. I like to keep things very simple. Bring me to the mountains, I would enjoy it more.

 LMP: If you are to name one person who influenced you, who would that be?

 MTM: My grandfather. If there’s one thing I vividly remember of him, it was one Sunday morning, a man came to our house asking for money. My grandfather gave him some. When my grandmother saw this, he scolded my father saying “why give him money… he’s a bum, an ex-convict!” My grandfather just laughed and said, “you know what, Ma, I always believed that no matter how bad a person is, there is always something good in him.” I carry that all the time.

 LMP: You mentioned about a project, what is it about?

 MTM: I have this desire to help my patients which is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Gallares Hospital. We have as many as 31 patients. We get babies as small as 1 kilogram or 500 grams. They have problems in breathing because their lungs are not mature yet, so we have to do a chest x-ray for them. But the machine in the unit got broken.

 LMP: What is the percentage of mortality today?

 MTM: As high as 40 to 60 percent. So I intend on raising funds to buy a Portable X-Ray Machine. Since my birthday is coming, instead of having a party, I would just make a project, the “Bike Around Bohol for A Cause”. Before I started, I made a research about how the machine would cost. And it’s for 1.2 million pesos.

 LMP: How do you plan to go about it?

 MTM: I will just make people be aware of how important it is to have a Portable X-Ray Machine in a hospital. To raise funds, I would tie-up with a foundation or an organization. My sister Leah advised me to tie-up with the Rotary Club. I kind of like the idea since the President, Dr. Lechago, is a good friend. I took it upon myself as a challenge, that if a 50-year old woman can bike around Bohol for 254 kilometers, then they can look me up as a model. We did that last September 25. It took 20 hours including the stops. There were 5 of us; we started at 4:30 AM.  The next plan would be to bike across Bohol.

 LMP: What is your philosophy in life?

 MTM: Always be positive and to find joy in whatever situation I meet. I believe that there is really no problem, just a challenge. There’s always a solution. And on top of this, is my very strong faith in the Lord.

 Having a father who was once the Governor of Bohol, a mother who is presently a Member of the Provincial Legislator, a grandfather who revolutionized education in the province, and clan members who are highly successful professionals, may have helped her in her brainchild project. Yet, her focus is the entire community, the entire province. And Boholanos all over the world. She finds more inspiration in touching the hearts of the many others for those who have less in life, for that would be more significant, more so if compassion is shared.

 Helping others especially the poor is her most cherished goal. This religious Doctor has God at the center of her life and her family. She has full confidence that, with the Lord as her guide, she would be able to touch others to open their hearts in magnanimity for a cause that has to be addressed now. 

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