Category Archives: Food, Travels and Culture

Mt. Mayon ATV “Green Forest Trail” ADVENTURE & More of ALBAY

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Are you in for some thrill and adventure? If yes, then this post might give you enough reasons to plan a trip and head to the Philippines to visit the Bicol region where I was born and where the famous Mt. Mayon is located.

I may be an introvert, but because I’m married to an extrovert who loves active sports, I thought I’d give him something fun for his birthday. Besides, introverts have to find a good way to burn all that accumulated fat from those months of hibernating, right? lol

If you’ll search Google, you’ll find a long list on how to shed those fats, but I’ll help you trim your search down and give you one of my best recommendations – riding an ATV. The Mayon ATV tour package is also popular for ATV rides that can get you closer to Mt. Mayon.

Getting Closer To Mt. Mayon

This is not my first time to ride an ATV, by the way. But trying one of the Mayon ATV tours is one of the items in my bucket list, which I mentioned in my previous article (“Those Cracks And Crevices Made You Beautiful Just Like Mt. Mayon”) because I want to experience how it feels to set foot on the volcano itself.

I would’ve opted for a hiking activity, but I am not sure if the local government allows it since Mt. Mayon’s status is on Alert Level 1. So I thought trying the Mayon ATV will be just fine. And it turned out to be the best choice.

The Green Forest Trail

Since I am low on media storage already here on WordPress, I thought I’d share our experience through a vlog I made on the “Green Forest Trail” offered by the Mayon ATV SkyDrive and also show the other places that we visited while we were in Albay.

The “Green Forest Trail” is a new 3-hour trail that they haven’t included yet (officially) on their list of Mayon ATV tour packages. I only found out about this trail because I asked the staff what is their longest ATV trail that will get me closer to Mt. Mayon.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Mt. Mayon up close because it was cloudy and rained a little bit during that day. But for me, this kind of weather is perfect if you will be availing the longer Mayon ATV trails because you don’t have to deal with the sun’s scorching heat especially during this summer season.

The trail was a bit slippery though not too muddy. There were also some bumpy parts and sharp turns (I almost crashed to a tree), but no very steep slopes. I suggest taking another route going back to the base, especially if it is your first time riding an ATV, because you need to use both the left and the right hand brakes for the most part of your descent.

Discover Albay

By the way, here’s the complete list of the featured locations in this video and how much we paid for the products and services we availed:

YOUR BROTHER’S HOUSE TRIBAL VILLAGE (availed the Superior King Room @ Php 2,785.01 per night via Agoda)

IL MORSO RESTAURANT (availed the Dinner Buffet @Php850 per head)

CHILO BAR (cocktail drinks are worth Php100 – Php500)

MAYON ATV SKYDRIVE (availed the 2018 Mayon Lava, SkyWheel, and Zipline Bundle worth Php3,300 per pax and added a couple of bucks for the Green Forest ATV Trail upgrade)

It feels good to be a hamster even for just one day. 😅

Mayon ATV River Crossing Adventure

The video below was also taken while crossing one of the rivers that is part of the “Green Forest Trail” during our Mayon ATV adventure.

This part of the trail was very bumpy because of the bigger rocks on the river. But it’s very manageable for as long as you maintain your tight grip on the ATV handlebars.

I am not sure if this is just me, but I can hear the voice of a guy shouting “Welcome Home” in this video. It wasn’t our tour guide nor the other tourists behind us. I also asked my husband if it was him, and he said that he wasn’t shouting when we were crossing the river.

To be honest, I really felt Mt. Mayon when we got to the final stop of the “Green Forest Trail.” I touched the soil and when we started to descend, heavy rains started pouring as if Mt. Mayon was preventing me to leave. 😅

All in all, this was definitely one of my most “magayon” (beautiful) adventures here in Bicol by far. So yes, I’m definitely going back to Albay and try the other Mayon ATV trails, too.

P.S. I’ve heard a clip of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ song entitled “Die with A Smile” while scrolling on Facebook, and it just played on loop in my head for how many days now. So I thought maybe it deserves to be included in this article. Here’s a nice cover of this song because I can’t sing it well enough. lol

P.P.S. We are a coastal town and summer here means getting the freshest seafood, that is, if it’s not too pricey. And in my 39 years of existence, I discovered this interesting fact about the squid just now. Do watch the video below to know what it is. 👍

“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” – Psalm 144:15

All My “Firsts” In Sorsogon City

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How do I begin this overwhelmingly beautiful and positive experience of my being here in Sorsogon City? I think when I made a joke that I left my heart in Sorsogon in this article, God meant it would be here in Sorsogon City. lol Nah, I love Bulan (my hometown) too and I love the entire province actually, which is Sorsogon. But I also love the entire Bicol Region. Sige na nga, I love the Philippines na. hahaha Bumigay din. 😆

I mentioned in my previous articles that I felt the Spirit’s leading and God’s calling for me to live here in Sorsogon City though my ancestral home is in Bulan, a coastal town 2 hours away from the city. When I told Dad, he disapproved at first because he was concerned about my safety, and I think this is a normal reaction from every parent no matter how old their children get. But I assured him I would still visit my hometown every week and stay there for a few days to spend time with him and my 3rd sister.

