PALAMANTASAN sponsored by Cheez Whiz

student listening in the program

PALAMANTASAN ng Sarap school eliminations was held in Buhangin Elementary School last August 17, 1:00pm.  As prompted, around eleven, I swerved my truck to Marco Polo, illegally parked in front of Miami Foods and trudged my sweaty self to the hotel for the meet up.  The lounge a/c is a blessing for my fats were sizzling in the heat.

Gosh...Manila just experienced a storm...why is Davao so blessed with very hot sunshine when people are dripping wet in other parts of the country?  I'm not complaining! I mean, I've lived my life is a storm-free area...I wouldn't know how to survive if I suddenly find myself paddling in the flood for life! -- but that doesn't mean a little rain or cold is not welcome.

The program started around 1:00 pm.

The Cherubim's Doxology, with the performers wearing 

all white and regal in their costumes, led the prayer.

Ms. Alma Buenviaje, the head organizer of the event informed us that the Palamantasan school eliminations is a nationwide activity of Kraft Foods in cooperation with Dep Ed. Ms. Buenviaje also informed us, that a similar activity is happening in Cebu at the same. 

Buhangin Elemntary School was the first school in Davao for this activity.  Mr. Arturo dela Cruz, prinicipal of the said school was estatic for the privilege of having his school chosen for this event.  I was kinda wondering if my alma mater, is one of the invited schools. The nuns there are a sucker for events like this.  I remember mascots in my elementary years when we had a similar event about nutrition. Heck, I didn't understood it then, but the mascots really made my day.

Mr. Paulo Serrano

Mr. Paulo Serrano Welcomed the students, parents, guests, and media.

In his speech, he informed us the inspiration behind Kraft Cheez Whiz's activity.  

He said "Walong milyon mga bata sa Pilipinasang wala sa tamang taas at tamang timbang" (eight million kids in the Philippines are not of the right weight and height)

We are not far from Africa in terms of malnutrition and will most likely suffer the way they are suffering now if this is not prevented.  This growing concern for nutrition health is the primary reason why Kraft Food launched the widest health campaign in the Philippines.  A timely campaign as Filipinos are not getting the right food.  I remember a show where they featured a family that lives off in noodles.  A sad fact due to many factors like ignorance and poverty...a even sadder fact: Many Filipinos suffer from malnutrition despite the fact that the country is abundant with vegetables and fruits.

That's why Mr. Arturo dela Cruz, the principal, was happy to be part of this program.  He proudly opened the afternoon's activities by proudly narrating the process that led to this afternoon's showcase of student talents.  He also humbly apologized for the fact that he overlooked the general contest piece in  Sabayang Pagbikas-- but then proudly beamed that this resulted to different beautiful contest entries. 

But then he promised,  "Kung sino man ang manalo, aming pag-aaralan ang piyesang binigay para sa interschool competition" (Whoever wins, they will study the provided contest piece for the interschool competition)

Mr. Arturo dela Cruz

Mr. Arturo's speech made me anticipate for the entries and true to his word, The Sabayang Pagbigkas pieces were amazing.  The talents of the coaches and students were apparent in their entries...Fellow Bloggers and I had a great time listening to various pieces that tells of how important it is to eat the right food, how kids should eat vegetables and drink milk, how kids of poor nutrition are compared to healthy kids, and more.

mmmmmmm....that is the most used word of the day next to Cheez Whiz...haha =D

Despite the one week preparation window, the contestants showed up in full costume with the enthusiasm of a three year old about to blow his/her birthday candle.   Thus when Mr. dela Cruz left the stage without telling us the gruesome details of preparations they underwent for the competition, the day proved that he doesn't need to...after seeing the entries, we all decided that his students and faculty deserve nothing but a standing ovation.

We also had trivia game.  

The first Question was: "Ayon sa fod pyramid, ano dapat ang pinakarami na ikunsumo ng mga tao?" (According to the food pyramid, what should people consume the most).

The answer to this is water.  It was a fun game but also a depiction of how unconscious mommies and students in Davao are in terms of nutrition.  It was a question that was not answered correctly the first, second, and third try.  

