As moms, we only want the best for our kids, and that means going the extra mile to ensure they are cared for even when they're not at home. On school days, this means giving them a well-prepared baon that they can look forward to — be it cute bento-style lunches or fun snacks — even with limited time and a budget.

Every baon is a reflection of our love and effort to make sure our children enjoy their meal breaks and come back energized. We also know how important variety is in keeping our children excited about their meals, ensuring they won’t get bored of the same old choices. An assorted baon is also a great way to introduce them to new flavors and food.

That’s where Alaska Fruitti Yo! steps in. As the perfect addition to your child’s baon rotation, this new fruitti-yummy yoghurt-flavored milk drink makes snack time even more enjoyable and adds a burst of flavor that will keep your little one eager for their meal. Alaska Fruitti Yo! brings variety to your child’s baon with its fun fruit flavors — strawberry, green apple, and the new orange flavor — making each recess or lunch break a little more special.

With Alaska Fruitti Yo!, you can elevate your children’s baon with ease, knowing that you're adding something both refreshing and exciting to their packed lunches. Make the most out of this delicious snack time partner with these practical tips that will make your kids’ meal time a breakciting experience!

1. Mix and match

Try pairing Alaska Fruitti Yo! with different baon items like sandwiches, biscuits, or rice meals. With flavors like strawberry, green apple, and the new orange variant, you can mix and match to find your child’s favorite combo. Don’t be afraid to get creative with their meals!

2. Add an artistic touch

Elevate your kids’ school snack by adding cute, decorative touches. Use cookie cutters to shape fruits or sandwiches, or add a sprinkle of color with sliced vegetables. Even the lunchbox itself can become part of the fun — let your kids pick out their favorite designs for the containers and utensils to make their break time more enjoyable!

3. Prep ahead for busy mornings

To avoid the morning rush, do a bit of prep the night before. Slice fruits, pack veggies, and prep sandwiches ahead of time. Then, simply grab a chilled Alaska Fruitti Yo! in the morning, and you’re good to go! Not only does it save time, but it also ensures that your child’s baon is complete and ready for the day.

4. Involve your kids

Let your children be part of the decision-making process. Allow them to choose which fruits or snacks they want for the day, or even let them make their sandwiches. This gives kids a sense of ownership over their baon, making your little ones more excited to eat it.

5. Include a surprise treat

Who doesn’t love a little surprise? Sneak in a small treat like a fun-shaped fruit or some sweets to keep things interesting! Little surprises can make a big difference in how kids feel about their baon.

6. Variety is key

Rotate between Alaska Fruitti Yo!’s different flavors and other baon favorites throughout the week to keep snack time unpredictable. Switching things up not only prevents boredom, but also helps make snack prep less repetitive for moms. The baon breakthrough

For mommies who want to up their baon game and make school lunches more breakciting, Alaska Fruitti Yo! Yoghurt-Flavored Milk Drink is here to help. With flavors like the new orange variant, strawberry, and green apple, there’s an Alaska Fruitti Yo! for every child’s taste. And the best part? It’s not just delicious — it’s affordable too for Php9.00 SRP only, making it an ideal option for budget-conscious moms looking for a snack solution that won’t break the bank.

Aside from its fruity flavors, Alaska Fruitti Yo! is packed with essential vitamins like B1 and D3, making it both tasty and nutritious. It’s available in leading grocery stores and supermarkets nationwide, so it’s easier for moms to grab a few bottles and stock up for the week ahead.

Add Alaska Fruitti Yo! to your child’s baon rotation and see how much they look forward to their breakciting recess or lunch time. You’ll be surprised how much a little variety can make a big difference.

And don’t forget to join the Alaska Nanay Club to get more baon tips and connect with other moms. Let's make break time a fun and exciting experience for our kids!

As we greet a new year, new challenges have inevitably arisen given the current state of the world. With these problems that we face during these uncertain times, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk sought to uplift vulnerable communities and share the spirit of giving. Last Christmas, Alaska invited members of its Facebook community, MOMs of Alaska (MOMAs), to make the holidays a little brighter for the children from the company’s partner orphanages, Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation, Inc. and House of Refuge Foundation, Inc. Over a hundred members of the Alaska MOMAs community came together to create special Christmas cards, with creative designs and personalized messages dedicated to each of the children.

