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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
(SDN) — The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) will celebrate World Health Day 2024 on Sunday, September 29, at Tiendesitas, along C-5 in Ortigas, Pasig City, Metro Manila, with various activities.
Top officials of the group, the country’s top group consistently raising awareness on cardiovascular disease (CVD) to be led by its president, Dr. Rodney M. Jimenez, will be on hand during the day-long event.
With him are, among others, PHA Vice President Dr. Walid Ahmad Amil (who will fly in from Zamboanga City), Secretary Dr. Aurora Muriel S. Gamponia, Treasurer Dr. Richard Henry P. Tiongco II, and immediate past president Dr. Ronald Cuyco, etc.
Some of the VIPs invited to the event include Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and World Health Organization (DOH) Representative Dr. Rui Paul de Jesus.
In an email to SDN – SciTech and Digital News sent by Gynna P. Gagelonia, PHA Media Relations Officer, it was learned that in the lineup of activities are Walking, Fun Run, Biking, Free Risk Factor Screening (Blood Pressure check, Lipid and Blood Sugar tests, ECG nutrition or BMI assessment and dietary check; consultation and prescription (8-hour fasting is required), showing of “Pusong Malusog: Pambatang Pinoy” video; Healthy and Easy Cooking Demo; Hands-only/Automated External Defibrillator training; and Kids’ Corner.
Some 150 athletic cardiologists will assemble to lead the walk, run and bike which start at 5:30 a.m. All attendees of the event will assemble at 8:30 a.m. for the Opening Ceremonies at 9 a.m.,
PHA heart experts will be having lectures on “What is PUSONG PINOY”, the new advocacy slogan, to be presented by Dr. Louella Santos; “Panganib ng Altapresyon at Stroke” by Dr. Richard Henry Tiongco II; “Nakaka-alarmang Arrhythmia” through Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo; and “Iwas Atake sa Puso” with Dr. Walid Amil.
The PHA’s media release said the World Health Day 2024 celebration in the Philippines will involve a “Walk, Run, Bike” challenge with cardiologists from the association National Capital Region (NCR) clusters/different PHA-accredited Cardiology training institutions as frontliners.
One of the highlights of the observance pertains to physicians or medical professionals practicing what they preach, such as doing one hour of physical activity daily, and others.
In relation with this, PHA’s PUSONG PINOY highlights the message of “galaw-galaw,” which the heart group describes as “spending 150 minutes exercise per week” as it “advocates obesity and nutrition control and healthy food choices.”
The PHA also emphasized that regular brisk walking, jogging or biking melts/lets excess fats evaporate from the skin because they are the cheapest forms of recreation and/or exercise.
It said that biking works three ways as a means of accessible transportation, a fun recreation, and a beneficial exercise that is good for, or benefits, the heart.
Other activities are Zumba challenge and Poster Making Contest that revolves around the celebration’s theme, “Cardiovascular Health Plan to combat premature deaths from heart disease.”
Some may not know the PHA is the lead organization of the annual World Health Day celebration in the Philippines. During this day, every last Sunday of September, at least 250 international heart organizations simultaneously observe the event.
It should be noted as well the PHA has been celebrating World Health Day with a partner city since 2002. For this year’s observance PHA’s ally is the Pasig City local government unit (LGU).
Emcees are Dr. Avelino Aventura, Jr. and Dr. Jonnie Bote-Nunez. (♡)