MANILA, Philippines, 31 July 2025 – AIA Philippines, formerly Philam Life and now the domestic arm of Hong Kong-based multinational insurer AIA Group, proudly announced Happy Hollow National High School as the recipient of the "Healthy Eating Award" at the third annual AIA Healthiest Schools (AHS) Regional Competition, marking the country's first win in its celebrated Asia Pacific contest. The school’s innovative program integrates organic farming, nutrition education, and vocational training, empowering students to grow their own food, improve their diets, and develop valuable life skills.
The AHS Competition, a flagship initiative of AIA Group’s AIA Healthiest Schools program, equips students aged five to 16 with resources to promote healthier lifestyles. The competition challenges participants to address four core areas — healthy eating, active living, mental wellbeing, and sustainability. Now in its third year, the competition has become one of Asia Pacific’s most prominent platforms for recognizing schools that are transforming student health outcomes.
Since its launch, AIA Healthiest Schools has expanded to eight Asia Pacific markets, reaching thousands of students and teachers. This year’s competition featured 16 schools from across the region and awarded a total prize pool of US$100,000 to support ongoing health and wellbeing projects. All awards were presented during a gala night held on July 3 in Da Nang, Vietnam.
“We’re incredibly proud of Happy Hollow National High School for their pioneering Project ORGANIC and for being the first school from the Philippines to win at the AIA Healthiest Schools Competition,” said Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer, AIA Philippines.
“Their commitment to sustainability and healthy living mirrors our Purpose to help more people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. This win highlights the creativity and passion of our educators and young changemakers, and we’re excited to expand this program to reach more schools nationwide.”
Project Organic
Happy Hollow National High School impressed judges with Project O.R.G.A.N.I.C. (Offering Resources of Growing Agri-product and Nutrition in Community), a seven-month initiative led by teacher Aries Busacay and 168 Grade 12 students. The program’s focus on organic farming, nutrition education, and vocational training empowered students to cultivate their own food, improve their diets, and develop valuable employability skills.
Recognized as a farm school by the Department of Education in 2024, Happy Hollow National High School is one of the farthest schools in Baguio City and serves as a vital hub for local food security and sustainability education. The school’s Project O.R.G.A.N.I.C. promotes healthy eating, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Students cultivated mustasa (mustard greens) using recycled containers and organic farming methods. They also organized feeding programs using their harvest and hosted workshops on planting and harvesting techniques.
Busacay highlighted the project's impact, stating, “It's a big thing that, from their research, the students identified a problem and worked together on a solution to address it. They put their focus on the project and their team, and not themselves, so now that they are graduating, they are leaving the school and community with their legacy. It is not about you but the project itself.”
Students gained organic agriculture training, mentored younger peers, and some pursued TESDA certifications, boosting employability. Happy Hollows students also reconnected with their heritage by honoring the organic farming techniques passed down by their elders. This meaningful collaboration between generations fostered a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and strengthened food security within their community.
Beyond reduced malnourishment, AIA Philippines noted Project ORGANIC’s “most notable outcomes” were increased student engagement, skill development, and a stronger culture of sustainability within the school community.
“The AIA Healthiest Schools Competition is about recognizing outstanding projects and sparking movements that create a positive impact reaching far beyond the classroom,” said Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer.
“The success and growth of this programme is a tribute to the extraordinary commitment of schools, teachers, parents, and Ministries of Education across the region. Together, we are shaping a healthier future for the next generation.”
San Diego Elementary School in Quezon City was also a Philippine finalist in the regional competition for the Primary School category, which launched a project on healthy eating and sustainable gardening. San Diego recognized that many students—especially those with special needs—struggled with poor nutrition and food aversions, and the school aimed to build healthier habits through hands-on and inclusive learning. The project’s activities included sensory-friendly food presentations, a nutrition seminar for parents, and the creation of a class recipe book featuring family recipes and student artwork.
UPTD SD Negeri Papela from Indonesia was the AHS Regional Competition’s overall regional winner for its project, Ecolitera: The Trash Tells a Story, whose goal was to turn everyday waste into tools for learning, while also teaching students and the community about sustainability. Other notable category winners included Tessaban 1 Kittikachorn School from Thailand for Health and Sustainability, SMP Negeri 43 Bandung from Indonesia for Mental Well-being, and Jaffna Hindu College from Sri Lanka for Active Lifestyles.
The 2025/26 AIA Healthiest Schools program will include Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. To learn more about the AHS program in the Philippines, visit https://ahs.aia.com/ph/en/.
