Now on its second year, the National Nutrition Council orchestrated another fusion of the Cagayano culture and art; the Nutri-Kalesa Painting competition.

Records showed that the municipality of Tuao has more than 300 Kalesas (horse-drawn rig), twice the number in the capital city of Tuguegarao. This year, nine schools in Tuao sent their students for the competition as supported by the local government unit.

“The support of the LGU can never be discounted as they took charge of meals and supplemented the cash prizes,” Meggie Lonzaga, Regional Nutrition Coordinator said.

Under such scheme, the cocheros are paid their income for the day while the calesas become walking advertisement for the government’s program on nutrition.

Under this year’s theme of “Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktino… Push Natin ‘to,” the students exhausted their artistry and creativity.

Lonzaga said the municipality plans to paint all the calesas in the area with nutrition messages which can become an attractions. Unlike Tuguegarao, the calesas in Tuao still ply all the municipal routes and serve as a major transport to and from the barangays.

In municipalities where the calesa exists, they have become part of the people’s culture.