Brought something with me that reminds me of home – Aglaonema. This is the first plant that Mom told me to propagate back in Manila because it’s a prolific grower. Hopefully maparami ko sila dito sa apartment. 🙏

My husband, by the way, is working overseas, and I am very grateful and happy that he is adjusting quite well though he had some challenges and setbacks when he arrived last April. I had the same experience, and I must say that separation anxiety is the most difficult to overcome.

But by God’s grace, He provided everything that we needed. And when I say everything, I really mean ALL. My husband and I agreed I help him prepare holistically for his new life abroad by providing him with a home (not just a house) in Manila while he’s processing his work documents and visa, but he’ll also help me get established here in Sorsogon City. We missed each other a lot, but God has always been there to comfort and assure us both that we are on the right paths albeit heading towards opposite directions. 

God ushered me towards the right people.

By the way, I am sure you’re all wondering if there were times when I ever felt afraid of living in a foreign place surrounded by people that I barely knew. I guess I would have to thank my experience in the Anthropology classes I took as an elective during my undergraduate and graduate studies at UP Diliman. The general education curriculum of UP allows students to choose an elective course from any college or department. 

I chose Anthropology because some of my college friends told me na nagpapaulan daw kasi ng uno na grade ang mga prof. lol And it is actually true because the requirements aren’t easy. Aside from the regular quizzes, class recitations, exams, and research papers, the class is divided into several groups for community immersion/fieldwork, which is the final requirement to pass the course. Just in case you’re thinking that community immersions might be similar to field trips, well, they are field trips, but the entire experience goes a little deeper. 

They are not your regular educational tours where you do a lot of sightseeing and visit several places during the entire trip. For community immersion, social awareness is the main objective. You get to study the local community, its people, and the culture not as a foreigner or as a tourist, but you actually become part of the community. 

And I believe God has been preparing me for this transition without me realizing it because I remembered now that my undergraduate thesis is all about regionalism and the country life. When my thesis adviser and I were discussing what are the topics that interest me a lot, I told her that I would like to write something about where I came from. Not literally where I came from because we were studying literary theories used by American writers to depict the American society in their novels, essays, and short stories written during the Medieval Ages until the 20th Century. But more on the concept of grassroots and how it influences our lives and defines our roles and purpose in society. 

And speaking of community, I must say that I didn’t totally expect that I would blend in quite comfortably with the neighborhood – I love the people here. My landlords, for one, have been very accommodating in helping me get settled in and in patiently answering all of my queries (I had A LOT 😁). The neighbors are a composition of students, young (and old like me) professionals, and young families, and I am very grateful na walang pasaway sa kanila (sana). 😀 I always include each one of them in my prayers though I don’t know them well enough yet. 🙏

My first lugaw here in Sorsogon City at Vince Lugawan syempre kasi harap lang ng Victory Sorsogon.
Na-try ko din sa wakas ang Baluko. Delicioso. 😋🤌

God brought me to a place where everything I need is there. 

Every time I am in a new place, the first thing I check is if it has all of the necessities i.e. has sufficient water supply; near the supermarket, banks, and restaurants; accessible via the main thoroughfare; located on elevated grounds; situated in a safe neighborhood; etc. At may pa-bonus pa si Lord. I did mention in my previous article that the apartment is located just a block away from Victory Sorsogon and just recently, I discovered that it’s also a couple of blocks away from Sorsogon City’s Rompeolas and the boulevard. 

Seascapes on one side.
Mountainscapes on the other side.
Fishing communities.
These are mangroves on my right. I would like to commend the LGU for their continued efforts in preserving mangroves in coastal communities.

And guess what, the pastor of Victory Sorsogon is a praying doctor. 😊 I first mentioned about the praying doctor in this article, and I believe it is not a coincidence that I am now attending church services led by a praying doctor. He is an EENT doctor, and Sunday services are held inside his clinic, which is converted into an assembly hall on Sundays. I was also grateful I got connected to a Bible study group led by Pastor Allan’s wife, Tita Jean, and comprised of women whom I admire considerably given the wisdom that they share since most of them are older than me. 

Victory Sorsogon is one of my neighbors. 😉 Church services are held every 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM during Sundays.
A doctor during weekdays, a pastor during weekends. 🙂
Pastor/Doctor Allan of Victory Sorsogon
Thank you, Tita Jean and Ate Mutya, for welcoming me to your Victory Group. 🙏♥️😊
Thank you, men’s VG, for sharing your food with us, ze ladies. 👍👍

One of our Bible study group members is also currently battling cancer at a very young age. And we are planning to visit her at the BRTTH this Saturday. While it grieves me to find out that she’s critically ill, I believe this is already the start of the task that God has called me to do here in Sorsogon City. My Victory Group leader, Tita Jean, also told me the same thing. Being a breast cancer or cancer advocate is actually one of the reasons why I decided to live here.

Should my cancer cells become aggressive and progressive later on no matter how healthy my lifestyle is, it will be easier for me to undergo several treatments if needed i.e. chemotherapy, radiation, etc. here in the city. After Mom passed away last year because of stage 4 breast cancer, I’ve been doing a lot of research and have been joining cancer support groups on Facebook to find out more about the plight of every cancer patient. 

