Written by the Web Team
The National Year of Rice (NYR 2013) is supporting the National Nutrition Council’s End Hunger campaign by helping the country achieve self-sufficiency in rice, the main staple food of Filipinos.
The National Nutrition Council (NCC) lead the observance of Nutrition Month in July with the theme Secure enough food to end hunger and malnutrition.
To drum up support for Nutrition Month from the public and generate more awareness for the campaign, the first ever End Hunger Concert was held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, July 19.
Filipino singer Noel Cabangon performed his composition and the NYR theme song, Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas during the concert. His song invites all Filipinos to help achieve one of the country’s main goals this year – rice self-sufficiency.
Meanwhile, Dr. Enrique Tayag, Department of Health (DOH) assistant secretary expressed support for NYR 2013 because its objective is also to end hunger and fight malnutrition by promoting the consumption of healthier forms of carbohydrates like brown rice and rice mixed with banana, sweet potato, corn and adlai.
During the concert, Tayag, known as the “Dancing ASec,” also led the NYR Dance with the crowd and the NYR 2013 team. The dance portrayed the production of rice.
DOH Assistant Secretary Maria-Bernadita Flores said this year’s celebration of Nutrition Month is first of its kind, since it is only now that a concert was held and music was used to generate more support.
NYR Campaign Director Hazel Antonio said that NYR will be an active partner of the National Nutrition Council in their campaign against hunger.
“The National Year of Rice campaign is one with you in fighting hunger and malnutrition,” she added.
Philippine Rice Research Institute is spearheading the NYR 2013 campaign.
