Alaska has been a household name for many decades and I’m glad that they have such campaigns like the recent “Batang Alaska School Milk Program” to help children who suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth reach their full potentials.
According to the 2015 Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipinos developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Philippines (FNRI), 1 out of every 3 children in the Philippines aged 5 to 10 is suffering from stunted growth. Similarly, 1 out of every 3 children aged 5 to 10 years old is underweight.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stunted growth as the “failure to reach one’s full potential for growth.” Poor nutrition is one of the many causes of this. This can also result in being underweight or when a child weighs less than the average for their age and height.
Stunted growth as well as being underweight is problems that should not be ignored. If not addressed early, stunted growth may lead to lost productivity and opportunities, and to nutrition-related diseases later in life.
Fully aware of these facts, Alaska Milk Corporation, who is dedicated to providing proper and affordable nutrition to Filipinos for over four decades, will hold a series of events with activities to promote the importance of proper nutrition all throughout a child’s development years in order to reach the right height and weight for their age.
Taking the lead in this campaign is Alaska’s new Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink which is loaded with Vitamin D, it’s also high in calcium and iron and a good source of protein. Milk has always been essential for growing children to have enough and consistent nutrient intake to ensure maximum growth potential. That is why Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink, combined with proper nutrition and an active lifestyle, will help children reach the right height and weight for their age.
This event, dubbed as the “Batang Alaska School Milk Program”, also marks the first public appearance with Alaska Fortified’s new Nutrition Advocate – three-term senator Sen. Loren Legarda, who has authored many pieces of legislation aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos and promoting inclusive, sustainable and resilient development.
Alaska’s new Mom ambassador was also introduced — renowned actress, singer, TV host and one of Philippines’ favorite mumshies, Mrs. Jolina Magdangal-Escueta.
“I am happy to be here with the kids. Similar to the mothers, it is important for me to make sure that my children undergo the right growth and development. That is why I make sure I give them proper nutrition. Of course, make sure that they drink milk every day – and not just ordinary milk. They should drink milk that is full of the nutrients they need to reach the right height and weight for their age. That is why I am glad that Alaska Fortified is now here”, said TV host Jolina, a mother of two kids).
During the event, children were brought to the Alaska height and weighing stations so they can know if they have the right height, right weight for their age. Alaska also provided everyone with samples of the Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink, which when combined with a balanced diet, is able to help children obtain their age’s proper height and weight.
“Alaska Milk’s mission and vision is to promote affordable nutrition in the Philippines because through this, the Filipino youth will be able to achieve their full potential and grow up competitive in life. To support our goal, we have launched the new Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk. It has essential nutrients that will help every Filipino child achieve the right height and weight for their age. We encourage everyone to drink milk every day and to also partner it with an active lifestyle. Dahil wala pa rin pong tatalo sa batang may hustong tangkad at bigat – wala pa rin tatalo sa Alaska.”, (“Because nothing beats a kid with a right height and weight – nothing beats Alaska.”), said Isabel Ruiz, Alaska Milk Corporation Marketing Manager, right after the Ceremonial Milk Toast.
To support this campaign, one of Alaska’s key trade partners, Puregold, joined the event to announce a special and exclusive promo that will make buying a pack of Alaska Fortified truly of superior value for consumers.
Reward prizes were also given by Alaska’s distribution partner, OTO-GMA, to Santolan Elementary School for being the winner of the Batang Alaska label generation activity for the school year 2017-2018.
For more information about the new Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink, visit www.alaskamilk.com.