Power Of Prevention Through Fitness and Nutrition: Pili Central School

Pili Central School, Camarines Sur 
AACE’s Power Of Prevention Through Fitness and Nutrition
Stray, Play and Feast


Stray


The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE),

Philippine Chapter has been straying outside its urban comfort zone

by holding our Power Of Prevention Through Fitness and Nutrition

in the provinces and Pili, Central School, was our latest destination.

 

Power Of Prevention Through Fitness and Nutrition

is a whole day program meant to educate grade 5 students

about healthy lifestyle, by eating right and exercising regularly.

The AACE initially intended to hold  the activity in one
of Naga City's biggest elementary schools but the principal 
did not show any  interest with the proposal, citing several reasons
 ranging from absence of venue, to being very pre occupied 
and the students and faculty not having enough time.

 

So we directed our interests to Pili Central School where

the school principal understood the importance of the

 activity and gave her full support to the association.

 



We arrived early at the venue,

 


.... to prepare for the program,

 
 

…and saw several students practicing for the cheering

competition which was a part of the fitness program for the girls.







The program started early for the morning session of about 300

students (an afternoon session would also be done with 
another  batch of almost the same number of students),

 ...and they were given a pre test to asses 
their knowledge about health and nutrition.

Lectures about health, nutrition 
and fitness followed,





…and they were taught to identify healthy food by learning how 

read and be conscious of the nutritional labels on food products,

 



…and rewarded with goodies and school supplies to those

who are actively participating an reciting during the lecture.








Play

After the lecture, we also had some physical activity program

like a basketball dribbling relay race for boys and the

winners were rewarded generously with school supplies.

 

The girls also had a cheering competition, and did very well.

They even composed an original cheer about healthy lifestyle which

was an essential part of the cheer as it is included in the judging.







The winners were given cash prizes 
to compensate for their efforts.

 

An Avenue Plaza Hotel’s Olympia Gym Fitness Trainor

 was also hired, who conducted group dancing exercises,





...to the delight of the students and the teachers 
who all gamely joined the dancing.

Feast

For me, this was the best part- as the kids were asked

to cook original healthy low calorie dessert recipes,



…where the winner would be given cash prize,  and the 

winning recipe would be included as an official entry to

the national  contest of various regional winners from all

parts of the Philippines where the AACE  activity was held.

 
The entrees surprised us as we did not expect so many

potential future brilliant future chefs in this public school.

Tangkwa na may Pinya 



Gelatin with Mango and Carrot extract 



Pumpkin Jelly



Baked Squash with Pili Nuts 



Orange Peel with Dessicated Coconut



Caramelized Banana with Vanilla

 

The talented junior Chefs were asked

to explain their culinary masterpieces ,

…while we judged the taste testing division,

the calorie counting side would be judged

by Manila based AACE accredited dieticians.

The Pili Central School faculty also

prepared  some native goodies for us,

…like Pancit Bihon,

…and Ibos.

We were humbled by their kindness,

cooperation and generosity.

 

The kids were later given post- visit tests to assess
 whatever they learned  from the activity.

 

After the occasion,

they  were given snacks,

… and tokens of souvenirs that would remind them of

being a part of this health education program,

… and with the hope that whatever they learned

 should be applied on their daily lives.

The AACE Philippines team has been going around

the country for this health and fitness education mission,

...and it feels good being a part 
of this worthwhile activity.