Alaska collected the Christmas cards and held a turnover with the partner institutions, donating 70 days’ worth of “Lakas at Talas” in the form of Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk products that can give the children the added nutrition to help with their brain and body development while they are growing. Gift packs with toys and educational materials were also included in the turnover, which the children welcomed with smiles and loud cheers.

Mailyn Balairos, Center Head of Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation, Inc. (CCMFI), a church-based Christian organization that aims to provide children with educational assistance, shelter, medical aid, skills training and nourish their souls with the word of God, shared her appreciation to the moms who took their time to create Christmas cards for the children under their care. “On behalf of CCMFI and the children, I wanted to convey my deepest gratitude to the moms of Alaska and to Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk for this unforgettable event for the children,” Mailyn shared.

Riza Lepasana, OIC and Directress of House of Refuge Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting orphaned and abandoned children in Metro Manila, also expressed her gratitude for the initiative. “On behalf of House of Refuge, I sincerely thank the moms who made an effort to make this Christmas feel special for our kids, and to thank Alaska for sharing their blessings of ‘Lakas at Talas’ with our children,” Riza said.

Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk also thanks its partner orphanages for assisting and providing homes to children in need and giving them the “alaga” or care that they deserve. In these challenging times, Alaska reaches out to the children of House of Refuge and Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation and hopes to continue their mission of providing affordable quality nutrition to Filipino children and families everywhere.

For more information on Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk and its initiatives, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.facebook.com/alaskamilkph.

Nutrition has always been a pressing issue, especially now when families are becoming more vulnerable to health and economic problems. During these trying times, the resiliency shown by moms has inspired Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink team in conducting a survey to better understand their nutrition needs and issues encountered by their families during the pandemic.

The survey was conducted among members of the MOMs of Alaska (MOMAs) Facebook community, a group for moms who are dedicated in providing their children proper nutrition. And while providing nutrition remains one of their priorities, the survey has found that it has taken a back seat to more urgent concerns like supporting the family’s finances, budgeting limited earnings for food, health and safety necessities, juggling family responsibilities, and the like.

The survey received responses from nearly 300 moms from different walks of life such as housewives, call center agents, online sellers, teachers, vendors and many more. Majority of the respondents shared that budgeting concerns regarding groceries, health essentials and bills have made it harder to provide nutrition for their families. Half of the respondents have struggled with losing their jobs and a fifth of them struggle with balancing their family responsibilities.

In these trying times, Jenevev, a street food vendor and mother of two described her priorities. “Kahit na sa panahon ng pandemya, dapat hindi kaligtaan ang kalusugan ng pamilya. Kaya sinisigurado ko po na palaging wasto ang sustansyang nakukuha ng mga anak ko” (“Even during the pandemic, we shouldn’t neglect our family’s health. That’s why I make sure that my children receive the nutrition they need”), Jenevev shared.

She isn't the only one from the MOMAs community that feels this way. In these exceptional circumstances, Jonalene, a housewife and mother of two struggles to provide sufficient nutrition for her children due to lack of financial capability.

“Kahit mahirap i-budget ang PHP 100 a day, sinusubukan ko pa din bigyan ang mga anak ko ng masusustansyang pagkain tulad ng gulay. Simpleng ginisang gulay ay ayos na” (“Even though it’s difficult to budget PHP 100 a day, I still try to find ways to give my children healthy food like vegetables. A simple stir-fried vegetable dish is enough”), says Jonalene.

Most of the respondents agree with this sentiment. Out of the 94% of respondents who consider providing proper nutrition for their families a top priority, 66.3% don’t have the means to afford the nutritional meals they aspire for. On top of these problems, the pandemic continues to change the lifestyles and consumer habits of families everywhere. 81.3% of respondents prioritize pandemic essentials like face masks and alcohol in their spending over other products, making it even harder for moms to allocate time and budget for nutrition.

Regardless of these challenges, moms want their children to be healthy and grow properly, understanding how vital it is to take care of their health in today's world. As moms, they always want what’s best for their kids, giving their all to nurture and nourish them, and providing them with the proper guidance to live a healthy life. As a result, moms are finding ways to put their children's health and development first.

