The Impact and Future of Promoting Health and Wellness in Dumaguete City, Negros Island Region, Philippines

The Impact and Future of Promoting Health and Wellness in Dumaguete City, Negros Island Region, Philippines

Dr. Sonia B. SyGaco

Negros Oriental State University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.12010059

Received: 15 January 2025; Accepted: 19 January 2025; Published: 16 February 2025

ABSTRACT

The modern lifestyles of Filipinos, having poor food choices and lack of exercise, have resulted in unhealthy living. Alarmed with unlikely deaths of young and old residents, the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Dumaguete City, fostered an extension program of the Forward Newsletter Dumaguete Lifestyle Trends (bi-annual issue), which promoted healthy living lifestyles. The Forward Newsletter was produced from June 2019 to December 2020 and was circulated through the Facebook page. The study employed a qualitative questionnaire designed by the Extension Program of NORSU with seven major questions, and sixty-seven reader respondents answered the online poll. The demographic composition was females (74%), and most of them belonged to the 18-25 age group. Based on the survey, they expressed that the Forward Newsletter, having released two publication issues, was highly relevant, useful, and satisfying, showing their interest in sports, health, and wellness. With these developments, they had been aware of what was happening in the city. The respondents further declared that they felt satisfied with the content of the newsletter on sports, health, and wellness and found it credible with its good grammar, formatting, and layout. With this, the reader research respondents were hopeful that the Forward Newsletter extension program would continue in the future.

Keywords: community, health, lifestyle, sports, and wellness

INTRODUCTION

The high reliance on online food delivery services acquired through mobile transactions via Grab and Foodpanda has increased ready-made meals. Filipinos’ poor food choices of taking in sugar overload, too much carbohydrates, and protein are factors that contribute to diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions (Arias et al., 2024). The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF, 2021) and the World Health Organization (2022) posit that if this unhealthy food intake and the lack of exercise are not addressed, it may result in a higher health risk of obesity. Likewise, individuals should be watchful by embracing health education and wellness in their daily lifestyles.

With these health concerns, the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) created an online newsletter that would provide awareness to the community readers on health and wellness programs.

The Forward Newsletter was a semi-annual newsletter of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of the College of Arts and Sciences of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Dumaguete City along with mass media practitioners and young enthusiasts.

It had been documented a year before the pandemic. During the contagion, it served as an extension program for the Journalism and Mass Communication Department and the Dumaguete City Government. This extension undertaking was able to create two publication issues, raising awareness in schools, colleges, and universities, including private businesses, government agencies, and residents of Dumaguete City, on the benefits of sports, health, and wellness programs. The city’s local government unit provided wellness programs through its online platform service.

It also motivated Dumaguete residents to have healthy living and lifestyles at home.

The first issue of the Forward Newsletter (June 2019-December 2019), which the LGU Dumaguete should have printed between February and March 2020, was put on hold since the funds of the city were allocated for COVID-19. It was only circulated through the Facebook page. Now, with the onset of the pandemic, the editorial team moved the timeline of gathering news stories, extending it until December 2020.

First Issue (June 2019-December 2019)

The inaugural issue of the Forward Newsletter spotlighted the transformation of Rizal Boulevard, a vital project aimed at enhancing Dumaguete City’s iconic landmark. The banner headline detailed the rehabilitation efforts, which included the construction of eight volleyball courts spanning 1,024 square meters, the installation of 36 lamp posts, a 234.26-square-meter containment or sea wall, and open spaces featuring 16,691 square meters of paved pathways.

Complementing this was a write-up on the much-anticipated opening of the National Museum in Dumaguete City, a milestone in preserving the city’s cultural heritage. Adding to the excitement was the growing popularity of dragon boat racing, with the Dumaguete waters hosting the 4th Dragon Boat Competition, reaffirming the city’s reputation as a premier sports tourism destination in the Philippines.

A key moment for the newsletter was its launch, held in partnership with NORSU proponents and local government officials. This collaboration underscored the commitment to fostering a vibrant and informed community.

The succeeding pages reflected the lifestyle and wellness themes, featuring Zumba sessions, beach volleyball tournaments, and Teiji—a Chinese martial arts-inspired exercise. The issue also highlighted environmental advocacy, showcasing posters and a feature on International Coastal Clean-Up Day.

A stunning photo gallery captured the life of Dumaguete, showcasing the mayor’s engagements with national officials and the finalization of the sister-city agreement with Yeongdong-Gun, South Korea. The gallery also included snapshots of the city’s cultural events: performers from the Sandurot Festival, a competitive cooking showcase, the coronation of a beauty pageant queen, and the lively celebration of the 4th Nutrition Month and Nutri-Fest held at Perdices Coliseum.

