The health and wellness program of MMSU was revitalized to develop and sustain the health of university personnel and students.

Dubbed as “Salun-atko, Love-ko,” the program, which is an initiative of the university’s Health and Wellness Services (HWS) Directorate, is MMSU’s commitment to promote healthy lifestyle among personnel and students. One of the program’s components is a dance exercise, also known as Watwat Hataw Sayaw, which started on February 9 and it is done every after flag-raising ceremony, and on Fridays.

“Actually, the Watwat Hataw Sayaw was an initiative of the Center for Human Movement Studies (CHuMS), but we adopted it because our scope on health and wellness is wider,” said Dr. Leonisa A. Silvestre, HWS director, adding that this activity will not only give personnel and students a break from their daily activities, but also imbibe the importance of having a healthy and active lifestyle.

“In fact, a good exercise can help keep our body at a healthy weight, lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases,” she said.

Researches show that exercising regularly decreases a person's risk of developing certain diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Other activities in the "Salun-at Ko, Love Ko" program include: monitoring of health and sanitation, fumigation, screening and vaccination of students, and blood-letting by university constituents, among others.

The revitalization of the Salun-atko, Love-ko program came in full swing after MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr. Silvestre, and CHuMS Director Arsenio T. Gallego decided to make it more exciting and operational.

Meanwhile, employees who will regularly join the Salun-atko, Love-ko programs may get the following health benefits: 1) strengthening of the heart; 2) clearing of the arteries and veins that may reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke; 3) strengthening of the lungs to become more efficient in moving air in and out of the body; 4) reduction of blood sugar levels which can reduce the risk of diabetes; 5) control of weight; 6) strengthening of the bones which helps prevent osteoporosis; 7) regulation of blood pressure, which reduces the  risk for heart disease; 8) improvement of energy levels; 9) improvement of the immune system; and 10) enhancement of emotional well-being.