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English: Maraming salamat, Dr. Florentino S. Solon

Known to NNC employees as “the idea man,” Dr. Florentino Solon has been described as a true nutrition champion right down to the bone.

He inspired NNC staff to create and share their nutrition “dreams,” which later translated to actual programs and projects delivered to the communities.

Dr. Solon was appointed Executive Director of NNC and the Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) in 1974 and, through his “dreams,” projects such as the OPT and designing the espada for weighing preschool children, Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Green Banner award, malnutrition rehabilitation wards (malwards), nutri-huts for rural communities, nutrivillage for entire communities, Pabasa sa Nutrisyon using the Nutri-Guide, Nutri-bus, and the “Malunggay Kada Balay” initiative, among others, were created and set into motion.

He also led in the development of fortified food products – nutripaks, nutri-gro biscuits, nutri-noodles – that were later distributed in aid of communities where malnutrition manifested.

The list of Dr. Solon’s invaluable contributions to the national nutrition program goes on but, more importantly, he is recognized as the man who “never stopped thinking of how things in nutrition can be better.”

-Nurturing the Filipino towards a Stronger Nation, National Nutrition Council (2014)