MILO and DepEd tie up for One Child One Sport campaign

MANILA, Philippines – MILO recently announced its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the One Child, One Sport campaign (OCOS) to consolidate their new and existing grassroots sports and youth programs around the country under one umbrella campaign.  

They aim to help 15 million schoolchildren aged 7 and above become active and healthy by 2017.

Anchored on the thrust to build a nation of champions, the program also seeks to empower, mobilize, and inspire both the youth and their educators through sports and proper nutrition. According to the 2011 Updating of Nutritional Status of Filipino Children conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), children these days are more engaged by interactive technology than physical activities that allow them to lead a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle.

“We are working closely with DepEd to raise awareness about the value of physical education and sports in bringing a wealth of physical and mental benefits and teaching life values that prepare schoolchildren for a successful adulthood,” says Nestle Philippines Beverages Business Executive Manager Sherilla Bayona. “One Child, One Sport is a program that encourages children to get into an active and healthy lifestyle and eventually lead them to sports.”

Bayona adds that providing access to physical education and various sports disciplines will not only shape the country’s budding athletes but also address the right of every Filipino child to learning opportunities for a better future.

One example of how the OCOS campaign will leverage existing MILO sports programs is the National MILO Marathon, which will continue to engage DepEd through its short distance race categories and the Help Give Shoes Advocacy.

The 38^th National MILO marathon

Throughout the years, the National MILO Marathon (NMM) has not only catered to professional athletes but also welcomed aspiring runners in the 3-km and 5-km distances where young sprinters have emerged as division winners. The country’s biggest and most prestigious marathon expects 230,000 runners to participate this year.

The winners of this season’s National Finals will be given a chance to compete in the 2015 Tokyo Marathon.

As winners of the 37^th NMM in 2013, Eduardo Buenavista and Mary Joy Tabal, will go head to head with the nation’s best once again this season and claim the coveted spots in the esteemed international race event. They were also given the chance to compete in the Paris Marathon last April 2014.

As the local running community continues to grow in number, MILO is steadfast in encouraging Filipinos to run not only for victory and the thrilling experience but also to join its noble cause. Interested participants may process their registration, payment, and direct-to-home delivery of race kits online through the official MILO website.

The National MILO Marathon ushers the 18-leg event with the opening race in Baguio on June 29. The elimination legs will resume in Dagupan (July 6), Tarlac (July 13), Angeles (July 20), Manila (July 27), Naga (August 24), Lucena (August 31), Puerto Princesa (September 7), Lipa (September 14), Iloilo (September 21), Bacolod (September 28), Tagbilaran (October 5), Cebu (October 12), Butuan (October 19), Cagayan De Oro (November 9), General Santos (November 16), and Davao (November 23). The National Finals will be held on December 7 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

As part of their annual program, they will provide 16,000 underprivileged and talented youth with brand new running shoes to reach the 50,000 mark through the Help Give Shoes advocacy. Help Give Shoes aims make the donation to students in Yolanda-hit cities, particularly Tacloban, Ormoc, and Eastern Samar. 

For more information log on to the official website or the MILO Philippines Facebook page. – Rappler.com

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