Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) urges people to keep healthy meals amid the holiday binge.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the agency hopes fewer cases of non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as stroke, heart attack, and bronchial asthma will be recorded in the yuletide celebrations and welcoming 2026.
“Iwasan ang maalat, matataba, mamantika, matatamis,” Herbosa said in a news briefing on Monday, Dec. 22.
[Translation: Avoid salt, fat, oil, and sweets.]
“Pag pinagsabihan ng cardiologist na bawal ang lechon, ‘wag ka na magsabi na ‘once a year lang naman.’ Famous last words ‘yon. Kung bawal sa ‘yo, bawal sa ‘yo,” he said.
[Translation: If your cardiologist tells you not to eat roasted pork, don’t even mention that “it’s only once a year.” Those are the famous last words. If it’s prohibited for you, it’s prohibited.]
In the festivities last year into the new year, the DOH listed 437 cases of NCDs in eight sentinel or monitoring sites, including seven deaths.
Herbosa noted that the youngest stroke victim was 29 years old.
Experts from the Philippine Heart Center also said hospitals may record cases of “holiday heart syndrome.”
Avelino Aventura Jr., PHC executive director, said the syndrome is caused by binge alcohol drinking, resulting in an irregular heartbeat.
He said it is important to check the blood pressure and heart rate, especially if the person is encountering dizziness, difficulty in breathing, and chest pain.
“Kailangan medyo cognizant na kailangan na pumunta ng ER (emergency room) kapag hindi nag-i-improve [ang kondisyon] with just resting,” Ventura said.
[Translation: They should be cognizant of going to the ER if the condition is not improving with just resting.]
Philipp Ines, a PHC physician, said patients with an existing illness may have a buildup of fluids in the lungs or pulmonary congestion, making it hard to breathe.
“Even for patients who don’t have preexisting cardiac problems, that (holiday heart syndrome) can also be detrimental to the patient,” Ines said.
Milagros Elisa Federizo from the National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region said fruits and vegetables should be added to the holiday meals, noting the importance of variety and moderation in consumption.
Herbosa said “code white” has been raised until Jan. 6, with DOH hospitals ready for emergency cases, such as stroke and heart attack.
Aside from NCDs, the DOH will also monitor fireworks-related and road crash injuries.
