GPCCI RTD Highlights Urgency for Integrated Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Care in the PH

GPCCI RTD Highlights Urgency for Integrated Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Care in the PH

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), in partnership with the German Embassy Manila and Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, convened a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion to address the pressing issue of cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) health and explore strategies for more integrated and patient-centered care.

The roundtable brought together leaders and experts from medical associations, patient advocacy groups, academic institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry. Discussions focused on aligning efforts across sectors and government agencies to respond to the growing incidence of interconnected cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic conditions.

“Addressing CRM conditions is not only about clinical treatment. It is about equity, education, and empathy,” said Dr. Cherry Sevilla-Arenas, from the Philippine Heart Center on her keynote address. “Despite growing awareness, many patients continue to fall through the cracks due to uneven access and fragmented systems of care. If we want to move toward meaningful health outcomes, we must align our efforts—across government, industry, and communities—to prevent care fragmentation and ensure no Filipino is left behind.”

From the patient perspective, Mr. Ralph Degollacion of Healthy Philippines Alliance described the real-world implications of managing CRM conditions, including the emotional, social, and financial burdens that patients and families endure. He emphasized the persistent stigma and exclusion faced by many, rooted largely in the lack of universal access to high-quality, accessible health services, including early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Rodney Jimenez of the Philippine Heart Association advocated for the institutionalization of interdisciplinary training through elective rotations and certification options in CRM care. He pushed for unified workflows, shared care plans, and integrated support roles as essential components in delivering consistent and effective patient care. He further advocated, along with other medical associations, for the establishment of disease registries and implementation of universal healthcare.

Offering the perspective of the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Greta Cortez of Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines reflected on the evolution from fragmented disease awareness toward a more systemic understanding of CRM interconnectedness. She highlighted initiatives such as It Starts with U: Get CheCKD which aimed to provide health screening and disease awareness for chronic kidney disease and related CRM conditions.

According to a representative from the public health sector, strengthening the country’s healthcare system is imperative to effectively respond to the rising incidence of chronic illnesses and to increase resilience in the face of future public health challenges. They emphasized the need for culturally appropriate, high-quality care across all levels, as well as the continued provision of free consultations and medicines for common non-communicable conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.

During the open forum, participants from across sectors raised key concerns and potential solutions to improving CRM care. Discussions touched on the importance of early intervention, unified data systems, community-level engagement, and integrated care models. Experts also emphasized the need for greater public awareness, improved workplace wellness, and continued collaboration between public and private stakeholders. The roundtable served as a platform to identify challenges while also reaffirming a collective commitment to systemic, long-term improvements.

“This roundtable served not only as a space for exchange but as a launching point for more unified action and healthcare delivery reforms for CRM.” says GPCCI President Ms. Marie Antoniette E. Mariano, reflecting from the conclusion of the event “Our goal is to help create bridges between patients, practitioners, business community, and policymakers, and we will continue to support efforts that bring impact to Filipino communities.”

In his closing message, Dr. David Klebs, Economic Counsellor of the German Embassy Manila, affirmed Germany’s support for CRM awareness and the importance of cross-sector partnerships. He emphasized the value of long-term collaboration to strengthen public health education, policy implementation, and holistic care.

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Shinagawa Diagnostic and Preventive Care Center soon to open in BGC this April

Shinagawa Diagnostic and Preventive Care Center soon to open in BGC this April

Friday, March 24, 2023

 

Shinagawa partners with Fujifilm Philippines Inc. to advance preventive care in the Philippines

Early detection of diseases can aid in saving lives, giving patients more time to seek effective treatments that help lessen and possibly cure their symptoms. Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center takes this a step further and encourages preventive healthcare by offering more thorough and advanced examinations with the support of Fujifilm Philippines Inc.

Committed to upholding high standard medical services, Shinagawa announces its partnership with Fujifilm Philippines Inc, an expert in prevention and diagnostics technology, in a signing ceremony today at Shangri-La The Fort. Through the collaboration, Shinagawa’s Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center acquires Fujifilm’s endoscopy equipment to conduct advanced testing for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This helps identify emerging diseases, such as stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, lung problems, and possibly tumors. The technology eases the detection process as it can spot even the smallest abnormality using endoscopes that place minimal stress on the patient. 

