MANILA, 8 July 2020 – For the eighth episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with a topic on “Nutrition, Diet, and Culinary Heritage”, House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, together with food experts, will share their knowledge on good nutrition and the importance of preserving local food heritage through sustainable diets.  

The episode will air on Thursday, 9 July 2020, 10 AM, via Facebook at facebook.com/conglorenlegarda and facebook.com/CCCPhl/.

Joining Legarda are nutrition experts and sustainable food enthusiasts Ms. Zenaida Velasco, National President of the Nutritionist-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines; Virgith Buena, Chairperson of the Board of Nutrition & Dietetics, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); and Assistant Professor Luchie Callanta from the University of the Philippines.

The episode will also feature Chef Jam Melchor, founder of the group Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement; Mr. Manuel Onalan, indigenous Filipino organic "farmtrepreneur"; Mr. Sashah Dioso from the University of the Philippines Visayas; and Ms. Asha Peri, founder of Ecology of Food and a plant-based chef. 

A staunch advocate of the preservation of indigenous culture, health, and environment, Legarda authored House Bill No. 637 or the Food Forest Gardening Act, which highlights the importance of establishing food gardens as a sustainable practice to help ensure food security and adapt to the impacts of climate change. 

The previous episodes of Stories for a Better Normal featured backyard farming and food gardening, saving seeds, and planting organic fruits and vegetables the permaculture way in order to teach urban farmers how to be self-sustainable and self-sufficient. 

This upcoming episode will highlight how maintaining a healthy diet to support a strong immune system can help Filipinos cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Legarda will also underscore how a sustainable and resilient food system can help preserve the culinary heritage of Filipinos.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, Stories for a Better Normal aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.
           
This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.