GSK launches the Search for Winners Against Asthma 2015

GSK recently launched The Search for Winners Against Asthma last February 5, 2015 at Makati Shangri-la. The event was hosted by Samantha Purvor with Guest Ambassador Ms. Kim Chiu and doctor panelists from GSK led by Dr. Nep Ordonez, Dr. Carmela Kasala, Dr. Badette Arcilla and Dr. Ma. Bella Siasoco.

Kim Chiu with Dr. Nep Ordonez and Dr. Carmela Kasala

Do you know someone who have asthma, and what triggers the disease? Asthma has been associated with shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing because of some allergies to pollen, dust, perfume or your pets. The key is to breath normally, moves around and work freely.  If you know someone who suffers from the disease and yet lives a normal life, then its time to vote for them online.


Its anyone you know, your parents, siblings, friends, classmates or neighbors. If they are winning against asthma and accomplished in their respective fields. Its time for them to be recognized.


 The Search for Winners Against Asthma 2015 campaign aims to choose and recognize 10 young asthmatic achievers from different walks of life.

The advocacy likewise introduces Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez as the new face of the campaign. Martinez, an asthmatic, began experiencing asthmatic bronchitis when he was just two months old.


He recalls being in the hospital frequently and says the cold rink actually helped improve his health. “Year after year my health keeps improving, so my mother fully supported me to continue skating saying it's better to spend the money on skating than in the hospital.”

The program is a nationwide search for young asthmatic achievers aged 30 years and younger who are outstanding in their respective fields despite having asthma and inspire asthma sufferers that they, too, can win against asthma.


The rationale for the target age group is driven by the fact that asthma is one of the most important chronic disease during childhood causing substantial morbidity 1.  Uncontrolled asthma is associated with a reduced lung function, impaired performance in physical exercise, and impaired quality of
life.  More severe asthma leads to more frequent school absenteeism which may negatively affect
an individual’s level of education and, possibly, choice of career.  People within this age group are in the process of developing the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable them to achieve
their goals in life and asthma should not deter them from realizing their full potential. Thus it is
necessary at this early stage to raise their awareness on asthma and how they can win against it.

The Search for Winners Against Asthma will run from February until May 2015 and will be touring different schools and drugstore outlets to spread the advocacy and invite more people to join the campaign.

The deadline for submission of entries is on March 31, 2015.  All entries will be screened during the first week of April. As we celebrate World Asthma Day on May 5, the top 20 finalists will be announced and will be immediately followed by online voting.  The top 10 Winners Against Asthma will be announced and awarded by the 3rd week of May 2015.

This advocacy campaign is supported by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (PSAAI), Huawei and Folded & Hung.


To prove that the disease should not be a deterrent from living one’s life to the fullest, real asthma patients were invited to provide testimonies of their experiences and how won against the illness. Celebrity asthmatics, Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda became the featured ambassadors for the first wave of the campaign. Joining the 2015 campaign is Michael Christian Martinez, the Olympic figure skater.

For more information please visit http://www.facebook.com/winagainstasthma