Cebu City - One thousand two hundred forty three pregnant, lactating mothers, caregivers of children 6-23 months and other stakeholders flocked SM Seaside City Cebu Mountain Wing Atrium to witness a one of a kind launching event which involved three simultaneous activities namely a fashion show of designers’ maternity collections, breastfeeding photo contest and a complementary food preparation video contest. “I thought I was attending a popular perfume fashion show in New York” said one medical practitioner attending the event.
The 2016 Nutrition Month celebration in Central Visayas was kicked-off with Nutriathlon dubbed “Fusion of Fashion and Nutrition for Mother and Child #First1000Days” on 01 July 2016 at SM Seaside City Cebu, SRP, Cebu City. The launching event emphasized the importance of the first 1000 days of life. “We want to tell the public that how we nourish our child starting from pregnancy up to the first two years in life plays a vital role in his/her intellectual development and lifelong health.” Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Parolita A. Mission said.
The event highlighted a fashion show of authentic maternity collections from renowned designers in Cebu City and the semi-finalists for the Regional Breastfeeding Photo Contest and Complementary Food Preparation Video Contest. The designers included Orlee Mar Macasero who featured relaxed and stunning ready to wear designs suitable for breastfeeding moms, Mikhail Achas who showcased chic collections for pregnant women in their 3rd trimester, Mars Ian Salud who interpreted the theme through his simple yet elegant maternity dresses for the same stage of pregnancy. Sam Cuta on the other hand presented casual and relaxed maternity dresses for 2nd trimester, while Noel Iñes highlighted casual and elegant dresses also suited for the 2nd trimester. Agustin Pedrano highlighted simple and elegant wardrobes in pastel colors for mommies in their 1st trimester of pregnancy and Dexter Alazas who featured the famous hablon of Argao, Cebu and played around the colourful shades of fruits and vegetables in his creations intended for mothers on the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
The models were pregnant and lactating women themselves cared for by members of the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines Cebu Chapter with special participation of nurses from Phil. Nurses Association Cebu Chapter and pediatricians-breastfeeding mom themselves coming from the Phil Pediatric Society Cebu Central and Eastern Visayas Chapter.
Contestants for breastfeeding photo and complementary food preparation contests competing for the grand prize will be conferred during the Grand Nutrition Awards on 12 August 2016. Netizens can vote for their favorite breastfeeding photos and complementary food preparation videos by visiting NNC 7’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nncrvii. ///RPOP
