My good friend and media colleague Lourdes Fabian, former editor of the defunct Moviestar Magazine, is a heart patient survivor at the Philippine Heart Center. On January 4 this year, she experienced what she thought was a mild stroke which eventually led to thrombectomy, an emergency procedure to remove blood clots in the brain to help blood to flow normally in her body. We, her friends, didn’t know what exactly happened to her. Maybe she suffered an acute stroke, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure -- or maybe all together – because any of these could cause blood clots in the brain. But the good thing is she was operated on immediately and had a new lease in life. Three weeks after the procedure, we were relieved to see her responding positively. Though very weak, she could talk normally and she recognized us. One month and 10 days after, on February 14, we visited Lourdes at home, and we're more than happy to see her fast recovery progress. She can now walk unaided, th...

PJ Francisco, father of 12-year old son, Coco, led the launch of the advocacy campaign.  By Leony Garcia | Ahead of the Christmas season - - of fun gatherings and bingeing - - advocates for children's health recently launched a life-saving advocacy called Champions of Children’s Optimal (COCO) Heart Health. Founded by PJ and Ramelyn Francisco whose 12-year old son, Coco, suddenly succumbed to heart disease, the initiative is aimed at promoting preventive cardiovascular care and improving heart health awareness among pediatric populations to help create an uninterrupted, brilliant future for them. Ramelyn shared a touching message with the hope that, “Today, we start with a whisper which we believe will swell into a big, resounding voice that stands up for future generations”. Dr. Alberto Atilano, the Director of the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases, in his discussion during the event, tackled the value of primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease. According to h...