Heart-to-heart through the years
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC), I had the honor of being named as one of the 21 recipients of the Platinum Heart Media Awards 2022. The recognition particularly acknowledges the support of the media in elevating the Association’s Heart Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy.
The PHA’s annual media awards took a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so its feels really good seeing everyone face-to-face again in one venue. This award is very meaningful because for many years now, PHA and I have considered each other as strong allies in providing public service to our less fortunate kababayans. Since my earlier days as a reporter covering the health beat, to my anchoring days in ABS-CBN’s Salamat Dok,
DZMM's Healthy Sabado, Teleradyo's Kapamilya Konek, and now, producing and hosting my online show, Pamilya Talk, the PHA has been a very dependable and committed partner in delivering vital health information to the public.
PHA doctors have also generously provided their time and talent to the children of Bantay Bata 163 and our patients in Salamat Dok. They have saved the lives of many indigent patients. And they quietly did so with no fanfare—something I sincerely admire and appreciate.
Even with our personal problems as members of the media, the PHA doctors have been very accommodating and helpful. I remember the time when my dad suffered from stroke when he was with his college classmates in a resort in Bataan. While they were in an ambulance, his friends called me and said a doctor was waiting for them at a hospital in Bataan. When I heard the doctor’s name, Dr. Orly Bugarin, I felt instantly reassured. I know my father was going to be in good hands because I know Dr. Bugarin is one of the best cardiologists in the country. Like other journalists, I have interviewed him several times, especially on his advocacy of teaching everyone how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
On behalf of my co-awardees, I’d also like to thank the PHA for recognizing the efforts of the media. During the awarding, Dr. Gilbert Vilela, immediate past president of the PHA, highlighted the importance of research and data-based reporting — something I and my colleagues at ABS-CBN have consciously strive to provide. Dr. Vilela spoke of the difference between perspective and truth. The latter, he said, is “based on what is measured, from research,” and “cannot stand without the facts.”
PHA past president, Dr. Bugarin, on the other hand, said through the tireless work of the media, news of the PHA’s campaigns and awareness on cardiovascular health was spread throughout the nation. It’s great to know that in the last two years, PHA-PCC garnered a media value of P1.4 billion, the highest in the history of PHA.
Dr. Luigi Segundo, Director III of the PHA and emcee of the evening’s festivities, emphasized the “irreplaceable place of media in the PHA’s existence and in the lives of the people.”
The role of health care professionals has been very critical during this pandemic. Sad to say, it had cost the lives of many great doctors, nurses and medical practitioners. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them because they have remained steadfast in providing utmost medical care to their patients.
Rest assured that I will continue to be your dependable ally in providing public service and a “strong voice as a credible heart health news conveyor” in the years to come.
Congratulations to my fellow awardees:
Individual Category
1. Jasmin Romero, ABS-CBN News
2. Jing Castaneda, ABS-CBN News
3. Leah Salterio, ABS-CBN News Lifestyle, Philippine Star Showbiz & Manila Times
4. Dr. Luisa Ticzon Puyat, DZMM Teleradyo Daily Dos
5. Connie Sison, Pinoy MD, DZBB
6. Annabelle Surara, Radyo Agila
7. Marou Sarne, DWIZ Radyo Klinika/Abante
8. Edd Usman, SciTech & Digital News
9. Mhet Sanding Miñon, SMNI
10. Leony Garcia, Business Mirror
Special Award
11. Niña, Stella, Emily & Luke Corpuz-Rodriguez
Media Entity Category
1. ABS-CBN News/ABS-CBN Corp.
2. DZRH Operation Tulong
3. DZMM Teleradyo
4. MedTalk CNN PH
5. GMA News Online
6. Manila Standard
7. NET 25
8. Ulat Bayan, PTV News
9. Tutok 13 IBC 13
10. The Daily Tribune
--
Watch Pamilya Talk on Facebook, YouTube and Kumu (@JingCastaneda – 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Monday & Wednesday). You can also follow my social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Tiktok, Twitter and Kumu. Please share your stories or suggest topics at editorial@jingcastaneda.ph.
