According to the Department of Health, 25% of Filipino adults, or about 14 million of current adult population, have high blood pressure. It is believed that a large majority of them are not accessing adequate health care, and as people often have no symptoms and unaware of their high blood pressure and associated health risks, many causes often are undiagnosed. Many who are diagnosed often do not have access to treatment, and their conditions not adequately controlled. Heart disease and stroke remains the leading causes of mortality, comprising 35% of total deaths, among Filipinos. Philippine Health Statistics data show that in 2009, about 167,000 Filipinos died from heart disease and stroke. Half of these tragic deaths are likely related to high blood pressure. An analysis done by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) further reveals that 34% of all cardiovascular deaths are happening prematurely or at age below 60 years, ending the life of many Filipinos during their supposedly most productive years. This has implications to labor, productivity, and economic development. We believe that detecting high blood pressure is the first step in preventing and controlling it; when people know their blood pressure level, they can take steps to control it. Thus “Sa Bisyong Totoo” Program was developed ot only to detect cases of hypertension in Barangay San Vicente, but also to provide means to increase the local residents’ awareness and knowledge on the disease.

“Sa Bisyong Totoo” Program was devised to cater the promotion of healthy lifestyle in combating the disease of hypertension and the prevention of disease progression. Instead of residents engaging in vices, we promote that they should employ within their lives good habits such as exercising, eating proper nutritious food, avoiding smoking, and seeking proper health consultations. Hypertension is considered a traitor disease. Nevertheless, this chronic disease can be limited and prevented by modifying factors, and revising routines and familiar personal practices. Modifiable factors include knowledge regarding the disease condition, and the lifestyles of each individual living in the community; such includes habits, vices, and individualistic rituals of daily living. Combating hypertension is not an easy task. It is a challenge that demands discipline, perseverance and determination to avoid the mere detriments that this disease may cause. As an alternative, restraining the unpleasant proliferation of these modifiable factors can considerably reduce the risks of individuals in developing hypertension and consequently reduce its incidence and prevalence rates. It is inevitably eminent that hypertension is one of the most lethal, disastrous and destructive non-communicable diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyles. Repealing these obnoxious lifestyles and habits will be the highlight of this program.