I can then share everything I have learned from these groups to other cancer patients who are still not aware where and how to seek for help in terms of financial assistance, availing free medications, consultations, and laboratory tests, etc. while praying for them at the same time. And it looks like the Bible verse below will be my battlecry with the ultimate goal of helping more souls to be saved. 🙏

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” – Genesis 50:20

By the way, when it comes to knowing the community really well, I prefer to walk than drive around in the same way that I prefer to commute via public transportation than use a private car. I get to observe the places and the people more intimately this way. It’s like I get to share the space with them both as an observer and as a participant. Nasanay din ako sa UP Diliman na kapag nagmamadali ka at kulang na ang oras mo para antayin ang UP Ikot/Toki jeepney to get to the next class, which will be held in a building how many kilometers away from your previous class, you need to sprint so you won’t be late. lol Walking then became a habit albeit a good one.

God took me out of a season and welcomed me into a new season. 

I mentioned in yet another article that one of the reasons why I came here to live in Sorsogon City is to heal holistically. And nope, I haven’t forgotten at all that I am still due this August for a repeat blood test. I am obeying the doctor’s orders this time. lol It will be the second laboratory test that I’ll be having here in the city. The first lab test was when I got infected by COVID-19 while taking care of Mom at one of the hospitals here last year. 

But I got to know several cancer advocacies because of Mom’s battle against cancer, which I believe are all part of God’s plans. It was Him all along. I was just merely being used as a vessel that will take part in whatever it is that God is doing in the communities starting from the community of cancer patients. When I also reactivated my personal account on Facebook a couple of weeks ago to retrieve an old photo, the first story that popped up was a Facebook post of a former high school classmate whose hobby is knitting and crocheting. Again, this is not a coincidence. This is already God’s answer to another advocacy that I would like to join (or start) here in Sorsogon City, which, by God’s grace, will extend all throughout the province of Sorsogon and other nearby provinces, cities, and municipalities.

True enough, my eczema flareups subsided even though I am no longer taking Coaltria (a doctor-prescribed medication for my severe allergic rhinitis back in 2019) since I got here and even after prolonged sun exposure while strolling along Sorsogon City’s boulevard to get my regular dose of vitamin D and “vitamin sea.” If my repeat blood test comes out negative and my hematuria clears up, then there really is something about this place that miraculously healed me even without any medical intervention. 🙏

Definitely a memorable first stroll along the boulevard. ♥️
Meanwhile, this is me here in the apartment on most days.
Let’s try the Platypus pose again while waiting for the interview to start.
Oh shucks, online na pala interviewer ko. Nakita kaya nya ang Platypus pose ko? 🤔😬😩😂

And I think you’re also dying to know how old I really am though some of you already know my age. My answer is that I have the heart of an 8-year-old girl, the body of a 38-year-old lady, and the soul of an 80-year-old woman. Will this answer suffice? 😅

Stay tuned for more of my “firsts” here in the city as I continue my new season and a new journey here. ❤

P.S.

I took this shot when this sweet little girl started making lambing most likely wondering why one of her meowmies e palaging nawawala ng ilang araw tapos biglang babalik. lol Isama ko na lang daw sya kaso bawal ang pets dito. 😁

Gimme, gimme some belly lovin’ rub, Meowmy.

P.P.S.

Every time nagko-commute ako sakay ng tricycle, ilang beses na akong sinabihan ng mga tricycle drivers dito na may kakilala sila na kahawig ko daw. Inaantay ko na lang talaga na may magsabi sa akin na kamukha ko si Mayor Alice Guo (I am chinita and I have long hair, too). Kasi ang isasagot ko ay yes, dito po ako tumatago ngayon sa Sorsogon City. lol 😆

Give me a thumbs up if you still find me funny. lol Chubby cheeks now signing off. 😎

Juggling June

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Ah yes, the title is just fitting to describe what transpired during this month. I’m back here in Manila to oversee repairs at my sister’s condo in preparation for their arrival this coming August.

It looks like it is only when I’m here in Manila that I get to write a lot of longer articles. I think it’s also safe to say that Manila is my “downtime” where I get to do only one task at a time. 😃

A lot has happened during the past 2 months that I was there in my hometown. I hope I won’t bore you with too much details. lol So, I’ll try to summarize everything and just jot down the important ones.

1. Farmville Mode

We made our regular visits to the farm – I was so glad and grateful that somehow most of the plants (flowering trees and forage plants) we planted last year survived. Some thrived such as in the case of the Napier Grass. The goal is to grow at least one plant for each kind, and we were able to grow several of them. It looks like we more or less succeeded. And thank God for taking good care of these plants on our behalf. 🙏

I pray that God will continue to watch over these babies. 🙏
When you’ve been tasked again to flatten the grass using an SUV (???) and you documented it as proof that you accomplished the task even if 90% of your bored self objects to the idea. lol I just love my Dad. He makes me laugh even without trying. 😅
Now, THIS is what I would love to drive. Seriously.
Where there is smoke, there is BBQ. Dyan po namin niluluto ang mga nahuhuli naming nagte-trespassing sa bukid. lol Joke lang. Ang maniwala, sya ang next na isasalang dyan. 😄

2. The Gardener At Work

I also planted Okra, Eggplant, Pechay, Tomato, Spinach, and Mustasa again. Hopefully they are still alive when I get back. I planted them as soon as I got home last May since I am targeting that before I get a full-time job, they’re all grown up and settled in in their own pots so our house help can just water them.