Moms from the MOMAs community try their best to create a healthy environment at home. More than half of the respondents (68.2%) have made it a habit to prepare nutritious meals within their budget, while others (66.3%) have started doing family exercises together. And luckily, more moms (79.8%) have found a way to solve their nutri-problems by buying affordable nutritional drinks like milk to help give their children the added nutrition they need on top of healthy meals.

Arlene, an online working mom of two from the MOMAs community, shared, “Bilang ina, lagi kong inuuna ang wastong nutrisyon para sa aking mga anak, kaya parte ng araw-araw naming pamumuhay ang pagbibigay ng masustansyang pagkain at pagpapainom ng mga bitamina na may iba’t-ibang benipisyo para sa nutrisyon. Kaya naman malaking tulong ang affordable na gatas tulad ng Alaska na may maraming nutrients at benefits para sa kalusugan ng mga anak ko” (“As a mom, I always prioritize providing proper nutrition to my children, so part of what I do for them is giving healthy food and vitamins with many nutritional benefits. This is why affordable milk like Alaska is a big help to me, as it is filled with nutrients and health benefits for my kids”).

Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink has been continuously nourishing Filipino families, and with the findings from this survey and the determination shown by moms all over the country to provide what’s best for their children, the brand aims to bring nutrition even closer to every Filipino.

The survey has made it clear that children’s health and nutrition is a concern that has become more pronounced with the pandemic. In line with its mission to make quality nutrition more affordable, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink wants to continue providing “Alagang Alaska” and nourishing every Filipino family to help them through these trying times.

To assist moms in providing nutrition to their families, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink is launching its most affordable pack to date, with “Lakas at Talas” benefits to help with body and brain development. The Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink “Super Sulit Pack” is available at 300g for PHP 70 and contains protein, calcium, and vitamin D for “lakas” which helps with healthy body development, and choline and iodine for “talas” which helps with brain development and growth. Paired with a healthy and well-balanced morning meal, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink provides nourishment in a delicious drink that kids can enjoy during breakfast.

With the launch of the ‘Super Sulit Pack’, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink shows its commitment to providing affordable yet quality nutrition to Filipino families. For just the price of PHP 70, Alaska continues to nourish our children through a tasty and nutritious drink in the morning.

Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink is available in Shopee, Lazada, leading supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide, and is even more affordable with the 300g “Super Sulit Pack” for only Php 70 SRP. For more information on Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.facebook.com/alaskamilkph.

Top row, from left: Celebrity Mom Rica Peralejo, Nutritionist and Dietitian Reginna Emiliene Lat, RND and Event Host and Radio DJ Mama Emma; Bottom row, from left: Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink Brand Manager Mark Henry Camacho and Assistant Brand Manager Patricia Domingo

“Mother knows best” is more than just a saying. From your best friends, to your favorite food, to your hobbies and even your favorite celebrities – your mom knows them all. They may not be the most in touch with current trends or technology, but when it comes to their children, mothers have proven time and again that they surely know best.

This is true for nutrition as well. Because of the pandemic, moms had to wear different hats these past few months – educator, cook, and even amateur nutritionist. And while providing proper nutrition remains a top priority for them, it has become more of a struggle for many moms recently, which is why Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink launched its “Super Sulit Pack” to help make nutrition more affordable amidst the pandemic.

Top row, from left: Celebrity Mom Rica Peralejo and Nutritionist and Dietitian Reginna Emiliene Lat, RND; Bottom row: Event Host and Radio DJ Mama Emma

During the virtual launch event for Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink “Super Sulit Pack,” celebrity mom Rica Peralejo shared her concerns and personal experiences in providing nourishment to her children.

“The pandemic has made it harder to plan meals for the family. It's difficult because your movements are limited and you can't go out freely to buy groceries personally and think of nutritious food pairings that your kids will like,” Rica said.

