How Cerelac Made Nutrition Education Fun at Tambalang BIG Sustansya sa Barangay

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Cerelac turned commitment to action with Tambalang BIG Sustansya sa Barangay. The interactive caravan went to four (4) different barangays in the Philippines last August and early September, bringing nutrition education closer to nearly 500 Filipino families nationwide through a morning of interactive activities, games, and conversations focused on babies’ nutritional needs.

In the continuing effort to help address the nutrition gaps among Filipino children, the caravan gave a venue for parents to better understand the value of the Tambalang Cerelac + Homemade approach, highlighting how infant cereal and homemade food can work together to support a baby's nutritional needs during the critical first 2,000 days of life.

Cerelac brought educational games, interactive experiences, and a community Q&A at every stop: Brgy. Socorro in Cubao, Brgy. Longos in Malabon City, Brgy. Salawag in Dasmariñas, Cavite City, and finally Brgy. Macabalan in Cagayan De Oro City. The final leg was especially meaningful, as Cagayan de Oro was also the site of Cerelac's clinical study on complementary feeding among infants, making it a fitting culmination of the caravan's mission to empower parents with science-based nutrition knowledge.

Opening each event, Nestle Brand Manager for Baby Food, Sophia Samoy, welcomed attendees and reinforced CERELAC's commitment to supporting Filipino families through both quality nutrition and parent education.

“For 160 years, we have remained committed to the belief that every child deserves the right nutrition to help them grow and thrive. Bahagi ng commitment na ito ang patuloy naming pagpapabuti ng aming mga produkto at pagbibigay ng science-based nutrition information sa mga magulang, to better support the nutritional needs of Filipino babies.” said Samoy.

In Cavite, Megan Young joined the caravan, which drew the largest turnout across all legs with 150 families in attendance. The new mother and Miss World 2013 winner shared her insights on hands-on feeding decisions, emphasizing how parents can rely on CERELAC as a must-have meal companion.

“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kailangan nating gawing complicatedang bawat meal. We can start with the food we already prepare at home, learn more about what our babies need, and find ways to give them more BIG Sustansya with a tested and proven product likeCERELAC, ” Young said.

Every barangay got to play “Tambalan Bingo” with Dr. Katrina Florcruz-Dacanay. Dr. Flocruz-Dacanay is a fellow of the Philippine Pediatric Society, an active consultant at Diliman Doctors Hospital, and a visiting consultant at Capitol Medical Center and The Medical City. She is also part of the program Baby Talk on UNTV Doctors.

Through the “Tambalang Bingo” activity, parents learned about key nutrients that support their babies’ growth and development in a fun and engaging way. Dr. Florcruz-Dacanay then discussed the role of infant cereals, such as CERELAC, in a baby's diet and shared practical ways parents can combine them with home-cooked meals to create nutritious and enjoyable feeding experiences.

“Hindi kailangan mamili ng mga magulang kung homemade lang ba o fortified infant cereal ang ibibigay nila, kasi parehas lang sila ng purpose na mabigyan ng tamang sustansya ang mga bulilit. Mahalagang bahagi ng diet ni baby ang homemade food. Ang fortified infant cereals naman ay nakakatulong magbigay ng energy at mahahalagang nutrients na sakto sa pangangailangan nina baby. Napatunayan ng mga pag-aaral na ang fortified infant cereals, nakakatulong sa mas mataas na nutrient intake at tamang paglaki ni baby,” said Florcruz-Dacanay.

As the caravan came to a close, parents left with valuable nutrition knowledge and renewed confidence in caring for their little bulilits. Through expert guidance and engaging learning experiences, CERELAC reaffirmed its commitment to being a trusted partner for Filipino parents as they navigate their baby’s complementary feeding journey.