3 May 2007 – Philippine Ambassador to Greece Rigoberto D. Tiglao reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy has been sponsoring for Filipinos free medical check-ups for high blood pressure at the Embassy premises every Friday beginning 27 April 2007.

The medical check-ups are conducted by renowned Greek cardiologist Dr. Helen Marcoyannopoulou-Fojas, assisted by Dr. Yannis Mouka, a young cardiologist. Dr. Marcoyannopoulou-Fojas is married to Dr. Marcos Fojas, a Filipino ophthalmologist.

“Dr. Marcoyannopoulou-Fojas had long wanted to conduct the medical clinics for Filipinos in Athens in view of the unusual incidence of high blood pressure among them, which can result in a quick and massive build-up of cholesterol and fatal heart attacks if not corrected early,” Ambassador Tiglao said.

The Ambassador reported that the doctor attributes this unfortunate incidence to Filipinos’ swift and radical shift from their traditional healthy diet (consisting mainly of rice, vegetables and fish with only some meat) to mostly meat and other food high in fat and cholesterol. She also blames the modern lifestyle of just sitting around the television or computer instead of engaging in exercise. Walking, Dr. Marcoyannopoulou-Fojas says, is still the best exercise for everyone and does not involve any expenses.

The announcement of the holding of free clinics at the Embassy premises was included in the January-March 2007 issue of ‘PhilippiNews,’ the Embassy’s newsletter.