A Tribute to Dr. Mariano B. Caparas

(1932 - 2017)

Abstract

It is very difficult to write about a man who is bigger than life. And that is Dr Mariano B. Caparas.

Professor and former Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology, University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital

            A native of Balagtas, Bulacan, his first love was to be an artist (a painter) but his parents dissuaded him from doing so and asked him to take up medicine instead. He entered the UP College of Medicine and graduated in 1958. He went on to train in the then Department of EENT in UP-PGH. Two years in training, Ophthalmology separated from Otolaryngology. He chose Otolaryngology, thus graduating in 1961.   He went on to do further training in Princess Margaret Hospital in Canada specializing in maxillofacial prosthesis.

           My first encounter with Dr. Caparas was when we had an immersion program in Bay, Laguna, as a first year student in UPCM. He was one of our facilitators who stayed with us in the barrio for one week. He taught us how to be true and caring physicians and at the same time, instilling in us the true spirit of nationalism.

          Dr. Cap, as he is fondly called was the fiery consultant with a lot of vision, patriotism, and a very strong desire to improve Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Service in the country. He was the chairman from 1978-1987 in the Dept of ORL, UP-PGH, the early part of his term was a time of unrest and national strife. We had limited resources then, so he taught us to be self- reliant. He started the development of instruments, from scraps or rundown machines that were practical and easy to use, like suction dissectors, headlights, automyringotomy set and otoscopess. This started the era of innovation in the department.

            He was a co-founder of the Asean Otorhinolaryngological Head & Neck Federation in 1980. It was organized to present and discuss common ORL problems in our region. He always believed in ASEAN first.

           As a teacher, he would not just give you facts but rather teach you the hows and whys of things. He challenges you to think out of the box. As a surgeon, he was highly skilled and did a lot of innovative techniques. We had flaps which was fondly called Cap flaps. He was bold enough to do unconventional techniques.

          He is a true nationalist. During the Marcos era, he led us to fight for freedom. He was at the forefront in the fight for corruption, imperialism and militarism. He was one of the primemovers of the then Doctors for Cory. He risks his life for democracy.

           Apart from his being a nationalist and a great doctor, he was also an artist.

         He is a great painter. We marvel at how he would up to the board and draw the anatomy of the ear or the neck. He had a gallery of paintings which he gave out to his friends and residents.

          On the lighter side, he was an avid golfer. He thought us to learn the sports. When he was getting old and weak, golf kept him going.

          When he got sick, 2 years ago of prostate cancer, he didn’t want any further treatment but we, his ORL family convinced him to fight the big C. He agreed and we supported him on this (We thank all who helped him).

           We will miss you Dr. Caparas. But I know that you live in each one of us you trained. You have touch the lives of so many Filipinos. Your legacy will live on. Goodbye sir and may you rest in peace.