Unilever, DepEd Launch Nutrition Education Program in Schools

The program aims to promote nutrition education for Filipino families.

Published on Aug 5, 2025

Unilever Philippines, through its beloved Knorr brand, has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) in a mission to tackle malnutrition and promote healthier lifestyles nationwide.

With this partnership, they aim to make nutrition education more accessible to young Filipino learners and their families.

Also read: 3 Ways Parents Can Give Their Kids a Balanced Diet

Unilever and DepEd Partner to Transform Nutrition Education Nationwide

Marinelle Villanueva, Foods Business Unit Demand Creation and Marketing Lead at Unilever Philippines, explains: “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. This is the foundation of the Makulay ang Buhay program, which aims to transform the way we teach nutrition—making it engaging, accessible, and practical for children and parents across the country.”

The collaboration, formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement in October 2024, rolls out science-backed educational tools such as the Makulay ang Buhay edutainment program, produced by GMA Network, and the Knorr NutriSarap Recipe Booklet, developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

These resources focus on healthy eating while addressing the common challenges Filipino families face in creating balanced meals.

Healthy Food for Kids: What to Serve for Meals and Snacks

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The program kicked off in July at Taguig Integrated School, where over 300 students, parents, and teachers gathered for a day filled with interactive nutrition games, a screening of Makulay ang Buhay episodes, and a special performance by the stars of the 2000s Makulay ang Buhay series, Sab San Diego and Sharlene San Pedro.

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Knorr Nutrition Month 2025.

Taguig Integrated School was chosen for its strong commitment to nutrition education and active involvement with parents, making it the perfect model for this nationwide initiative.

Asec. Jocelyn DR Andaya, Assistant Secretary for Operations at DepEd, summed up the shared mission: “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.”

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Knorr Nutrition Month 2025.

Central to the Makulay ang Buhay program is the distribution of 40,000 USB drives loaded with Makulay ang Buhay episodes.

Taguig City Mayor, Lani Cayetano, reflects on the need for innovative ways to engage today’s youth in healthy eating habits: “We know that today’s kids need fresh and engaging approaches to get them interested in nutritious eating. As parents and teachers, we also have a role to play, both in the classroom and at home. You can dream of becoming the CEO of a big company, but those dreams can be cut short by the harsh realities of malnutrition and stunting.”

“That’s why Makulay ang Buhay, a 13-episode EduTainment series produced by GMA and Unilever, is such an important step. It offers practical guidance on how to prepare meals that are nutritious, delicious, and affordable.”

10 Ways to Teach Your Child Healthy Eating Habits

READ HERE

Additionally, 60,000 Knorr Nutrisarap Recipe Booklets will be distributed to DepEd schools nationwide. With Knorr’s NutriSarap initiative already reaching more than 12.5 million people, this new partnership with DepEd aims to touch even more lives and deepen the integration of nutrition education in the Philippine school system.

Get tips on how to encourage your kids to eat more veggies here.

Hanna is a News Desk Writer at Smart Parenting, covering parenting, health, culture, and more. Off the clock, she’s likely people-watching at a café or park, matcha latte in hand.