J&J hosts little heroes? olympics

by Marane Plaza

It was a lovely Saturday filled with fun and colors in Mall of Asia, wherein over 255 kids competed for Johnson?s Baby Powder Larong Pinoy Munting Bayani Olympiks. It was turned into a huge family day for everyone, from which kids and parents alike were singing to Johnson?s Jingle lyrics ?Napulbuhan na ako, ikaw na lang hinihintay, tara, laro na tayo!?

Since the launch of Johnson?s Baby Powder?s Larong Pinoy advocacy in 2007, the brand has continuously fostered the belief that children develop core values through outdoor Filipino games. On its third year, Johnson?s Baby Powder further cements its partnership with mothers as it pioneers the first-ever inter-city Larong Pinoy Munting Bayani Olympiks. Through fun activities such as this, Johnson?s Baby Powder aims to mold kids into Munting Bayani.

?The Larong Pinoy: Laro ng Munting Bayani advocacy has been met with tremendous success. We are overjoyed at the immense support our program has received from mothers and teachers nationwide. We hope that our advocacy continues to inspire more moms and kids to celebrate how outdoor play helps mold our children into people of good values and strong character, mga Munting Bayani.?

All 17 cities in the Greater Manila Area joined the whole-day tournament of enhanced Larong Pinoy games. These games, creatively called: Luksong Matinik, Tumbang Premyo, Pateamtero and Sipa- Sipag, have been modified to highlight the core values espoused by the Larong Pinoy program, namely: teamwork, respect for others, physical and mental acuity and having a winning attitude.

With sporty parents Suzi and Paolo Abrera at the helm of ceremonies, the extraordinary day was packed with an exciting lineup of activities, as both moms and kids experience firsthand learning through play. One of the highlights was the Mommy Pledge, headed by Suzi, in recognition of the important role that moms play in fulfilling the cause. A Munting Bayani Pledge, led by former Olympic champion Akiko Thomson, taught that the kids are already Munting Bayanis in their own right and are reminded to apply these values not only in the playground, but in school, at home and in the community as well. The cutest part was the Powder Application, from which the area was filled with the scent of Johnson?s Baby Powder. Warm-Up exercises were done as well, to prepare the kids for a whole day of fun.

Partnering with Johnson?s Baby Powder in this monumental affair were the Philippine Sports Commission and the Education Department. ?Playtime is not only healthy, but essential for children in reaching important social, emotional and cognitive developmental milestones,? said PSC chairman Harry Angping.

The kids who joined the mini-olympics were from 6 to 8 years old. They were from selected schools in different cities, picked by each city government. Each team was composed of 15 members.

Team Batang Matikas of Las Pi?as City won the first place, and took home a playground refurbishing package worth P50,000. Team Batang Maasahan of Caloocan City came in second, winning a playground refurbishing package worth P35,000. It was a tie between Team Mapagbigay of Muntinlupa City and Team Malakas of Navotas City for the third place, each city bringing home a playground refurbishing package worth P20,000.

Johnson?s Baby Powder has indeed paved the way for a better and brighter future ahead for the kids, and has started building a nation of mga Munting Bayani.