CSMC partners with OCTA and Go Negosyo for webicon on PH’s COVID-19 exit strategy

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), together with the OCTA Research Group and GO
Negosyo, recently facilitated a relevant and pressing discussion on the country’s progress
through the COVID-19 pandemic in its latest webicon entitled “COVID-19: From Pandemic to
Endemic". The webicon was held via Zoom and Facebook Livestream last July 28, Thursday.

Present as speakers were OCTA Research fellows Prof. Ranjit Singh Rye and Dr. Guido David, GO Negosyo Founder Mr. Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion, National Task Force Against COVID-19 Special Adviser Dr. Teodoro “Teddy” Herbosa, Health Reform Advocate Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon, and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante. CSMC’s very own Dr. Paul Salandanan joined in as a reactor, and the event was facilitated by CSMC’s Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Ms. Lucky Diaz-Tiozon.

The webicon opened with a discussion from Rye and Concepcion, taking points from the recent
State of the Nation Address (SONA) given by Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Rye and
Concepcion talked about what strategies will help the country move forward from an economic standpoint, and how clear, effective, and relevant policies can mitigate COVID-19 and sustain
economic recovery.

David presented a scientific, research-based analysis on recent COVID-19 trends, comparing the Philippines’ current COVID-related statistics to numbers during previous surges. Solante, on the other hand, provided a look into the various strains of the virus, what differentiates them from each other, and the on-ground experiences of clinicians in handling it.

Herbosa touched on the challenges faced by various sectors because of the pandemic, and gave his recommendations on potential exit strategies that can be explored in order to better prepare for potential threats in the future. Leachon followed this up by tackling what measures ought to be observed in order to move forward from the pandemic, while Salandanan offered his own insights as CSMC’s resident Infectious Disease Specialist.

The webicon was concluded through an open forum session with all the panelists and speakers, where they stamped out any misconceptions regarding vaccines and COVID-19 testing, and stressed the importance of working together in safeguarding the health and well-being of the
Filipino people.

“What is important is capacity building,” said Herbosa. “We need to build up our capacity in terms of policy formulations in vaccines, emergencies and pandemics.”

“As we move from pandemic to endemic, one of the key elements of any national exit strategy [is to] really ensure access to quality testing,” added Rye. “Apart from expanding treatment facilities [and making them accessible], we really need to deal with testing. The state has to [find ways to] provide quality antigen testing and [improve the] reporting of these results.”

“Getting the first and second booster will protect our healthcare utilization because we are [preventing] people [from] developing the more severe form of COVID, especially if [they] have comorbidities,” said 

Solante.

“The way forward is really informing our public more so that [they] can make better decisions. It is important for us to come up with a holistic and comprehensive plan for everything, whether it is expanded testing and treatment, information campaigns, [or] even just sustaining our booster and vaccine programs,” stressed Rye. “We need to come up with a comprehensive national COVID strategy. That is the challenge for this new administration.”

For more information about the programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit
https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at
www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.

 

Naval Air Wing - Philippine Fleet Gets an LG UltraGear Upgrade

 

Global tech innovator LG recently donated top-of-the-line UltraGear monitors worth over PhP 600,000 to the Philippine Navy to help modernize its display solutions. Thirty LG UltraGear 32GN500 monitor units were given to the Naval Air Wing of the Philippine Fleet, which will be used in their flight simulation rooms to display lectures, flight deck videos, flight monitoring for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance, Airborne ISR and Humanitarian and Disaster Response missions, and so on.

In a recent aviation-themed event, the South Korean tech company introduced its newest line of monitors to the Philippine market. This includes the massive 48'' UltraGear UHD OLED and the 32” UltraGear UHD 4K, the versatile LG Dual Up 28MQ780-B with Ergo stand, and others. One of the monitors featured was the LG UltraGear 32GN500, which was used together with a flight simulation rig. The monitor donation to the Philippine Navy was announced during the event.

LG Managing Director Sungjae Kim was elated with the new partnership, saying “It is a great opportunity for us to partner with the Naval Air Wing of the Philippine Fleet. We wholeheartedly support those in service of the country. We hope our small donation goes a long way in providing real-world applications for their training”.

Cutting Edge Therapy: Buela Physical Therapy Clinic Opens Another Branch

Buela, one of the most advanced physical therapy clinics in the country, has opened another
branch in the Metro East Area at the Garden Walk Mall in Cainta, Rizal. Buela boasts of cutting
edge technology in their clinics using the latest machines in physiotherapy. Coupled with well-
trained physiotherapists and in-house medical doctors, Buela offers a complete and holistic
approach to physical therapy.

