Editors’ Note: This is about how one pediatrician let her life purpose influence her career. It was originally written by Niki (Nicole) Guloy, Dr. Naida Guballa’s granddaughter, for HopeFull where she is Co-Managing Editor. Her article was part of the magazine’s A Life of Significance 2018 special edition titled: INSTA GRAN: Portraits of the Elderly in an Age of Youth. In the foreword, she wrote: “When I grow old, I hope to keep sharp ears that enjoy music, nimble fingers to play the piano and make art, and a tireless heart that leaves out my faith day after day.” HopeFull is a publication of The Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care.
The function room was in one of the best hotels in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Bicol. The air filled with pleasant chatter and the clinking of plates, while light music played in the background setting a festive, intimate atmosphere for the ninetieth birthday dinner of Naida Pesigan-Guballa. The party held the usual fond stories and trips down memory lane, but one thing that stood out above everything else was the message Lola Naida left with us at the end of the night:
“We are not meant to live our lives on earth as tourists. We need to do some good in the world.”
Lola Naida’s story truly shows a life lived for others. Growing up, she took up medicine and graduated from UP- PGH with a specialty in pediatrics, her husband Herky an OB-Gyne. After their eldest son was born, they left him in the care of their parents and flew to the US for their second residency.
Naida and Herky were excellent doctors and had a promising career ahead of them. However, when they returned home after two years, their son did not know who they were. Wanting to bring their family closer again, the couple took their son on a quick visit to relatives in Naga City.
What started out as a vacation for Naida’s family turned into a calling that defined her life’s work. While in Naga, she and Lolo Herky fell in love with the city. They further realized that there were not enough specialized doctors in the region. Though they could have gone anywhere in the world, they chose to settle down in a place where they could make a difference to the community, and they did.
In her time, Lola Naida was one of only two pediatricians in Naga City. Their kids joked that all their classmates could be classified as either a Bernas kid or a Guballa kid. The Guballa Medical Clinic was a building adjacent to their home, and the lines every day could trump the lines at a miting de avance. Lola Naida would care for the kids, Lolo Herky for the mothers. They were so well-known that they began to attract patients from all over Bicol.
Both were very active in the community, launching and taking part in multiple city programs. One such endeavor was launching the Nutri-Ataman (meaning “to care for” in Bikol) program to feed malnourished children. Naida and Herky also helped start the Naga Medical Center. Though they eventually passed leadership over to focus on their clinic, they made a big difference in the lives of many doctors who held residency there.
Naida’s husband Herky was a member and past president and governor of the Rotary Club of Naga, until he passed away in 1999. Naida in turn shared her knowledge by becoming an active member of the Philippine Pediatrics Society, mentoring many budding pediatrician Bicolanos. She was called the ‘Mother Hen’ of all the pedias in the city.
Even at the age of 90, Lola Naida still continues to be distinctly influential. She still cares for patients to this day, friends and family who trust her skills and her compassion. She attributes her success to God’s work, and how He uses her as His instrument in a time of need.
As her birthday party came to a close, Naida told us that she prayed not to live longer – for she had lived so long already – but to be significant in whatever years she had left. May that be a prayer we also share.
Featured header image shows beneficiary mothers and children of the Nutri-Ataman and Nutri-Nanay programs (credit: City Government of Naga)