Just as pediatricians tend to children, veterinarians care for the beloved pets of fur parents. Dr. Efren dela Cruz, a seasoned veterinarian, has accumulated decades of experience in both Small Animal Clinical Medicine and as a father to his four cherished children.
The challenges of fatherhood became evident to Dr. Efren when his children were quite young. Recognizing the significance of the early childhood years, Dr. Efren and his wife Merly dedicated their time and efforts to raising their kids. Through a balanced combination of discipline and family bonding, all of Dr. Efren’s children have grown up to become professionals. Remarkably, his eldest, Donna, has followed in her father's footsteps and is now a practicing veterinarian herself. Lucky is a hotelier while JR, an aircraft mechanic and Carlo is a network engineer.
When asked about the key qualities necessary to face the challenges of fatherhood, Dr. Efren replied, "Patience and perseverance, and above all, dedication." Dedication has undeniably played a significant role in Dr. Efren's enduring 43-year career as a veterinarian. He goes beyond the job as he feels a genuine compassion for animals. His knowledge and vast experience made him a favorite and popular vet in Angeles City.
However, he emphasizes that his family always takes precedence. In his own words, "Family is always my top priority in life, and other responsibilities fall into place through proper time management.”
Although their early childhood years have long passed for Dr. Efren’s grown-up children, he continues to be deeply connected to them and their children. He considers seeing his children and grandchildren grow older to be the ultimate joy of fatherhood. Dr. Efren has fulfilled his professional dream of becoming a well-respected veterinarian. Now he dreams of an equally fruitful dream of living a healthy life and enjoying the company of his grandchildren.
In his free time, Dr. Efren enjoys practical shooting, billiards, and tending to his small orchard and farm with mango, pomelo, rice, and onion crops. When he can, he involves his children in his hobbies too. After all, fatherhood does not end when the kids grow up. It is a career for the long run, for life. (MSB)