There is a notion that physical therapy is only for post-stroke patients or those recovering from
accidents, but physical therapy can benefit everyone. This is pain management that aims to fix
the root of the problem, dealing with every muscle, sinew, nerve, and bone that causes the
major or minor aches that plague daily life, such as back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome,
scoliosis, to name just a few. Some patients think this is something you have to live with, but
relief is possible with physiotherapy. Athletes of all levels can also look to Buela to boost their
performance and be more resilient to injuries and to treat muscles that are overused in relation
to their sport.

 

Gerald Buela, CEO of Buela Physical Therapy Clinic and a licensed physiotherapist himself, has
a personal mission to raise the level of the profession. “That's my advocacy, to elevate and
push the boundaries of what this practice can achieve through technology and physiotherapy.”
Buela is elevating the PT (Physical Therapy) industry, by bringing in top of the line machines
from abroad. “It's the latest technology so the Philippines doesn’t fall far behind,” he says. ”Most
of the Physical Therapy clinics in the Philippines are quite traditional. I want to transform the
industry into one of the most advanced in the region.”

All the machines at the Buela clinics are the latest models. The clinic touts an advanced
approach using these machines that aid in various therapies: Myofascial Dry Needling,
Microcurrent/Macrocurrent Therapy, Deep Radiofrequency Heat Therapy, Vibration Therapy,
Manual Therapy (joint mobilization and spinal manipulation), Postural Correction Program, High-
Intensity Laser Therapy, Focused Shockwave, Traction Therapy, Tecartherapy. Patients
undergo a thorough screening and medical assessment by doctors and therapists to determine
which treatment is most beneficial for their areas of concern.

There is a misconception that physical therapists are similar to massage therapists, but physical
therapists or physiotherapists are licensed medical professionals whose field of study takes five
years. While massage deals with the muscles, physical therapy can go deeper dealing with
muscles, bones, and nerves, affecting the totality of the body. “Our promise is to fix your
problems one posture at a time,” explains Buela. When you don’t fix the posture, the muscles
aren’t activated properly, the pain and discomfort will return. The machines also target tissue at
a deeper level that a simple massage cannot reach. “Massages are good for relaxation, but you
need physical therapy for pain and discomfort.”

Cost is also something that precludes people from getting the physical therapy that they need,
often choosing to pop a pill for the pain. But that solution is temporary, especially for those with
chronic pain. People don’t often realize that their health card coverage includes physical
therapy, and a visit to the Buela clinic can bring them more lasting relief.

Buela’s sleek and industrial chic interiors of blue gray, wood and steel is aimed at trying to do
away with the cold and antiseptic feel of physical rehabilitation clinics, treating it more like going
to a spa, gym or an aesthetician, while still getting the level of treatment you would get at the
most advanced physical rehabilitation center. “Some of our patients don't do well in hospital
settings. Their progress is very minimal, and they don't find the level of pain relief they desire,”
explains Buela. Hospitals also don't do certain treatments, like dry needling, a practice whose
roots trace back to acupuncture but have now combined with Western research.

Buela has not only invested in machines, he also invested in people. The Buela clinic makes it a
special point to design the staff area of the physical therapists to be as nice as the rest of the
clinic. This does a lot for staff morale, as the staff room is usually the most neglected part of any
establishment. Buela, who worked as a physiotherapist himself, knows the ins and outs of the
industry and champions that therapists be treated as professionals. It’s only logical that happier
staff can give better service. “I pay them a premium, twice as much as the average. I want
physiotherapists to feel ownership of the space and to be comfortably working in that space.
Compared to other clinics, we pay them double. I really value our people.”

During the pandemic a lot of lifestyles have become sedentary. The work from home setup,
which continues even through a hybrid setup, has resulted in a lot less time for moving and
socializing, often just remaining at your desk for the whole day. This has resulted in a lot of
posture problems that result in or compound all manner of bodily aches and pains. “What we
want to give to them is freedom from pain,” declares Buela. ”That way you can work more
efficiently, have better relationships, and live your best life.”

Buela Physical Therapy Clinic is located at Unit 2R, The Garden Walk, 105 Felix Avenue,
Cainta, Rizal.

Alabang Branch: Unit 2504 Entrata Urban Complex, Civic Drive, Filinvest, Alabang, Muntinlupa
City

LG Takes Flight With Its New Line of Monitors

LG Philippines unveiled its new lineup of monitors and showcased its newest, powerful and most technologically advanced monitors yet, in a Top Gun-themed event hosted by Andrei “Dreister” Felix. 

