MANILA, Philippines, 23 July 2015 – Nestlé Philippines, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), has launched the MILO Champ Moves, a nationwide school-based program that aims to encourage six (6) million elementary children in 10,000 schools to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
Designed by fitness experts from the DepEd, the MILO Champ Moves program seeks to foster among Filipino school children aged 7-12 years old the importance of physical activities and good nutrition as part of an active and healthy lifestyle. From July until year-end, the program will teach students a three-minute exercise emulating sports movements, which they will do every morning in school, after the Flag Ceremony, to energize their body and alert their minds for the school day ahead.
Champ Moves will also equip teachers with nutrition modules that highlight, among others, the importance of a healthy breakfast to help fuel school children’s performance in school and in doing physical activities.
Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Atty. Tonisito Umali said the DepEd is very proud and excited about this partnership. “We believe that children should engage in regular physical exercise so they can stay fit and healthy. We are thankful that we have partners like MILO to help us in this mission. Together, we will give the students a better chance to practice a more active and healthier lifestyle.”
In line with MILO’s mission to nourish champions every day, the MILO Champ Moves encourages school children to learn how to play like a Champ and think like a Champ.
“Through this program, we aim to reach out to more schools and students, enabling them to start living an active and healthy lifestyle whether on or off the court. By adding an element of fun through these sports-themed dance steps, we aim for students to see Champ Moves as something to look forward to. Our continued partnership with the Department of Education demonstrates our commitment to provide nutritional education and exercise to children across the country,” said Sherilla Bayona, Business Executive Manager of Nestlé Philippines.
The Champ Moves program is under the One Child, One Sport (OCOS) campaign, which was launched by MILO last year in collaboration with the DepEd to encourage school children to engage in more physical activities.
Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Suresh Narayanan said the MILO Champ Moves program seeks to excite, engage and inspire both the youth and educators through sports and proper nutrition. “We hope that, through this MILO advocacy, we shall be able to continue to make a difference in the lives of our Filipino school children, who are the country’s hope for the future,” Mr. Narayanan said.