ONE of the best memories of the nine-month campaign trail in 2022 was the opportunity to be up close and personal with one admirable person with the heart of a saint and the wisdom of a learned philosopher — cardiologist Dr. Willie Ong. He led me to his running mate, presidential aspirant Isko Moreno, and became a senatorial candidate under Aksyon Demokratiko, along with initially Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison, later joined by John Catriciones. He was one of the first people who convinced me to jump into the noisy world of politics. He believes in me — and the feeling is mutual.

We were a small team of like-minded dreamers who offered ourselves to serve the Filipinos. We all fit in a chopper, a van, and as Mayor Isko would put it — in a tricycle. It was nine months full of great memories — ranging from serious talks to nonsense exchanges that shared with each other the dream of public service and life we envision. None of us emerged victorious in the elections, but we won each other’s friendship and ended the journey with great lessons and deeper love for the Filipino people. It is a memory of a lifetime that you would wish to happen again and again — but that chapter closed, and we live happily ever after.

It was shocking news to hear that the most health-conscious of us all and the advocate of our health is suffering from a serious sarcoma — which he himself admits may take his life anytime. What Doc Willie may not realize is that he has immortalized himself through the thousands of videos he created — and the lessons he imparted to his millions of followers.

His condition set him freer to speak his heart and mind with greater courage. He shifted from being a soft-spoken friendly professional to a fierce assertive gentleman with direct-to-the-point real-talk statements. Expect more from him soon.

Lessons he taught me

With prayers that he will heal and recover soon, this article presents some lessons I have learned and will keep learning from Doc Willie Ong. Note that I have used the acronym from his name in presenting these lessons.

Dare to do what you need to, and must, do regardless of what others say. They are free to say — and think — what they want as you are free to do what you choose to do. This I learned from him when we heard some people saying that we would not win. He inspired us by saying that we should not mind them and just focus on the “ball” with the hope that we will score enough in the game.

Only the quitters never win. For as long as you join the race, there are victories along the way, which come in different forms. He noted that while we may lose, there are gains like in personal branding adding up one’s value like greater popularity and respect. The platform we gained by campaigning publicly gave us a voice that was loud enough for millions to hear.

Choose authenticity. People know when you are true and that is what they patronize. This is his secret in social media. He simply needs to be a doctor that he is and talk to his audience in the way he talks to anyone. He will ask questions that he knows the answer to but will ask anyway because that is what the audience wants to ask and hear. I am amazed by the simplicity of his thinking that could ask questions that already have answers. A brilliant communicator indeed.

Win some, lose some. You cannot have everything. Growing up in a wealthy family, he seems to recognize abundance where there is more than enough for everyone. He will give in every situation he feels needed.

It is in giving that you gain. Imagine having produced more than 6,000 videos on YouTube. The energy to create that must have been enormous. He just created what he thought would benefit those people who need health and life advice. He started in 2007, and captured the interest of 9.79 million subscribers on YouTube and 17 million followers on Facebook. He gained 1.4 billion total views in social media. He was a radio, television personality and maintains columns in the Philippine Star.

Live one day at a time. Be alone if you have to and value it. As a survivor of depression, he found himself and valued himself in solitude. Listen to your body — it gives signals of what you need.

Love your wife and family. His wife Dr. Liza Ramoso-Ong has always been beside him in support of everything they share to do together. They have two daughters.

Inspire others by being inspired yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup. You cannot give what you do not have. He inspires himself, then he finds a way to inspire those people around him. He is such a positive energy to be with. Quietly listening and often would speak last.

Educate yourself more. A medical doctor from De La Salle Medical Health Institute with a pre-medical course from the University of the Philippines, he pursued his master’s degree in public health at UP Manila, specialized in cardiology at the Manila Doctors Hospital, and did his fellowship at the Philippine General Hospital. He also authored the “Medicine Blue Book,” which became popular among Filipino medical students and neophyte doctors.

Organize your life to be able to give back — especially to your parents. He established the Co Tec Tai Medical Museum in honor of his father. It documents the history of health care in the Philippines.

Never give up on the Filipinos. If you feel blessed, you need to be a blessing to them. He became a consultant for the Department of Health from 2010 to 2014. He lost his Senate bid in 2019 and offered himself for the vice presidency, but lost in 2022.

God is the greatest partner and source of all power. He is quietly a devout Catholic.