Imagine struggling to brush your teeth, or simply walk across a room, because every breath is a battle. For many battling chronic respiratory illnesses, this is a daily reality. But thanks to dedicated efforts from institutions like Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital (CDUH), patients are learning to “breathe easy, move freely and live fully” once again.
On June 18, 2025, CDUH marked its second annual National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Day at the Medical Arts Building 2 lobby. Held every third Wednesday of June, this annual event shines a spotlight on the vital importance of pulmonary rehabilitation, a program designed to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic lung conditions.
While pulmonary rehab has been a staple in Luzon since the early 1990s, its expansion to Cebu is relatively recent. CDUH’s initiative began in 2024 with a modest event for outpatients. This year, the celebration grew significantly, drawing medical students, interns, nurses and respiratory therapists — key professionals who work closely with patients managing chronic respiratory illnesses.
From outpatients to frontliners
Dr. Jamaica Ross David-Catequista, who opened the event, highlighted this year’s shift: increasing awareness and education about pulmonary rehabilitation as a standard of care, especially among healthcare providers.
“Patients are generally very receptive. Shortness of breath is a difficult symptom to deal with, and it becomes a major concern,” she explained. “Many patients with chronic respiratory diseases struggle with basic activities like brushing their teeth or combing their hair. This program helps them regain their independence.”
Dr. Catequista noted that last year’s event primarily targeted outpatients. “This year, we focused more on the medical field such as doctors, students, nurses and RTs because they are the ones who will refer patients to us.” Looking ahead, collaborations with other hospitals are being explored, possibly under the Philippine College of Chest Physicians Central Visayas chapter.
Power of education
Beyond rehabilitation, Dr. Catequista stressed the critical role of health education in preventing respiratory illnesses. “Education plays a big role, especially at the community level. The more people know, the more likely they are to take action for their health,” she emphasized. “Even with existing laws, many patients aren’t aware of the risks of smoking until they start showing symptoms. That’s why we make it a point to educate them even before disease develops.”
Her advice for the general public is clear: act early. “Prevention is always key, but it’s not always enough. If someone is already experiencing shortness of breath or signs of a respiratory condition, it’s very important to talk to a healthcare provider. They can help guide the next steps.”
The morning’s program was packed with valuable activities, including educational talks by Dr. Edd Tan, discussions on identifying ideal candidates for pulmonary rehabilitation and practical exercise demonstrations led by respiratory therapist Jomer Villamor.
“We prepared a set of activities for everyone to better understand what pulmonary rehabilitation is, what benefits it offers and who among our patients may be eligible for the program,” said Dr. Catequista. “We also included games and exercise demonstrations used in rehab.”
Reaching more, helping more
Dr. May Joy Amancio shared her hopes for the growing event. “This is our second National Pulmonary Rehab Day. We hope to reach more people — not just respiratory therapists and medical students, but more patients as well. Today’s event is mostly for those in the medical field so we can provide better and more appropriate rehab exercises for our patients.” S