I can’t wait to transplant them to their individual pots.
Meron sanang gustong tumulong sa brainstorming kung anong mga gulay itatanim ko. Nga lang na-hypnotize sya ng aking ballpen. lol
Tapos tinulugan ako ng PA (Polly Assistant) ko. Magpa-plot pa naman sana kami ng mga farming activities and other projects sa calendar of events. Tsk.

3. Farewell, Mama Bon

One of my Aunts (mother side) passed away in her sleep at the age of 80 – it was another heartbreak. But it gave us the opportunity to reunite with relatives whom we haven’t seen for more than a decade.

4. Fence Project

The construction of a fence back home is also ongoing – we need to fortify our defenses against the enemies a.k.a. stray cats, stray dogs, and stray chickens. 😅

5. The Beautiful PENINSULA DANCALAN

We visited my Uncle’s (Dad’s youngest brother) new beach resort in Dancalan, Bulusan – I instantly fell in love with the place. ♥️ Their infinity pool exudes the perfect Santorini vibe. 😍 If you have inquiries re reservations, please do visit Peninsula Dancalan‘s Facebook page and watch out for updates on their grand opening in September. 👍👍

The pool is just – 😍😍😍!!!
The infinity pool at night. 🥰

6. Exploring Sitio Laboy (Matnog, Sorsogon)

We also visited Dad’s property in Sitio Laboy in Matnog, Sorsogon. I love the winding road. It looks like it’s headed straight to Neverland. Lezzzzggggoooo! 😄

Yep, I know, I know. I know you missed my chubby cheeks. lol ☺️

7. New Season, New City

And last but definitely not the least, I finally found a place to stay in Sorsogon City – the newly constructed place exceeded my expectations. Indeed, God makes everything beautiful in His own time exactly like what I have envisioned in this article. It’s like the apartment was built just for me. lol

I got the last unit for a reasonable rental fee, it’s just a block away from Victory Sorsogon, it’s a gated compound w/ provisions for car parking, and it’s located right at the heart of the bustling city – what more can I ask for? 🙏😍

According to one of the owners, some of the tenants also work in “sanggunian.“ It has always been my dream to be a public employee. Is this a sign, Lord? 😅 If there will be an opportunity for me to work as a government employee in Sorsogon City, then I take it that it is His will. But if not, then I’m back to being a remote worker, which will allow me to stay in Bulan for a couple of days during the middle of the week and go back to Sorsogon City on weekends.

Why Sorsogon City? I did share in my previous articles some of the advocacies (Bayanihan Knitted Knockers | Breast Cancer ADVOCACY and Not Just An Advocacy, But A Higher Calling) that I felt like God wanted me to pursue according to His timeline. But His first instruction was to connect with a spiritual family in Bicol first.

I was baptized and was born-again in Victory that’s why I want to continue my spiritual journey in this church. And Sorsogon City happened to have one of the Victory churches.

So yes, I am very excited to start my new season in Sorsogon City. But only after the bed is delivered – I still have to wait for 2-3 weeks. 😃

I felt like I had to get a place in the city just in case it is Dad’s turn to be hospitalized. This way, we won’t have a hard time looking for a place to stay just like what happened when Mom was confined at the hospital last year.

We were fortunate enough that Ma’am Roge opened her Sor Ci (the locals’ colloquial abbreviation of Sorsogon City) home to us though it’s technically not available and even if it’s for a short-term lease only. My sincerest gratitude goes out to her as well as to Kuya Soc and Ate Rina for cooking hearty meals for us while we were taking care of Mom at the hospital. Their hospitality and generosity helped us tremendously, especially during that very difficult moment in our lives. ♥️

Traveling from Bulan to Sorsogon City and vice versa is just too exhausting especially if you are taking care of a sick loved one in one of the city’s hospitals. It is also my plan to open the studio apartment albeit small to other family members, relatives, and friends who need a place to stay in the city for a short while (maximum of 2 pax only).

I am also praying that Bulan will have another hospital since it is already being prepped for cityhood. If it is not yet possible, then I am hoping the one hospital we have now will add more health care services, will increase the hospital’s bed capacity, and will hire more medical personnel to accommodate more patients, especially during emergencies. Bulan’s population listed a total of 105,190 residents according to the 2020 census, and it is increasing.