The first issue showcased progress, culture, and wellness, showing a vivid picture of a city on the rise while staying deeply rooted in its traditions and community spirit.

1st Issue of the Actual Forward Newsletter

Second Issue of the Forward Newsletter (January 2020-December 2020)

The second issue of the Forward Newsletter captured the early onset of the pandemic and the lockdowns that reshaped daily life. As families adjusted to a reality where an identification card granted only one member permission to step out for essentials, stories of resilience and adaptation emerged.

Amid these challenges, the newsletter highlighted significant milestones, such as the expansion of Dumaguete Boulevard under the reclamation project and the transformation of the old Presidencia near City Hall into a museum. However, the pandemic’s impact was unmistakable: the ASEAN School Games were put on hold, and local festivities transitioned to virtual platforms.

In the midst of uncertainty, the issue showed the destinations of Negros Island like the iconic Bell Tower in Dumaguete City, Sidlakang Negros, Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, Manjuyod Sandbar, Port Royale Waterpark Resort, Dumaguete Painitan, Chosen Café in Valencia, and the Rock and Rabbit Kampground. These places served as a reminder of the island’s enduring charm, even in difficult times.

The newsletter also explored the pandemic’s ripple effects, spotlighting local businesses grappling with challenges and sharing practical advice on staying fit, safe, and mentally resilient. A feature on home gardening offered readers a therapeutic escape, while stories of virtual Zumba sessions and online celebrations provided a sense of community and joy.

Amid the ambiguity, the newsletter posed thought-provoking questions about the lockdown’s duration and its unexpected silver linings. As nature began to heal in the absence of human activity, the pandemic revealed the earth’s remarkable capacity for renewal—a subtle reminder of hope during a challenging chapter in history.

Through it all, the Forward Newsletter chronicled not only the trials but also the triumphs of a community determined to adapt and thrive.

 2^nd Issue of the Actual Forward Newsletter

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Health and wellness are particularly important for Filipinos because they are essential to maintaining a high quality of life, supporting familial and community relationships, and preserving cultural traditions. It is therefore suggested that Filipinos maintain good health to be able to fulfill their roles in passing down traditions of being breadwinners or carers to their elders. Having poor health can affect family dynamics and result in financial hardships in the family (Yap et al., 2021).

Meanwhile, being known for Filipinos’ collective efforts in the Bayanihan, it is important to take collective action to promote health and wellness in the community. By having healthy members in society, volunteer work becomes more feasible (Carandang et al., 2020). Henceforth, the Forward Newsletter serves to fulfill its purpose of promoting a culture of healthy Filipinos.

Among the many issues that the Forward Newsletter covers is the fusion of traditional and spiritual practices into their wellness routines, such as herbal medicine and faith healing. It is considered that articles must contain health, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects in the newsletter (Tan, 2019). Knowing that the Philippines is prone to natural disasters, Filipinos should be vigilant about health and wellness as part of the community building in the city (Bankoff, 2021).

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research initiative was born from the extension program of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department under the College of Arts and Sciences at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dumaguete City. Following a preliminary needs assessment, the absence of sports, health, and wellness-focused content within the community was identified, sparking the conceptualization of the Forward Newsletter.

Once the articles were written, the project extended its reach to the community through a dedicated Facebook page, inviting engagement and feedback from readers. A research-extension survey was conducted to assess the newsletter’s impact and relevance, employing a quantitative methodology.

Respondents included students and faculty from the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program at NORSU, who were also members of the Forward Newsletter Facebook page. The survey utilized an online questionnaire designed with seven key questions derived from the NORSU Extension Program. It gathered demographic information such as age and gender and encouraged respondents to evaluate the newsletter’s relevance, usefulness, content, and potential for continuance, as well as provide recommendations for improvement.

The frequency method was applied to analyze the data, yielding insights into the newsletter’s impact and areas for enhancement.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Age

Figure 1 on Respondents’ Age

The survey results indicated that the Forward Newsletter predominantly attracted readers aged 18–25 years, accounting for a substantial majority of 89.45%. This was a clear indicator that the newsletter demonstrated well with a younger audience, likely due to their active engagement with digital platforms, particularly social media, where the newsletter was disseminated. The smaller proportions of older age groups, such as 4% for 26–35 years, and even smaller percentages for 36–45, 46–55, and 55–65 years, suggested that the newsletter’s content or medium of distribution may not be as appealing or accessible to older demographics. This age-specific readership could be leveraged for targeted content creation while exploring strategies to engage older audiences.

