The human heart is wonderfully reliable. It works nonstop, takes no sick leave, and rarely asks for attention. That reliability is exactly why its sudden silence can be so devastating.
In the Philippines, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, and most cardiac arrests do not happen in hospitals. They happen at home, often with a family member just steps away. These are moments filled with panic and regret, when help feels close but knowledge feels painfully distant.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, changes that equation.
In sudden cardiac arrest, survival depends on the first few minutes. Hands Only CPR, which relies on strong and continuous chest compressions, keeps blood flowing to the brain until medical help arrives. No special equipment is needed. Just timing, confidence, and the willingness to act.
That urgency powers Pintig ng Pinas, Bell-Kenz Pharma’s largest activation to date under its Sagip CPR advocacy. Rolled out in time for Heart Month, the initiative is bringing back to back Hands Only CPR training sessions to communities across Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Since Sagip CPR began in August 2025, thousands of Filipinos have been trained, including students, teachers, parents, barangay volunteers, uniformed personnel, and local government workers.
Under Pintig ng Pinas, Bell-Kenz Pharma is holding around 15 training sessions in February alone, marking the most expansive push since the program started.
The strength of the initiative lies in its simplicity. Hands Only CPR removes the fear factor that often freezes bystanders. It is designed for real life emergencies, not perfect conditions, which is why it has gained wide acceptance globally.
“Medicines save lives, but so do prevention, education, and rapid response,” said Patrick Larraga, corporate branding and public relations head of Bell-Kenz Pharma. As a Kaagapay sa Kalusugan, the company extends its mission beyond the pharmacy shelf into barangay halls, classrooms, offices, and homes.
From Central Luzon to Camarines Sur, across Panay Island, and down to General Santos City and North Cotabato, Sagip CPR is building something healthcare systems often overlook. Calm, capable first responders at the community level.
Dr. James Cayetano, president of the Bell-Kenz Foundation, put it simply. “We want every Filipino household to have at least one person who knows what to do when a heart stops.”
In a time when healthcare challenges feel overwhelming, Sagip CPR offers a powerful reminder. Saving a life does not always require machines or specialists. Sometimes, it starts with two hands and the courage to use them.
