The National Nutrition Council Central Luzon, in partnership with the Department of Education and Department of Social Welfare and Development, spearheaded the “Awit at Sayaw sa Wastong Nutrisyon” Competition on 21 November 2016 at the Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The activity is also part of NNC Central Luzon’s commitment in the observance of the 2016 National Children’s Month, with the theme ““Isulong: Kalidad ng Edukasyon Para sa lahat ng Bata!”

Now on its fourth year, the event aimed to expand and enhance public awareness on the 10 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) among elementary and high school students, school heads and teachers, parents and guardians, and partners at the local government units. The event supports NNC’s campaign on Promote Good Nutrition, with the banner slogan ”Wastong Nutrition, Alamin, Gawin at Palaganapin”.  In addition, the activity also banks on the influence of the pupils and students over their peers and immediate family members in changing behavior, lifestyle and eating habits through song and dance, with the NGF Nutri-Jingle as music material.

The activity was conceptualized in 2013 when NNC Central Luzon requested Big Ben’s Production, a subsidiary of ASLAG Kapampangan Artist, to compose a Nutri-Jingle that will be used as music material for its song and dance competition.  Inspired by the newly launched 10 Kumainments, the lyrics and musical scoring was put together with the upbeat of modern dance craze, which showcased the young’s musical prowess, creativity, talent in dancing and youthful energy.   

Schools that competed under the elementary category were: 1) City of Malolos Integrated School; 2) Northville 16 Elementary School; and 3) Dapdap Elementary School of Mabalacat City. While for the high school category, the following schools joined the competition: 1) Francisco G. Nepomuceno Memorial High School of Angeles City; 2) Doña Asuncion Lee Integrated School Mabalacat City; 3) Mabalacat National High School; 4) Malolos Marine Fishery School and Laboratory; and 5) Information and Communication Technology High School of City of San Fernando.

The students who represented Dapdap Elementary School under the elementary category, was declared champion and received Php7,000.00 as cash prize, a computer showcase for their school, and certificates of recognition and participation. City of Malolos Integrated School got the second place and Northville Elementary School was third place and received Php5,000.00 cash price and Php3,000.00 cash price, respectively. Both schools also received certificates of recognition and participation.

For high school category, students from Mabalacat National High School were declared champion. They also received Php7,000.00 cash prize, a computer showcase for their school and certificate of recognition. Malolos Marine Fishery and Laboratory was second placer and Information and Communication Technology High School got the third place and received Php5,000.00 and Php3,000.00, respectively.  Doña Asuncion Lee Integrated School and Francisco G. Nepomuceno High School, on the other hand, were fourth and fifth placers, respectively and received Php1,500.00 each. All participating schools were given certificates of participation for joining the contest.

Coaches and mentors of the students were given certificates of appreciation for their valuable time and for the moral support that they provided to their students.

OIC Ana Maria B. Rosaldo of NNC Central Luzon, Ms. Evelyn T. Manalo, Regional Information Officer of Department of Social Welfare and Development Region III and Mr. Rafael Rubio, Education Program Supervisor of the Department of Education were board of judges.

The “Awit at Sayaw sa Wastong Nutrisyon” Competition was graced with the presence of Hon. Angelica Hizon, City Councilor of City of San Fernando. Councilor Hizon delivered a short message where she recognized music as a way of remembering things of value and of importance. She congratulated the NNC and its partners for staging the contest and for engaging the students into music and dance in order to prevent them from acquiring vices such as taking illegal drugs, alcohol drinking, eating unhealthy foods, among others. Dr. Renely P. Tungul, Rural Health Physician from the City of San Fernando Health Office also came to represent City Mayor Edwin D. Santiago.