According to Sungjae “Airboss” Kim, managing director for LG Philippines, the company remains committed to innovating and enhancing its monitor line-up to adapt to the needs of its consumers. He added, “We’ve made great strides to elevate the user-experience of our monitors–from adapting to flexible workstations and upgrading our systems with new generation gaming standards.”

Meanwhile, the country’s most influential gamers, creatives and content creators attest to the power, image quality and versatility of LG’s latest monitor line-up. 

Actor, TV host and #FitGamer, Eric “Eruption” Tai enjoyed the immersive race car gaming set-up during the event featuring the 32GQ950 OLED Monitor. He said, “The contrast is just amazing with the bright whites and the deep, dark blacks. It provides a truly immersive experience whether you’re gaming for hours on end or just relaxing and bingeing on series and movies. And, it’s also equipped with HDMI 2.1”. Eric was joined on stage by Jane Pactoranan - business development manager and she further explained that the LG UltraGear 32GQ950 boasts a 4K resolution on a 32-inch Nano IPS display alongside a rapid 144Hz refresh rate (O/C 160Hz) and swift 1ms (GtG) response time. It also has a VESA certified DisplayHDR 1,000 which means this display should offer a dynamic contrast with brighter whites and deeper blacks and up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness

     

Just the same, “PBA Ironman” LA Tenorio was impressed with LG’s marquee monitor, the 48GQ900 OLED, due to its size and impressive image quality. Equipped with the award-winning OLED technology with self-lit pixels, the 48GQ900 OLED monitor boasts of its immersive display and quick response time, ensuring its compatibility with next-gen consoles. The self-lit pixels also help keep response time incredibly fast according to Janille Umali, B2B marketing communications officer. The massive display of the monitor is designed to provide a better viewing experience like no other. It has anti-glare and low reflection technology built-in, ensuring that there are no distractions and you only focus on your game. This, of course, also helps reduce eye strain when used for long periods of time. Just like LA himself as one of the country’s formidable basketball pointguard, this monitor is as fast as they come. It has a 0.1 ms response time and 120hz speed. It can even be overclocked to 138Hz if you really want to push the envelope. This high speed reduces ghosting in games and helps objects render clearly and makes everything smooth and fluid. It has an ultra slim design that you can wall mount, or display in your living room, game room, or anywhere else. It also comes with its own remote control. When it comes to sound, this is no slouch either. It comes with two 20w speakers built-in. LA can chat with his teammates and gaming friends with 4-pole headphone outs and you can even be more immersive with the use of virtual 3D surround sound with DTS:Headphone X.

Music and lifestyle photographer “Magic” Liwanag, couldn’t help but agree with the product’s versatility, claiming that the LG Dual Up 28MQ780-B is a godsend for creatives like him. “The 16:18 aspect ratio and the freedom to swivel [the monitor] allows me to multitask in a completely different way,” he adds. Greg de Jesus, marketing communications officer for home entertainment expounded that the LG’s Ergo line is designed for these kind of users with this in mind as they get to work the way they want to. You can adjust the monitor by moving it forward or backwards, swiveling, rotating, tilting and more. Configure the setup any way you want to increase your productivity and immerse yourself in your work. It also offers DCI-P3 98%**—an elevated color spectrum that brings brilliant color to life and doesn’t hurt your eyes because of the ambient light sensor.

Millions of Small Businesses Get Free Online Store from SME Superapp Enstack

SME superapp Enstack is offering a new sales channel to its merchants in a bid to expand their customer reach online. All verified superapp merchants will have a free, ready-to-use Web Store with integrated payment options including COD and shipping.

This rounds off Enstack’s sales channels as merchants can now sell online via Web Store and Chat Store and offline via its Cashier miniapp. Merchants have the ability to fulfill orders on the superapp’s “All Orders" page while inventory is synced real time.

According to DTI, only 34% of SMEs in the Philippines are online due to lack of knowledge and high costs. One of these SMEs, Wok’s Tapsihan, found setting up an online shop complex and commission fees too costly. Owner Abigail Gondra explored different options, but it was Enstack’s free, no-code Web Store that made it possible to open an online storefront, increase sales, and improve operations. “Opening an online store and reaching more customers used to be just a dream. Now, by just uploading our inventory onto Enstack, we can venture into ecommerce for the first time and are very happy to see new sukis enjoy our tapsilog,” shares Gondra.

