Ilonggos could be the Filipinos’
role model when it comes to preparing for medical emergencies. They seem to be the
Researchers of the 2nd PhilCare Wellness Index
discovered that Ilonggos are able to pay for their medical bills and are able
to see their doctors and dentists regularly more often than the rest of the
country.
At the same time, though, the survey found
Ilonggos as among the most stressed of all Filipinos, being often pressed for
time and are unable to get enough sleep frequently.
A total of 1,350 respondents from 22 key
cities and towns nationwide aged 18-90 were interviewed for the study
commissioned by PhilCare, a leading health maintenance organization (HMO). Of
the total sample size, 300 respondents came from the Visayas, 75 of which are
from Iloilo.
The respondents were asked to rate themselves
from a seven-point scale, with the score of one as “very good;” two as “good;”
three as “somewhat good;” four as “neither good nor bad;” five as “somewhat
bad;” six as “bad;’” and seven as “very bad.”
Iloilo topped the medical wellness domain
nationwide with a score of 2.61 or “good,” followed by Bacolod (2.84); Legazpi
(2.97); Cebu (3.12); San Fernando City, La Union (3.16); and Pili, Camarines
Sur (3.16), all of which are “somewhat good.” These scores are much better
compared to the nationwide average of 4.02, which is classified as “neither
good nor bad.”
Apart from the self-evaluations of physical,
nutritional, medical, psychological, lifestyle, and financial well-being, the
study also measured stress, sex, vices, and health practices.
Unfortunately, Iloilo scored the highest for
stress together with Legazpi at 2.63. Residents of both cities said they were
“stressed” compared to those in Bacolod (2.76); San Fernando City, La Union
(3.16); and Pili, Camarines Sur (3.19), who said they were only “somewhat
stressed.” Conversely, most other Filipinos are more chill compared to Ilonggos
with the nationwide score plotted at 3.88 or “neither stressed nor not
stressed.”
Interestingly, Ilonggos spend the most for
wellness among Visayans and even more than the rest of the country. Ilonggos allot
about Php3,300 monthly for R&R spending, beating Bacolod (about Php2,800),
Cebu (at least Php2,000), Tagbilaran (at least Php2,300), and even most other
Filipinos (at least Php3,000).
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| Dr. Fernando Paragas, associate professor of Communication Research of University of the Philippines Diliman, is the lead researcher. |
Wellness Leader in the Visayas
Iloilo also led in most other aspects of
wellness in the Visayas, based on the study. Among the region’s residents, Ilonggos
have the most time for rest and recreation, are most conscious about their
diet, are the most satisfied with their personal lives, and even are the most
financially capable.
Ilonggos topped the lifestyle wellness domain
with a score of 2.65 or “good.” This means they have the most time for
recreational activities, the best work-family balance, and the most sufficient
rest among Visayans compared to their Bacolod (2.88), Cebu (3.19), and
Tagbilaran (3.18) counterparts, who only said “somewhat good.” Iloilo also beat
the nationwide score of 3.12, also classified as “somewhat good.”
The city’s residents also signified having the
best nutritional wellness in the region, meaning they are the most aware
Visayans in terms of knowing their diet and their actual intake. Iloilo scored
2.64 or “good,” besting Bacolod (2.84), Cebu (3.20), Tagbilaran (3.25), and
even most other Filipinos (3.13) whose nutritional wellness is said to be
“somewhat good.”
Ilonggos likewise said that they are the most
contented and that they have the most purposeful and most meaningful lives
among Visayan respondents. They indicated having “good” psychological wellness,
scoring 2.63 on the Wellness Index scale. This is better than that of Bacolod (2.87),
Cebu (3.12), and Tagbilaran (3.10), all of which are “somewhat good.” Most
other Filipinos also signified having “good’ psychological wellness, with a
score of 2.71.
Having a good disposition with finances, or financial
wellness, is also a key indicator of wellness, and Ilonggos signified having
the best grasp of it among Visayans. They earn the most sufficiently to cover
for their needs, are most comfortable with the amount of debt they have, and
are able to save and invest the most. Iloilo scored 2.61 or “good,” beating
Bacolod (2.85), Cebu (3.20), Tagbilaran (3.22), and even the nationwide average
(3.42), all of which are “somewhat good.”
With Ilonggos faring well in almost all
wellness domains, their composite score was “good,” with a score of 2.65,
better than the “somewhat good” rating for Bacolod (2.86), Cebu (3.15),
Tagbilaran (3.18), and the nationwide average (3.24).
When Ilonggos themselves were asked to rate
their overall health and wellness, they said that it was also “good,” with a
score of 2.69, again beating Bacolod (2.96), Cebu (3.24), Tagbilaran (3.25),
and the nationwide average (2.84); or “somewhat good.”
Sex life
The 2019 PhilCare Wellness Index likewise
revealed that Ilonggos have the best sex life among Visayans and have a better
one compared to the rest of the country. Of the 75 respondents, 46 indicated
being sexually active.
