AT LEAST 49 Grade 1 students of Ma-ao Elementary School, and their parents were hospitalized when they suddenly fell ill on Thursday, December 12, in what authorities believe may have stemmed from food poisoning.

Based on information provided by the Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, the victims were attending a Christmas party and ate spaghetti which was prepared by a local catering service.

After eating the said food, the students and some of the parents reportedly started falling ill. The victims complained of stomach aches and nausea.

The victims were initially rushed to the Barangay Ma-ao Clinic, but the victims were later transferred to the Bago City District Hospital to receive further medical attention.

As of Friday, 20 students remain at the hospital and are presently being observed by doctors.

One of the victims, 57-year-old Tessie Cubos said she ate the spaghetti after her grandchild refused to eat.

Cubos claimed that she only ate three spoonfuls of the food, which she described to taste sour. At first, Cubos disregarded the taste, however, a few minutes later she started to experience stomach pains and vomiting.

The Bago City Health Office has since been tasked to investigate the catering service.