Since launching in February, Enstack has helped tens of thousands of underserved MSMEs through its free, easy-to-use superapp that brings together all the tools they need to run their business from their mobile phone. By transforming offline tasks such as managing orders, invoicing, shipping packages, and tracking businesses’ performance, SMEs can keep up with today’s highly digital business landscape.

“At Enstack, finding the right digital tools can be difficult for any business. Frequent and regular dialogues with our SME community allow us to add and improve features to our simple but powerful app that helps solve unique problems faced by small businesses. Our no-code, ready-to-use Web Store fits very well with our overall mission of serving our merchants so they can become fully digital and see their businesses take off,” Macy Castillo, Managing Director of Enstack.

Enstack's free Web Store does not require any coding skills and integrates all Enstack tools and services such as payments and logistics, reducing barriers MSMEs face when starting an ecommerce business. As soon as merchants upload inventory data, their Web Stores are generated and they can share their personalized URL to customers or social media pages to drive traffic and conversion. Merchants can also turn on “Vacation Mode” if they choose to go offline to optimize or take a break. Enstack is available to download free from Google Play and the App Store.

Cardinal Santos partners with ADEX, launches new global career development program for nurses

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) recently signed into a partnership with US-based employment agency ADEX Medical Staffing (ADEX), and launched its latest nursing career development program entitled “Step Up: The Road to Becoming a Globally Competitive Filipino Nurse”, last April 29 via ZOOM and Facebook Livestreaming.

The event was moderated by CSMC’s Director for Nursing, Leona Paula Macalintal. Present as speakers were CSMC’s President and CEO Raul Pagdanganan, Head of Human Resources Maria Louzel Diaz-Tiozon, and ADEX Chairman and CEO Peter Leibowitz. Joining the event were the other members of the Senior Management Committee: CSMC’s Chief Medical Officer
Zenaida Javier-Uy, Chief Financial Officer Marivic Mabuti, Head of Business Planning and Development Dr Shirard Adiviso, Head of Information Technology Cecile Marie Escano, Head of Ancillary Services Dr Monserrat Velasquez, and Head of Facilities Management and Safety Engr Deidre Malapitan. ADEX’s COO Tina Loh was also in attendance.

The “Step Up” Nursing Career Development Program was crafted in line with CSMC’s mission of providing world-class medical training to the medical practitioners within and outside the institution. As Diaz-Tiozon said, “It is our responsibility as a hospital to be better at developing and growing the careers of our nurses. We should be on our toes to make sure that we support their career aspirations, milestones and life stages.” The program’s goal is to support Filipino nurses by opening opportunities to become globally competitive, while ensuring safe, secure, and quality career placements through ADEX’s assistance.

“We are truly elated about having this [partnership] take flight, and we are sincerely looking forward to working with [ADEX] for so many years,” said Pagdanganan. “As our Filipino nurses step up to gain new and specialty training that will prepare them to integrate with ease into the mainstream healthcare industry in the US, [we hope they] grow a successful career as a global Filipino nurse.”

“The ADEX and CSMC partnership represents a new phase in the ongoing evolution of global nursing and patient care through migration,” said Leibowitz. “In the United States, it’s a well- known fact that Filipino nurses are the best. The emissaries that are coming to the States in the healthcare environment are truly giving not only CSMC, but the entire nation of the Philippines, a wonderful reputation. My vision is one day, we hope our clients see ADEX nurses and CSMC nurses as one global network with all of these attributes.”

CSMC also invited Jay Christopher Perez, a former CSMC nurse who migrated to the United States with the help of ADEX, to share his experience with both organizations, and how they helped him elevate his global career as a medical professional.

“Before becoming a Caring Cardinal Nurse, I worked in a secondary hospital in our province. I [made the decision] to work abroad back then, but I realized I needed sufficient experience before I embark upon my journey,” said Perez. “CSMC helped me further hone my nursing knowledge and skills. After a year of experience, I submitted my resume to ADEX. Like CSMC, ADEX has given me not only a career path [in nursing], but also the opportunity to be an immigrant in the United States.”

The event was concluded with an open forum, where questions were directed towards the executives present. Requirements, the application process, and other technical details were discussed during this portion of the session, and the controversial topic of ‘brain drain’ was also addressed.

“I think the world, in many regards, is coming together as one,” said Leibowitz. “The reputation enhancement of the Philippine medical industry is dramatic, and medical tourism is slated to grow by leaps and bounds. People will look to other places for medical care more and more
and where best to [look] than the Philippines?”

