Cooking up hope: GK-Ateneo, Knorr Philippines and Ninong Ry bring nutrition and joy to GK Payatas Trese

In line with Ateneo de Manila University’s commitment to integral human development and Gawad Kalinga’s Zero Hunger agenda, GK-Ateneo continues to advance its mission through strategic and meaningful community partnerships. 

One notable collaboration is with Knorr Philippines, Edukasyon PH, and AMI through the Knorr NutriSarap Program. This initiative empowers parents with the knowledge and practical skills to prepare healthier meals at home using affordable and accessible ingredients. 

In 2024, the program was further enhanced through the active support of Edukasyon PH and AMI. The pilot run was launched in GK Baseco, Manila City on 4 July 2024. Valuable insights from the pilot run improved program design and implementation, paving the way for a more effective rollout in other communities.

GK Payatas Trese in Quezon City, a partner community of Gawad Kalinga-Ateneo, was recommended as the next pilot site. The session took place on 19 September 2024, with around 50 community participants. The session began with a short pre-assessment survey followed by a reflective activity where parents were invited to share their dreams for their children and families. The facilitator then guided participants through basic nutrition concepts such as different food groups and the Pinggang Pinoy model while also incorporating interactive activities that encouraged participation and sharing. 

To bring the lessons to life, the session ended with a cooking demonstration led by AMI, featuring monggo nuggets, a creative and nutritious twist on a familiar ingredient. Two community volunteers assisted in the preparation, while others joined in a lively taste test. One participant shared that it was a recipe that they never thought of before, but now plan to serve their children at home.

Encouraged by the community’s warm response, Knorr, GK, and GK-Ateneo returned to Payatas Trese on 17 October 2024 for a special event featuring Knorr’s brand ambassador, Ninong Ry. Known for his fun and flavorful approach to Filipino cooking, Ninong Ry led a cooking demonstration of the Knorr PAS-ko set which includes Pancit, Adobo, and Spaghetti. Afterwards, he shared the dishes in a joyful gathering with residents of Payatas Trese, volunteer parents of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) involved in their Food Augmentation Program, and Knorr representatives. The event concluded with Ninong Ry going around the neighborhood to deliver PAS-ko platters to families and the nearby barangay office. 

More than just a cooking event, the PAS-ko activity brought joy, connection, and deeper awareness about the role of nutrition in caring for one’s family. It showed how food can be a powerful entry point for building healthier, more hopeful communities. For GK Payatas Trese, nutrition became more than just a lesson — it became a celebration of care, community and shared purpose.

To know more about and support Gawad Kalinga Ateneo’s work please email gka@ateneo.edu.

Photos courtesy of Chelsea Paterno and Gawad Kalinga-Ateneo

For more information, the special event on 17 October 2024 was featured here in Knorr Kitchen Secrets Episode 7: Christmas Dish with a Twist Challenge