BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Dr. Joel Abanilla, a cardiologist from Arevalo, Iloilo City, has been elected the 63rd president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA).
The turnover ceremony was held on May 30 at Edsa Shangri-La Manila in Mandaluyong City.
Certified in Adult Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Abanilla, 60, is scheduled to officially take over as PHA president on July 1.
He served as vice president last year.
Other elected officers of the PHA Board were Dr. Alex Junia, vice president; Dr. Raul Lapitan, secretary; and Dr. Jorge Sison, treasurer.
Elected directors were Dr. Helen Ong-Garcia, Dr. Aurelia Leus and Dr. Nannette Rey.
Abanilla completed his pre-medical studies at the University of the Philippines Visayas. He studied Medicine at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
Among his priority PHA programs, the Ilonggo doctor said, include research, training programs in cardiology, membership activation and forging international collaborations.
He will also push for policy strengthening to help improve the country’s public health and the creation of a “Heart House.”
Abanilla told Panay News he supports the fight against cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of mortality in the Philippines.
Enhancing the many advocacies of PHA like health awareness and education, and working with other medical societies for legislation of health policies will reduce death rate from cardiovascular diseases, said Abanilla.
He said he will start the “52100” campaign that focuses on Filipino young children, and work with other government agencies to intensify initiatives for healthy lifestyle.
The 52100 stands for:
- five servings of fruits and vegetables per day
- two hours only screen exposure to television, computers, iPads and the like per day
- one hour exercise per day
- zero soda or sweetened drinks, and
- zero cigarettes.
Moreover, the PHA president said he is supporting the proposal to place graphic health warnings on tobacco products.
Smoking causes cardiovascular diseases.
Abanilla believes the proposal will “make many people realize the hazards of smoking.”
“Graphics help in the psyche war against this smoking evil,” he said./PN
