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My name is Santo Gulino, and I am 76 years old. I’m sharing my story not just as a patient, but as someone whose life has been profoundly shaped by the dedication of one man: my doctor, Dr. Paul Zakowich of the American International Clinic in Singapore. For 36 years, he hasn’t just been my physician; he has been my guide, my advisor, and the reason I am here, healthy, today.
Our journey began in 1989, not in a consultation room, but in a moment of crisis in Jakarta, Indonesia. I was hospitalized with a collapsed lung. The initial procedure, inserting a tube into my chest, was poorly done, and the site became dangerously infected. By pure chance, Dr. Zakowich was visiting the clinic. At that time, foreign doctors were not permitted to practice in Indonesia, so he couldn’t treat me there. But his advice was clear and urgent: I needed to get to Singapore immediately.
Fate, it seemed, was on my side. As luck would have it, I ended up on the same flight to Singapore as Dr. Zakowich. He didn’t hesitate. He took care of me for the entire journey, and upon arrival, he personally saw to it that my infection was properly treated and cleared up. In that single act of kindness and professionalism, a bond of trust was forged that has only grown stronger with time.
From that moment on, Dr. Zakowich became the cornerstone of my health. Over the next three and a half decades, he has guided me through pneumonia, dengue fever, and countless other medical concerns. He has been my steady hand through every uncertainty. His approach has never been about rushing to the most drastic solution. He is not a doctor who pushes pharmaceuticals unless they are absolutely necessary. His philosophy is one of careful, considered care, always putting the patient’s true well-being first.
This trust has extended to my entire family. My three children and both of my ex-wives now rely on him, making the trip to Singapore for their own checkups. He has become our family’s doctor in the truest sense.
But the most profound proof of his wisdom came from situations where we sought second opinions elsewhere—and how drastically wrong those opinions were.
About 25 years ago, while in Bali, I had an MRI scan. The doctor there delivered terrifying news: I had a tumour on my left lung and wanted to insert a needle immediately to biopsy it. I was panicked. My first instinct was to call Dr. Zakowich. He calmed me down instantly. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Please, just bring the scans to Singapore and let’s take a look.” I did exactly that. After reviewing them, he gave me the news that, as you can tell from me writing this now, saved me from an unnecessary and dangerous procedure: there was no tumour.
This scene repeated itself, almost unbelievably, just recently in June 2025. My 80-year-old brother, who lives in the Philippines, called me in distress. He had been diagnosed with kidney cancer and his local doctor was urging him to begin chemotherapy immediately. Remembering my own experience, I didn’t hesitate. I told him to fly to Singapore. Dr. Zakowich put him through a full battery of scans and referred him to the appropriate specialists. After all the tests were done, the verdict came in: my brother did not have cancer.
Let that sink in. In both cases, following the initial “professional” advice would have led to invasive, traumatic, and completely unnecessary procedures. I am convinced I might not be here writing this today if I had followed the advice I received in Bali. My brother would likely be undergoing chemotherapy right now for a disease he never had.
What makes Dr. Zakowich so special is not just his medical expertise, which is immense, but his character. He embodies the true spirit of the Hippocratic Oath: first, do no harm. In a world where it often feels like there’s a surgical procedure or a prescription for every ailment, he stands as a beacon of measured, thoughtful, and genuinely caring medicine. He listens. He guides. He doesn’t create panic; he creates a pathway to clarity.
I must also give a big thank you to Angelina and Jenn, the wonderful team members who help Dr. Zakowich with arranging appointments and follow-ups. Their friendly support and efficiency make every visit seamless, and they always look after me with such kindness.
To me, Dr. Paul Zakowich is more than a doctor. He is the man I trust with my life. For 36 years, he has been my protector, my advisor, and my friend. At 76, I am healthy and active, and I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to him and his entire team. In an era of modern, impersonal healthcare, he is a reminder of the timeless power of a doctor who truly cares.
