Healthy Plates, Healthy Hearts: The Pinggang Pinoy Approach to Reducing CVD Risk
By: Mariela Angella Oladive, DailyGuardian.com.ph Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a major health concern in the Philippines, driven by risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles. In response, the Department of Health (DOH) and medical experts continue to advocate for “Pinggang Pinoy”, a practical food guide […]
Learning Heart Care from the Indigenous Mangyan
By: Madonna T. Virola, RVAsia.org Badbad Mangday, 74, an Indigenous Hanunuo Mangyan, in a far-flung mountain in Mansalay, a southern town in Oriental Mindoro province, Philippines, wakes up at chicken crows, from a good night undisturbed sleep by what could be a “modern life” for those living in the lowlands. He would walk barefoot into […]
Iloilo’s remote islands battle heart disease; Struggles, costs, and healthcare gaps
By: Ma. Theresa Ladiao, PanayNews.net ILOILO — For 60-year-old Noel Parreñas, a fisherman from Tabugon Island, Carles, his encounter with hypertension was life-changing. “Sadtong mga lima ka tuig ang nagligad, naospital ako. Naagyan ko gid kung ano kabudlay. Halin sa isla asta sa banwa mga 30 minutos ang amon biyahe sa lawod. Nalipong ako gani […]
Before the Second Heart Attack: A Father’s Fight to Stay Alive for His Children
How one man’s near-death experience inspired a commitment to health, hope, and family. By: Katrina Benigno, Novartis StoryLab It was a regular workday for Tonyo, a 45-year-old father of four, when his life took an unexpected turn. A laborer in a sprawling banana plantation in the South, Tony had always been the backbone of his […]
What you need to know about cholesterol — the good and the bad

By: Kaycee Valmonte, Rappler.com Most people know that high levels of cholesterol can be unhealthy and, in some cases, may lead to serious illness or even death. But our body actually also produces a “good” kind of cholesterol, which helps the body process fats and “bad” cholesterol. Increased physical activity and proper diet can improve […]
Unmasking the silent killer, unfriending bad cholesterol
By: Mildred Galarpe, Sunstar.com.ph THE last thing Lau remembered were the cries of his grade three pupils, shaking him and tapping his legs before he totally lost consciousness. When consciousness came back, he was in his hospital bed in the intensive care unit of a local hospital. Lauron “Lau” Montezzola, a 38-year-old school teacher, had […]
Healthy lifestyle key to avoiding ‘silent killer’
By: Dexter A. See, BaguioHeraldExpressOnline.com BAGUIO CITY – People experiencing shortness of breath should not take it for granted as it might cost one’s life if not given the needed medical attention from experts. It took his cousin to suffer a mild stroke before he realized the need for them to seek expert medical attention […]
Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Southern Leyte
Ruevivar Markines Reyes, Southern Leyte Times Southern Leyte, a province celebrated for its close-knit communities, awe-inspiring landscapes, and vibrant marine biodiversity, is facing a pressing health concern, the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Despite its serene environment, this province is grappling with a silent epidemic. CVDs, often linked to high cholesterol levels, have emerged […]
Deadly grip of cardiovascular diseases on Filipino families
By: Cristina Eloisa Baclig, Inquirer.net MANILA, Philippines—Think of your loved ones — your family, friends, people you work with, or even the people in your community. Can you name someone who has suffered a heart attack or stroke? Chances are, the answer is yes. Heart disease and stroke have long-lasting impacts on nearly every Filipino […]
SPECIAL REPORT: Plant-based diet, farmwork are keys to longevity of Blaan elderly
By: Bong S. Sarmiento, Mindanews.com POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato (02 February) – A largely plant-based diet and routinary farm labor that flexes the muscles to perspire and burn fats have been the secret ingredients for longevity of the Blaan, the indigenous peoples living at the foothills of Mt. Matutum, the landmark peak in this province some 1,600 kilometers […]