Davao — Creative youth expression took center stage in Davao City as 25 talented high school students gathered for a high-stakes poster-making competition focused on health and sustainability. Organized by the National Nutrition Council Region XI (NNC XI) in partnership with the Davao City Youth for Green Environment Inc., the inspiring event was held as part of the annual Nutrition Month celebrations. Centered on the subtheme “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!”, the competition aimed to empower the younger generation to become passionate advocates for both personal wellness and ecological preservation.
Fostering Creative Leadership and Health Consciousness Among Youth
During the opening ceremonies, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Retsebeth Laquihon underscored the immense impact that young artists can achieve by channeling their voices through visual storytelling. He emphasized that every stroke of the brush and illustration created during the contest carries the potential to inspire families, schools, and entire communities to embrace healthier lifestyles while safeguarding nature. By engaging students directly in public health initiatives, regional organizers are actively building a committed corps of youth leaders equipped to drive meaningful societal change.
Rigorous Competition Mechanics and National Aspirations
During the fast-paced contest, the 25 student participants representing various schools across the region were given exactly two hours and thirty minutes to complete their original artworks. In addition to their visual creations, contestants submitted a 300-word written attestation explaining how their artwork interprets the core intersection of nutrition and environmental protection. Five standout finalists were slated for formal recognition during the Regional Nutrition Month Culmination Ceremony, with the ultimate regional champion advancing to represent Davao in the nationwide tilt for a PHP20,000 national prize.
Unifying Climate Action and Regional Nutritional Resilience
The inspiring student showcase reflects a broader nationwide push to link sustainable agriculture, climate action, and balanced nutrition under cohesive government programs. As communities across Mindanao confront environmental shifts, nurturing an environmentally conscious and well-nourished youth population remains fundamental to long-term regional development. Through vibrant platforms like this poster-making competition, Davao City continues to cultivate a generation of thoughtful citizens dedicated to protecting both human health and the planet.