“It is of utmost importance to conduct detailed examinations regularly to find diseases at an early stage, leading to preventive care. In particular, Fujifilm's endoscopy equipment enables early detection of diseases that could not be found in advance by general medical checkups in the Philippines, and we believe this will lead to preventive medicine,” said Masako Uemori, President of Shinagawa LASIK and Aesthetics, Philippines.

Fujifilm Philippines Inc guarantees the prime condition and maintenance of equipment to ensure that all examinations produce in-depth results for more accurate diagnosis. The diagnostics technology company will also be conducting a series of training sessions for Shinagawa doctors and staff to fully regulate the use of the machines, assuring safe and accurate examinations. Through the synergy of Shinagawa’s Japanese-standard medical services and Fujifilm’s innovative healthcare equipment, improved quality of life, diagnosis, and prevention are now made more accessible.

The Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care will have its grand opening this April. Those who are interested in the center may check out Shinagawa’s official Facebook page @ShinagawaDiagnostic or the official website at www.shinagawa-healthcare.ph to book an appointment. Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center is located at Ore Central Tower, BGC.

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How to Count Macros: Calculating the Best Macronutrient Ratio for Your Goal

How to Count Macros: Calculating the Best Macronutrient Ratio for Your Goal

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

 

Recently, there has been more talk about people wanting to “count their macros.” If the term isn’t familiar to you, it simply means taking a more tailored approach regarding your intake of the “big three” macronutrients: protein, carbohydrate, and fat. 

Depending on your calorie needs and objectives, counting macros can be a way to provide the right amounts of these vital nutrients and help you achieve your goals.

What Are Macronutrients and Why Are They Important?

The reason protein, carbohydrate, and fat are called macronutrients is because you need them in relatively large amounts. Your intake of these nutrients is measured in grams, whereas micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are measured in milligrams and micrograms. 

All macronutrients are vitally important because they serve as sources of energy to the body, and when you choose the right food sources, they can provide an abundance of those micronutrients, too. 

Each macro group has a distinct and primary function in the body, which is why the right balance of the three is important:

Protein

Your body creates essential proteins, such as enzymes and hormones, from the amino acids found in protein-rich foods you consume. Protein is also necessary for your immune system to produce antibodies, which are specialized proteins that aid in defending your body against foreign invaders. 

Additionally, dietary protein is required for the assembly of transport proteins, such as hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to all the cells in your body. In fact, protein is essential for almost every cell in your body and is what physically binds us together.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary fuel source, and all your cells, tissues, and organs rely on a steady supply. Good sources of carbohydrates include:

● Vegetables

● Whole fruits

● Whole grains

● Beans

● Dairy products

Fat

Fats serve as a major fuel source for your basic metabolic processes, support the health of the brain and nervous system, and help your body take up fat-soluble vitamins and certain phytonutrients. 

What Is the Best Macronutrient Ratio?

All macros are important for good health, and it’s important to get the right balance of the three – which is why it’s best to steer clear of diets that severely restrict your intake of any one macro. 

General recommendations around macro intake usually provide a range for each, allowing for customization. Recommendations typically range from:

● 40-65% of your calories from carbohydrates 

● 10-40% of your calories from protein

● 15-35% of your calories from fat

The key is to find the balance that works for you. 

A good starting point is a “40-30-30” macro ratio:

● 40% of your calories from carbohydrates

● 30% of your calories from protein

● 30% of your calories from fats. 

For most people, this ratio provides the right amounts of macros to support your goals, whether it’s balanced nutrition, weight loss, or muscle gain. 

Some adjustments might be needed for specific situations, though. Endurance athletes, for example, may need more carbohydrates as a proportion of calories and may want to boost carbs closer to 50% of total calories and reduce fat and protein to 25% each. To learn more, visit Know Your Macros: How Protein, Carbs, and Fat Fuel Athletic Performance. 

