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Monday, March 29, 2004
Don of Donna’s life
Marrying Donna Cruz at the peak of her showbiz career was a complete turnaround in the life of Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III, as much as it was for the former pop star.
“That’s one thing very admirable about Donna. In her role as wife and mother I couldn’t ask for more from her because I`ve seen how she could give up everything, even a flourishing showbiz career, for our family,” says Yong, the dashing young ophthalmologist who runs (with four other partners) First Sight Clinics, which is more known for being the first to introduce to the Visayas-Mindanao region laser technology in eye surgery.
The 30-something Yong confesses that marriage has changed him and his outlook in life. He used to lead a swinging bachelor’s life, being an erstwhile local heartthrob and coming from a prominent and influential family in the Visayas based in Cebu, where, they run a growing hospital chain and the Cebu Doctors College.
“Donna has allowed me to see life in a different perspective. And because of her I`ve become a better person. Although marrying a celebrity and a movie star may have its disadvantages, Donna, even during our courtship, made me understand her life as a public figure and as an artist and as a person away from the public eye.”
He has also learned to take his work more seriously now and be responsible as head of his own family. “To the point that I`ve developed a passion for my work and in my role as husband and father.”
Yong finished his medical degree with honors at the family-owned medical school. He had his residency training at the UP-PGH, and trained further in refractive surgery in the United States, Germany and Singapore, (state here his membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology).
At present, apart from his private practice and running his clinics, Yong is serving as chairman of the ophthalmology department of Cebu Doctors’ College of Medicine. At the same time, he is secretary of the board of directors of the family-owned hospital chain, and chairman of the Cebu Cataract Foundation, which he and his colleagues established to serve the underprivileged.
Yong does eye surgery everyday and attends to up to 80 patients a day. No matter how hectic his schedule is and despite the number of work hours his profession demands, he still manages to devote ample and quality time to Donna and their two kids since family is at the top of his priority list. “I always make it a point to be home by 6 p.m. so I can have time to play around with the kids or walk them around.”
Knowing the demands of his job, Yong certainly knows how to dress his part. “Because I look very young for a doctor, I have to wear something that will make me look I`m really up to the job, in order to earn the trust and respect of my clients or patients – well, apart from doing my job well which is paramount.” The trick, he adds, is in the choice of colors and cuts.
Tailored trousers and shirts must be within the black-white-and-gray side of the spectrum, with occasional hints of blues and earth shades to break the monotony. Yong admits that he tends to dress young, though, that’s why Donna comes in handy with a few fashion tips.
“She helps me out, most of the time, in choosing my clothes (and even my ties), especially when we go shopping.” Although Yong doesn’t consider himself much of a fashion plate, when he goes shopping he buys clothes in bulk. Major shopping sprees happen when he goes abroad, either on vacation or business trips (he regularly attends international conventions abroad).
“But when I do shop locally, I usually buy clothes off the rack. It’s always good to narrow down your choices and pick a brand or a store that carries a line that suits your lifestyle and clothing needs.” For him, Memo is a top and wise choice.
He adds, “Memo practically has everything that I need. Their clothes are young but not funky, casual but with cosmopolitan flair, and are done in quality materials, which still are perfect for our tropical climate. The clothes are so versatile I can wear them from work to after-work functions.”
(March 29, 2004 issue)
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