LEGAZPI CITY --- A Grade VI pupil of Naga Central School in Naga City won the first prize of P5,000 in the first Malunggay Recipe Regional Cookfest held last July 23 at the LCC Activity Center in this city.

        The top prize was won by Hazel Peñaflor Gabica of Naga Central School. Her coach, Emma Laguna, also received P1,500. Gabica’s winning recipe was called ‘siomunggay.’

        Coming in second place was Isabel Salvacion of Jose B. Zurbito Sr. Elementary School, Masbate City. She received P3,000 while her coach, Margarita Dy got P1,200.

        The third prize of P2,000 was won by May Toledo of Albay Central School, Legazpi City while her coach, Evelyn Balistamo, pocketed P1,000.

        Out of 13 provincial and city schools divisions, only 12 participants joined the malunggay cooking contest for Grade V and VI pupils as the contestants from Catanduanes failed to come.

        Each of the non-winning contestant received P1,200 while the coach received P800.

        Dr. Zenaida Narciso, officer in charge, Office of the Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was chairman of the board of judges. Other members were: Dr. Romulo Petuerma, head, Health and Nutrition Unit, Department of Education (Deped) Region 5, Elizabeth Banda, chemist, Department of Agriculture (DA) R-5; and Melba Vera Cruz; nutrition-dietician, Department of Health (DOH).

        The malunggay recipe cookfest was a joint project of the Nutrition Communication Network (NUTRICOMNET), chaired by Eduardo de Leon, chief of the Philippine Information Agency; DOH, DA, DOST, Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and Liberty Commercial Center (LCC).

        According to Director Tomas Briñas of DOST Region 5, the NUTRICOMNET would like to fight poverty and malnutrition through the use of indigenous materials like the malunggay (moringa oleifera) which has nutritive value.

        Briñas said the recipes of the 12 contestants would be compiled and distributed to the different schools to be used as recipes in cooking cheap but nutritious snack food.

        Gerry Bunao, community relations officer of Energy Development Corporation, emphasized on the importance of malunggay as a rich source of nutrition.