WHILE cardiovascular disease persists as a leading cause of global mortality, medical experts are increasingly shifting away from viewing heart health in isolation. Many of them are now advocating for a holistic approach that integrates mental health care into standard cardiac treatment.


After all, the physiological link between chronic stress, anxiety, and heart function is profound; sustained high levels of cortisol and adrenaline can accelerate arterial damage, trigger inflammatory responses, and contribute to hypertension, effectively placing the heart in a state of constant, damaging strain.


The connection between mental health and heart health was brought to light during the Advocacy Hour Usapang Puso sa Puso, held as part of the 56th PHA-PCC Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting on May 26, 2026, at Edsa Shangri-La Mandaluyong City.


With the theme “Mental Health & The Heart,” the session brought together cardiologists, psychiatrists, faith leaders, mental health advocates, and members of the public to discuss how stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and burnout may affect cardiovascular health.


PHA Director III and Advocacy Hour Committee Chair Dr. Iris M. Garcia was joined by Philippine Psychiatrist Association President Dr. Joan Mae Perez-Rifareal, actress, content creator and television host Hershey Neri, and spiritual leader Dr. Ed Lapiz.

Dr. Garcia emphasized that mental health plays an important role in how people think, feel, act, and make decisions in their daily lives.

“Mental health is part of our overall health. It affects how we think, feel, act, relate with others, and make decisions every day,” she said.

She added that emotional struggles can also affect the body, including the heart.

“Kapag ang isang tao ay dumadaan sa depression, anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, lack of sleep, or emotional overload, hindi lang isip at damdamin ang naaapektuhan. The body is affected too, including the heart,” Dr. Garcia said.

Dr. Garcia also noted that heart advocates have a role in creating safe spaces where mental health can be discussed openly and with compassion.

“As we continue promoting heart health, may we also create safe spaces where mental health can be discussed with compassion and without judgment. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a step toward healing,” she said.

In addition, Dr. Perez-Rifareal said mental health should not be treated separately from physical health, especially as many people continue to experience chronic stress and emotional struggles.

“Physical and mental health are deeply interconnected. We cannot separate one from the other,” she said.

She said stress is part of life, but excessive and unmanaged stress may lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, unhealthy coping habits, and other health risks.

“Do not be afraid of the word stress. It is part of life,” Perez-Rifareal said.

Perez-Rifareal also encouraged the public to protect their mental well-being through proper sleep, healthy food, exercise, hobbies or stress outlets, and a strong support system.

Meanwhile, celebrity guest Hershey Neri, who is currently a psychology student and mental health advocate, shared the physical trauma she had at 19 and how therapy helped her understand said trauma and healing.

“The therapy really changed my life,” Neri said.

She reminded the public that healing can be difficult, but seeking help is an important step toward recovery.

“Healing or going to therapy is like peeling off a band-aid. It hurts because you are healing,” she said.

Neri also encouraged people to show compassion to those who are struggling emotionally.

“Sometimes people do not need advice right away. Sometimes they just want someone to ask, ‘How can I help?’” she said.

“I have more than a thousand bashers, but I have five best friends and my parents. I have seven people who love and support me and they are my safe place,” Neri as she chose to focus on the people who genuinely support and care for her.

She added that she chose to work for comedy because she uses humor to heal. “Because laughter is medicine, I want to share my life, a beautiful life of laughter, to others,” she concluded.


Pastor Ed Lapiz, on the other hand, warned about the emotional burden caused by social media pressure, negativity, and information overload.

“There is a difference between being informed and being invaded by information,” Lapiz said.

He urged the public to protect their peace while staying compassionate.

Quoting the bible verse, “Let not your heart be troubled,” he said: “Guard the heart, but do not harden it,” Lapiz said.

The discussion highlighted the need for whole-person heart care. While medicines, exercise, healthy food, blood pressure control, and cholesterol management remain important, emotional wellness, rest, stress management, safe relationships, and professional support must also be part of prevention and recovery.📰🗞️📰

PERSONAL na binisita ni Caloocan 2nd District Congressman Edgar “Egay” Erice ang isinagawang kick-off ng Bayanihan sa Kalusugan: Alagang Manggagawa sa San Jose Elementary School sa Brgy. 128, Caloocan City para kamustahin ang kanyang mga kababayan na nakinabang sa libreng konsultasyon na programang pangkalusugan ng Unilab katuwang ang HealthFirst at opisina ni Cong. Erice.

Kabilang sa mga libreng konsultasyon ang vitals check, urinalysis, bone density check, blood chemistry, eye check-up, libreng gamot, bitamina, X-Ray at marami pang serbisyong pangkalusugan. (Richard Mesa)

PORMAL na pinarangalan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan, sa pangunguna ni Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, ang 24 na nagtapos ng University of Caloocan City (UCC) College of Law sa ikaanim na commencement exercises nito, na nagdiwang ng isang milestone sa patuloy na pangako ng lungsod sa accessible at de-kalidad na legal na edukasyon.

Sa kanyang mensahe, binati ni Mayor Along ang mga nagsipagtapos at kinilala ang dedikasyon at tiyaga na nagdala sa kanila sa mahigpit na paglalakbay sa law school.

“The journey to become lawyers is not easy. Kung nahirapan kayo, hindi ito sinasadya kundi dahil ito ay paghahanda para sa lahat ng haharapin ninyo kapag kayo ay naging ganap nang mga abogado,” aniya.

Hinikayat din ng punong ehekutibo ang mga nagtapos na manatiling kumpiyansa habang naghahanda sila para sa Bar Examinations, na nagpapaalala sa kanila na sila ay may kakayahan at karapat-dapat sa tagumpay.

“This is not the time to doubt yourselves. This is the time to take your preparations to the highest level and accept that every single one of you are excellent and enough to be called attorneys,” sabi ni Mayor Along.

Pinasalamatan din ni Mayor Along ang mga magulang, propesor, opisyal ng paaralan, at buong komunidad ng UCC sa pagsuporta sa mga estudyante sa kanilang mga karanasan.

Nagpahayag din siya ng kumpiyansa na dadalhin ng mga nagsipagtapos ang mga pagpapahalagang itinanim ng institusyon habang hinahabol nila ang kanilang mga legal na karera at makabuluhang kontribusyon sa serbisyo publiko sa hinaharap.

Samantala, binati rin ni Congressman Oca Malapitan ang mga nagsipagtapos na aniya’y bunga ng kanilang sipag, tiyaga, at dedikasyon sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga pangarap. (Richard Mesa)

NAKAHARAP ni House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III ang mga teachers’ groups mula sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa sa isinagawang courtesy call sa Kamara kasama sina TINGOG Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, Vice-Chairperson ng House Committee on Basic Education and Culture; ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio; Pasig Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo, Chairperson ng House Committee on Basic Education and Culture; at iba pang mambabatas.

Nakatuon ang pagpupulong sa naka-pending na mga panukalang batas at reporma na nakatuon sa pagpapabuti sa ’ welfare, career growth, a long-term professional development, kabilang na ang isinusulong na salary increases sa public at private school educators.

Sa ginanap na dayalogo, inihayag ni Acidre ang implementasyon ng Republic Act No. 12288, o Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, ay magtatatag sa Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System para sa paglalaan ng mas malinaw at accessible pathways para sa mga guro at school heads.

Tinungo ng mga guro ang kani-kanilang district representatives dala ang ilang panukala tulad ng P50,000 entry-level salary para sa mga guro at P5,000 Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) increase. Nagbigay suporta naman ang lahat ng Kongresista na nilapitan ng mga guro.

(Vina de Guzman)