The Freeman

Opening of a New Veterinary Clinic

By Dr. Nestor Alonso II

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In the early 70s I was a student of Veterinary Medicine and it gave me exposure to the culture of my American classmates. They were all second-degree students and if they graduated from U.P., they were qualified to take the State Board Veterinary Exams. They went into the small animal practice because of its lucrative income. Many of them were married and their studies were financed by student loans. The cost of living in the Philippine­s was lower and this enabled them to rent apartments, bring their families here, and raised dogs which they treated as members of the family. In fact, the food that they fed to their dogs was much better than what I was surviving on as an underprivi­leged scholar at the University of the Philippine­s. In my case, I decided to focus my practice on the production of food animals like chickens and pigs.

Forward to the pandemic and lockdown era which has created an upward demand for companion animals and also created business opportunit­ies for the care and veterinary services for dogs and cats. I have been invited to some of these veterinary clinics and suppliers of pet essentials that have opened here in the last two years. Many of these are placed in strategic locations in Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu Lapu and Talisay cities to best serve their clienteles.

Last April, the Vet for Pets clinic (Alcon Arcade Building, corner F. Cabahug St. and P. Almendras St.) opened in Mabolo, Cebu City. It is quite accessible to residentia­l areas like Casals Village, Sarrosa Residentia­l Suites and San Vicente Village.

After the ribbon-cutting and house blessing, guests were treated to a lunch buffet with food prepared by Derder’s Catering Services of Talisay, Cebu. The dishes served were Spaghetti, Beef Caldereta, Sisig, Beef Broccoli with Quail Eggs, Creamy Chicken Asparagus, and Buko Pandan Salad for dessert. The centerpiec­e of the meal was the Cebu Lechon (paper wraps were removed upon delivery and the lechon skin was crispy when lunch was served).

All the dishes were

regular fare except the Creamy Chicken Asparagus. It looked like plain fried chicken and I did not see any cream or the asparagus. I called the catering supervisor and she was very apologetic about the fiasco. Soft drinks were served but it was just plain water for me and I left early.

Later in the afternoon, I received a call that some of my former students arrived at the clinic. So I went back, and two more lechons were served with refreshing ice-cooled beers. I could not decline the invitation, excuse me, to a nice evening reminiscin­g about the good old days when they were students at Southweste­rn University!

 ?? ?? Cebu Lechon
Cebu Lechon
 ?? ?? Spaghetti
Spaghetti
 ?? ?? Sisig
Sisig

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