Hypertension Need Not Lead to Strokes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

More than 1.56 billion people worldwide are expected to have hypertension by 2025, making the disease more alarming to healthcare providers. However, most people diagnosed with the condition have no signs nor symptoms of the disease until they reach its life-threatening stages.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every five adults with high blood pressure—a more general term for hypertension—is unaware of his or her disease, making prevention to deadly consequences such as stroke more difficult than ever.

“Hypertensive patients may experience frequent headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs won’t occur until their blood pressure rises to its peak,” said Dr. Amado Nazal, medical director of Pharex HealthCorp. “When left untreated, their high blood pressure may cause them serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.”

About eight out of ten people who had their first stroke are diagnosed with hypertension, which is responsible for worsening the quality of lives of some 14 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“You can have high blood pressure for many years without symptoms surfacing every now and then—what people don’t know is that the disease comes like a thief in the night,” Dr. Nazal said.

He added, “This makes regular monitoring of blood pressure all the more important. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important whether you are already hypertensive or not; the challenge comes recognizing the disease and taking action before it leads to stroke.”

U-Hop to Present Mass Transport Ride-Sharing as Solution to Manila’s Traffic Problem

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) took the helm of EDSA traffic a few weeks ago, the latest in the many attempts of the government to solve Metro Manila's traffic problems.

The HPG is meant to be the iron hand, stricter rules that would hopefully result to discipline.

But as we all know by now, no man can control an unstoppable monster. During rush hour or when rain starts to pour, EDSA turns into a parking lot.

So what's the problem? There are just too many cars on the road.

The HPG itself admits: it's a matter of volume rather than discipline.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the average daily capacity of EDSA is 160,000 vehicles. But as of 2014, that number has more than doubled to 360,417 vehicles daily.

That number is poised to increase as Land Transportation Office (LTO) reported an increase in car registration.

According to a report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in 2012, private vehicles occupied 78% of the road in 2012.

Ballet Philippines’ Sarong Banggi Celebrates Filipino Music And Dance This October 16-18

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Rediscover local musical treasures in a new ballet about the Filipino family. Ballet Philippines’ Sarong Banggi features new works by six exciting Filipino choreographers set to classic folk songs from around the country, arranged and orchestrated by Ryan Cayabyab, the country’s best-loved composer. This show is co-presented by the Province of Albay.

The show features choreography by Carissa Adea, Ronelson Yadao, Cyril Aran Fallar, Paul Alexander Morales, Nonoy Froilan, and Carlo Pacis. Each choreographer brings to the stage his/her unique impression of the Filipino family in a new contemporary ballet with the cast led by Jean Marc Cordero, Earl John Arisola, Rita Angela Winder, and Monica Amanda Gana.

“Sarong Banggi will tug at the audience’s heartstrings with its nostalgic music and earnest look at traditional Filipino values,” says Ballet Philippines Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales”. “It will be interesting to see these choreographers’ different takes on familiar themes; love, loss and reconciliation that cements the Filipino family”

When asked by Morales to create two pieces for the show, Hong Kong-based choreographer Carlo Pacis was thrilled at the chance to come home and work with Ballet Philippines again. “As a Filipino living overseas, I felt that it was my responsibility to give back.” Pacis, former soloist of the Hong Kong Ballet is a two-time awardee for Outstanding Choreography at the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.