CELEBS and personalities who attended the recent musical event titled “How to Remain Young at Heart: The Musical” were treated to a unique performance.

A grand presentation was expected because it was held at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue and the performers included noted mezzo soprano Jai Sabas Aracama, tenor Jeremia Calisang, baritone Keith Segura, tenor Ervin Lumauag with the dance numbers provided by the Philippine Ballet Theater (choreographed by Ronilo Jaynario).

Probably thinking that they were going to be treated to an ordinary musical, little did the audience know that the songs they were listening to were actually medical lectures, masterfully disguised in catchy melodies.

For example, in the song “This Thing Called Angina” a line goes: Angina pectoris, you see/ this term used in coronary/ described very well the discomfort/ that comes on and off with effort.

Ingeniously concealed

“It was ingeniously integrated so that while the audience were enjoying the production, they were also learning a thing or two about heart disease,” explained Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo who directed as well as provided the lyrics and libretto of the musical.

Bellosillo, who is president of the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases, is the brainchild of this production.

“It all started as simple compositions done while traveling. These were actually part of my lectures regarding heart diseases and how to prevent them. With the help of noted composer and arranger Calisang, my works were put into music. It’s fascinating because I was able to impart my knowledge in a different way,” Bellosillo explained.

“Despite major advances made in the treatment and prevention of heart disease over the past few decades, it’s still the leading cause of death worldwide. Interestingly, my years of studies and experience taught me one thing: Prevention is better than cure,” Bellosillo said.

He added that heart attacks and strokes usually happen as a result of a disease called atherosclerosis, which is a condition that results in the hardening and buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in the walls of the main arteries.

These plaques will eventually cause blockages that prevent the flow of blood through the vessels that may lead to heart attack, stroke or even death.

One of the reasons some people may shrug off the possibility of developing this condition is that it’s a gradual, lifelong process that people can’t see or feel.

Educating

“The situation is aggravated because we are not doing a good job at educating the public. While institutions, agencies, organizations (both governmental and private) as well as civic organizations may very well have education of the public as one of their sworn functions, they often wither for logistical reason, time constraint, inadequate number of personnel trained in the art of communications, priorities, etc.,” Bellosillo lamented.

It was for this reason that the FLEHD was established.

“Since its birth in 1999, the foundation was able to accomplish close to 300 projects around the country. Most of these are geared toward education,” Bellosillo said.

He added that the idea of heart disease prevention can only be realized when people are informed about how they can protect themselves.

“Although you lack the power to change some risk factors such as family history, age and race, there are, however, some key prevention steps you can take to avoid heart disease—don’t smoke, get regular exercise and eat healthy foods. In fact, all of these things are tackled in the musical,” Bellosillo said.

He reminded that heart disease is often avoidable.