Cugman ES pupil wins Agri-10 World Food Day poster making contest

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Jacobo Iñigo B. Arao-Arao, a fifth grader from Cugman Elementary School (ES), was hailed as the regional winner of the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (Agri-10)’s 2026 World Food Day (WFD) On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest.

Arao-Arao bested 40 other regional contenders on September 25 with his interpretation of this year’s WFD theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”

The theme highlights the importance of forward-thinking innovations, traditional knowledge, and inclusive practices to ensure sustainable access to safe and nutritious food for future generations.

In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO) and the Department of Education (DepEd), Agri-10 staged the poster making contest annually to highlight the annual WFD celebration.

The contest was designed to create awareness among young learners the value of food security and actively engage them in the advocacy to end hunger worldwide.

Leveraging on the activity, Agri-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan urged for the DA and DepEd to chart a new path of partnership to develop young learners’ interest in agriculture.

“I hope with this gathering we will be going beyond the artistry. Our next level partnership with the DepEd aside from expression of arts in agriculture, is for us to see young minds doing agriculture in their home, in their backyard and seeing more young minds help us sustain food production in this country,” he remarked.

As regional winner, Arao-Arao will represent Northern Mindanao in the national competition of the WFD Poster Making Contest on October 14 in Manila.

This year’s WFD Regional Poster Making contest runners-up are:

2nd Placer
Ulyssis E. Medino of Camaman-an Elementary School

3rd Placer
Aron Jee M. Colao of Tablon Elementary School

4th Placer
Rhiandrea Hyang R. Rogacion of Tagoloan Elementary School

5th Placer
Zieyah C. Tatad of Bayabas Elementary School

Winners received cash prizes from Agri-10 and the UN-FAO. The top three winners also received plaques from Agri-10. Non-winners received consolation cash prizes and certificates of participation.

The contest was participated by grades five and six pupils from public and DepEd-accredited private schools in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental.

Michael E. Bacol, Nicolas P. Aca, Jr., and Emmanuel S. Mulawan II served as this year’s WFD poster making contest judges.# (ATT)