MANILA, Philippines ? The Louise Lown Heart Hero Award recognizes innovative, preventive approaches to promoting cardiovascular health in developing countries as well as communities where resource is limited, identifying innovators who mobilize people to live healthier lives.

Recently, the award?s organizer, ProCor, informed that the Philippines was among this year?s finalists.

?We are so proud that the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases? 20 Original Songs for the Heart was chosen to be among this year?s eight finalists by this global network that recognizes innovation in cardiovascular prevention,? said FLEHD founder and national president, Doctor Adolfo Bellosillo.

Dr. Bernard Lown, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, inventor of the defibrillator, and founder of ProCor created the award in 2007 to honor his wife?s lifelong commitment to the rights and well-being of others through her work as a social worker, activist, and writer.

Bellosillo was informed that his project was chosen from 20 applications coming from 14 countries that included Rwanda, Indonesia, Israel, Eritrea, Mauritius, Nigeria, Iran, South Africa, India, Nepal, Kenya and the United States.

Recognition

?Even if our entry may not emerge as this year?s recipient of the $2,000 (P97,000) award, the mere fact that it was included among the finalists is already enough recognition about the project?s universal appeal,? Bellosillo said.

With most of the lyrics written by Bellosillo, FLEHD?s 20 Original Songs for the Heart were composed by classical pianist and tenor Jeremiah Calisang.

?During my travels I often find myself doing several lines, most of them part of my lectures regarding heart diseases and how to prevent them. Knowing how much Filipinos love music, I decided in 2004 to tap Calisang so he could put melodies to these writings. My idea then was to have a unique, and hopefully, more effective way of bringing my message across my audience,? Bellosillo recalled.

Used initially during FLEHD conferences and events, the 20 Original Songs for the Heart were later used in concert (How to Remain Young at Heart: The Concert) as well as musical (How to Remain Young at Heart: The Musical) performance that FLEHD organized.

The musical, for example, 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).

?I was particularly proud of these two very successful FLEHD initiatives because I was able to impart my knowledge in a different way?through music that my Filipino audience easily relate to and appreciate,? Bellosillo explained.

Support

What Bellosillo was more proud of was the fact that he was able to organize these concerts and musicals without spending too much since the doctor was able to get the support of various philanthropic individuals that included FLEHD chair Jose Concepcion, and board members Imelda Cojuanco, Nellie Bengzon, Dr. Alberto Romulo, Johnny Litton, Zenaida Rustia Tantoco, Dr. Norbert Lingling Uy and Inquirer Chair Marixi Rufino Prieto.

?From day one, these groups and individuals have been very supportive of FLEHD?s initiatives because they understood the enormity of the problem that cardiovascular disease presents to society and the great potential for management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease through preventive medicine,? Bellosillo said.

Leading cause

He added that cardiovascular disease?that included arteriosclerosis, heart attack and coronary artery disease?is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is responsible for more than a quarter of deaths in the developing countries.

?In the 21st century these diseases will continue to dominate the disease spectrum and death statistics in developing worlds that included the Philippines. While getting this information across all segments of the population may be a challenge, there is always a way to accomplish this task,? Bellosillo said.