EASTER is the greatest celebration in the Catholic church because it is the completion of the Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity. Jesus was crucified to save our sins and raised from the dead, and it goes to show that He conquered sin and death.

The Easter is regarded as the central event in Christian theology as it symbolizes the triumph of life over death, good over evil, and love over hate. It is also about reflections on life , changing from bad to good or worse to better , thus in essence a period of reformation.

Overall, Easter is an opportunity for us to celebrate and ponder on the significance of his sacrifice, and renew our commitment to the principles of love, compassion, and service to others. It is a holiday of immense importance and meaning for Christians around the world and a symbol of hope and renewal for all who seek to live a life of faith and purpose.

Our faith was tried and tested during this pandemic. Yet, while we endeavor to hurdle the challenges of COVID-19 and lament the difficulties and hardships as frontliners, we all cling to a Divine Being that is omnipresent and shields us from harm.

We, as citizens , have shown strength and hope as we faced the herculean tasks against COVID-19. We have demonstrated the strength and hope inspired by the courage Jesus exemplified in the face of adversities. Indeed, we have risen like Christ to a call to transformation as we welcome His timeless message of hope and love.

Equipped with these learnings and beatitudes, let us make God the core of our life through devotion and service to our community.

Easter, a blessed time of renewal, rebirth, and hope, is an inspiration worthy of emulation by the future generation especially coming off from two pandemics – COVID and lifestyle diseases.

As WHO turns 75, we would like to assure patients and citizens that we remain steadfast in our commitment to a healthier future for everyone, everywhere. We must focus on the new global killer – noncommunicable diseases.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DATA on noncommunicable diseases

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally.

Each year, 17 million people die from a NCD before age 70; 86% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Of all NCD deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries.

Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).

These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.

Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.

Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.

Here in the Philippines …

Lifestyle diseases or noncommunicable diseases kill more people than COVID in the pandemic !

In fact , Ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and neoplasms lead the causes of death in the Philippines.

As we celebrate Easter Sunday , we need to reflect on the true meaning of this day after the pandemic in the midst of several challenges we are facing.

The purpose of setting goals is to win the fight over the leading killer diseases. The purpose of building systems is key to continue playing the game plan. True long-term thinking shod goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement. Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.

Over the long run however, the real reason we fail to stick with habits is that our self-image and national identity to be healthy gets in the way. This is why we can’t get too attached to one version of our identity. Progress requires unlearning. Becoming the best version of ourselves requires us to continuously edit our beliefs, and to upgrade and expand our identity and culture.

The obstacle in the path are our environment temptations eg smoking , alcohol drinking , junk foods , and our lack of parks and infrastructures for our transformation – doing the plan becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.

Breakthrough moments are often the result of many previous actions, which build up the potential required to unleash a major change. This pattern shows up everywhere. Cancer spends 80 percent of its life undetectable, then takes over the body in months. Bamboo can barely be seen for the first five years as it builds extensive root systems underground before exploding ninety feet into the air within six weeks.

Similarly, habits often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold and unlock a new level of performance. In the early and middle stages of any quest, there is often a Valley of Disappointment.

We expect to make progress in a linear fashion and it’s frustrating how ineffective changes can seem during the first days, weeks, and even months. It doesn’t feel like you are going anywhere. It’s a hallmark of any compounding process: the most powerful outcomes.

Easter Sunday is also about change , reformation and transformation.

It transforms us all to change spiritually but also physically and emotionally.

Let’s use the power of Easter Sunday to change. It has the power to transform lives, heal mental and physical challenges, satisfy the soul, direct our goals, comfort the mourning, beautify the world, soften the hardened heart.

For many of us around the world, Easter symbolizes redemption for humankind, forgiveness for past wrongdoing, and an opportunity to live a better life – a better version of ourselves – spiritually , physically , emotionally and mentally.

The miraculous lesson of Easter is this: Through Jesus’ death on the Cross, we have been granted a second chance to change. We have permission to leave our old lives behind and focus on the new day, with all its potential for joy and choices that honor God.

On a personal note …

When I was young , I had to focus on things for the family. It was not a perfect world. Fast forward 30 years …here are my humble suggestions.

If you are under 35, try doing these things – it might be helpful.

Do these 5 things:

– Choose the gym over Netflix , computer games or social media. Anytime.

– Choose health over fast food , smoking , alcohol , material possessions , and parties.

– Choose self care , meditation , and prayers over arrogance , anger, anxiety and worrying.

– Start a business or a passion or an advocacy on the side aside from your career.

– Start taking yourself and family matters seriously.

Life is fleeting and short. But please enjoy it through atomic habits and with a sense of purpose.

When you express gratitude for the blessings that come into your life, it not only encourages the universe to send you more, it also sees to it that those blessings remain. By Dr. Tony Leachon

Happy Easter, everyone.

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Anthony C. Leachon, M. D.

Independent Health Reform Advocate

Past President ,
Philippine College of Physicians

Internist – Cardiologist
Manila Doctors Hospital