This simple game made me realize how simple truth and realities are taken for granted.  How sometimes we routinely do things in the house without being conscious of our actions. We feed our kids to what is available in the kitchen and not necessarily what is needed.  The answer to the question was supposedly easy...a tricky one I guess. The simplicity of the question tested our basic knowledge...to which we failed.  How can the kids not know? How can we mommies not realize it? how can the teachers overlook? definitely a health 101 alert, not for some...but for all of us, as we, bloggers including the other guests, also were not able to answer in our first three attempts. 

Indeed it was a day not only full of fun but also of information.

To the students, Teachers, and Organizers -- a job well done to you all.

Visit PALAMANTASAN Site for more info

For those individuals who would like to support this campaign and wants to participate,  Make a Pledge.

For schools who want to become a part of this, Join Palamantasan and help promote good health.

Palamantasan Competition

View Full Album

Winner of On the spot Essay Writing Competition

ELLA MAE EBORDA : VI-AQUAMARINE

Winner of Cheering Competition, NAME OF GROUP: CHEEZ CHEERERS 

coached by Mrs. Payot

Cheering Team Members

KIMBERLY MESIAS (IV-JACINTO)

LINDON OSING (IV-LAPU-LAPU)

PAUL JOSHUA ALICAUAY (IV-LAPU-LAPU)

MOMINA JOY FIEL (IV-LAPU-LAPU)

KRIZEL MYKE PEREZ (IV-MABINI)

SHANNEN VALENZUELA (IV-DATU BAGO)

ANGEL MAE MANDING (IV-DAGOHOY)

CARLA DALISAY (IV-QUEZON)

TRICIA MAE PALICTE (IV-DATU BAGO)

JORNALYN CAORTE (IV-DAGOHOY)

Creative Sandwich Making
Top - Cheez Whiz Tuna Sanwhich
BR - Pineapple Craft Cheez Whiz, BL - (winning entry) Palamantasya Hanep sa Pagmamahal Sandwich by DAVE FORRO & MOMMY DEBBIE

Winner of Sabayang Pagbigkas: The 6 Team
coached by Mrs. Santillian and Ms. Enriquez

Sabayang Pagbigkas Members

CHRISTIAN GALENDEZ (VI- JADE)

MA. EULA CONCEPCION UMAYAO (VI-RUBY)

JEATHER PENANUEVA (VI-DIAMOND)

MARK JAME NAYA (VI-TURQUOISE)

RYCA MADANIO (VI-OPAL)

MECHAELA MEPIESA (VI-JADE)

JESSA LOU BERNAL (VI-AQUAMARINE

IVAN BISHAR (VI-PEARL)

ANGELICA COQUILLA (VI-AQUAMARINE)

ALEXANDRA GUITGUITEN (VI-DIAMOND)

MARIEL LAPITAN (VI-JADE)

LADY IRISH GUITGUITIN (VI-OPAL)

CHERRY MAY MEDILA (VI-AMETHYST)

JEELENEE JAYSON DE CLARO (VI-GARNET)

CRISTY CRISTINO (VI-SAPPHIRE)

MARIALYN CABASE (VI-RUBY)

JAY-AR BALIONG (VI-GARNET)

ANGELICA NICOLE MANRIQUEZ (VI-AQUAMARINE)

JASPER MARC CHAN (VI-JADE)

GRACE JOYCE PADIOS (VI-PEARL)

NAME OF GROUP: SUPER CHEEZ WHIZ SANDWICH

GRADE & SECTION: VI

by JAYSON TRAGURA (VI) and SHERWIN LANCE DE LEON (VI)

Fun shots after the program ^.^

and evidences na lugi ang photographer pag dating sa picture taking!

blurred mani kevin wui!

with kids from Buhangin Elementary School

with Ms. Alma Buenviaje,  Events Management and Press Coordinator

with Mr. Paulo Serrano of Kraft Foods

Payong Group, cheering entry

Mr. Paulo Serrano with Teen Bloggers of Davao

students of Buhangin Elementary School