Twenty-two members of the working press (from the Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, United News, Balita, Bulgar and Adobo magazine), participated in the hands-only basic life support or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training conducted by the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on CPR.
The half-day training was conducted at the PDI conference room in Makati on November 5, 2016.
The seminar was initiated by United Print Media Group (UPMG). It was spearheaded by our CSR committee headed by Kat Dalusong and supported by Lita Pascual. The said media outfits are UPMG members.
The facilitators/trainers were PHA President Dr. Raul Lapitan, PHA Council on CPR Chair Dr. Francis Lavapie and Dr. Lendry Quizon, who were assisted by Ronaldo Grande, PHA CPR coordinator.
Aside from the editors, reporters. photographers and corporate managers present, notable participants hail from positions such as custodians, library assistants, advertising and accounts executives, human resource and marketing officers, messengers, security guards and janitors among others. Ultimately embodying the laymen in the group, they stood out and were as attentive as their fellow media attendees as they took part in the crucial activity.
Lapitan said that “the UPMG group’s interest in CPR started during its September 2016 meeting, where I duly represented the PHA and presented the CPR instructional video for the lay, 52100 and Deadma, Dead Ka AVPs. The request for a group-wide training has been generated since then.”
This group’s participation in the training and commitment to support the CPR on Wheels & Wings, AEDis a major boost to the CPR—Ready Philippines bid of PHA.
Atienza expressed support for the advocacy, saying that
“it is incumbent upon us in media, who are always at the actual scene, that we are ready to respond in saving lives. Although of course, we hope we will not have to use it, it is good to be prepared and properly equipped.”
Dr. Lavapie further backed this up by describing how, even for a doctor like him, “it feels rewarding to save a life.” Maybe further pursued, added Dr. Quizon, if we push for accessible AEDs.