PhilRice to hold marathon to launch National Rice Year 2013
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 18 (PIA) -- The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) partners with Foundation University to launch the National Rice Year (NRY) 2013 during the "Rice is Life" Dumaguete Adventure Marathon (DAM) on November 18 this year.
NRY project leader Hazel Antonio said the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon (DAM) is an ideal event to launch the National Rice Year because of its advocacy for rice conservation.
The DAM, which is now on its fourth year, is the only marathon in Negros Oriental that celebrates rice--the golden grain of life. Before the run, runners recite a pledge to help conserve rice.
A cookfest also follows the marathon, participated by various schools in Negros Oriental, which prepares various rice-based dishes.
The DAM is also the only marathon that gives away rice as prizes.
The PhilRice has been a regular partner of Foundation University in its advocacy for national rice sufficiency.
Antonio said the NRY 2013 campaign will focus on two problems in the Philippines.
“We are eating way too much rice and we are wasting too much rice,” she said.
She cited a survey which revealed that on average, Filipinos eat almost five cups of rice when one cup a meal is enough. The study also said that Filipinos are eating more rice than any other food groups. Rice, she said, should only constitute 1/4 of a meal--not 1/2.
Antonio said that Filipinos are devoting too much energy to rice when there are other equally or more nutritious energy from potatoes, cassava, sweet potato and corn.
Another finding in the study revealed that in 2010, Filipinos wasted 13 percent of the total rice imports, costing P 17 million a day.
“By partnering with Foundation University, PhilRice hopes to encourage the public to be better rice consumers for less wastage and better health,” said Antonio. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
============
Dumaguete City to hold Diabetes Forum for Nutrition Month celebration
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 18 (PIA) --Dumaguete City will hold a “Diabetes Forum” among the City Hall employees to promote diabetes awareness campaign on July 20 at 8:00 to 5:00 pm at the Dumaguete City Session Hall in line with the celebration of 'Nutrition Month'.
City Nutrition Action Officer Lourdes Taburaza said, the activity, in coordination with ABBOTT Laboratories, includes lectures on how to manage Diabetes, meal management, physical activity, blood sugar testing, Diabetes Milk Wet-sampling and others.
Taburaza added for the past 30 years, the prevalence of diabetes type 2 has skyrocketed to the point where it is now viewed as an epidemic in the western world. In the Philippines, diabetes type 2 is now the leading cause of death.
From being a once fairly mild and rare ailment of the elderly to becoming a chronic disease, diabetes mellitus affects people of every age, race, and background, and is now a major modern cause of premature death in many countries around the world, with someone dying from diabetes type 2 every 10 seconds worldwide, Taburaza said.
She noted that the illness is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputation, and blindness, as well as increasing the likelihood of death from heart disease.
Diabetes mellitus is a modern-day scourge. Its gradual debilitating effect destroys one’s quality of life causing untimely death. In most cases Diabetes Type 2 is preventable, she added. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)