“It takes a whole lot of creativity to actually make nutritious foods appetizing to kids,” she answered when asked about how she changed her children's eating habits. “It's all about variety at the end of the day. Children want to taste and experience different things, which is challenging for moms. Before, we could go out and eat at places that offer a variety of nutritious foods, but now you have to do it yourself at home...You have to consider things like plating, the set-up of your dining area, just so it would be a different kind of experience from day-to-day.”

Rica also shared her experience in encouraging her children to drink milk. “Actually, milk is one of the easiest things to give to our kids…Sometimes it’s overwhelming for moms to think about what nutrients we can add to our children’s diets, so thankfully we already have milk drinks with the additional nutrients that our kids need. Milk is honestly a godsend for me and for moms because of its affordability, nutrition value, and of course, its kid-approved taste,” she said.

Nutritionist and dietitian, Reginna Emiliene Lat, RND, also joined the virtual launch event to share her experiences in providing nutritional advice to low-income families, which became even more challenging during the pandemic.

“Families are experiencing job loss during the pandemic, with some not having sufficient income to provide proper nutrition for their children,” she mentioned. “But despite these challenges, moms are not ones to compromise on health and are devoted to ensuring that their children get the nutrition they need.”

“So with a few tweaks to their diet like adding fruits and vegetables to their food to ensure balance and variety to their meals, and including nutritional supplements and nutrient-dense drinks, they can make sure that their family can get the nutrients they need while staying within their budget,” Reginna said.

While children are still in their early stages of development, proper nutrition is essential in keeping them healthy and building the foundation for their future. Which is why Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink remains committed to nourishing Filipino families and helping children grow with “Lakas at Talas.”

Containing protein, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin D for “Lakas” (strength) which helps with body development, and choline, iron and iodine for “Talas” (sharpness) which helps with brain development, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink is a delicious drink that kids can enjoy every morning, paired with a healthy and balanced breakfast.

Moms and media attendees share a toast of Alaska Fortified Milk to show their commitment to affordable nutrition

“We know that Filipino moms are faced with the challenge of providing nutrition for their families within their limited budget. They have a lot of things to consider and prioritize, and they make these decisions every day. True to Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink’s mission and purpose of bringing affordable nutrition to Filipinos, we are here to answer to every Filipino mom’s need with our most affordable milk pack yet – the 300g ‘Super Sulit Pack’ for only PHP 70 – to help give their children the added nutrients they need and foster the ‘alaga’ they deserve,” said Mark Henry Camacho, Brand Manager of Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink.

Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink 300g “Super Sulit Pack” is now available until December 2021 in Shopee, Lazada, leading supermarkets, grocery stores nationwide. For more information on Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.facebook.com/alaskamilkph

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 presented by Alaska program will tip-off in Manila  with a coaches clinic on January 24 followed by an open clinic on January 25.  A second coaches clinic and open clinic will be held in Bacolod on January 31and February 1 respectively.  Returning for the eighth consecutive year, this year’s program will reach more than 700 schools and communities nationwide.

 

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is the league’s international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among boys and girls.  The 2015 Philippine schedule includes school clinics as well as coaching seminars in the lead up to Regional Selection Camps where standout participants will be selected to participate in the National Training Camp in April.  The National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of 10 Jr. NBA and 5 Jr. WNBA All-Stars, providing the select campers with a unique NBA experience which they will share with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from across Southeast Asia later in the year.

 

The program remains free and open to players between 10 and 14 years old.  Registration is now ongoing through the official Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA websitewww.jrnba.asia/philippines.  Fans can follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines and on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/nba_philippines.  For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com.

 

The complete Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 schedule will be released at a later date.

3 Weekends, 3 great sports events!  For a Mom with two active boys, these activities are great for them to get into sports and perhaps I'll be becoming more of a stage mom soon, I think.


The event will cater to cyclists of all ages and abilities with different categories like the Tricycle Ride which is specially designed for young kids between ages 2 and 5, the Junior Challenge which is a more challenging category designed for older children where they have to ride as fast as they can within 30 minutes and then there’s the Foldies Community Ride which is catered to the popular folding bikes cycling community. The Alaska Cycle Philippines will also be a “Bike Ride Out”, meaning there will be no winners just plain fun to promote participation and most especially good health and an active lifestyle.



