A growing number of Filipino families are seeing real changes in their children’s health, thanks to a grassroots program focused on nutrition and maternal care during a child’s most critical early years.
Launched in 2022, the “Happy si Mommy, Malusog si Baby” initiative has expanded from just nine communities to 24 barangays across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
More than 1,000 mother-and-child pairs are now part of the program — and the results are promising.
According to recent data, 89 percent of enrolled children have reached healthy height and weight for their age.
The number of underweight children has dropped to just 2 percent, and only 9 percent remain classified as malnourished — a significant improvement in communities that often struggle with limited access to proper nutrition and healthcare.
The program focuses on the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday — a period considered crucial for long-term physical and mental development.
Mothers receive prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, and guidance on maternal health while infants are provided with “Mingo Meals,” a nutrient-rich blend of rice, mung beans, and moringa developed by local scientists and produced by a nonprofit group.
Beyond direct care, the program also invests in the people closest to the community: barangay health workers.
Over 100 of them have been trained in key topics like breastfeeding, postpartum care, and early childhood nutrition. These workers pass on what they’ve learned to mothers in their neighborhoods, creating a ripple effect of awareness and care.
The project is supported by San Miguel Foods and San Miguel Foundation in partnership with local governments and private groups.
While backed by a major corporation, the program’s strength lies in its community-first approach — slow, steady, and focused on long-term change rather than short-term aid.
“We’ve seen what sustained support can do,” said San Miguel Corporation CEO Ramon Ang.
“This isn’t charity. It’s a commitment to help families break the cycle of poor health through education and consistent care.”
As the first batch of children ages out of infancy, the program is evolving too.
In 2024, new flavors of Mingo Meals were introduced to help growing toddlers adapt to their changing appetites.
This effort is part of a broader goal: to uplift 15 million Filipinos by 2030.
But for the mothers who now hold healthier, more energetic children in their arms, the impact is already deeply personal — and life-changing.