A doctor based in Taguig recently went viral after netizens praised him for only charging P350 professional fee to his community patients.
But for Gen Z doctor Russel Guadilla, it was just enough considering his experience in the field and the location of his clinic.
“For me kasi, the P350 wasn’t even low. There are a lot of doctors who even charge less. And sometimes, they’re even specialists. Kaya nga, kinukwestiyon ko din bakit ako ‘yung nag-viral. So, I set the rate not to actually cheapen the profession but because I felt na it was the right professional fee for the community na I serve which is West Rembo (Taguig),” he told The Philippine STAR.
“It disheartens me to see people online na bine-berate ‘yung mga doctors na nagcha-charge ng higher PFs. Itong story na kasi na ‘to, it isn’t about making me shine na ako ‘yung busilak na doktor. Kasi I should also protect the dignity of other doctors,” he added.
It was just this March 2025 when he opened his clinic after using all his savings from other sideline jobs when he passed the board exam in October 2024.
“I realized na wala rin masyadong clinic outside where I’m staying ngayon. One day, may akita akong pwesto sa West Rembo. Dun ko nakita ‘yung potential and I opened my clinic. That’s when I committed to that vision to have an accessible care para doon sa community na ‘yun,” he recalled the process of establishing his clinic.
“Kaming mga general practitioners, most of us talaga don’t start on their own agad. Kasi mahal siya. I was only able to do this kasi, ‘yun, nag-ipon ako and then, nag-skip muna ako ng mga travels, ng mga luho,” he added.
Aside from his clinic, Doc Russel has two other jobs that help him sustain the expenses of his newly opened clinic.
“I’m a hemodialysis doctor and a company doctor din. What sustains me now financially isn’t the clinic. So, it’s my other work. So, the clinic earns just enough to pay its own rent, to cover my transpo, and also buy me a cup of coffee. But I still keep it open because, ‘yun nga, I believe in that purpose,” he noted.
While he appreciates the praises that he received from the public, Doc Russel stood firm that all doctors deserve the same respect and admiration.
“I am a GP or a general practitioner. So, hindi pa po ako espesyalista. So, I believe P350 and then P300 ‘pag discounted is a fair rate for my scope of practice.Gusto ko rin pong linawin na kahit mababa ang professional fee, hindi rin po ibig sabihin na mababa ‘yung value. So, every doctor, whether they charge P350 or P3,500, they deserve the same respect and admiration,” he stressed.
Adding, “Kasi, some are specialists who trained for years. Others, they work under a clinic or a management na businessman ang may-ari. Wala silang control on their price. So, feeling ko, if they’ve been given the chance to start their own practice, alam ko naman that they would really choose to serve the people. I just happen to save early and give up some of my comforts to make this possible.”
Doc Russel is also a proud Igorot doctor, he hopes to come back to his hometown to serve his tribe but for now, he wants to get all the experience he needs in the city.
“So, simple lang naman ‘yung goal ko. It’s to make healthcare more accessible, more approachable. Hindi ko siya ginawang cheap kasi kahit abot-kaya ‘yung rate, patients can testify, I don’t rush them, I give proper care, and I offer the standard medical services na they need,” he said.
“Gusto ko ring magsilbi sa isang community na minsan nai-intimidate pumasok sa mga private clinics. Kasi we receive a lot of messages, mostly of them, nagka-canvas muna kung abot kaya ba nila. Kaya ginawa ko ito to have that space na welcoming at may malasakit for them,” Doc Russel added.
As he looked back on his early days, he revealed that he didn’t initially dream of being a doctor.
“Becoming a doctor wasn’t really part of the plan. I wanted to be a journalist. I wanted to be a businessman like my parents. Growing up in Tuba, Benguet, so it’s a suburban town, 30 to 45 minutes before you reach Baguio. So, actually, it would take us that time to reach a doctor din kasi in the community, walang doctor.Hindi rin naman ganun kamura ang consultation in Baguio City. It shaped my view sa healthcare na I wanted it accessible,” said Doc Russel.
“I want to serve more but with a deeper level of expertise. And maybe someday, I can contribute to health policy or more advocacy, especially to fellow young doctors pa na parang kagaya ko, who are starting quietly with a deep purpose para sa community,” he added.
He also expressed gratitude to his patients for trusting and giving him a chance to make their health better.
“Maraming, maraming, maraming salamat sa tiwala. I may just be doing my job, pero dahil po sa inyo, I truly feel na meron po akong calling. So, ‘yung mga kindness, gratitude na nare-receive ko, and the trust, it reminds me kung bakit po ako nandito,” he happily said.
