The veggie fun is back! Ajinomoto Philippines kicked off the I Love Veggie-licious® Caravan in the City of Manila! Get ready for a
lineup of wholesome cooking tips, delicious veggie hacks, and family-approved recipes that make healthy eating a breeze. (L-R) Dr.
Paz Corrales (Consultant for Health, Office of the Mayor, City of Manila), Grace H. Padilla, MD, MHA, FPPS (OIC, Manila Health
Department), Daizaburo Koga (APC President), Mika Makino (APC Director for Sales, Marketing, and PR), Paz Gienevieve A.
Herrera, MD, MPH (Chief, Division of RMNCAHN-OH, Manila Health Department), and Michelle Tagacay (DMO for Manila,
Department of Health)
Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) officially
launched the 2026 leg of its I Love Veggie-Licious® (ILV) Caravan at the Dapitan Sports
Complex in the City of Manila, gathering mothers, homemakers, community leaders, and
nutrition advocates for a fun-filled and educational experience that promotes healthier eating
habits through the joy of cooking and vegetable consumption.
Participants were welcomed into an energetic and family-friendly atmosphere featuring
educational booths, interactive games, and community activities designed to make learning
about nutrition both meaningful and enjoyable.
327 homemakers from the City of Manila joined in the fun through learning the facts from the myths regarding
nutrition and MSG.
The event also featured a live cooking demonstration, showcasing easy-to-prepare vegetable
dishes enhanced with umami, the savory taste that helps bring out the natural flavors of
ingredients. The session showed how simple cooking techniques and thoughtful ingredient
choices can make vegetables more appealing without sacrificing taste.
(L-R) Family lifestyle creator Prax Yap and APC In-house chef Khyle Furigay taught the participants how to cook a
“Kiddified” Lumpianada, a nutritious dish appetizing for the kids.
According to the 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of the Department of
Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Filipino adults
consume 58 grams (g) or less than 1 cup of vegetables and 17 grams (g) or less than ¼ of a
small-sized fruit daily versus the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 400g,
combining vegetable and fruit consumption.
The ILV Caravan aims to inspire Filipino families to incorporate more vegetables into their daily
meals by making nutritious, accessible, and tasty dishes. As APC’s mother campaign, this
movement contributes to the Ajinomoto Group’s 2030 roadmap, the realization of two outcomes:
extending the healthy life expectancy of one billion people while helping reduce environmental
impact by 50%.
By equipping communities with practical knowledge and encouraging positive food habits, the
Caravan seeks to create lasting behavioral changes that can support healthier lifestyles for
future generations.
In his welcome remarks, APC President Daizaburo Koga emphasized the importance of
collective efforts in promoting better nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food
choices.
APC President delivering his warm welcome remarks to the Manila leg participants.
“Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with local government units and
communities in Quezon City, Lucena, Alaminos, San Jose Del Monte, Santa Rosa, and Pasig.
Hand in hand, we have reached thousands of homemakers by sharing simple ways to prepare
nutritious meals that every family can enjoy. These solid partnerships remind us that change
begins when communities come together with a common goal,” Mr. Koga shared.
To date, the I Love Veggie-Licious® program has partnered with several local government units
(LGUs), including Quezon City, Pasig, San Jose Del Monte, Sta. Rosa, Lucena, and Alaminos,
strengthening efforts to promote balanced nutrition and healthier food choices. By partnering
with LGU’s and providing accessible learning opportunities, APC continues to support its vision
of helping Filipinos enjoy both good health and good food.
I Love Veggie-Licious® aims to empower mothers and homemakers with practical nutrition insights and innovative
culinary tips to create healthier and nutritious vegetable dishes for the family.
(L-R): Prax Yap, Noelle Allarey, Andrei Vicario, Rapha Dominguez, Jenny Martin, Madelin Dofiles, Daizaburo Koga,
Mika Makino, Bea de Jesus, Mark Bayle, and Khyle Furigay.
As the program expands to more communities nationwide, it hopes to inspire even more
families to discover that healthy eating can be simple, enjoyable, and full of flavor. Through
every recipe shared, every lesson learned, and every vegetable served, the campaign
reinforces a powerful message: nutritious meals can become a delicious part of everyday life.
The City of Manila marks the first stop of this year’s I Love Veggie-Licious® Caravan, with four
more community locations set to be visited as the leg continues. With the continued support of
local government partners, community stakeholders, and participating families, APC remains
committed to fostering healthier communities — one veggie-licious meal at a time.
8/10/2026 01:41:00 AM
JENG
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