FAME Inc. Publisher Dr. Rafael Castillo with Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla, DiabetEASE Magazine Editor-in-Chief; Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua, Father of Philippine Endocrinology; and Dr. Pepito dela Pena, President of Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Sweet Escape: Hataw Na 2017 held last August 18 at Starmall, Alabang
Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions (FAME) Inc., publisher of DiabetEASE Magazine, conducted the Sweet Escape: Hataw Na 2017, an annual advocacy event promoting awareness on the risks, prevention, and management of diabetes mellitus last August 18, Friday at Starmall Activity Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
DiabetEASE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and head of Center for Weight Intervention and Nutrition Services (WINS) at St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla said that diabetes is a deadly disease which should be properly addressed to alleviate the ballooning of number of people with diabetes.
Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla, Head of Center for Weight Intervention and Nutrition Services (WINS) at St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City and DiabetEASE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief
“In every six seconds, there is one person with diabetes who dies from diabetes somewhere in the world,” said Dr. Fontanilla.
With such an alarming figure, she cited tips and advice on how diabetes and its complications can be prevented.
“Lahat po tayo ay kumain nang tama, mag-ehersisyo, have a healthy lifestyle so that we can prevent the complications and onset of diabetes,” she added.
In recent years, diabetes—a non-communicable disease (NCD) that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively utilize the insulin it produces; thus causing elevation of glucose level in the blood—has shown a rapid growth of prevalence rate globally. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are approximately 415 million adults suffering from diabetes worldwide, and more than 542,000 children live with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Augusto Litonjua, Father of Philippine Endocrinology and President of the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF) Inc., shed light on the causes and risk factors for diabetes. He said that the culprit in diabetes is not the fact we eat but rather, the sugar which is found in fruits and in processed foods.
Dr. Augusto Litonjua, Father of Philippine Endocrinology and President of Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF) Inc.
“Hindi po ‘yong cholesterol ang nagiging sanhi ng pagtaas ng triglyceride, blood pressure, at diabetes. Iyan po nagsisimula sa asukal na ang tawag ay fructose,” added Dr. Litonjua.
Fructose, a type of naturally occurring sugar found in numerous foods such as soft drinks, commercial cereals, dried fruits, among others, is a known cause of insulin resistance which is a precursor to diabetes.
Dr. Litonjua noted that the fat buildup inside a person’s stomach causes complications in the liver which then leads to NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes.
President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) Dr. Pepito dela Peña capped off the event with a lecture on the importance of exercise and maintaining physical fitness for a diabetic person.
President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) Dr. Pepito dela Peña
“Being sedentary, o ‘pag laging nakaupo, stiffens the joints, weakens the muscles, affects the circulatory system by fat accumulation, and the heart loses strength,” said Dr. dela Peña.
According to him, “sitting disease” is one of the most common conditions today that is difficult to tackle as it has become a normal practice for many, that is why he encouraged the public to exercise regularly.
Meanwhile, event partners The Diabetes Store (TDS) and PhilHealth also talked about their respective campaigns in relation to the metabolic disease.
PhilHealth Regional South Anabelle Llanto and diabetes educator and The Diabetes Store representative Patricia Mae Recto
TDS is the country’s first one-stop-shop for diabetes, catering to all needs concerning diabetes. It offers a wide array of products and services that help people with diabetes check and manage their respective conditions.
Patricia Mae Recto, diabetes educator and representative of TDS, discussed about grocery shopping assistance to help guide diabetes patients with proper nutrition diet.
“Pag kakain tayo, dapat balanced. Dapat may rice, protein, vegetables, fruits, fat, and milk,” said Recto.
She also advised to always plan ahead of time and bring a shopping list when going to the grocery store so that a person knows which foods to buy and to avoid.
Thereafter, Head of Marketing of PhilHealth Regional South Anabelle Llanto explained the PhilHealth’s benefit packages that a diabetes patient can apply for and its availing requirements.
“Naka-case rate po ang diabetes depende sa type nito. Usually kapag diabetes, nag-re-range ng PhP 15,000 pataas,” Llanto said.
PhilHealth is the no. 1 health insurance company in the Philippines, implementing universal health coverage for over two decades by helping pay for the medical bills of the sick.
Hataw Na: Hataw Galaw Para sa Kalusugan
As a part of the Sweet Escape’s push for the betterment of living with diabetes, it also brought the second Hataw Na: Hataw Galaw Sayaw Para sa Kalusugan Intercollegiate Urban Dance Competition.
The competition aims to encourage people with diabetes and their families to embrace a healthier and active lifestyle through physical activities such as dancing.
Being physically active makes a person less prone to diabetes and its complications. By encouraging the youth to support the advocacy in such manner, Sweet Escape believes that the fight against diabetes will become stronger over the years to come.
All participating groups were required to incorporate Sweet Escape’s theme of promoting health in their dance routine as a part of the judging criteria. The panel of judges was composed of Ms. Presy Tamayo, Axcess4Life Zumba Instructor; Mr. Arnel Enriquez, Dance Director of Cultural and Tourism Office of Muntinlupa City; and Mr. Hudson Pelayo, Operations manager of FAME Inc.
Among the nine groups that showcased their talents and competed for the Hataw Na grand title, Sibol Dance Crew from ICCT Cainta was named as this year’s Hataw Na grand champion, followed by CEU Street Squad from Centro Escolar University as the 1st runner-up, and AMA Makati Dance Crew from AMA Computer College Makati as the 2nd runner-up.
The event also featured raffle draws for the event participants; a Zumba party led by Axcess4Life Wellness Solutions Inc. members; a ballroom intermission dance presented by The Muntinlupa Yaman ng Kalinangan Dance Company; and a karate demo session headed by the members of the Team Shitokai PKL Philippines who are known as the League of Champions.
The Sweet Escape 2017 is in cooperation with the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF) Inc., and Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM).
The event would also like to thank Starmall Alabang, City Government of Muntinlupa, PhilHealth, Diabetes Store, HealthFirst Clinic, Corbridge, Herbalife Nutrition, Omizu (Beautifying Natural Spring Water), Lightwater and Musli Biscuits under Suncoast Brands, Monea Salon Professional Series, Philippine Karate-do League Inc., Creative Baker, Enchanted Kingdom, Café France, C-Lium Fibre, Cocoline Naturals, and Coco Natura.
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