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For those who know him know that he had the most generous, strong, fierce spirit and heart. There was no one like him. He paved the way, establishing a legacy as an honored and revered surgeon and teacher. He tirelessly gave his health, money, time, skills, and heart to his patients, often performing surgeries in exchange for chicken or rice or whatever people could provide. He generously cared for people who worked with him years, decades after we moved to the US. He sacrificed willingly and with no reserve. He supported his family through thick and thin in whatever way possible. He made us so proud to call him doctor, husband, father, brother, son. He was affectionately called “Doc Alex” and “Totong” known for his lion spirit.
Dr. Alex Guevara (Doc Alex) was born in Guimaras, Philippines, on May 1, 1954. He is survived by his father (Patricio Guevara) and stepmother (Melros Guevara), and his three siblings (Pat Guevara, Lorenzo Guevara III, and Eugene Guevara). Alex married the love of his life (Mergie Lagtapon) and has three children (Patrick Philip Guevara, Nicole Alexandria Guevara, and Alexis Angel Guevara). He gained another son and a second family on May 26, 2019, when his daughter - Alexis Angel, married Jake Altier. Unfortunately, he was not able to meet his daughter-in-law, Mariene Sabanal, and his grandson, Elijah Rex Guevara.
Doc Alex was a leader and compassionate doctor. Doc Alex graduated with the Pioneer Medical Class in 1979 from Western Visayas State University – College of Medicine (WVSU-COM), Iloilo, Philippines. He was a founding member of the Order of Asclepius of said university. He completed his post-graduate internship at Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, 1980 and his General Surgery residency at Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital, Iloilo City, Philippines 1984. He specialized in General Surgery and worked with his anesthesiologist wife, Doc Mergie. He worked as a surgeon alongside his anesthesiologist wife, Doc Mergie, at West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSU-MC), Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital, and St. Paul’s Hospital.
He was also a full-time Associate Professor and Department Chairman in Physiology at his alma mater. He was the founding President of the WVSU-COM Alumni Association and became President of the WVSU-COM Faculty Association. He was voted member of the University’s Board of Regents twice. He also became President of the Physiology Society of the Philippines.
Doc Alex and his family immigrated to the US in 1998. He worked as a cruise ship physician for various cruise lines, including Premier Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, from 1999 to his death on April 30, 2020.
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Doc Alex loved fishing. He was the founder and first president of the Iloilo Anglers Club. He spearheaded several fishing tournaments all over the Philippine islands.
Doc Alex was a loving husband, a supportive father, a revered professor, a passionate surgeon, a compassionate physician, and a loyal friend.