Setting the bar eye

“With retirement

just around the corner, I’ve been thinking of what to do next. Then, lo and behold, Jack Teotico asked me if I would be interested in putting up a music bar with him.”

DR. Gilbert de la Cruz, a doctor for over 40 years, has effortlessly managed to balance a long and distinguished medical career with a vibrant life as a restaurateur, band leader and family man. His common name often leads to him finding a namesake wherever he goes.

De la Cruz, who obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from De La Salle Health Sciences Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite, chose to specialize in Ophthalmology more than 30 years ago.

“I decided to train in Ophthalmology because I think that specialty is less toxic among the other specialties,” he explained.

“Not many emergencies as compared to the others. Also, when I’m old and develop hand tremors, I might not be able to do surgery anymore; I still have my outpatient clinic to rely on. As a medical practitioner, it’s hard to see how many people are suffering from different kinds of sicknesses. One can’t help but empathize with them.”

Beyond his medical practice, de la Cruz is also a businessman. He owns Red Rhino, a restaurant-bar in Mandaluyong City, with business partners Jack Teotico and Dindo Ibazeta.

“Being a part of the Red Rhino management came as a blessing for me,” de la Cruz said. “With retirement just around the corner, I’ve been thinking of what to do next. Then, lo and behold, Jack Teotico asked me if I would be interested in putting up a music bar with him.”

Two years into running Red Rhino, de la Cruz realized the seriousness of managing a bar. “You have to identify your clients, the demographics, food and drinks ordered most,” de la Cruz said. “People are fickle-minded, too. With the presence of so many bars, they are having a difficult time choosing where to go.”

Not surprisingly, spending time at Red Rhino is the doctor’s unwinding time.

“I like to meet and talk to people at the bar,” he said. “I’m almost always with my sons at home where we rehearse and go to the bar. That’s how we bond.”

His band, Progeny, started 12 years ago as a trio with his two sons — Dr. Patrick, also an ophthalmologist, and David, a musician and composer. They entertain guests at Red Rhino. “We would sing in harmony using Minus Ones,” de la Cruz said. “Then I noticed my boys were good at guitars. That was when I decided that we put up a full band. We perform regularly at Red Rhino and at Bar 360 at Newport World Resorts.”

Interestingly, de la Cruz harmoniously connects all three aspects of his life: being a doctor, a bar owner and a band leader.

“First, one must have the passion to do what he likes to do and find time for it,” de la Cruz maintained. “Time management is key.”

De la Cruz always envisioned himself as both a doctor and a performer since childhood, and he never deviated from his ambition. He completed high school at La Salle Greenhills, then pursued his pre-med at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and his Ophthalmology residency training at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital in Manila.

“Luckily, my parents supported me all the way in my studies, so I finished school without any hitches,” he shared.

He credits his late father, a strict disciplinarian, as his most significant role model.

“He taught me to be independent, punctual, honest and the meaning of ‘palabra de honor’ (word of honor),” he said.

The pandemic was challenging for de la Cruz, as it was for many.

“Medical professionals as frontliners had to perform their call of duty. There is always that fear of being contaminated by the patients. Self-care and safety precautions were our top priority,” he recalled.

Once the virus threat subsided, de la Cruz and his family traveled to Cagayan de Oro City last January to perform at a friend’s birthday party.

He admirably juggles his time between work and home.

“I attend to my duties at home in the mornings, go to the clinic in the afternoon. Practice and rehearsals take up most of my time now, especially with the upcoming shows of Gino Padilla, where Progeny will be his back-up band.”

His typical day involves errands, supermarket visits, clinic duties and bass guitar practice. Weekends are reserved for rest and catching up on sleep.

His wife of over 33 years, with whom he was blessed with two handsome and talented sons, unfortunately passed away last April.

“My family, we all support each other,” de la Cruz said. “And their advice to me is to take care of my health.”

***

QUICK QUESTIONS

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Losing a family member.

WHAT REALLY MAKES YOU ANGRY?

Hypocrites.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO

WORK HARD?

My family.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

Corny jokes and funny pranks.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU

WON THE LOTTO?

Buy a house for each of my kids.

IF YOU COULD SHARE A MEAL

WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL, LIVING

OR DEAD, WHO WOULD THEY BE?

My late wife. I miss her so much.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK

YOU READ?

I’m not fond of reading books.

I’d rather sleep or practice.

WHICH CELEBRITY WOULD YOU

LIKE TO MEET FOR A CUP OF COFFEE?

I’d like to meet Sir Paul McCartney.

WHAT IS THE MOST DARING THING

YOU HAVE EVER DONE?

Driving at a top speed without a license.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU

WILL NEVER DO AGAIN?

I’ll never be too trusting with people

because they will just take advantage

of my kindness.