The National Nutrition Council (NNC) in partnership with Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) launched its newest educational television show that will promote positive behaviors in the First 1000 Days of Life entitled “I Love You 1000: Batang #Laking1000” on 6 February 2023. The TV program is a key component of NNC’s campaign on the First 1000 Days under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) to improve nutrition and reduce child stunting in the country.
I Love You 1000: Batang #Laking1000 consists of 16 videos highlighting the most useful information for mothers and fathers on nutrition, health, and early childhood care and development, particularly the first 1000 days of life. The show is about the story of a newlywed couple, Angela and Mark (played by Majoy Apostol and Marlo Mortel), and how their family, friends, and community support their journey toward parenthood.
The ‘first 1000 days of life’ starts from conception (pregnancy) up to the child’s second birthday. It is considered the golden window of opportunity for establishing optimum health and development in the early years. Republic Act No. 11148 otherwise known as the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” or the First 1000 Days Law provides for the scaling-up of nutrition interventions in the first 1000 days.
The launch was graced by NNC Executive Director Assistant Secretary Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, KCFI President and Executive Director Ms. Rina Lopez-Bautista and Director of Operations Mr. Edric C. Calma, and the show's main cast, Majoy Apostol and Marlo Mortel.
In her opening message, A/Sec. Dayanghirang highlighted the importance of the collaboration's focus on the first 1000 days of life and the influential role of a television show such as ILY1000 in the lives and learning of Filipinos. Ms. Jovita B. Raval, Chief of NNC’s Nutrition Information and Education Division, presented the importance of promoting the first 1000 days through ILY1000 and how NNC and KCFI collaborated for this project, while Ms. Rina Lopez-Bautista presented KCFI's current efforts along with Early Childhood Education and First 1000 Days of Life. Mr. Edric Calma capped the event by thanking the NNC for this collaborative effort and urging the public to continue supporting the first 1000 days of life campaign.
When asked about their experience in filming the show, Marlo and Majoy expressed how playing the characters of newlywed couple Mark and Angela taught them relevant information and corrected their misconceptions about the critical period of the first 1000 days. Both expressed their gratitude for being part of the show not only for the opportunity to showcase their acting skills but also for having a vital role in educating the public about early child care. They recalled watching Knowledge Channel’s educational shows like “MathTinik” growing up and would have never imagined being part of a similar show at this stage of their careers. Marlo shared that he is also going back to studying which he related to the importance of continuously educating one’s self by all means possible and available.
Ms. Rina Lopez expounded on Knowledge Channel’s current focus on early childhood care and education allowing mothers and children to learn from their shows. She invites everyone to continue supporting their shows and is hoping for more collaboration with NNC as well as other agencies and nutrition stakeholders to continue educating the public on relevant health and nutrition information.
DED Rita Papey of NNC stressed how television is today’s “biggest source of information” and how shows like “I Love You 1000” help immensely in pushing NNC’s advocacies to a wider audience, especially those at the grassroots level. Ms. Raval also recalled how NNC has previously partnered with ABS-CBN for shows like “Busog, Lusog”, “Why Not?”, and “Dok Ricky Pedia” and expressed her hope for a longer and stronger partnership with Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.
Catch the live replay of the launch event here.
The show will begin airing on 14 February 2023 at 4:00 PM on Knowledge Channel and the Facebook pages of NNC Official, Knowledge Channel, and First 1000 Days PH. Replays of the weekly episode will also be aired on Knowledge Channel every Thursday and Saturday at 4:00 PM.
Following its airing on TV, the program will be made available on various social media platforms of NNC and KCFI. NNC will distribute 1,800 units of flash drives containing the episodes to LGUs to aid nutrition workers in implementing nutrition education strategies at the local level. Mothers, fathers, and the entire family are highly encouraged to watch this informative and entertaining TV Program.
