- Unilever Philippines and DepEd have partnered to roll out the Makulay ang Buhay program, bringing engaging, science-backed nutrition education tools to public schools across the country.
- The initiative includes a 13-episode EduTainment series and 60,000 recipe booklets, designed to help families prepare nutritious, affordable meals using relatable content.
- With 40,000 USBs distributed and over 12.5 million people already reached through Knorr’s NutriSarap efforts, the program aims to deepen the integration of nutrition education into the school system.
In a significant step towards combating malnutrition and fostering healthier lifestyles, Unilever Philippines, through its flagship food brand Knorr, has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to bring nutrition education closer to millions of Filipino learners and their families. This nationwide initiative, launched under the Makulay ang Buhay program, was officially sealed with a Memorandum of Agreement signed in October 2024.
At the core of the collaboration is a shared mission: to make nutrition education more engaging, practical, and accessible across all public schools in the country. The program incorporates multimedia tools and science-backed materials to reach diverse communities and equip families with the knowledge to make better food choices.
“Education is a powerful tool. When people are empowered with the right information, even with limited resources, they can make better decisions for themselves and their families”, said Marinelle Villanueva, Nutrition Business Unit Lead at Unilever Philippines. “This is the foundation of the Makulay ang Buhay program, which aims to transform how we teach nutrition making it engaging, accessible and practical.”
Two key components of the initiative include the Makulay ang Buhay EduTainment series, a 13-episode show produced in collaboration with GMA Network, and the Knorr NutriSarap Recipe Booklet, developed jointly with the Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). These resources aim to educate both children and parents on preparing nutritious, affordable meals tailored to Filipino households' day-to-day realities.
The program officially kicked off during Nutrition Month at Taguig Integrated School, which was selected as the pilot site for its active parent involvement and strong nutrition advocacy. The launch event brought together over 300 students, teachers, and parents for an immersive day filled with educational games, screenings of Makulay ang Buhay episodes, and a special performance by cast members Sab San Diego and Sharlene San Pedro reviving fond memories of the 2000s series.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Jocelyn Andaya highlighted the program’s relevance in her remarks: “As we celebrate Nutrition Month this July, we are reminded of the power of proper nutrition in shaping not only strong bodies but also brighter, better futures. Let this be our call to action: to keep building bridges, and to strengthen our shared commitment to promoting proper nutrition among learners and communities alike”.
Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano also emphasized the importance of modern approaches to teaching nutrition. “Today’s kids need fresh and engaging methods to get interested in eating well. Parents and teachers also have vital roles to play. You can dream of becoming the CEO of a big company, but those dreams can be cut short by malnutrition and stunting. This series is a vital step forward it offers practical, affordable guidance on meal preparation”.
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The program is set to distribute 40,000 USBs pre-loaded with the Makulay ang Buhay episodes and 60,000 Knorr NutriSarap recipe booklets across DepEd schools. To date, Knorr’s NutriSarap campaign has already impacted more than 12.5 million Filipinos, and this partnership aims to expand that reach even further by embedding nutrition education into the school curriculum.
By joining forces, Unilever Philippines and DepEd aim not only to fight hunger and malnutrition but to help shape a future generation of healthier, better-informed Filipinos one nutritious meal at a time.