So, it looks like my first article for August will officially document my new season in Sorsogon City. In fact, I already have a title for said article, and it’ll go something like this: “All My “Firsts” In Sorsogon City” – my first worship service, my first Bible study group, my first early Saturday morning walk along the boulevard, and a whole lot more of possible “firsts” in the city. And yet in everything, not my will but let God’s will be done always. 🙏🙂

I believe God intended I write all about my “firsts” in Sor Ci during the month of August – it’ll be Mom’s first year death anniversary, too. ♥️

P.S. The mid-year Prayer and Fasting in church happening on July 3-5, 2024 is just the perfect time for me to pray for God’s will and straighten out my plans in Sorsogon City. Indeed, God is good all the time. Always. 🙏

P.P.S. Because we had a surplus of Kamias and my Dad and 3rd sister were craving for gulay na Kamias/Iba, I made them one. We usually pair this vegetable viand with fried marinated Bangus or any fried fish. 👍 Karaon tabi kita. 😋

Kamias Overload
Mas bet ko ito lutuin nang pinapa-curdle ang gata.
Siram mag-kinamot. 😋
We also serve Lechon Munchkin garnished with tiny sunflowers. 🤣

When Introverts Do Get Out | 2023 Year-In-Review

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I am 80% introvert. The home is my life. Give me a book or in our generation now, the internet, and I can spend the entire day just reading. I sometimes forget to eat. If only books are edible, too. lol

If I’m not reading, then I’m tinkering with DIY projects. I love systems and processes and deciphering how things work. I just hate Math though, so no formulas and computations, please. But if you’re a Mathematician, do know that I’m very much intrigued by how your brain works. 😀

But as we all know it, adulting requires we do more than just read books or devote our entire time to hobbies or projects. We don’t have a choice, do we?

So, that 20% that I do get to go out to buy stuff that I need, do important errands, or spend quality time with people I love, I make sure the experiences will be worthwhile and definitely one for the books.

I also prefer to commute via public transportation when going out. I get to observe people a lot and this is how I get ideas for my next story. The solo backpacking concept has always been a dream of mine. But I already dismissed the idea because nowadays, traveling alone to unfamiliar places is not safe, especially if you’re a woman.

What Introverts Do When Outdoors

So, where do introverts like me go when not hibernating? Here are some places where you can find them.

My first BIA flight. Thanks to my sis-in-law, Heather, for this awesome capture! ❤

Do watch these breathtaking videos of Mt. Mayon during my flight. She’s simply stunning, always a “Daragang Magayon.“ ❤

How to get to places without getting bored inside the car? Take selfies. lol
Farm girl mode featuring the Japanese Tunnel during World War II.
Tinipak River
That photo where the subject became part of the background. lol
Sorsogon Boulevard Sunset
Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon
Baguio City’s Session Road
Palogtoc Falls/Irosin, Sorsogon
UP Diliman Bike Ride
Mt. Daraitan Peak w/ my hubby. This was a “budol” climb because we weren’t informed it’s not for beginners. lol But thanks be to God, we made it to the top ALIVE. 💪

I thought about writing this year-in-review (or year-end review) because I usually do a social media hibernation every December as part of my birthday prayer and fasting. I’m going to be another year older, yet another year wiser. 37 years have been tough, but I’m looking forward to what lies ahead than what is behind.

P.S. All credits go to my husband for taking these photos. Today’s Day 1 of us living apart, too, so I’m posting these photos as a remembrance of another meaningful chapter. It’s painful to lose people, but I know this is God’s way of testing my faith in Him, a way to refine our characters so we can be deserving to be called His sons and daughters.

Pained but sanctified. ❤

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” – Proverbs 31:25

P.P.S. I still have 115 rough drafts of articles that I need to revise and post here. They are more than enough for this year even if I post every day. lol How to stop the brain from thinking? 🤔

Gotta Stretch Those Limbs: La Mesa Eco Park Bike Ride

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Last month, my husband and I were supposed to have a bike ride at La Mesa Eco Park’s mini bike trail. This bike trail is different from the one at La Mesa Nature Reserve frequented by professional mountain bikers.

La Mesa Eco Park Short Bike Ride

It was hubby who suggested I go out for a breather after experiencing severe migraine for 3 consecutive days accompanied by severe allergic rhinitis attacks. If you’re like me who experience this on a constant (sometimes daily) basis, it will automatically put you at high risk of acquiring the virus. The solution? I stay at home most of the time.

But is it the best solution? Not really. Being at home always also has its downside especially if you live in a condo. Condominiums have very high humidity, and being stuck indoors every day lowers your immune system, too, because of poor ventilation.

Will using an aircon daily help solve the problem? The answer is no, either. Cold temperatures can increase stuffiness and clog your nose, which will make it difficult for you to breathe.

How about taking an antihistamine to suppress the allergens that can trigger allergy attacks? This will depend upon the dosage, how often you take it, and the medicine’s brand. Taking antihistamines daily for a long period isn’t advisable either.

Biking: A Remedy For Allergic Rhinitis?

I guess, we can say that it’s a “lose-lose” situation for me. 😀 But there’s always a way to get around it. As they say, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” I can still go out, but only in less crowded places. The only place we could think of is the park.

Parks are surrounded by nature. If we want fresh air, they’ve got plenty of it. There’s also enough space to roam around while maintaining social distancing to lessen the chances of acquiring the virus.

img_0175

The pro biker.

