PlayTime CARES and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) successfully concluded the first-ever Walang Gutom Kusinero National Cook-Off Challenge at the Philippine Trade Training Center last July 25. The event, graced by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, reinforced the government’s whole-of-society approach to eliminating involuntary hunger.
PlayTime CARES, the corporate social responsibility arm of PlayTime, sponsored the grand prize livelihood assistance package—a branded food cart for the national winner—as part of its commitment to community empowerment and food security.
Ten regional finalists from across the Philippines, including Zamboanga Peninsula, Bicol, Western Visayas, and NCR, competed in preparing meals exemplifying the DSWD’s Walang Gutom Program principles: Masarap, Masustansya, at Abot-Kaya (Delicious, Nutritious, and Affordable).
Regional winners prepare their signature dishes as they compete with other representatives from around the country for the title of Grand Champion of the first DSWD Walang Gutom Cook-Off Challenge
Each dish required ingredients sourced through the program’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) food credits—valued at ₱3,000 monthly per family—promoting culinary creativity within modest budgets. Judging equally weighted taste, nutrition, affordability, innovation, and technique.
DSWD Assistant Secretary for Innovations Baldr Bringas, PlayTime CARES Director of Public Relations Krizia Cortez, and Chef Mark Joseph “Chef Marky” Bartolome fill out their Judge Forms for the official taste test and judging portion
Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) team Elenita Montaño and Jovelyn Montaño won with a perfect score, receiving ₱50,000 cash and a PlayTime CARES-sponsored food cart for sustainable livelihood. Second and third place winners from Region 5 and Region 6 received ₱30,000 and ₱20,000 respectively. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. surprised all finalists with ₱100,000 each.
The partnership extends beyond this event. Earlier this year, both organizations collaborated on the Walang Gutom Kitchen initiative, providing freshly prepared meals to food-insecure individuals through PlayTime’s brand efforts.
“Through PlayTime CARES, we don’t just provide assistance—we support transformation,” said Krizia Cortez, Director for Public Relations of PlayTime CARES. “We believe that true empowerment comes when people are given the means to cook, create, and carve out their own future. This partnership with DSWD shows that public-private collaboration works—especially when it’s rooted in genuine care.”
PlayTime CARES continues supporting DSWD’s food security initiatives through funding cook-off prizes, livelihood packages, and programs aligned with nutrition, youth empowerment, and disaster relief, affirming entertainment companies’ role in building a hunger-free Philippines.
