Stories of People Who Grew Up Eating Nutri-bun

I grew up in the generation of kids who eats, sells and plays with Nutribun. It's actually an Imeldific project in the 80's (or even late 70's) to provide a Nutrition Bun pronounced locally as Nutriban as a supplemental food (bread) in public schools in the Philippines. It's a very hard bread that's 'fortified' with lots of vitamins and minerals, and was part of the First Lady's feeding program for the 'poor.'

Each kid on my generation will have a story to tell about 'nutriban.' For some it's a tall requirement that each class are required to buy and eat those breads (at about .75 cents during my time). I, at one point was assigned in grade 4 to sell Nutriban by Mrs. Reves. And strict as I was then, I did not allow any classmate to go out on recess until all buns are sold-- making our class adviser wonder on why nobody in class showed up at the canteen during breaktime :) Later on, I, was reprimanded (well not exactly, she just gave a big laugh) and allowed us to eat more descent-- or at least softer food at the canteen. And come afternoon, play softball with this hard bread as ball. Otherwise, there will be more nutribuns, stinking  under our desks (those short benches with desks and a drawer underneath).

It was also a special task when we reach grade five, to be the 'lucky ones' to spread Ludy's peanut butter or a thin star margarine spread with sugar sprinkled all over, and discovered how many 'bukbuk' or black crawling insects are in each bun. After grueling on slicing the buns in two and putting spread, the boys will then be assigned to distribute these in a big clear plastic (much like Santa's sack) to all the classrooms. 

While others like Nutriban (like my Ate), I don't like it. It's just way too hard, and one bread is too heavy for me (or maybe that's the reason why I am so skinny then?). Yet for some, a nutriban is actually the food that helped them not to drop-out in school, because with a few cents(or for some province, its actually free), it can be a child's first and only meal for that day in school. .. oh well, not until we discovered it's filled with 'bukbuk' and it's not that cheap anymore.