Two entertainment icons, Martin Nievera, the “Concert King,” and Boy Abunda, the “King of Talk,” were feted at the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Media Awards 2023 (Special Category), along with other journalists at the Westin Ortigas on Dec. 7, in Mandaluyong City. 

The Manila Bulletin and Calvin Cordova (Manila Bulletin-Cebu) were the Media Category and Individual Category awardees. 

Nievera, a topnotch singer, and Abunda, a superb TV presenter, have been staunch supporters of the PHA Advocacy endeavors, particularly the PHA Council on Heart Failure and National Heart Failure Network and episodes of the PHA Usapang Puso sa Puso virtual forum.

They have consistently used their influence to raise awareness about the value of practicing healthy heart habits to avoid cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); the existence of PHA traditional events, the decades-old Heart Month and World Heart Day yearly programs that became institutionalized and the two-year-old PHA-led National Heart Failure Network (PHA NHFN) which is a work in progress. Its goals are to provide optimized and affordable heart failure (HF) care even in the country's remotest regions and to establish high-quality HF management through a multi-specialty approach.     

Both Nievera and Abunda have dedicated their talent and time to engaging in informative discussions with medical experts on CVD prevention and management and about the lack of private and public hospitals that cater to HF patients. 

Dr. Erlyn Demerre, who is part of the PHA NHFN top brass and a good friend of both Nievera and Abunda, received the awards on their behalf. 

In his recorded acceptance speech, Abunda said: “When I was told that I was being awarded the Media Awards Showbiz Category. Ako’y ngumiti dahil pakiramdam ko naman na napakaliit ng aking kontribusyon. I did share my time and little talent in hosting a number of events for the Philippine Heart Association, but I am still in the belief that I should be able to do more.

“Parati namin sinasabi na we’re able to do what we do, the best we can, because we do everything from the heart. So, maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagkilalang ito, and I will continue to use my platform to be able to advocate for what the Philippine Heart Association stands for," Abunda ended.

Nievera echoed this sentiment in his recorded acceptance message: “I am so incredibly honored to receive the award from the PHA, and grateful for the opportunity to use my voice to raise awareness on the importance of heart health, and will continue to do my part to promote healthy living and support the PHA in its mission, to save lives."

"The PHA Media Awards aim to recognize media professionals who have played a significant role in propagating the PHA flagship advocacies, the Healthy Lifestyle 52100, CPR, and AED-Ready.PH said Dr. Ronald Cuyco, President of the PHA. "Mr. Abunda and Mr. Nievera are exemplary figures who have used their powerful voices effectively to encourage and promote proactive approaches and heart health-knowhow. We are truly grateful for their dedication and continued mission support."

“Among the bastions of truth that prevail in Philippine journalism, the Media Award recipients are a particularly passionate group that have illustrated how they have made the PHA’s mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, their advocacy,” according to PHA Director II and Communications Chair Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo.

Dr.  Louella Santos, PHA Director III/Advocacy chair, said that the PHA acknowledges the fact that the news landscape has undergone a dramatic shift, with mainstream media’s utilization of social media as additional platforms. This fast-accessibility revolution has democratized information; real-time updates and viral stories from platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X are readily available to anyone with an internet connection.