It’s a good thing my husband has an active lifestyle. He bikes going to work even before the pandemic started. It only takes him 20 minutes if he rides his bike going to the office. Whereas if he takes the car, it will take him at least 2 hours because of heavy traffic.

Exploring The Mini Trail Inside La Mesa Eco Park

We decided to go to La Mesa Ecopark on a Sunday. Unfortunately, the mini trail was closed. It was 2 days after Typhoon Ulysses hit the province of Quezon affecting nearby provinces and regions including Metro Manila. The park management told us they weren’t able to clear the mini trail of fallen trees and other debris.

We also got there around 11 am assuming that the park is open until 5 pm. Unfortunately, we were informed that they’re open from 8 am-12 noon only. So what’s the best way to enjoy your one hour at the park with your bikes? Well, just bike around. Leisurely. 😀

And that was what I thought. I was surprised that the common paths inside the park have their own set of uphills and downhills too. They’re not too steep though, but can be a bit challenging for newbie bikers. I’m no longer a newbie in trail biking. My first time to try it was back in 2015 with none other than my then-fiance husband. You may read more about it here: “Fearless Fun in Trail Biking.”

Gotta Stretch, Gotta Stay Fit, Gotta Stay Healthy

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I don’t know why I was using the “shaka” sign for most of my pics here. lol

I wasn’t able to do a pre-ride conditioning workout before this recent biking activity so I knew I was in for a rough and tough ride. It’s a good thing I used hubby’s old folding bike because it’s easier to handle. He upgraded the tires and adjusted them so they can hold out against minor bumps and potholes.

Well, as you all know, I started too tense so hubby was instructing me how to adjust the pedal’s mechanism when I go uphill and when going down. Because we were required to wear masks inside the park, he had to raise his voice because it’s all muffled. I had to remind him now and then with, “Hon, stop shouting. The entire park can hear you so well and knows when I’m about to fall or I’m doing it the wrong way.” 😀

Doing Sports Amid COVID-19

And there went his grin a.k.a. “the guilty look.” lol Actually this is the challenge here if you will bike around small parks because they still require you to wear a mask. It’s difficult to breathe if you wear one, let alone if you’re doing a strenuous activity like cycling. I would take off mine every time I need to catch my breath.

If you’re a more experienced biker or if you prefer more open and wider spaces, I suggest going to La Mesa Nature Reserve. It has a long bike trail, although a bit more difficult, but lesser restrictions.

The entrance fee at La Mesa Eco Park is Php60.00 per person. There are food stalls inside the park but because of the pandemic, they were all closed. So I suggest bringing your own bottled water and some energy bars if you’ll be spending half of the day biking or just roaming around the park.

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There are plenty of Instagrammable spots inside the park.

All in all, it was still an awesome experience and I was able to breathe some fresh air albeit short. I prefer to stay longer though next time as soon as they start operating for the entire day. 

Do you know of other places (preferably surrounded by nature) in Metro Manila where we can bike around? Please do share your comments below.

Praying for everyone’s good health,

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“Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” – 3 John 1:2

My Blessed 2019 Birthday @ Camarines Sur Watersports Complex

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I have been used to celebrating my birthdays on the road since I started working. I cannot tell if it is a good or a bad thing. All I know is that each time, I get to have a fresh perspective on a lot of different things.

It’s like being renewed year after year. Maybe it really has something to do with the adage that as you age, you get wiser. Another year older, another year wiser so to speak. 🙂

Another Birthday Experience

My birthday last December was another new experience. Our maternal grandma passed away and the last night of her wake fell on my birthday. I was close to my grandma when I was young, and she’s one of my major influences when it comes to faith.

She was 95 years old, and hers was a peaceful death after a long wait. She’s been bedridden for about 2 years, and each passing year for her means asking when is our Lord going to take her. God prepared her well though during that long wait no matter how difficult it may be for her.

I never felt like celebrating my birthday last year. But as it turned out, God has different plans.

God’s Plans Are Sometimes Different

It was me and my hubby’s first time to travel by car going to our hometown – a total of 17 hours including occasional pee breaks. I decided we have a stopover halfway our trip and spend the night at Camarines Sur Watersports Complex.

As typical of me who plans everything ahead of time, I already booked an accommodation a couple of months prior to our trip. This came in very timely because our expected travel time of only 9 hours from Manila to CWC became 22 hours.

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Yes, my husband and I just felt like vegetables about to rot. lol It was SOOOOO TIRING. Our check-in time was 2pm, we were able to check-in at 10:30 pm. I informed the reservation officer we will be arriving late due to traffic congestion.

There were multiple roadworks in some parts of Bicol and Quezon, which lengthened our usual travel time. It’s also the start of the holiday break in schools and offices, thus, everybody’s going out of town.

Always Look At The Brighter Side

But here’s where God reminded me to always be hopeful and cheerful in every unfavorable situation. I asked the reservation officer if we can still avail of their massage services because I know our bodies badly needed them, especially my husband.

She said that we still can since they are open until 10 pm. So I booked one at 10 pm. We arrived at 10:30 pm, and we’re just so glad our massage therapists waited for us though we’re already 30 minutes late.

