SA pagsisikap ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Valenzuela na isulong ang ligtas na pagmamaneho, nakipagtulungan sina Mayor WES Gatchalian at Konsehal Sel Sabino-Sy sa Ford Motors Company at nagsagawa ng pagsasanay na tinawag na “Ford Driving Skills For Life,” na ginanap sa Club House, Barangay Canumay West.

Halos 300 katao ang nakilahok sa nasabing pagsasanay na pinangunahan ng mga propesyonal mula sa Ford Motors. Ang mga kalahok ay nagmula sa publiko at pribadong sektor kabilang ang mga kawani mula sa Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (VCDRRMO), Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS), Barangay Workers, at ilang empleyado ng City Hall.

Bukod dito, lumahok din at sumubok ng ilang unit ng sasakyan na dala ng Ford ang mga mag-aaral mula sa Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), Valenzuela City Technological College (ValTech), at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV).

Bago ang aktwal driving test, dumalo ang mga kalahok sa isang araw na seminar bilang bahagi ng kanilang pagsasanay. Tinalakay ng mga automotive experts mula sa Ford ang mga madalas na pagtatagpo sa kalsada. Itinuro din nila ang mga road signs at nagbigay ng mga safety guidelines na maaari nilang ilapat kapag nagmamaneho.

Ipinakita din ang mga video ng pinakabagong mga insidente sa kalsada sa panahon ng pagsasanay na tumatalakay sa isang pangunahing ideya ng road safety kung paano pigilan ang sarili sakaling masangkot sa ganoong mga sitwasyon.

Personal naman na pinuri ni Mayor WES ang mga kalahok, lalo na ang mga mag-aaral, dahil ito ang kanilang unang pagkakataon na sumali sa pagsasanay sa pagmamaneho mula nang ilunsad ito noong nakaraang taon.

“Alam niyo po, hindi po araw-araw na may ganito tayong programa kaya ang mga student na nakilahok ngayon ay very lucky na maging bahagi ng ating training ngayon. Ito po ay supported ng Ford Philippines at tayo po ay nagpapasalamat sa kanilang tulong sa ating pamahalaan.” aniya. (Richard Mesa)

In celebration of the Heart Month of February, healthcare company Organon Philippines is spearheading the “Heart 2 Heart Talk on Optimal Cholesterol Control,” focused on raising public awareness about effectively managing Dyslipidemia and how Filipinos can protect their heart from the long-term impacts of high cholesterol levels.

Renowned lipid experts Dr. Pipin Kojodjojo, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist from Singapore, and Dr. Louella Santos, the current President of the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS), are leading the event to highlight critical research and practical tips to better control cholesterol and minimize the risks of heart diseases.

Dyslipidemia refers to abnormal, unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the body. When too much bad cholesterol circulates in the blood, it causes build-ups of fatty plaques along the walls of your arteries, which can clog and disrupt the normal blood flow to the heart.

If left unchecked, this could lead to debilitating and fatal conditions such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and other severe complications.

Recent statistics from PSA have shown that heart disease accounts for 124,182 cases or more than 18% of all deaths across the country, claiming more lives than any other illness.

Alarmingly, the data reveals millions of Filipinos as early as 20 years old are unknowingly suffering from high cholesterol levels, which puts them at even greater risk for developing heart disease.

According to the 8th National Nutrition Survey, 1 out of every 2 Filipinos have borderline high cholesterol levels, making Dyslipidemia a hidden public health threat in young adults and people who are at the height of their careers.

Who stands vulnerable?

Chronic stress and poor lifestyle habits like smoking, unhealthy diet choices, and inactivity increase harmful cholesterol levels even in people in their 20s and 30s. And because Dyslipidemia shows no clear symptoms at first, many young adults remain unaware of the silent damage accumulating in their arteries over time.

Regardless of age or family history, getting a complete cholesterol test is critical to optimizing health and catching high cholesterol early. Addressing cholesterol now, not later, gives you the power to prevent heart disease and irreversible damage to your arteries.

Restoring control over your health Patients can help lower their lipid levels with lifestyle changes, medications, or a combination of both. In certain cases, a health care provider will recommend a trial of lifestyle changes before recommending a medication. The best approach will depend on an individual’s situation, including your lipid levels, health conditions, risk factors, medications, and lifestyle.

Although a healthy lifestyle is the first defense against high cholesterol, sometimes diet and exercise aren’t enough. Patients might also need to take cholesterol medications to help:

·       Decrease one’s low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease

·       Decrease one’s triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood that also increases the risk of heart disease

·       Increase one’s high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol that offers protection from heart disease

Healthcare professionals might suggest a single drug or a combination of cholesterol medications. Cholesterol lowering drugs include Statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitor, PCSK9 inhibitors, among others.

Remember: Every case of heart disease is different. Talk to your doctor to get the treatment and care you deserve. Staying faithful to your medication routine could save you and help you live a more fulfilling life free from complications.

This health forum highlights Organon Philippines’s steadfast commitment to educating the public about the dangers of Dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Organon aims to drive positive health actions that can elevate care for millions of patients nationwide.

Dr. Pipin Kojodjojo, a renowned cardiologist from Singapore and Dr. Louella Santos, President of the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) leads the health forum discussion on the dangers of dyslipidemia (or the abnormal, unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the body) and cardiovascular diseases. The health forum organized by Organon Philippines aims to drive positive health actions that can elevate care for millions of patients in the Philippines. 

Dr. Louella Santos, President of the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) emphasizes that dyslipidemia (or the abnormal, unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the body) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the Philippines. That’s why health professionals like herself stand by a simple motto when it comes to LDL-C (or bad cholesterol) level management—the lower, the better.  Dr. Santos is joined by Dr. Pipin Kojodjojo, a renowned cardiologist from Singapore.