Upon registration, attendees were asked to write down a Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga pledge on a plate-shaped piece of cardboard to be attached to the Lucky Me! pledge wall. Themed "Make Time for Family Meals", the event was hosted by television personality Tintin Bersola-Babao.
The highlight of the program was a panel discussion featuring Senator Kiko Pangilinan, celebrity mom Sharon Cuneta, father-son tandem Edu and Luis Manzano, and award-winning psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang (pictured above, left).Kiko and Sharon shared many family anecdotes of how they would take time out to eat together as a family with their daughters KC, Frankie, and Miel. Since Edu had to leave early for another engagement, Luis "Lucky" Manzano took over and elicited chuckles from the guests for his candid comments. Point is, dinner with the family isn't just about sitting down and eating together. It's also the perfect time for exchanging stories, bonding, and getting to know each other better. To commemorate the event, each of the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga advocates and guests were presented with a collectible Lucky Me! Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga wristwatch (pictured above, right).
This short Lucky Me! TVC illustrates the importance of eating together as a family:
I remember this interview with Lance Gokongwei that I read in a newspaper some time ago. As we all know, Lance is the only son of taipan John Gokongwei Jr., the man behind Universal Robina Corporation, Robinsons Land, and Digitel among many others. Lance mentioned that during the time he was growing up his father always made it a point to have dinner at home with the whole family on a daily basis. Now I'm sure someone like John Gokongwei Jr. is a very, very busy man. If he could manage to make time, why not us?
Every year, the fourth Monday of September is touted as the official National FaMEALy Day. It has officially become a part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) annual "Family Week Celebration" which kicks off on Sept. 21 this year. National FaMEALy Day is on Sept. 28, 2009.
I am all for quality time with the family so I really support this movement that encourages families to spend meal times together. Since we're all either working or studying, it's understandable that we can't be together for lunch or even breakfast. But we all have to go home sometime, right? Why not be home for dinner? :)
Special thanks to Jen of Mom Exchange and Monde Nissin Corporation for giving me a chance to witness the launch of such a worthwhile advocacy.
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