How to Calculate Your Calorie Needs

To count macros, you first need to have an idea of your calorie needs and then complete the calculations based on the percentages of each macronutrient.

Using a Macro Calculator

Online, you’ll be able to find calculators that provide estimates of your daily needs according to your age, height, weight, and sex. 

If you don’t use an online calculator, you can use the “quick” method to estimate your calorie needs: Simply multiply your current weight by 15. 

The number you get is roughly the number of calories you need to maintain your weight if you are moderately active. 

For example, if you weigh 150 pounds and you exercise regularly, it probably takes about 2250 calories a day for you to maintain your weight.

Calculating Macros for Weight Loss

No matter how you count your daily needs, if weight loss is your goal, you’ll want to subtract 500 calories from the estimate, which should allow for a half-pound weight loss per week. Always be sure that you take in a minimum of 1200 calories per day to make sure you have adequate calories to spend on the foods and nutrients you require. 

How to Calculate Your Macro Percentages

Now that you know your calorie needs, the next step is to count your macro ratio and calculate the number of grams of protein, carbohydrate, and fat you will eat per day. 

Keep in mind:

● Protein has 4 calories per gram

● Carbohydrate has 4 calories per gram

● Fat has 9 calories per gram

Let’s use a 2,100-calorie diet and our 40-30-30 ratio as an example: 40% of calories from carbohydrates, 30% of calories from protein, and 30% of calories from fat.

Carbohydrate:

● 4 calories per gram

● 40% of 2,100 calories (2,100 x 0.4) = 840 calories of carbs per day

● 840 calories from carbohydrates/4 calories per gram = 210 grams of carbohydrates per day

Protein:

● 4 calories per gram

● 30% of 2,100 calories (2,100 x 0.3) = 630 calories of protein per day

● 630 calories from protein/4 calories per gram = 158 grams of protein per day

Fat:

● 9 calories per gram

● 30% of 2,100 calories (2,100 x 0.3) = 630 calories of fat per day

● 630 calories from fat /9 calories per gram = 70 grams of fat per day

Your final daily intake would be:

● 2,100 calories per day

● 840 calories from carbohydrate or 210 grams of carbs per day

● 630 calories from protein or 158 grams of protein per day

● 630 calories from fat or 70 grams of fat per day

How to Track Your Macro Intake

Now that you know how much of each macro you’re going to eat each day, you’ll want to keep track of your intake. Again, there are food trackers that can do this for you, and nutrition information is readily available online, as well as on nutrition facts panels on packaged foods.

The nutrition facts panels on food labels provide protein, carbohydrate, and fat grams per serving – just confirm that the serving size you consume matches that on the label. If you eat more than the designated serving size, you’ll need to adjust.

You don't have to accomplish your desired macro balance at every meal. Instead, concentrate on achieving it throughout the day. It's acceptable for certain meals or snacks to have more protein than others - the benefit of tracking your macros is that you may make adjustments during your next meal or snack.

What Are the Benefits of Counting Macros?

Finding the right macro balance and keeping track of your macros can be useful in helping you reach your goals – whether it’s to lose weight, gain muscle, or provide the right balance to fuel activity. More importantly, it may improve the quality of your diet. 

For example, if you are watching your weight and you opt to simply count calories, there’s no guarantee that you’ll make the best food choices. If the only thing you’re keeping track of is your calories, you could spend them on unhealthy junk foods while still staying within your daily calorie limit – but you’d probably be shortchanging yourself on several important nutrients. However, when you keep track of your macros and learn the best food sources for each, you’re more likely to be consuming a nutrient-dense diet. 

One way to think of nutrient density is to think of your calories as cash – and to buy as much nutrition as you can with the calories you have to spend. By prioritizing nutrient-dense foods – lean sources of protein, vegetables, whole grains and beans, whole fruits, and healthy fats from foods like nuts and seeds – you’re spending your calories most wisely. And, when you budget your calories for each macro, that’s smart spending. 

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