Dubbed as ‘Family NutriTalk’, the Kids Nutrition Campaign of Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) upgraded its advocacy of proper child nutrition on March 24, 2018, Saturday at 10AM. HAPI Metro Manila Chapter was able to bring public health practitioners to its foster community on Ilaya Street of Barangay Alabang, in partnership with the Muntinlupa City Health Office.
Talks on Vitamin A Food Fortification, Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding, Child Growth and Deworming, and Prenatal and Postpartum Family Planning by various speakers were attended by around 60 parents most of them were mothers and homemakers. Sharing their professional expertise were nutritionists/dietitians Viviana Flor and Irene Ruivivar, midwife Anastacia Arciaga, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Alice Tanabe and Shermaine Abarrientos.
A feeding program managed by Jamie del Rosario-Martinez, HAPI Executive Secretary, followed the Family NutriTalk. Center of the kids’ lunch table was Ginisang Monggo (Mung Bean Soup) — made with fresh vegetables like moringa leaves, tomatoes, bitter melons, some pork, herbs and spices, complemented with white rice. Such delectable spread is the beginning of a healthful transition to more nutritious meals for the kids. Going forward, Kids Nutrition Campaign will make good use of the Menu Guide Calendar released every year by Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology.
Secular Humanist Advocacy Development and Education (SHADE), the educational arm of HAPI, wrapped up the activities with a storytelling session of ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper’, one of Aesop’s Fables. The fable describes how a hungry grasshopper begs for food from an ant when winter comes and is refused.
Muntinlupa City Health Office is due to meet with HAPI Metro Manila Chapter in order to arrange regular visits and weight monitoring by BNS. Extension of the Family NutriTalk to other needy communities is also in the pipeline of this promising collaboration. Public health is a secular concern needing secular intervention and humanistic engagement. HAPI accepts the opportunity to work with local governments and like-minded leaders for the betterment of humanity.
Kids Nutrition Campaign receives proceeds from the sale of HAPI merchandise. You can help sustain our monthly feeding program and other activities for the kids by placing an order at our HAPI Humanist Store here.
The Author
McJarwin Cayacap
- HAPI Metro Manila Member
- Web Content Editor
- National Events Director
- Public Relations Officer
Currently in between careers, he busies himself with anything that works for the good of humanity. Other than being a humanist, he is a realist, an art aficionado, a frugal foodie and a weary wanderer. He looks forward to working in the central government.
