Cerelac’s nutritional caravan treated parents to a fun morning of games and activities while addressing important questions about babies’ complementary feeding needs.
CERELAC turned its commitment to action with Tambalang BIG Sustansya sa Barangay, an interactive nutrition education caravan that brought learning closer to Filipino families. The initiative visited four different barangays in the Philippines last August and early September, reaching nearly 500 Filipino families through a morning of interactive activities, games, and conversations focused on babies’ nutritional needs.
The caravan aimed to help parents better understand complementary feeding and the role that different food options can play in supporting a baby’s nutritional needs. At each stop, parents took part in activities designed to make nutrition education engaging and easier to understand, while also giving them an opportunity to ask questions and learn from experts.
As part of the continuing effort to help address nutrition gaps among Filipino children, the caravan highlighted the Tambalang Cerelac + Homemade approach. The approach emphasizes 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.
Bringing Nutrition Education Closer to Filipino Families
CERELAC brought educational games, interactive experiences, and a community Q&A to every stop of the caravan. The four locations were Brgy. Socorro in Cubao, Brgy. Longos in Malabon City, Brgy. Salawag in Dasmariñas, and Brgy. Macabalan in Cagayan De Oro City.
Each barangay became a venue where parents could participate in activities while learning more about babies’ nutritional needs and complementary feeding. The combination of games, conversations, and expert discussions gave families an engaging way to explore questions surrounding infant nutrition.
The final leg in Cagayan de Oro was especially meaningful to the caravan’s mission. Cagayan de Oro was also the site of CERELAC’s clinical study on complementary feeding among infants. This made the city a fitting culmination of the caravan’s effort 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 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.
Her message reflected the caravan’s focus on combining nutrition education with support for parents as they navigate their babies’ complementary feeding journey.
Megan Young Joins the Caravan in Cavite
In Cavite, Megan Young joined the caravan, which recorded the largest turnout across all four legs with 150 families in attendance. The new mother and Miss World 2013 winner shared her insights on hands-on feeding decisions and emphasized how parents can rely on CERELAC as a meal companion.
Young also highlighted the importance of keeping mealtimes practical for parents while finding ways to provide babies with BIG Sustansya.
“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kailangan nating gawing complicated ang 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 like CERELAC*, ”* Young said.
Her participation added a personal perspective to the caravan’s discussions about complementary feeding. The Cavite event also demonstrated the reach of the initiative, with 150 families attending the leg.
Tambalan Bingo Turns Nutrition Lessons Into a Fun Activity
Every barangay also 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. The activity gave parents an interactive way to explore important nutrition information while participating in the caravan’s community activities.
Following the game, Dr. Florcruz-Dacanay discussed the role of infant cereals, such as CERELAC, in a baby’s diet. She also shared practical ways parents can combine infant cereals with home-cooked meals to create nutritious and enjoyable feeding experiences.
The discussion reinforced the Tambalang Cerelac + Homemade approach presented throughout the caravan. Parents learned that complementary feeding can include both homemade food and fortified infant cereal as part of a baby’s diet.
“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.
Supporting Parents Through Complementary Feeding Education
As the caravan came to a close, parents left with valuable nutrition knowledge and renewed confidence in caring for their little bulilits. The four-leg initiative brought together nutrition education, interactive activities, community conversations, and expert guidance to help make discussions about complementary feeding more accessible to Filipino families.
The caravan also highlighted the importance of parent education alongside nutrition. Through activities such as “Tambalan Bingo,” community Q&A sessions, and discussions with nutrition and medical experts, parents had opportunities to learn more about their babies’ nutritional needs and how infant cereals and homemade food can work together.
With nearly 500 Filipino families reached across Brgy. Socorro in Cubao, Brgy. Longos in Malabon City, Brgy. Salawag in Dasmariñas, and Brgy. Macabalan in Cagayan De Oro City, Tambalang BIG Sustansya sa Barangay brought CERELAC’s nutrition education efforts directly into local communities.
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. The initiative placed science-based nutrition knowledge, interactive learning, and practical conversations at the center of its effort to support families and their babies during the critical first 2,000 days of life.
