By: Manuel Ferdinand Ramirez de Erio

“I walked six kilometers everyday to finish elementary. In high school, it took me twelve kilometers to go to school and get back home…My parents could not afford the four centavo fair,” Dr. Jose Mecabalo Oclarit, a doctor in biochemistry and applied molecular biology, recalls his younger days at school. Today, the man who spent his elementary and high school taking kilometers of walking, strides in the limelight of biochemistry and applied molecular biology with sterling record of achievement. Dr. Oclarit , is a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Applied Molecular Biology at Hiroshima University in Japan major in natural products chemistry and antibiotics production. He is an expert in Natural Products Chemistry, particularly in antibiotics. He previously earned his Master of Science in Physiology in the University of the Philippines Diliman with cross enrolment at the UP College of Medicine in UP Manila. He was declared by the Philippine government thru the National Academy of Science and Technology as one of the Outstanding Scientists in the Philippines . This award was given by the highest collegial body of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), affiliated by the Royal Society of London.

In 1996, Dr. Oclarit was declared as an Outstanding Scientist in the field of Applied Biochemistry. The most coveted award in science in the Philippines the award dates back in 1980 were at most only 10 scientist are given per year. Dr. Oclarit considered his discovery of an anti-tuberculosis medicine while he was finishing his Ph.D. in Hiroshima University as the most outstanding achievement and contribution to medical science. This achievement is recognized by the International Trade and Industry, which is now the Industry of Natural Science in Japan. This discovery also earned him the award as the Most Outstanding Researcher in industry and energy by the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy of the DOST. The drug is now under clinical trial and testing to prepare it for the market.

The present treatment of TB require which takes three to four drugs all together to prevent the recurrence of microorganism, shall be cut short with the discovery of Dr. Oclarit. His discovery of a molecule can effective kill the microorganism even without the other drugs in tandem. “It will help people worldwide in preventing this particular malady that causes death in the whole world, in fact it (TB) is the no.4 cause of death…This discovery is a significant contribution to medical science,” Dr. Oclarit bared.

“Hopefully, the pharmaceutical laboratory in Talibon, Bohol , Gerson Pharmaceutical Laboratories will produce this particular product for distribution worldwide,” he added. Dr. Oclarit is at present working on antibiotics. He is heavily involved in research and development of natural products, particularly on pharmaceutical products. Very soon, Gerson Pharmaceutical Laboratories shall launch the first two of its products. The Toto Herba Primera, a natural herbal oil that is proven by Dr. Oclarit to best sooth muscle pain, gas pain and rheumatism, and Duluz-T a natural herbal antiseptic that is best for wounds, burns and insect bites.

The two products, Toto Herba Primera and Duluz-T are Dr. Oclarit's noble gift, not only for the Boholanos but for the common man, in general. This multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed scientist traces his Boholano lineage from his Boholano fore-parents from Garcia Hernandez and his mother from Dauis. “I came from a poor family. My parents could not afford to send me to school. As matter of fact my father was a tenant, so we traveled from Bohol to Camiguin until we settle in Mizamiz,” he recalled.

Poverty did not prevent Dr. Oclarit from pursuing his dreams in life. “Ever since I was a child, I was inclined to science. I dreamed to be one. I had so many questions about nature. Now, I am a basic scientist, but I pursued medical research because my first love is research,” Dr. Oclarit quipped. Today, he is also a full time government professor, holding the highest rank of professorship in the whole Philippines and is presently teaching in the Mindanao State University and Iligan Institute of Technology.

Lately, Dr. Oclarit is greatly involved in the production of tropical antibiotics for common man especially for common infections experienced by most the people in the barangays. He earned a distinction after having registered two patents in Japan . One is the anti-cancer agent taken from marine sponge clinically tested to be a potent anti-cancer agent against mylana cells. The second one is an antibiotic against gram positive bacteria from marine sponge.

Dr. Oclarit returned to Bohol to help establish a pharmaceutical laboratory to give pride to the Boholanos, “Gerson Pharmaceuticals Laboratoriy aims towards helping the communities abate some common maladies and more affordable and natural medicine.” He would like to be remembered as one who has done so much for his people. Dr. Oclarit divulged, “I was invited to work in Loyola University in Chicage but I want to work with Filipinos because I owe my degree and my profession to the Filipino. I was a scholar from the beginning until my post doctoral degree, the government spent for me, so I would like to be remembered by people as one whose life is dedicated for the Filipinos and for the whole of mankind.”

Like many other scientists, Dr. Oclarit dreams of winning a nobel prize award, “Not a single Filipino is in the list of nobel prize awardees. I will try in my career. I'll just continue doing research. If people will recognize your work, it may not happen in your lifetime, I might be awarded posthumous.” For the Boholanos, Dr. Oclarit has this to say, “Continue to be deligent, perseverant, trusting and religious. For the young ones, don't be discouraged with poverty. Poverty is not a hindrance to success as I have demonstrated in my life. My parents could afford to send me to school, but because of my determination and trust in God, I was able to achieve what I have dreamed. Dr. Oclarit dreamed to be a professor and he became one. He dreamed to become a scientist, he became one. He shares that, “As far as your heart can desire, with determination, prayer and hardwork, you will be able to reach your goal. There is a way if there is will.”

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