MAKE THE HOLIDAY SEASON A MERRY CELEBRATION, NOT COMPLICATION

"Under any circumstances, holiday season or not, Filipinos need to embrace the PHA PUSO MUNA lifestyle— (Pagkain na masustansya, Huwag manigarilyo, Aktibong pamumuhay, Presyon ay kontrolin, Uminom ng maintenance, Sugar ay kontrolin, Obesity ay iwasan, Matulog nang kumpleto, Uminom ng maintenance, No to alcohol, and Ayawan ang cholesterol)."

Dr. Iris Garcia & Chef RV Manabat

STUDIES from around the world show that heart attacks and cardiac deaths spike during the Christmas and New Year period, a pattern commonly referred to as the holiday heart phenomenon. According to the American Heart Association, more cardiac deaths occur on December 25 than any other day of the year, with December 26 and January 1 also among the highest for such events. This trend suggests that the combination of indulgence and stress places extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
The 2,545-member Philippine Heart Association has also observed a similar pattern locally, noting a post-holiday surge in heart-related emergencies.
The holiday season should never be treated as a break from healthy living. "Always stay conscious about your alcohol and food intake, celebrate in moderation to avoid holiday heart syndrome (HHS) an irregular heart rhythm, that can happen even to a person with and without history of heart disease," the PHA said.

Dr. Iris Garcia, PHA Director III and Advocacy chair said rapid and irregular heart rate, pulsing sensations in the neck are among the early symptoms of HHS. This requires emergency treatment because it can lead to cardiac arrest.
HHS has been a global and local occurrence. A surge in heart-related consultations or emergencies and complications, once the festivities come to an end.

Chef RV's kitchen 

PHA-CHEF RV Manabat’s Kitchen Collab
PHA and Chef RV Manabat recently collaborated to come up with a healthy Christmas feast complete with cooking tips, food trivia, and cooking techniques.
The December edition of Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP) podcast took place in his
gorgeous, glass wall outdoor kitchen in Biñan City. Chef RV showed how holiday classics can be transformed into healthier, heart-conscious meals without compromising taste or festive flair.
Whipping up “Garlic Pasta with Salmon and Vegetables”, a one-dish, heart-healthy Noche Buena meal, Chef RV said he does not use seasonings. He said that blending just the right amount of ingredients and condiments and using cooking technique works. “Kung gusto niyo malasa, lahat ng ingredients natin dapat malasa, but you don’t need to over season it.”
He stressed that there is no need to use artificial seasonings because the medley of ingredients -- garlic sauteed in olive oil, cubed salmon fillet, vibrant red bell pepper, deep green broccoli, olive green capers and fresh shitake mushrooms, make the pasta flavorful. Topping it with thinly-sliced almonds and grated queso de bola, add crunch and creaminess; and drizzling it with garlic confit for extra gloss and appeal.
“This dish is healthy, easy to make, and you have the option to be generous with the ingredients, but at the same time, kung medyo budget conscious, pwede ding bawasan para affordable, and you can use vegetable or canola oil,” Chef RV added.
His focus on colorful, appealing and delicious food reflects his belief that festive meals should delight the senses, starting off with less cost, preparation and cooking time.
Addressing the question about making do with a P500 budget for a one-dish Noche Buena meal, Manabat said, “instead of salmon, you can use chicken breast or tofu and to make Oriental pasta, use Japanese soy sauce and sesame oil, instead of olive oil.”


Cooking essentials and tips
A social media sensation, bestselling cookbook author, and a respected name in the hospitality industry, Chef RV is admired for his generosity in sharing his heirloom recipes and his own concoctions.
His philosophy is simple: presentation matters as much as flavor, and when a dish is visually appealing, diners savor it more mindfully.
Chef RV also emphasized preparing ingredients in advance, like making the healthy garlic confit a staple in your fridge. It is a mixture of peeled garlic slowly simmered in good quality olive oil with fresh herbs and aromatics (dried rosemary and thyme) in low fire that you can store in bottles, good for weeks. The garlic-infused oil is great as pasta topping or used for sauteing pasta and bread dip.
“Nagiging excuse kasi ‘yung wala akong time, so magbubukas na lang ako ng delata or mag-frozen food na lang ako. But with planning, you can still create beautiful, heart-healthy dishes that your family will enjoy,” he explained, encouraging viewers to see preparation as a way to elevate their holiday and everyday cooking with less exhaustion or hassle.
Buy pantry essentials like dried thyme, rosemary and dill being ideal in small packages to keep them fresh. If you have to use garden-fresh herbs, double the dosage because dried herbs are more potent.
“If you want your food to look beautiful kasi the eyes eat first. Dash your veggies or pasta with nuts. Use toasted almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds, and grated queso.”
Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock; chicken or tofu as an affordable protein, instead of salmon; and locally sourced vegetables.
On desserts, let the main ingredient shine rather than masking it with sugar. Using too much sugar masks the flavor of the main ingredient. Coconut or muscovado sugar are the best alternatives.

HHS is waving this holiday season but this can be avoided said the PHA

Both Garcia and Manabat believe that cooking and partaking food is an act of love; and reflects care for oneself, loved ones and those gathered around the table.
In parting, Chef RV said that “this is our first ever collab with medical society. Let us enjoy the holiday season, eat healthy para healthy tayo next year at sa mga susunod pang mga taon.”
Garcia reiterated: “Make Christmas a season of celebration, not complication. Cook healthy, eat and drink wisely;
Christmas season is not about cheat days. Despite it being a holiday, of course, dapat tamang oras pa rin ng sleep, monitor BP and blood sugar, at inom ng maintenance

medications.”