ALUMNI

Dr. Francisco Kit Navarro: Doctor and Xaverian
Harvey King (H3D), Stallion Features Writer

Posted Monday, 14-Feb-2005 10:11 AM

     In the land where tigers crouched and dragons hid, there was also a man who stuck needles into people's bodies. He was a Chinese doctor. He was a Xaverian.  

            Dr. Francisco Kit Navarro (XS Batch ‘91) is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. He was initially a Doctor of Medicine from the UP College of Medicine Batch ‘98, after which he took a different path by specializing in Chinese Medicine, specifically acupuncture. Being one of the few medical doctors in this field, he has become famous. The only medical acupuncturist at St. Luke's Medical Center , he is also the resident expert in Chinese medicine at the Ateneo de Manila University Chinese Studies Program.

            Aside from medical practice, he has given several lectures at other universities, medical conventions, and on television programs. Recently, he was invited to give a special talk on Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) as part of the school's efforts to deepen students' knowledge of their Chinese heritage.

            Just like many Xaverians, who have been taught the value of generosity, he makes it a point to devote his time and talents for the community. He works at the HealthDev Institute for Community Health and teaches students taking up his basic Chinese medicine course at the Ateneo de Manila University.

            Dr. Navarro's success today did not happen all in a sudden. It was, according to him, a product of stages of development and hard work that started in his schooling years.

            A multi-talented student, he was not only a consistent awardee but also a Stallion editor, a Metamorphosis member and the Student Council Secretary. Ultimately well-rounded, he was also Xavier's first swimming team captain. His guidance counselor though once told him he was an underachiever. Yet, in spite of that, in college, he took up the Integrated Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) program on a full Oblation Scholarship at the University of the Philippines , where he diligently studied to become a doctor.

            According to Dr. Navarro, Xavier has played a major role in his decision to specialize in Chinese medicine. During his high school life, he belonged to the pioneer group of students who were sent to Taiwan to study for an entire summer. Equipped with the enriching experience, he had returned to Xavier with the knowledge in using the computer with the Chinese language. Thus, he was tasked to teach the Chinese teachers how to use Chinese in modern computers while he also helped computerize test papers and even, Xavier Chinese News. Most importantly, he valued learning to read, write and speak in Chinese.

            When Dr. Kit was first studying acupuncture after graduating medical school and becoming a doctor, he realized that being able to read Chinese books gave him a great advantage over the other local doctors. The same held true when he proceeded to study at the Academy of Pain Research and Stanford Medical School programs on medical acupuncture in San Francisco . Eventually, Dr. Kit pursued more advanced studies in acupuncture and Chinese medicine at Xiamen University , in Fujian , China , where he was doing everything including reading books, speaking to the patients and discussing with fellow doctors in Chinese.

            When asked how Xavier has helped Kit in his successful life, he admits that graduating from Xavier School definitely gave him immense advantages. According to him, people see Xaverians as men of determination, diligence and wit. He also credits Xavier for helping him appreciate his Chinese heritage, which proved vital and significant in leading him towards a career in Chinese medicine.

            Being in Xavier, you learn what it's like to be Chinese in the modern world. We are not stuck in a conclave, dreaming that we are back in an ancient country that does not exist anymore. There is some tradition we've lost, and some heritage we'd like to regain but there's also a chance to build your own culture in the future. According to this Xaverian doctor, one's Chinese heritage is granted by God and cannot be denied nor changed. What is truly important is how one uses it.

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