Lord Hermida (center) Immediate past MIB still in his outdated pair of eyeglasses.

Shangri-la Plaza, EDSA – The posh center smelled of freshly brewed coffee sipped from disposable cups by its hordes of patrons. The lighting is subdued as if to constantly dilate the pupils. The cool airconditioning ushers weary customers to somnolence. At last I am here. My myopic eyes will get clearer from this day on. 

Exactly a week after pre-op screening, I am waiting anxiously at the lobby for my scheduled LASIK surgery under the watchful eye of Dr. Ces Espiritu ’82. He offered this opportunity to regain much of the 20/20 vision I used to have to a brod like me (at no cost) simply because like him, I am a Mu. And the picture gets a lot clearer once inside Brod Ces’ pioneering American Eye Center here in Shangri-la.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, ‘American Eye’ developed in the early 90’s a so-called group practice to address the high cost of machines and examination tools necessary to run an eye clinic. Today the same strategy they initiated has become a trend among young ophthalmologists in the metro and even the provinces. Its state-of-the-art facilities and highly competent staff of optometrists, nurses and eye MDs have made eye consults and surgeries a thing of the future. Add to that is the accessibility and acceptability of its location, found right smack in the middle of Ortigas.

By the time this gets uploaded, my vision will be clearer. Gone are the days when I have to tediously spend time putting my contact lens on or cleaning my pair of eyeglasses. I will not have to worry about overshooting the ball when playing basketball or mistaking a person for some one or reading signs from afar. This free LASIK is truly a blessing and Brod Ces must be beaming with joy and pride for the innumerable patients whose eyes he restored back to clarity, including mine.

The best part is not the pre-op screening nor the 15-minute LASIK procedure itself. It is the thought that I got a new lease in life (at least my eyes) conveniently because Brod Ces chose to extend me the courtesy plainly and simply because I am his brod. Truly, this experience will forever be etched in memory and for as long as my eyes can see. All for the Glory!

Phillip Aristotle R. Hermida is a medical intern and a brother of Mu Sigma Phi Batch 2009. Ophthalmology is one of his top specialties of choice.

---