With the aim of National Nutrition Council (NNC) R02 to promote healthy diet as a way of living, NNC R02 and Tuguegarao City Nutrition Committee in partnership with Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Rainbow conducted the 7th year Nutri-kalesa painting contest on 4-5 July 2017 at DA RFO-02 Gymnasium, Tuguegarao City as part of the celebration of Nutrition Month 2017 and promotion of healthy lifestyle in the region.

The value of kalesa or a horse drawn-rig as an IEC medium of promoting good health in the city is duly recognized through the said activity. The event also provided an avenue for students to showcase their artistic skills and foster teamwork and cooperation while taking their part in encouraging the people to live a healthy life.

Nutri-kalesa painting was participated by 20 kalesas and different students coming from Linao National High School, Gosi National High School, Cataggaman National High School, Cagayan National High School, Tuguegarao City West National High School, and Tuguegarao City Science High School.

The theme of the painting contest was based on how the students visualize the 2017 Nutrition Month theme, “Healthy diet, gawing habit- FOR LIFE!”. Students started to do their tasks on 4 July at DA RFO-02 Gymnasium. Every stroke created by the students in their paintings is an emblem of their dedication and determination in helping the agency promote healthy lifestyle.

In return, all the outputs of the students were adjudged by the jury invited by NNC. The honorable jury composed of Interior Designers, Ms. Melissa Caronan and Ms. Gazel Anne Furigay, educators from University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao and Ms. Shelly Ann Pascual, Director of Rotary Club- Tuguegarao Chapter. These judges had a hard time in deciding which art won the first place.

Tuguegarao City West High School students won 3rd place while students of Tuguegarao City Science High School garnered the 2nd Place and Cagayan National High School Students won first place.

Students received incentives for bagging their respective awards. 3rd place was given cash amounting to P3, 000; P4, 000 cash was awarded to the 2nd placer and P5, 000 for the 1st placer. Consolation prize of P500.00 was also given to non winners.

In an interview, Ms. Maribet Balubal, coach of CNHS, expressed her joyfulness for bagging the first place award, she said that she did not expect to win the first place because every entry displayed artistic emblem of idea of every students. “I think we won because our entry is an expression of 2017 Nutrition Month theme, Healthy diet, gawing Habit- FOR LIFE!” she added.

On the other hand, Ms. Maria Gisela M. Lonzaga, OIC-Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC stressed that through this activity, talents of students were recognized and showcased and at the same time it promotes healthy lifesyle through artistic way. Lastly, she encourages the public to ride in the Nutri-Kalesa not only to preserve ibanag culture but at the same time learn the nutrition importance painted in every kalesa. ###jnlb