Once again, Fres-C ®, the powdered juice brand of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), teamed up with the Department of Education (DepEd) in staging the 2^nd Batang Fres-C^®  Hataw School Caravan.

This campaign was launched last year to promote proper diet and physical activities and help reduce the growing number of Filipino school children suffering from malnutrition. Statistics from the DepEd Health and Nutrition Section show that among the 12.9 million elementary pupils weighed in school year 2010 – 2011, more than 2 million of them, or about 16% are undernourished; while more than 356,000 of them, or nearly 3%, are over-nourished.

“We want to bring together faculty members and parents to support students in their battle against the double burden of malnutrition.” said Usec. Ethelyn P. Nieto MD MPH CESO III, Technical Working Group Chairman of the Batang Fres-C^® Campaign. In the first run of the Batang Fres-C^® campaign, it has successfully engaged 36 public schools reaching 62,000 pupils and 8,000 mothers across the country. More public schools will gain access to this worthwhile activity this year. The School Caravan includes interactive lectures and fun activities, designed to raise awareness in addressing nutrition issues of students. The highlight of the event is the pupils’ performance of the “Batang Fres-C^® Hataw Exercise”. This is a mix of cardiovascular exercises and calisthenics developed by the team of Professor Hercules Callanta of the UP College of Human Kinetics, which can be regularly performed in school grounds.

Batang Fres-C^® Cheer Dance competition and Drink Up & Ride Project will also be launched in previously tapped public schools to sustain the interests of school kids in staying fit and healthy. Mr. Altair Penetrante, APC’s Category Manager for Sweeteners, explains, “We want to help teach our school children that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an enjoyable and fulfilling endeavor. Just like Fres-C^®, kids can enjoy a refreshing and delicious juice with the taste of natural fruit juice low in calories and packed with Vitamin C.”