Gender

Figure 2 on gender

The survey revealed that the majority of readers were female, representing 74.2% of respondents. Male readers comprised 18.2%, while individuals identifying as part of the LGBT group were 7.6%. The significant proportion of female readers could reflect their particular interest in the newsletter’s topics, such as sports, health, and wellness, which may align with their preferences. Meanwhile, the representation of male and LGBT readers, though smaller, indicated the need for more inclusive content that catered to diverse audiences. This data underscored an opportunity to expand the newsletter’s reach by tailoring stories or features that resonate with underrepresented groups.

Relevance

Figure 3 on relevance

The newsletter was deemed highly relevant by 62.1% of respondents, with an additional 31.8% considering it appropriate. This combined 93.9% positive perception indicates that the newsletter successfully meets the informational needs of its readers, particularly by keeping them updated on local events, sports, health, and wellness topics. The remaining 6.1% of neutral respondents suggest there may be a minority of readers who felt the content could be improved or tailored further to align with their expectations. These findings affirmed the value of the newsletter while highlighting areas for potential enhancement in engagement strategies.

Usefulness

Figure 4 on usefulness

Half of the respondents (50%) found the Forward Newsletter to be highly useful, while another 40.9% deemed it helpful for staying informed about city affairs. A smaller portion, 9.1%, expressed neutrality, indicating room for improvement in conveying the newsletter’s utility to all readers. The high usefulness ratings suggested that the newsletter was fulfilling its role as an informative medium. Still, the targeted feedback from neutral respondents could provide insights into additional features or topics that would enhance its practical value.

Content

Figure 5 on content

The newsletter’s content was rated excellent by 62.1% of respondents, with another 28.8% rating it as useful. A smaller segment (9.1%) found it satisfactory. This overwhelmingly positive feedback reflected the success of the newsletter in delivering engaging and relevant content. However, the small proportion of satisfactory ratings could indicate minor gaps in addressing specific reader expectations, such as diversity in topics or depth of coverage. Continuous content evaluation and reader feedback mechanisms could further refine the quality of the newsletter.

Priority Level

Figure 6 Respondents’ Level of Priority

The survey identified “credible content” as the highest priority for readers, emphasizing the importance of trustworthiness and reliability. Secondary and tertiary priorities included good grammar and appropriate formatting and layout, respectively. Interestingly, the least important factor for readers was the presence of sufficient pictures and designs. This hierarchy suggested that readers value substance and clarity over visual elements. While design improvements could enhance the overall reading experience, the focus should remain on delivering high-quality, well-edited, and informative content.

Should the Newsletter Continue?

Figure 7 on the Newsletter’s Continuance

An overwhelming 97% of respondents supported the continuation of the Forward Newsletter as an extension program, highlighting its perceived value and relevance to the community. The minimal opposition (3%) suggested negligible dissatisfaction, affirming the newsletter’s role as a vital communication tool. This near-unanimous approval provided a strong mandate to sustain and potentially expand the newsletter’s reach and impact.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Figure 8 Recommendations

The survey responses highlighted several key areas for future enhancements to the Forward Newsletter. First, maintaining and enhancing the credibility and diversity of stories was crucial to meeting the varied interests of readers. Second, meticulous proofreading and editing were essential to uphold high linguistic standards. Third, optimizing the layout was necessary to improve readability and overall aesthetic appeal. While visual elements were not a primary concern, incorporating well-chosen images and designs could complement the content and enhance visual engagement. By addressing these recommendations, the Forward Newsletter could continue to evolve as a valuable and impactful resource for its readers.

CONCLUSION

The Forward Newsletter, a health and wellness extension publication program in Dumaguete City and the Dumaguete City Government showcased articles on dragon boating, Zumba, Taiji, fitness routines, strategies for managing mental stress, and stories of keeping a healthy lifestyle. With survey applicants of more women than men, the newsletter was highly relevant, useful, and satisfying. It allowed them to be updated on what was going on in the city and the government’s activities of promoting health and wellness. With the news and feature stories being credible, the respondents assessed the newsletter as credible, with good grammar, formatting, and layout. Because the project was designed before and during the pandemic, it then served as an avenue for readers to be updated on the government’s health programs and activities. Thus, Dumagueteños subscribers of the Forward Newsletter opted to continue the extension program as it had encouraged them to sustain a balanced and healthy conscious lifestyle.

Funding: No funding was involved as it was published online.

REFERENCES 

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