Alaska Iron Kids Philippines Aquathlon on the other hand will be held on May 25 at Club Manila East, Taytay, Rizal. Alaska IronKids Philippines is the local junior version of the international triathlon series, IronMan. The race is open to children six to 14 years old.



On June 1, Alaska will hold the Alaska World Milk Day Family Run along 30th Street corner 9th Avenue at the Bonifacio Global City. Registration is open until May 25 and categories include 3K for individuals and family, 5K and 10K races. This event will be fun filled for the whole family and there will be series of activities and simultaneous events from different parts of the country.



"We are excited to continue an active year of Alaska Sports with the launch of the three events Alaska Cycle Philippines, Alaska IronKids Philippines Aquathlon and the Alaska World Milk Day Family run. Alaska teamed up with international partners to ensure that Filipino families participate in sports activities as exercise to promote their health and ensure a wholesome lifestyle," said Uytengsu.



The 7th National Nutrition Survey, done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute and the Department of Health, showed that obesity is increasing with nearly two out 10 children considered as overweight. Under-nutrition is also a public health concern affecting nearly three out 10 children. Alaska promotes nutrition through its leading brands, Alaska Powdered Milk Drink and Alaska Chocolate Powdered Milk Drink and through educating the public about the importance of drinking milk and keeping an active and healthy lifestyle.



Alaska promotes a holistic sports development program for the whole family and encourages a healthy and active lifestyle through biking, swimming and running. It also helps in community development and nation building by nurturing positive values of teamwork, cooperation and fair play through sports activities like the Alaska Cycle Philippines, Alaska IronKids Aquathlon and the World Milk Day Family Run.


For general information on Alaska Cycle Philippines visit http://www.cyclephilippines.com.ph/alaska/ or https://www.faceebook.com/alaskacyclephilippines. For general information about Alaska Milk Corporation visit www.alaskamilk.com, www.alaskaworldmilkday.com or www.ironkidsphil.com. For live tweets and updates follow us at @ALASKAsportshub

When the Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska holds its main event -- the National Training Camp – at SM Mall of Asia on April 28, basketball fans will be treated to a basketball extravaganza starring the acknowledged next generation of outstanding Pinoy basketball players.

The most promising young stars of the UAAP, NCAA and provincial school leagues will pit their talents against each other in an exhibition game featuring Jr. NBA All Stars alumni from 2007 to 2012 who are now suited up for the various collegiate leagues nationwide.

Jr. NBA All Stars alumni bannered by UST Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano, UP Fighting Maroon Henry Asilum, UST junior players John Roald Mayor, Patrick Ramirez, Thristan Laman and Patrick Nigel Go, UE Junior Warriors Itchie Altamirano and Paul Dagunan, NU Bull Pup Hubert Cani, De La Salle Zobel Jr. Archer Aljun Jay Melecio, La Salle Greenhills Greenie Kobe Paras, Ateneo Blue Eaglet Mio Puno, San Sebastian Staglets Carlo Escalambre and RK Ilagan, Jose Rizal Junior Bomber Aldrin Fegidero and Ateneo de Cebu Blue Magis Miguel Competente will see action in the noontime game which will highlight the last day of this year’s National Training Camp.

NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues, who will arrive in Manila to join the Jr. NBA coaching staff at the National Training Camp will coach Team Muggsy while PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa will coach Team Jolas. A players’ draft will be held on April 13 to determine the composition of each team.

This is the first time that a Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni game will be played as part of the Jr. NBA event. “Everybody’s so excited because it is a first for the Jr. NBA. The program has grown and evolved through the years and this new event will show why these young players were chosen as the best of their respective batches, and why they are today’s most promising varsity players in school leagues all over the country,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Asia Country Manager-Philippines.

The National Training Camp is the third and highlight phase of Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska. Later in the day of April 28, new Jr. NBA All Stars will be selected from a pool of 50 participants aged 10 to 14 years old who stood out in the Regional Selection Camps held in Dagupan, Davao, Lucena, the NCR and the Alaska Power Camp.

The new batch of Jr. NBA All Stars – like the Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni – will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience abroad plus the chance to play against a counterpart Jr. NBA team there.

