"ALWAYS remember that your health is the most important."
This is what Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in her speech during the closing of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2019 on February 2, 2019.
"Unsaon man nato na ang medalya kung atong lawas lain na og kondisyon? (What for is the medal if our health is already not in the condition?) We must put our health always first. Kung lain inyong lawas, ayaw ninyo pugsa og ingna ninyo inyong mga ginikanan (If you do not feel well, do not force yourself and tell your parents)," she said.
The statement came following the death of Hadia Eronico, a 12-year-old athlete from Davao Oriental, while participating in the event.
The statement, simple as it may seem, is not something that we should take lightly. We are living in a fast paced world where society demands a lot from us. We are constantly bombarded with food and activity that could negatively affect our health. For example, diabetes and hypertension are becoming common among Filipinos.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported that hypertension affects three of every 10 Filipino adult population. However, hypertension is also starting to become present among adolescents.
Meanwhile, the International Diabetes Federation reported that there are over 3.7 million cases of diabetes in the Philippines in 2017.
On top of these lifestyle-acquired illnesses, the weather recently makes us prone to catch flu, get pneumonia, or worse, dengue.
The city mayor's reminder may be a statement that we constantly hear from our friends and families. However, it is something that we should also take seriously. Life is short, let us not make it shorter by doing healthier practices.