Kraft Cheez Whiz Palamantasan

Grade school kids nationawide united for good nutrition in "Kraft Cheez Whiz Palamantasan" last July 17, 2010 in Lapu-Lapu Central Elementary School, Cebu. It is an inter-school competition among grade school students nationwide in a quest for nutrition education-the first of its kind in the Philippines.

It was 12 noon when the Cebu Bloggers Society arrived in Lapu Lapu Central Elementary School. It was so warm, as warm as the school administration's welcome to us: majorettes were lined up in front of the school gate; twirling and lifting their batons up & down along with the school's lyre and buggle corps who gave music tunes of today's songs.

We settled ourselves inside one of the school's office and feasted the dinner buffet prepared by the school for us. After which, we walked ourselves to the school's covered court where the program was held.

The place is spacious. It was dominated with yellow and orange balloons. Colorful banderitas were up on the ceiling and lcd screens were placed in front and at the sides of the stage.

The program began with some of the school's grade two students playing the Ukelele of the native song entitled "Pintik". It was followed by a chorale group who lead the invocation.

Roy Villarama introduced himself as the emcee of the program. He talked in English and Tagalog Languages. He then introduced Mr. Alex Dan Tacderas, Category Manager for Cheese and Spoonables, Kraft Foods Philippine who welcomed everyone in the program. 

Mr. Tacderas stressed out the saying "A picture paints a thousand words." relating to a picture of malnurished children and the future of their lives. He also highlighted in his speech, a recent studey about the nutrition status of the children in the Philippines. He said that approximately 8 million Filipino Children are malnurished and that it is such an alarming news.

Mr. Tacderas also told a story. Read along.

There was a young man walking on the shore one day and as he walked, he saw many starfishes drifted into the shore. He was walking until he saw a young boy throwing the starfishes back into the sea. The young man approached the boy and asked, "What are you doing?". The young boy replied, "I'm trying to save the starfishes so I'm throwing them back to the sea". The young man laughed and said, "You're just wasting your time, nothing can make a difference". But the young boy ignored the young man and still continued to throw the starfishes back. He held one starfish, threw it into the sea and said, "There, I made a difference".

It was a very informative and inspiring message by Mr. Tacderas. After his talk, the host called on Mrs. Lucia Zapanta, the school's principal who expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and most especially to Kraft Foods Philippines. "Our school is so blessed with people from Kraft Cheez Whiz. This is the first time that someone used our school as a venue for a certain event that supports good health and proper education." says Mrs. Zapanta. "Because of this event, our students will for sure learn more and be inspired to study more." she adds.

After the opening of the program, the host gave everyone a brief overview of the event. He then narrated the focus of the show: the five Contest Categories, namely, Sabayang Pagbigkas, Sandwich Art, Jarchitecture, Cheering Competition and the On-The-Spot Essay Writing Contest. He then invited everyone to visit the official website of Kraft Cheez Whiz Palamantasan which is www.palamantasan.com who have some tidbits on health and nutrition.

Sabayang Pagbigkas was the first contest category given attention. All the contestants were tasked to memorize one common composition and deliver it on stage in the most unique way. The judges of this category were Ms. Cecile S. Boyonas, Ms. Glenda B. Pogoy and Mrs. Angelina T. Daguplo. It was participated by three groups namely The Mighty Six, The Cheezy Whiz and Team Aktibo.

An intermision number was presented care of the Ukelele Ensemble of the Lapu-Lapu Central Elementary School. They repeated their performance in the opening of the program; playing the musical instrument Ukelele of the native song "Pintik".

Sandwich Art followed. Mothers and their daughters had the chance to make their best Sandwhich they could make; affordable, delicious and healthy with Kraft Cheez Whiz as the main ingredient. The judges of this contest were Ms. Sarah Igoy, Ms. delia Pacaldo and Ms. Jessica Hiyas.

While the contestants presented their work to the judges, the school's chorale Group sang the theme song of the Kraft Cheez Whiz Palamantasan.

Jarchitechture was next. Three students, each with coaches joined the contest. Competitors were made to create a meaningful and attractive model out of empty Kraft Cheez Whiz bottles and any recyclable materials. The judges of this contest were some of the school's faculty and staff.

On-The-Spot Essay Writing Contest was observed next. This category actually, started in the morning but was given attention after the Jarchitechture Category. In this part, students were recquired to compose a write-up with a maximum number of two-hundred words of their answer to this Tagalog Question: “Anu-ano ang natutunan mo tungkol sa palaman at nutrisyon?”

Cheering Competition was the last category. Participating groups competed by presenting their best 3-5 minute dance routine of any song and another set of cheer and dance steps of a song from Kraft Cheez Whiz.

The judges in this category were Ms. Faith G. Bullo, Ms. Analinda C. Bautista and Ms. Floramie N. Macapaz. The groups that joined were The Magic Touch, Dynammic Force and SHE Bratz.

The Casinio Siblings broke the monotony with their song number. They sang the hit songs of Filipino, all-girl-group Aegis. They were spectacular- reaching the high pitches of the songs at very young ages.

While all the judges and their assistants totaled all the scores, the host called for games. He played 'Bring Me' as the first game and a set of 'Trivia Questions'  about health for the second one.

Many bagged home Kraft Cheez Whiz goodie bags as their prize for winning in the games.

The program ended with the awarding of winners and a message of thanks by one of the head of Lapu-Lapu Central Elementary School. 

Congratulations to all the winners!

Sabayang Bigkas 
Coaches: Sheila R. Dumagil, Lucena S. Ngujo, Sarah V. Igoy
 Teacher / Adviser: Shiela Dumagil, Lucena Ngujo. Delia Anongos, Jessica Hiyas, Sarah Igoy, Dalela Sumalinog

Name of Team: Team Aktibo

Sandwich Art
Dina Modelo (mother) and Zamantha Mondelo (daugther)

Coach: Susie T. Yu

Adviser: Verna Alipar

Name of Recipe: Crunchy Cheese Stick Wiches

Jarchitechture
Coaches: Emily Lou Curiba/ Dexter Postrano
Teacher / Adviser: Dexter Postrano, Estrella Marañon 

Name of Team: Ch-Wezzy Body Protector

Essay Writing Contest 

Montessa Despi- Grade IV

Cheering Competition
Coaches: Edlynne Baguio and Marian Dungog
Teacher / Adviser: Sarah V. Igoy
Name of Team: S.H.E BRATS

All of them will be competing in the Regional Finals this coming August 15, 2010. Whoever will win there will advance to the National Contest that will be held on September 4, 2010.

Congratulations as well to those who actively participated the event and of course to Kraft Cheez Whiz who made the event possible. Kudos to Krafts Foods Philippines for aiming high and contributing to the betterment of our future!

photo credits: Clarence Mongado