Iloilo respondents said they have a “good” sex
life, scoring 2.70 on the Wellness Index scale compared to those in Bacolod
(2.84), Cebu (3.11), Tagbilaran (3.02), and even most other Filipinos (2.74),
who said theirs was only “somewhat good.”
Ilonggos also have sex more than the rest of the
country, saying they do it twice a week, more than the nationwide and Visayas
average of at least once a week. Bacolodnons and Tagbilaranons also indicated
having sex twice weekly.
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| Dr. Fernando Paragas and Ms. Carmel Montesclaros, PhilCare SAVP and head of VisMin operations |
Vices
The study also found that Ilonggos smoke both traditional
and e-cigarettes the most among Visayans, but less than most other Filipinos. They
are also among the heaviest consumers of alcohol in the region. Of the 75
respondents, 61 said they drink beer, while 30 smoke cigarettes.
Ilonggos smoke two sticks of cigarettes a day,
more than Bacolodnons (at least 1.5 sticks a day), Cebuanos (one stick per
day), and Tagbilaranons (at least one stick per day). Filipinos in general
smoke an average of cigarette sticks per day.
It also appears that Iloilo has gotten into
the trend of smoking e-cigarettes or vape. Ilonggos smoke e-cigarettes two
times a day, more than Bacolodnons (at least 1.75 times daily), Cebuanos
(almost never), and Tagbilaranons (once daily). Most other Filipinos smoke
e-cigarettes on an average of twice daily.
Ilonggos, together with Bacolodnons, consume
the most alcohol in the Visayas at two bottles a week, more than Cebuanos
(almost two bottles a week) and Tagbilaranons (1.75 bottles a week). Most other
Filipinos, meanwhile, drink at least two bottles a week.
A Responsive Study
First conducted in 2014, the 2nd PhilCare
Wellness index allowed the HMO company to develop affordable and responsive
medical insurance plans that provided coverage to thousands of uninsured
Filipinos.
The study was inspired by wellness and health
indices in New Zealand (The Sovereign Wellbeing Index of 2015), Canada (The
Canadian Index of Wellbeing), and the United States (The State of American
Well-Being of 2017).
Dr. Paragas said this year’s PhilCare Wellness
Index involved not just a survey, but also a series of focus group discussions,
where participants from different sectors delved on problems and solutions
relevant to the goal of inclusive health care.
PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger L. Tanco
said the results of the survey are very useful in helping the health sector
come up with programs that address the needs of Filipinos, helping them attain
a better state of wellness.
“There is more to health than just the absence
of disease. Our vision is to help promote a brand of health that is holistic
and inclusive. The PhilCare Wellness Index gives us a clear picture on where we
are when it comes to wellness and, more importantly, it charts a clear path on
how far we can go to promote health among Filipinos,” he said.
“We also find it very important to look after
the overall health and wellness of a city that is becoming increasingly
progressive. The Iloilo results of the 2nd PhilCare Wellness Index will
certainly give us insight on how we can work towards optimal well-being for
Ilonggos,” he added.
Former Health Secretary and Chairman of the
2019 PhilCare Wellness Index, Dr. Enrique T. Ona, said PhilCare intends to
share more findings of the study to the public to raise awareness of the
well-being of Filipinos.
“PhilCare will also forge partnerships with
the government sector so they could use this proprietary study of PhilCare to
craft relevant policies. We have findings in this study that may be very useful
in the goal of the government to attain truly universal health care,” Dr. Ona
said.
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PhilhealthCare, Inc. (PhilCare) is among the
top two most preferred HMOs in the country today. It distinguishes itself from
other health maintenance organizations (HMO) in the Philippines by advocating
wellness as a more holistic approach to health.
This is achieved through PhilCare’s sustainable
health plans, PhilCare 360, and its technology-enabled customer experience.
PhilCare offers a wide range of health care plans to serve the different
requirements of individuals, group, and enterprise accounts.
PhilCare pioneered the country’s first
Wellness Index in 2014. Based on the findings of that study, PhilCare
introduced the very first prepaid health plans in the country. From
prepaid to comprehensive coverage, PhilCare’s extensive line of products covers
hospitalization, out-patient and emergency healthcare needs across a nationwide
network of hospitals, clinics, and physicians.
PhilCare 360, on the other hand, provides
members with updates about health information, preventive measures against
diseases and illnesses, and lifestyle trends that promote health and wellness.
Meanwhile, PhilCare’s tech-enabled customer service efforts involve their
accessible website and e-commerce, their call center that’s available 24/7, and
its HeyPhil App where members can ask queries and request for a Letter of
Authorization (LOA).
PhilCare’s commitment to promote wellness
among Filipinos makes it an essential pillar of Maestro Holdings, a grand
concord of four of the biggest and respected financial companies in the
Philippines. Under the Maestro’s baton, PhilCare joins four of the most recognizable
names in their respective industries: PhilsFirst, the first domestic non-life
insurance company in the country; PhilLife, one of the most trusted insurance
providers in the Philippines; PhilPlans, one of the leading financial solutions
companies providing pension, education, and memorial programs.
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