Team MM Celebrates Nutrition Month 2014

When I was in elementary school, the month of July would always bring out excitement and joy to students, teachers and parents since it would entail celebrating the most awaited Nutrition Month. The classrooms would always be filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, students run around in their costumes, everyone had their bellies full… Basically everyone just exudes a glow that comes with being happy and healthy.

Team Mauswagong Mirangan, together with the principal and teaching staff of Mirangan Elementary School wanted to give the same happy experience to the schoolchildren, which in turn would remind them of the importance of good health and proper nutrition.

The team started collaborating with the school, the Parent-Teacher Association, the barangay council and the barangay nutrition scholar in coming up with activities centered on promoting good nutrition. A project proposal was created and approved
by the Provincial and Municipal Nutrition Action Offices.

The first activity for the first week of July was a room-to-room health education on nutrition. Interactive modes of teaching were employed for the children to be more attuned to the key messages of the lectures.

The second activity was the poster-making contest participated by representatives from grades 4, 5, and 6. In this activity, the students were tasked to create a poster based on this year’s theme, “Kalamidad Paghandaan: Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan!” (Prepare for Emergencies to Prevent Hunger and Malnutrition!) The focus on nutrition in emergencies such as calamities provide the people the realization of the importance of preparedness to prevent worsening malnutrition and death in affected groups. The students showcased their creativity and resourcefulness in their posters. Out of the 9 contestants, the top 3 best posters were chosen: 3rd placer is 4th grade student Asther Silao, 2nd placer is 6th grader Janisa Caiban and 1st placer is 5th
grader Kenneth Bautista.

A Quiz Bee was also conducted on the 3rd week of July. This was also participated by representatives from grades 4, 5, and 6. The contest was divided into 3 rounds of multiple-choice questions. During the elimination round, the contestants were tasked to choose the best answer. Those who answered correctly stays, while those who answered incorrectly were eliminated. During the semi-final and the final rounds, the remaining contestants were given 4 cards labeled A, B, C and D which they held up to answer the questions. The top 3 scorers were all 6th graders: Kimberly Padernal placed 3rd, Jane Rose Silaras placed 2nd and Monsar Pantaleon placed 1st.
To have everyone’s participation as well as to showcase the creativity of each student, a Do-It-Yourself Costume Day was conducted, wherein students created their own hats featuring various nutritious foods. These hats would then be worn by the students during the culminating program.

On July 23, 2014, together with the faculty and staff of Mirangan Elementary School, we celebrated the culmination of the nutrition month by having intermission numbers from each grade level, a palengke or tabo showcase, various games and contests, awarding of the winners of the different activities conducted during the month and a salu-salo prepared by the PTA members.

Not only was the project instrumental in providing nutritional awareness, but it also fostered camaraderie and unity, making the project more meaningful to everyone in the community. Indeed, the goal of spreading the message of good health and nutrition has been met and hopefully will be sustained for years to come. 

Mothers cooking nutritious food for their children during the Nutrition Month Culminating Activity

Dra. Moritz Soliven teaching kids the importance of Nutrition

Novie Mendio, a 4th grader, creates a poster based on the Nutrition Month 2014 theme: Kalamidad Paghandaan: Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan!

5th grader, Kenneth Bautista won first place.

Students raise their answer to a question during the semi-final round.

From Left, 1st placer Monsar Pantaleon, 2nd placer Jane Rose Silaras and 3rd Placer Kimberly Padernal.

Kindergarten students participate in the Do-It-Yourself Costume Day.

Students happy with their costume

The stage for culminating activity

Showcase of Fruits and Vegetables

Students from all grade levels get ready for the program.

Palengke or Tabo showcase with the grade 5 students and their adviser, Ms. Elvira Delfin.

Ida Arriola (right) assists Ms. Rosalinda Pedroza, school principal in the awarding of a bronze medal and a prize to 3rd placer Asther Silao and her adviser for the poster-making contest.

Ting Paber poses with the winners of the best in costume contest.