Dr. Adriano Dela Paz – The Renaissance Man By Dr. Ronald S. Perez

Dr. Adriano Dela Paz – The Renaissance Man

By Dr. Ronald S. Perez

Like most mornings since the pandemic started, I woke up on the 7th of May dreading
what my day would be like in the hospital. Part of my morning ritual was reading my
messages on my mobile phone for updates on my admitted patients. Then I found myself
staring at this particular message in disbelief, “Good morning Dr. Perez. I regret to inform
you that Dr. Dela Paz passed away this morning at 4:38 am…”

Suddenly, memories of my interaction with Dr. Dela Paz started flashing through my head.
Dr. Dela Paz and I were just exchanging pleasantries in the Hemodialysis Unit at The
Medical City (TMC) last March 2021. When he was admitted in the ICU last April, I would
pass by and wave my hand in front of his glass window. Dr. Dela Paz would smile and
wave back. I was hopeful Dr. Dela Paz would pull through from his illness. But God had
other plans.

Many would like to know what his exact cause of death was. I would rather focus on how
he lived his life and the legacy he left behind.

Dr. Dela Paz was a Renaissance man. He holds the distinction of being both a
Cardiologist and Nephrologist. He belonged to the “old school ethic” of putting his patients
first and never missing a day rounding them. He took care of his patients in the most
personal and caring way. He also embodied the principle of “early to bed and early to
rise.” One of his former TMC Medicine Resident recounted that at exactly five in the
morning, he would wake up the ICU Resident on Duty in order to start his teaching rounds.

Despite being “old school”, he embraced new scientific findings and technology. He kept
himself abreast with new clinical practice guidelines. Most of us did not know that Dr.
Dela Paz was an avid clinical researcher. He authored and co-authored numerous
published scientific journals. Former Philippine College of Physicians President and
Neurologist, Dr. Abdias Aquino, recounted his experience in presenting a scientific paper

which he co-authored with Dr. Dela Paz for an ASEAN medical conference. Being a young
physician back then, Dr. Aquino was very nervous. Seeing his anxiety, Dr. Dela Paz
reassured Dr. Aquino he will do well because at the end of the day, no one speaks and
understands English better than a Filipino.

When I was rotating in the Department of Internal Medicine as a Junior Intern at
UERMMMC in 1996, Dr. Dela Paz was the Chairman. When my TMC colleague Dr. Buddy
Eustaquio assumed his challenging post as Chief Resident, someone gave him a tip on
how to make sure Dr. Dela Paz shows up to his appointment. “Make sure Dr. Dela Paz
writes in his little notebook.” True enough, no follow up was needed once his chairman
writes the appointment on his little notebook. Despite his stature, Buddy remembered Dr.
Dela Paz as a soft-spoken gentleman. He never saw his chairman lose his composure.

More importantly, Dr. Dela Paz would be most remembered by his students and mentees
as “Dr. Ading – Mentor, Elder Statesman and Father Figure.” When you greet Dr. Ading,
he gives you a ready smile and hand wave. He always had the time to chat with you.
When Dr. Ading speaks, he looked directly at you. When he listens, he made you feel
that your opinion or observation mattered to him.

Rest in peace Dr. Ading. We will miss your humble and quiet presence. We will
continuously strive to make you proud as our teacher and mentor. Do not forget to write
us a prayer in your little notebook in heaven.