THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507160046
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARIE JOYCE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
These people know one another. They've gathered in the past for professional reasons, for public service projects and just to socialize.
They're bound together by their Philippine heritage and their involvement in the medical profession.
They have a common purpose as well - to improve the health of local Filipinos - and everyone else in the community, for that matter.
The Filipino Health Alliance has no bylaws, no officers, no articles of incorporation. They're focusing on the work.
``America is good to us. It is the land of opportunity,'' said Venus Tomaneng, associate director of nursing at Norfolk's Lake Taylor Hospital. This, she said, is ``giving back to the community . . .''
The FHA is an ad hoc group composed of three separate organizations: the Philippine Medical Association of Southeastern Virginia, a doctors' group; the Philippine Nurses Association of Hampton Roads and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Virginia.
While the FHA is technically only 5 months old, members have done projects together before. The doctors group visits the Eastern Shore occasionally to treat migrant workers, and members of the other two groups help. Same thing for the doctors' regular pilgrimages to treat resident of Tangier Island.
And for 10 years or so, they've sponsored health fairs for the elderly in the Philippine community.
Now, they want to branch out.
Their health fair in June at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Virginia Beach attracted more than 100 people, mostly non-Filipinos. It was the groups' first health education effort directed toward the community at large.
They offered screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, vision problems, foot problems, dental problems, scoliosis and body fat. They offered advice on nutrition, stress management, child and teen health, community resources, AIDS, home health services and health insurance.
They plan to hold a similar event next month in Norfolk.
While their outreach efforts are for all age groups, they'll probably continue to focus on the elderly.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease are big problems for the elderly of all ethnic groups.
The group has particular experience in dealing with special difficulties faced by elderly Filipinos when they come to the United States. The newcomers encounter the same conditions that lead to health problems in people born in America - the dependence on cars, and a fatty diet. But the language barrier sometimes makes it harder for them to learn about the dangers.
They may lead a a less active lifestyle here. In the Philippines, said Aleli G. Romero, a Virginia Beach physician, people walk more.
Newly arrived Filipinos don't always realize what America's meat-based diet will do to their hearts; meat is expensive in the Philippines, so people tend to eat more fruits, vegetables and fish.
Some problems are brought from their homeland. In the Philippines, FHA members said, salty food is a staple. It's also terrible for people trying to control their blood pressure. And, they like desserts with super-fatty coconut.
Also, since they don't have the mobility they had in the Philippines with its public transportation system, they don't always go to the doctor when their blood pressure medicine runs out.
``These elderly people who used to be so independent in the Philippines . . MEMO: A Filipino Health Alliance free health fair will be Saturday, Aug.
26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Council 367 House,
5201 Kennebeck Ave., Norfolk. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARK MITCHELL, Staff
Left to right, Peter Montilla Jr., Venus Tomaneng and Aleli Romera
are members of the newly formed Filipino Health Alliance. Tomaneng
says ``America is good to us.'' The group is ``giving back to the
community.''
by CNB