Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid advocated taking care of one’s liver health, saying people should not wait to get sick before looking after themselves.
Alcasid, also known as “Tatay Atay,” a campaign character for the medication Essentiale Forte P, said that being healthy also means taking care of loved ones.
“Do not wait for that moment. Don’t wait until it’s too late before you start taking care of yourself,” Alcasid said.
“It’s important that we take care of ourselves. Not only for ourselves, but for the people around us,” he added.
Alcasid admitted that he did not pay attention to his liver health for a long time until a friend fell ill.
“There came a point in my life, na meron po akong na-experience and nakita ko na nangyayari din sa aking mga kaibigan at mga tao sa akin na nagpa-realize that health is something that you really can’t take for granted,” he said.
Meanwhile, family physician Anna Guia Limpoco said many individuals do not undergo check-ups because they do not feel “sick.”
However, she clarified that many Filipinos may have liver problems without knowing it, as these conditions are often asymptomatic.
“But because you’re functioning well and you don’t feel sick, you don’t go to the doctor to have it check,” Limpoco, also the director of the board of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, said.
“If you have fatty liver, you may not feel anything. Kaya hindi pumupunta sa doctor. So, most are asymptomatic and yet, when you have your liver enzymes checked…mataas na pala siya. Elevated na siya but hindi mo alam,” she added.
The family physician also stressed that individuals may die from other health complications, including heart disease, as these are linked to liver problems.
Limpoco said liver problems are caused by “poor food choices, poor eating habits, not eating on time, not doing exercises regularly,” and lack of sleep.
As part of its World Liver Day awareness campaign, Essentiale Forte P, in partnership with Mercury Drug, held “Atay Aksyon Nation” on April 18 and 19 at One Ayala in Makati City, featuring liver consultations and various health activities.
