Katumbas ay Biyaya, the National Nutrition Council’s multimedia campaign to promote good nutrition to the public, proves to be changing the lives of the Filipino people. Mrs. Lorely de Guzman-Labo, one the two winners from Bicol region of the Katumbas ay Biyaya Season 10 Letter Writing Contest, is a living proof of this. With health and nutrition well-being on top of her priorities, Lorely considers the 30-minute radio program to be really a blessing.Lorely was born and raised in Sitio Culuyan Dos, Barangay Macad, Pasacao, Camarines Sur. As a wife and mother of three, listening to the radio program is a must. Having the goal of improving the nutritional and health status of her family, just like any other mother, she has been an avid listener since she came across the radio program in DZRH during its first season in 2008.
Katumbas ay Biyaya is indeed life-changing for the 35-year old housewife. She recalls the earlier when she would give in to her eldest son’s request to serve fried foods almost every day just so that the boy won’t cry. But as Lorely gradually learns the basics of proper nutrition through the episodes of the radio program, she was able to discover ways and simple techniques on how to nourish her family.
Changes were remarkable, according to her. From being picky eaters and sickly, her children now have good appetite and seldom get sick. They are physically active and even performing excellently in school. To maintain the good results, she makes sure to be creative with the food she prepares and always integrates what she has learned from the radio program. The importance of a balanced diet, consuming adequate servings of fruits and vegetables, as well as proper hygiene is always kept in mind. She also recognizes the fact that both lack and excess of something is not good.
Lorely’s dedication to the radio program doesn’t stop within her family. She makes ripples of change in her community by encouraging neighbors to also listen to the radio program so that they may experience the transformation it brought to their lives.
Health is wealth, as the saying goes. Lorely could not afford any member of her family to get sick; thus, its prevention is what she ensures, Katumbas ay Biyaya being a significant fraction of this undertaking. Imparting gratitude to NNC, especially to Assistant Secretary Maria-Bernardita T. Flores for coming up with this influential program, Lorely promises to be one with NNC in the pursuit of ensuring proper nutrition in her own small ways.
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