Milk brand brings Venus Raj to Cebu for nutrition campaign

CEBU, Philippines - Highlighting the need for school children to drink milk everyday, Nestle once again brought to Cebu the Laki sa Gatas Nutrition Education Advocacy.

Yesterday, one of the company’s milk brands, Bear Brand, brought to Cebu Miss Universe Fourth Runner-Up Maria Venus Raj to help campaign for milk drinking. Raj is Bear Brand’s newest milk ambassador.

Bear Brand believes that the failure of parents to emphasize the habit of drinking milk is one factor that has contributed to the malnutrition problem in the country. Milk is considered nature’s “most perfect food” because it contains almost all essential nutrients.

In yesterday’s nutrition forum at the Lahug Elementary School, Raj shared with the students how better nutrition and better education helped her pursue her dreams.

“Alam niyo po nong bata pa po ako, gusto ko na po talagang maging beauty queen. Nagsimula akong sumali sa mga beauty contest noon grade five pa ako. At noong mga panahong yun palagi nila akong tinutokso na maitim, payatot at hindi normal sa kanila ang mataas kong height,” Raj said.

“Pero hindi ako nagpadala sa panunukso nila. Kasi po naniniwala po ako na hindi imposible basta’t positibo ang pananaw mo sa buhay, at malusog ka, lalo nang laki ako sa hirap at puro gulay ang kinakain namin noon sa Bicol at dahil mahilig ako sa gatas. At palaging sinasabi ng mga magulang ko na wala silang maipapamana sa akin na kahit anong material na bagay kun di ang edukasyon lang,” Raj added.

With a scholarship from a foundation, Raj said she worked her way up to college until she graduated Cum Laude.

Despite her newfound fame and stature in life, Raj said she still never fails to eat vegetables to get the right nutrition.

“Opo, hanggang ngayon, pinagluluto pa nga po ako ng nilagang saging ng Ate ko at steamed na gulay tuwing umaga bago pumunta sa taping ng Umagang Kay Ganda, at may baon rin po akong gatas na inilalagay ko sa maliit kong termos,” she said.

Grade 2 and 3 students participated in the “Ambition Glasses” activity wherein they were made to draw their ambition on pieces of paper using the coloring materials provided to them. The drawings were then inserted around drinking glasses to serve as a reminder that they are never too far from their dreams if they stay strong and healthy.

During their interaction with the beauty queen, some students told Raj they would want to be policemen or actors. Others said they would want to be teachers or beauty queens. Some still even want to be president.

Raj advised them to always eat healthy and to study hard.  (FREEMAN)