Cookies, veggies good for you, kids learn at Inquirer Read-Along

Penk Ching demonstrates how to bake “Funny Fruity Cookies” with the help of volunteers from the audience during the Inquirer Read Along session at at PDI office. PHOTO BY RODEL ROTONI

In time for Nutrition Month, nearly a hundred kids were treated to yummy snacks and exciting stories during Saturday afternoon’s Inquirer Read-Along session at the Inquirer main office in Makati, which featured renowned cake decorator Penk Ching and Sophia School storytellers.

Ching, a returning Read-Along storyteller, read a short tale from Vicky Veloso-Barrera’s “From the Kitchen to the Heart.” She also  taught the kids how to bake “Funny Fruity Cookies,” which was featured in the story “Excited about Cooking.”

“The kids were very active and participative. Seeing them enjoy the story brought out the kid in me,” said Ching.

During her baking demonstration, Ching asked for help from the audience, which included children from Laura Vicuña Foundation, St. Anthony of Makati Montessori and F. Benitez Elementary School.

Also in the audience were 30 students who comprised the newest batch of Hands On Manila’s “Galing Mo Kid” (GMK) program. The students were Grade 4 pupils from Nueve de Febrero Elementary School and Plainview Elementary School in Mandaluyong, and Pembo Elementary School in Makati.

Capping the session were Sophia School teachers Osang de la Vega, Doray Carable, Nerrie Denilla, Mhayflor Fernando, Elie Carable and Lorna Darilag, who acted out “Si Joey at ang Gulay Gang,” written by Beng Alba and published by OMF Literature. It is a story about a boy named Joey who learns about the benefits of vegetables the hard way.

Sophia School principal Ann Abacan spoke briefly about the benefits of eating vegetables and introduced the kids to the Meatless Monday Movement. As participants in the worldwide movement, Sophia School teachers and students are encouraged to refrain from eating meat both on and off the campus every Monday.

Abacan also introduced the Nutri-Dash Food Fortification Project, spearheaded by Luntiang Lunes and Sophia School, which aims to address mineral and vitamin deficiencies through the use of a specially-formulated food supplement containing malunggay, mushroom and sesame seeds. It can be “dashed” on rice, noodles and other foods.

Nutrition and education

Soc Diesta, one of the Hands On Manila mentors, said good nutrition plays a big factor in the learning capability of children.

“They need to be well-nourished in order to absorb more,” she said, citing the experience of GMK kids, who engage in several extracurricular activities on top of their normal school load.

“It is very helpful for children to have awareness about good nutrition at a young age,” said another mentor, Bella Pilapil.

“If the children are not physically fit, they will not be able to handle all the activities and their studies may suffer too,” Donna Viernes, another GMK mentor, added.

For Eliza Ambulo, whose daughter Clarissa is part of the GMK program, their first time at the Read-Along was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. “I hope the session would really encourage my daughter to start loving healthy food and to eat more vegetables, too,” she said.

Cherry Quelnan came to the session with her 9-year-old son Ronnie. “It is important for children to be well-nourished in order to grow strong and have the stamina for school,” she said, adding proudly that her son had always loved vegetables and fruits more than meat and junk food.

An enjoyable experience

Nine-year-old Kimberly Maggallanes  said she enjoyed the program, adding that her favorite part was learning about the importance of eating vegetables. “I also enjoyed learning how to bake cookies using healthy ingredients such as dried fruits and nuts.”

Her classmate Maria Rose R. Callos, 10, enjoyed the baking part. “I learned a lot about proper diet and eating right,” she said.

Nine-year-old Deiv Daguio of Pembo Elementary School was excited about “cooking cookies.”

“But it is also important to eat vegetables and not just cookies,” he added.

Saturday’s session, hosted by Junior Inquirer editor Ruth Navarra, was held in cooperation with Hands On Manila and Laura Vicuña Foundation. The children were treated to Ching’s cookies and Krispy Kreme doughnuts afterward.