“I see this as a good opportunity to share our talent and Filipino compassion globally,” supplied Adiviso. “This is also an opportunity for our healthcare system to innovate more, not only for local but also for international requirements. As we have experienced during this pandemic, there is still a lot we need to do. I see it as a long overdue goal to strengthen our healthcare system, and to create more innovation in both the academe and in practice.”

“We want our nurses to be a part of a certain career planning,” added Pagdanganan. “The good thing about this particular, above-board program, is that right from the very start, we already sort out those nurses who may really want to go abroad, and those nurses who would prefer continuing their career here in the country. For those people going abroad, that means we will train them. At the same token, if we will be able to identify the nurses who will stay, we have continuous programs where we are also honing up their skills to be able to improve their career in the country.”

“It is for this reason that we look at this partnership indeed, as an option - a realistic andpragmatic option of career planning,” he concluded.

For more information about CSMC’s “Step Up” Nursing Career Development Program, you may reach them at 8727 0001 local 3402 or at 0956 970 5891. To get updates, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CSMCCareers. For other programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/.

CSMC advocates for self-care and managing burnout in latest webicon

 

Cardinal Santos Medical Center () returns with a new addition to their webicon series, this time in the hopes to educate Filipinos on the importance of self-care and how they can fight the effects of burnout. The webicon, aptly titled “BEAT IT: A Webicon on the Different Self-Care Strategies to Combat Burnout”, was held on April 26 via ZOOM and Facebook livestreaming.

CSMC invited Ma. Araceli Balajadia-Alcala, a clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience,to discuss the physical, behavioral, and emotional barriers that lead to burnout, as well as what can be done to address and prevent it. While CSMC’s very own Dr. Maria Naval Rivas, Head of the Mental Health and Wellness Center, served as the moderator of the session.

Balajadia-Alcala spoke about what burnout was, how it has affected many individuals but most especially those who are working in the medical field as frontliners during the pandemic, and what can be done to prevent or treat it.

She cited the World Health Organization’s definition of burnout, which is that it is the result of stress that has not been properly managed or addressed, and noted that the hallmark symptoms of burnout include loss of interest in work and in things one used to enjoy in their personal life. One can also feel physically drained, or they may notice that they have become very sickly, or have developed erratic sleeping patterns.

“Our body’s symptoms and our emotions are very good signals when something is not going right, [and can] usually give us a clue as to what is going on,” she said. “It’s not surprising that this is happening. Our bodies may be reacting negatively to the increased workload or
responsibilities, so the symptoms we may be seeing [are a] result of that.”

Balajadia-Alcala recommended planning and taking time to pause as one of the best remedies for burnout. “A pause is not a full stop, nor is it an afterthought,” she stated. “There is an intentionality to it. Pauses are not just minor players in our daily lives. They are, and should be intentionally placed there, as integral as the work that we do.”

Present also as speakers were Mikaela Joie Pascual, an HR specialist from CSMC’s HR Division, and Ave Kay Balubar, CSMC’s Assistant Manager for Medical Affairs. Pascual talked about the hospital’s psychosocial support programs for their employees to help prevent or manage burnout, while Balubar shared her experience with burnout, and how CSMC’s program helped her deal with her mental health struggles.

“For us to create a safe and comfortable environment for our employees and medical trainees, we needed to build a culture where everyone was accountable for their own health and safety,” Pascual said. “With the help of one of our psychiatrists, Dr. Lourdes Ignacio, we crafted a psychosocial well-being framework, which has served as our anchor in creating holistic programs for our people.”

Balubar, on the other hand, narrated, “I mustered the courage and registered for the hospital’s psychosocial wellness program [after] realizing and admitting to myself I needed help [for my burnout]. What was remarkable with that long session with Dr. Ignacio was how it made me feel unloaded. It made a big difference on how I handled my stresses and my anxieties.”

The webicon was concluded through a Q&A session with all the panelists, where they debunked several misconceptions regarding burnout, and stressed the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions, normalize that it is okay to not be okay, and learn how to pause, or listen and empathize if someone you know is undergoing burnout.

“My advice is, you really need to [know] your own standard,” Rivas said. “You know how you work, and you know your boundaries. Not saying yes to something that is beyond our boundaries is not an inadequacy. There should be a point where you can say ‘no’.”

As the hospital’s healthcare workers carry on with their mission of healing and saving lives, Cardinal Santos Medical Center pledged the continuity and improvement of their employee psychosocial support programs.

For more information about CSMC’s Mental Health and Wellness Center, as well as other programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.