A sustained feeding program ensures 100 Navotas students learn, grow, and dream on a full stomach
NAVOTAS CITY – At Tanza Elementary School, lunch time now means more than just food on a plate. It also means hope on the horizon. With the launch of Akamegane Kitchen on August 29, 2025, 100 students are assured of daily nutritious meals until 2028, marking a long-term investment in children’s health in the community.
The project is spearheaded by A Child’s Trust Is Ours to Nurture (ACTION), Inc., a child-focused NGO that has been working with local communities for three decades. By hiring Navoteños to manage kitchen operations, the program also goes beyond feeding. It creates sustainable livelihood, transforming the kitchen into a source of both nourishment and opportunity.
The Story Behind “Akamegane”
The name “Akamegane”, which means “red glasses” in Japanese, pays tribute to Mr. Ryota Yamasato, fondly known as “Yama-chan”. A popular comedian and television personality in Japan, Yama-chan is instantly recognized for his trademark red spectacles. The Akamegane Kitchen carries his name as a nod to this trademark, linking the program to the image that made him beloved to audiences in Japan and beyond.
As the project’s principal sponsor and ambassador, Yama-chan has given more than his name. He has infused the program with humor, heart, and cross-border solidarity. “My wish is very simple. I want every child to eat well and to enjoy each day with a big smile,” he said. “From this starting point, I will do my very best to make sure that all children can enjoy safe and nutritious meals.”
A Celebration of Hope and Community
The launch opened with welcoming remarks from Tanza Elementary School Principal Ms. Melinda M. Davadilla, who expressed gratitude for the program and its supporters. This was followed by messages from Navotas City Mayor John Reynald M. Tiangco, Yama-chan, and ACTION, Inc.’s. Founder and President, Mr. Hajime Yokota.
Mayor Tiangco expressed the city’s commitment to the program, saying, “Together let us make sure that no one in Navotas is left behind, and every family has a chance for a healthier and more hopeful future.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Yokota explained that the initiative extends ACTION, Inc.’s feeding program to Metro Manila. He emphasized that it is not only about putting food on the table but also about nurturing hope for the children of Navotas City. He further acknowledged the importance of community acceptance, noting that while the initiative was introduced, it was ultimately the people of Navotas who chose to embrace it.
The program continued with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ACTION, Inc., represented by Mr. Yokota, and the Local Government of Navotas City, represented by Mayor Tiangco and Vice Mayor Tito Sanchez. This was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that formally marked the opening of the Akamegane Kitchen.
Selected students of Tanza Elementary School then performed a cultural presentation, delighting guests and capturing the celebratory spirit of the launch. As the program drew to a close, ACTION, Inc. Executive Director Ms. Lani Bayron-Llanes expressed heartfelt gratitude to the guests and sponsors for their support.
The event culminated in a shared meal, with Mr. Yokota and Yama-chan at the forefront, serving lunch to the children and guests. Afterwards, they joined the guests who sat down to eat with the student beneficiaries of Akamegane Kitchen.
Serving Hope Together
The launch was made possible through the combined efforts of global and local partners: Lawson, and D Co., Ltd., Tonkatsu Takeshin, Wellbin Group Co., Ltd., InfiniVAN, Inc., create company, Master Garage, and Fuwa Fuwa.
Among those who joined the celebration were Lawson’s Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Merchandising and Marketing Mr. Takuya Goto, InfiniVAN, Inc. Business Unit Head Mr. Shumpei Komatsu, and Tonkatsu Takeshin owner and YABU producer Mr. Kazuya Takeda. Their presence underscored the vital role of partners in nurturing hope and sustaining lasting impact in the lives of these young beneficiaries.
A Promise on Every Plate
For the children of Tanza Elementary School, each warm meal brings energy, focus, and the chance to dream without limits. For their families, it brings reassurance and hope. Every meal served at Akamegane Kitchen is a step toward giving these children the health, strength, and opportunity they need to thrive. The launch stands as a promise that through compassion and collaboration, no child in Navotas will have to learn on an empty stomach.
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Feed Hope. Fuel Dreams.
Your support gives more than food, it gives hope. Join us in providing nutritious meals to the children of Tanza Elementary School. Be a champion in their journey to learn, thrive, and dream. Donate now at info@action.org.ph or connect via Facebook at A Child’s Trust Is Ours to Nurture – ACTION Inc to know more.
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