A Surprise Birthday Gift

Here’s another surprising scenario. When we got to the lobby, the receptionist informed us that our accommodation was upgraded for FREE from a Tiki Hut to a Small Cabin. She told me that there was a problem booking the accommodation, and it was a mistake on their end. I was so overjoyed, and I can’t help expressing my heartfelt gratitude to her.

I thought this must be God’s birthday surprise for me. 😀 My husband and I also haven’t had our dinner yet, so I asked her if we can still order food and have it served in our room. We were able to order our favorites (comfort food) and then headed to our room.

A few minutes later, our massage therapists came and after apologizing to them for waiting, we had our much-needed massages. A few minutes later, our food arrived. We were just so filled with goodness. Why? The massage was superb and so was the food!

As Simple And Yet Meaningful As It Gets

Although we missed Saturday’s acoustic performance, the night ended quite well actually. And of course, it was even made perfect when my already very tired husband hugged me and said, “Hon, things may have happened differently than we planned, but this day still ended happily. Happy, happy birthday.”

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No, I didn’t cry. We are not just super mushy types. lol And my husband loves to tease me so I know he can never be that serious. Although I did feel the sincerity of his greeting. 😉

So when the clock struck 12, I just can’t contain my happiness – it’s now my birthday. We were tired and plans have changed, but I slept soundly with a smile on my face that night. 

Even if there’s pain, God never fails to remind us that it still is possible to experience joy.

Truly, how can we ever outsmart a God who knows things even before they happen and makes all things beautiful in His time? 🙂

A Day Full Of Activities And More Errands

The next day, my husband and I woke up just in time to try wakeboarding and double kayaking even though we’re already much pressed for time. My mom texted me to be home by 7 pm for our grandma’s vigil service so we’re pretty much in a hurry.

As we slowly approached our home and saw the yellow lights, I knew my grandma was waiting for us. Days prior to coming home, I was worried that I won’t be able to hold it all in and just burst into tears. But because God made me experience joy, He lifted all those heavy emotions and made me experience a little bit of joy in the midst of pain.

God knew I needed strength. He gave it during the times I needed it most. He used my husband and other circumstances as an avenue for me to have it. So when I saw my grandma peacefully sleeping, I smiled a faint smile and was filled with peace that comes from knowing God had it all in control.

A Peaceful Farewell

“Today is my birthday, Mama. It is sad that this will be the last day, too, that you will be with us. But I also rejoice that you can finally be with the Lord.”

This was how I celebrated my birthday last year, and the experience was another one for the books – a keepsake remembrance down the memory lane. A sad memory but still a joy to remember. 🙂

If you’re wondering why I was named Christine, watch out for my next article and find out the (funny) story behind it. 😉

Grateful for yet another year to live in this world,

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Eventful February Part 2: Calubcub Bay Resort And Recreation / Balay Dako

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Summer came in a little early for my siblings and I. The weekend after February 14 was a clear schedule for two of my siblings and their spouses, so we decided to have an impromptu beach getaway.

Thank God I was able to find one resort located near the metro that isn’t fully booked yet. I know all the hotels and resorts will be flocked by tourists for the extended Valentine’s Day celebration since it fell on a Friday. The only sad part was that my eldest sister and her family couldn’t join us because of a church event.

The Place

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I made inquiries at 10 different resorts before I was able to find Calubcub Bay Resort. I just had to research fast and propose the places to my siblings since we’re only a couple of hours away before our scheduled departure.

Just when I was about to call the search over, then came a reply that there’s an available accommodation for us at Calubcub Bay Resort good for 8 persons. The good thing is that we don’t need to make any reservation payments to book the accommodation.

We were able to rent out a Villa with 4 queen beds located on the second floor, an open dining area, and a secure kitchen. It also has two bathrooms making the place a very convenient option for large groups of guests.

The Beach

As typical of all Batangas beaches, the sand color is a darker shade of brown. The beach is clean though, and the water isn’t too deep. It does look a little murky, however, because of the dark sand color.

Thank God there were no seaweeds near the shore and where we swam. You won’t have that terrifying experience of guessing what’s that slimy thing underneath your toes. lol

My hometown offers far more beautiful beaches than the ones in Batangas. The only downside is that you have to travel 17 hours by road to get there. So if you’re vying for a beach experience near the metro, Batangas is the place to be.

The Ambiance

The resort has a very laidback setting. It also has a pond for fishing, and you get to buy and cook what you caught. They also have an obstacle course situated near the resort’s entrance.

It’s basically used for team building activities. You may also try it out if you and your friends or your loved ones are up for a fitness challenge.

It’s too bad hubby and I arrived at 10 pm because his work is extended until Saturday. So we only got to enjoy the amenities the next day.

Overall Experience

If I am to rate our stay there, I’d give it 5 stars. The room was clean, and all the faucets and sinks were working properly. We were also able to park near our villa for easy access.

We weren’t able to try the menu at their restaurant since we brought and cooked our food. But the best part is that we got a 20% discount for the Valentine’s Day promo in all their accommodations. Yays! Thank You, Lord! 😍

Late Lunch At Balay Dako

Since my Norwegian brother-in-law would like to visit Taal Volcano, we decided to drop by on our way home and have our late lunch at Balay Dako. It’s a Filipino restaurant that offers the best Filipino dishes. My personal favorite on their menu is the “fresh lumpia.”

