From Awareness to Action: Bell-Kenz's Sagip CPR Turns Heart Health into a Community Lifesaving Mission

Heart health is often pictured as a matter of lifestyle; balanced meals, exercise, and regular check-ups. But when the heart suddenly stops beating, survival hinges on something far more urgent: immediate action from someone nearby. In the Philippines, where heart disease remains the leading cause of death, according to a 2024 Department of Health data, an average of 317 lives lost every day, nearly half from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Survival often depends on a civilian’s quick action, yet only two in every ten Filipinos know how to perform CPR.   

This is why Bell-Kenz Pharma’s Sagip CPR campaign is working to equip one million Filipinos with the knowledge and confidence to step forward during those critical first moments. Through hands-only CPR training and familiarization with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), the program strengthens heart health-conscious communities—not only by raising awareness, but by building a citizen-driven safety net strong enough to outpace time itself. 

Everyday Heart Risks Demand Everyday Heroes 

In Malolos, Bulacan, heart health took center stage at La Consolacion University’s Kalinangan Auditorium on October 10, 2025, as thousands of participants, students and members of nearby fisherfolk communities, learned how to save a life with their own hands. 

A typical morning on campus gave way to a hands-on demonstration of how ordinary citizens can respond during medical emergencies. Guided by Bell-Kenz Pharma, volunteer doctors from Bulacan and the Philippine Heart Association – Central Luzon Chapter, participants practiced firm, rhythmic chest compressions, learned to recognize sudden cardiac arrest, and familiarized themselves with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), portable devices designed to help restart a stopped heart. 

Dr. Francis Carlos, who led part of the session, emphasized the importance of preparedness. “Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anywhere—at school, at home, even in playgrounds,” he said. “That’s why it’s crucial to build a network of trained volunteers we can rely on.” 

In a city where long days under the sun, demanding livelihoods, and even the daily routines of school can quietly tax the heart, the training underscored a vital truth: in moments when every second matters, preparedness rests in the hands of the community itself. 

Following earlier sessions, the rollout continued at Tabaco National High School — among the biggest high schools in the Bicol region — where the October 17, 2025, training gathered students and local volunteers for CPR drills and emergency response practice. The city is accustomed to preparing for natural hazards; from typhoons and earthquakes to activity from nearby Mayon Volcano. Yet trainers underscored that cardiac arrest remains a quieter threat, one that can occur without warning in everyday settings, whether at home, in a marketplace, or on the way to school. 

Under the guidance of Bell-Kenz Pharma, volunteer doctors from the Bicol region and the Philippine Heart Association – Bicol Chapter, trainers reminded participants that cardiac emergencies don’t come with storm warnings or evacuation sirens. They can unfold in the most ordinary moments.  

Sagip CPR training sessions emphasized that in cardiac emergencies, geography matters. Roads can close, weather can worsen, and emergency services can be delayed. Hands-only CPR and early defibrillation bridge the gap between collapse and hospital care, giving victims the best chance of survival.  

Across both communities, one reality came into sharp focus. During sudden cardiac arrest, outcomes are determined in the critical minutes before professional responders arrive. When trained hands are already on the ground — in schools, barangays, and disaster-prone towns — the chances of survival rise significantly. 

Expanding the Country’s Heart Health Network   

From coastal towns in Bulacan to classrooms in Bicol, the Sagip CPR initiative continues to expand, connecting communities through a shared effort to improve emergency response and save lives. 

Launched in Cagayan de Oro in August 2025, the program quickly gained momentum and extended beyond its initial pilot areas. By September, the program had forged linkages with key organizations, including local chapters of the Philippine Heart Association, the Philippine Navy, and the local government of Vigan, allowing the campaign to reach a wider range of settings — from coastal stations to academic institutions. Each rollout contributes to a growing network of trained individuals equipped to respond in the crucial minutes before medical professionals arrive. 

More than a training effort, Sagip CPR aims to normalize lifesaving knowledge at the community level, positioning CPR and AED awareness alongside basic emergency preparedness. Whether in classrooms or barangays, the program underscores a consistent message: sudden cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, and timely action from bystanders can significantly improve survival outcomes.