Bearing this year’s nutrition month theme ‘’Healthy diet gawing habit – FOR LIFE!’’ The Kiddie broadcasters here in Cagayan Valley once again took the center stage in a two leg 4th Batang Radyo Sa Nutrisyon (BRSN) Congress held on 23-24 May 2017 in Isabela Hotel, Cauayan City and Taj Hotel, Tuguegarao City respectively.
The jolly young nutrition broadcasters in their colorful jerseys jubilantly registered their presence and participation.
Organized by the National Nutrition Council Region 02, the BRSN members were clustered in two groups. The first day saw Batang Radyo in Cauayan City delegates from Quirino Province in their usual orange shirts, Cauayan City in green, Santiago City in civilian outfit less BRSN’s from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya who must replenish membership for incoming grades 5 and 6.
The same signal was raised on the second leg of the congress at the regional capital Tuguegarao City, by BRSN’s from Aparri chanting in their green uniform, Tuguegarao City in blue, the veteran Lallo group in white while Claveria team was simply represented by its adviser and a broadcast anchor. As usual, Batanes broadcasters rarely see action for long distance reason.
The Officer-In-Charge, Nutrition Program Coordinator Maria Gisela “Meggie” M. Lonzaga sincerely welcomed the delegates and their coaches as she sustained the noble purpose of the BRSN that is to reinforce the message structure of good nutrition and empowering the community through correct and up to date nutrition information.
She also explained many causes of nutritional problems to the young communicators putting emphasis on their being passive in eating breakfast, never realizing that the meal is a way to break the fasting from the preceding dinner and the most important meal of the day.
OIC Lonzaga likewise informed her young audience on the standing role of the Department of Education, Order No. 13, s. 2017: “Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Foods and Beverage Choices in School and DepEd Offices”. She said that this order aims to promote and develop healthy food choices and eating habits among the school children.
Furthermore, the newly transferred Schools Division Superintendent of Cauayan City Dr. Gilbert N. Tong, originally from Cagayan, expressed optimism that the young advocates in radio will eventually become active and proactive in playing priceless role for a healthy Filipino living, thus boosting their morale and uplifting their confidence.
Adding muscles to the twofold Batang Radyo Sa Nutrisyon Congress was a sharpening the edge on newswriting for radio skills of these selected campus journalists at the helm of Broadcaster Teresa “Tere” Campos of DWPE Radyo ng Bayan. The newswriting lecture was likewise spiced by reinforced learning in Infomercial production for radio, considered unique and challenging work in radio production and presentation. This writer was asked to handle the assignment since this radio job has been his favorite broadcast commodity.
The Batang Radyo broadcasters had to stand up and be spotlighted on what talents they would show and the power of their brief time broadcast presentation.
Bearing no rancor on the result of the simple contests, Cauayan City BRSN emerged the champion during the first leg of the Congress while Aparri squad dominated the second leg of the two-day affair.
At the culminating portion of the activity, Tuguegarao City Health Officer Dr. James Guzman took the limelight when he said the Congress is not for winning but the heart of the participation counts most.
The affair was attended by Mayor Benben C. De Guzman II of Tuguegarao City, City Nutrition Action Officers Amalia B. Calubaquib and Nareta Maximo and members of Balay ni Ifan Media Group.