This is the sixth consecutive staging of the Jr. NBA in the country.

I'm sure readers are wondering why a Mom like get to be invited in this sporty event, well Moms should know things especially now that my two boys are growing and I need to keep up with them.  Just in case Dad will not be available in things like this.

So, the event was about basketball.  It was held in Treston International School as a Tip-off Conference from the 2012 Jr. NBA.


Here's what they say about this program...

The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska is back in the Philippines for the fifth consecutive year, with first-time stops in Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.  Alaska Powdered Milk Drink will serve as the presenting partner of the Jr. NBA program for the second consecutive year.


The Jr. NBA is the league's international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children.  In addition to the three new cities, the 2012 Philippines schedule will also include Metro Manila, where the Jr. NBA National Training Camp will take place.  The program is open to boys between 10 and 14 years old.

"We have a great partner in Alaska, which shares our dedication to youth sports development and has played a vital role in the growth of the Jr. NBA program," said Scott Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Asia.  "With the involvement of all our partners, the Jr. NBA program continues to expand and touch the lives of more young players, coaches, educators, and parents."

"Alaska is committed to developing talent at the youth level and we are pleased to return as presenting partner," said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation.  "The Jr. NBA is a great fit with Alaska's mission to nurture talent and promote a healthy lifestyle through sports from a young age, and we look forward to another successful program this year."


This year's program will tip off with a coaching clinic in Manila on Jan. 14, and will then travel to Puerto Princesa in Palawan for a coaching clinic on Jan 15 and a school clinic on Jan. 16.  From Palawan, the Jr. NBA will return to Central LUzon on Jan. 18 for a school clinic and NBA Cares event in flood hit Pampanga.  The Jr. NBA will also hold an NBA Cares activity on Jan. 19 in Cagayan de Oro, which was recently devastated by Typhoon Sendong, followed by a schol clinic on Jan 20.

School clinics will continue during the months of February and March in Metro Manila in the lead up to the Regional Selection Camps which will be held in Puerto Princesa (Apr 10 - 11), Cagayan de Oro (Apr 14 - 15), Pampanga (Apr 17 - 18) and Manila (Apr 21 - 22).  Upon completion of the Regional Selection Camps, the top 50 players from all over the country will be slected to participate in the three-day Jr. NBA National Training Camp to be held in early May in Manila.  As part of Alaska Milk's support of the Jr. NBA, 10 of the 50 National Camp participants will be selected from this year's Alaska Basketball Power Camp.  The program will culminate with the selection of the Jr. NBA All-Star Team providing the 10 best campers a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a Jr. NBA team from another country.


Similar to last year, the 2012 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will be announced at the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, where the top 10 finalists for the award will be invited to participate as assistant instructors.  The award winner will be announced on the last day of the national training camp.  Coaches interested in joining the search for Coach of the Year can log onto the Jr. NBA website for more details.


This year, Jr. NBA coach and former NBA player Martin "Marty" Conlon, who played for several NBA teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, will oversee the program along with local coaches selected by the NBA, as well as members of the Alaska Aces coaching staff. The coaches will assist in teaching the NBA skill stations as well as communicating the importance of the Jr. NBA core values of sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude, and respect (S.T.A.R.).  An NBA legend will participate in the national training camp and community outreach programs through NBA Cares.

The Jr. NBA program, together with its partners, will reinforce key values such as the importance of sports participation for parents and children, and will educate children, parents and coaches on children's health and nutritional requirements.  In addition to Alaska Powdered Milk Drink, Gatorade returns as a partner this year and Spalding will once again act as the official supplier.  Jr. NBA official broadcast partners are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23, with the Manila Bulletin serving as the official media print partner.  Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).  Provincial Host Cities include Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.


The Jr. NBA first visited the Philippines in early 2007 at 16 Metro Manila private and public schools.  The program expanded to 200 schools and 20,000 participants in 2008-09 and to 300 schools and 30,000 students in 2009-10.  In 2011, the program reached more than 400 schools and 40,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country.  Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches.  The program remains free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino boys who want to join the program.  Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA event website www.jrnba.com.ph.  Fans can also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines and our official Twitter Feed at http://twitter.com/NBA_Philippines