It didn’t rain when we arrived in Tagaytay, so we’re greeted by a breathtaking view of the Taal Lake. We weren’t expecting it to look that peaceful and beautiful after its eruption last January causing extensive damages to properties in neighboring towns and cities.

For the overall experience, I must say that it was a perfect getaway. We got home safely, we ate the best food, and we had the much-needed breather. Indeed, God makes everything beautiful in His perfect time. 🙏❤️

Up next, family time with my eldest sister and her family. 🙂

Traveling to marvel at God’s wonders,

LAYA 2019: The Arts and Music Festival That Was

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Hello, my beloved readers! My apologies for the long hibernation here on WordPress. I had a lot of things going on lately. But I promised myself I can never miss a post here on my blog. So, for my comeback article, I’ve decided to share a photo essay instead.

Hubby and I weren’t able to celebrate our wedding anniversary nor went out on a summer vacation as a couple last year because we had a lot of constraints. This year, we were given the opportunity to have a summer getaway and I told my husband this will be our advance wedding anniversary, too. lol Do take note though that we were married on August 17. 😀

While I enjoy traveling, the practical me would still want to save money for other (more important) things. It’s a good thing hubby also shares the same sentiments with me. Since we saved up for this vacation, I told my husband that it has to be a collective experience and we’re not just going to have a summer vacation for the sake of Instagram-worthy photos. Because we can do that at any time of the year.

I had no idea where I will find an event that’s going to give us a collective summer experience but maybe God heard my prayers because I stumbled upon the LAYA Arts and Music Festival. This was our first ever music beach festival that we attended so I must say that the experience was indeed one for the books in our travel adventures as a couple. Do continue reading and find out why. 😉

LAYA Arts and Music Festival (May 31-June 2, 2019)

Day 1

We left Manila at 6:30 am and arrived in Zambales at 11:00 am exactly under the midday sun, which was perfect for taking photos of the event place. The art booths were also set up but hubby and I decided to take a nap by the beach first and stroll around. I haven’t slept the night before but I guess the excitement just got me going. 😉

 

Came nighttime, there was a short drizzle before the night one concert started. But it didn’t stop the crowd from enjoying the music performed by the awesome lineup of talented artists such as Ben and Ben.

 

For our accommodation, we availed the “Glamping” package at Crystal Beach Resort. The resort’s glamping feature exceeded my expectations. It’s very comfortable set up with a light bulb, a fan, two comfy mattresses, toiletries, blankets, pillows, a locker, a socket, a wet clothes rack, and your own set of benches and a table.

Our tent was also pitched facing the beachfront so it was such an adorable sight for us either at daytime or during nighttime. The resort has quite a number of bathrooms, showers, wash areas, and comfort rooms in every corner of the campsite. Though there were a lot of guests during the event, there’s no need to wait in line and they keep the wash areas clean always.

 

We had buffet breakfasts as part of our event package and if you’re going to buy food from the resort’s restaurant, their serving is good for sharing at an affordable price. But if you prefer a cheaper alternative, the Bamboo Food Strip located just outside the resort offers your regular Pinoy favorites such as ihaw-ihaw, snacks, and lutong bahay.

The resort doesn’t allow any single-use plastic inside the site so this means you will have to surrender all the chips and bottled water or soft drinks you brought with you at the entrance.

This is part of the resort’s effort to keep the beach clean and plastic-free, which is why I totally love Crystal Beach Resort. I believe this is one advocacy that all resorts can adopt to better protect our environment.

This is actually more effective, I think, than doing a beach cleanup every now and then to lessen the plastic waste. As they say, “prevention is better than cure.”

Day 2

For the second day, the activities were jam-packed with a long lineup of fun things to do and hubby and I felt we just had so little time to try them all. What we’re able to try out though are the Drum Circle workshop hosted by Anima Tierra and the Tie-Dye workshop facilitated by Yana Ofrasio.

They are such talented and amazing artists. Brian and I were very excited about how our chosen designs in the tie-dye workshop will turn out. To our surprise, the outcome of my chosen design kind of looked like a Cross (orange and purple). It does look like a Cross, right? 😀

 

Aside from the Drum Circle and Tie-Dye Workshops, the following are the other daytime activities:

– Flow Arts Session
– Sound Bath Session
– Yoga Session
– LAYA Talks on mental health, gender equality, etc.

– Mask-making Workshop

– Watercolor Workshop
– Dream Catcher Workshop

 

For the night two concert, something amazing happened and that I will share in the next article about miracles. Oh, and before that, we had the Sunset Bonfire Jam and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. 😉

 

Day 3

This was our free time and we can do anything we wish while waiting for our check-out time at 2:00 pm. We just spent it basking under God’s beautiful creations – sea, sun, and nature.

 

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We would like to thank Travel Factor for arranging everything for us and making sure we enjoyed the LAYA event from Day 1 until Day 3 as well as the freebies! ❤

 

Always enjoying God’s creations may it be the sea or the mountains,

P.S.

Hubby and I availed the round-trip bus transfers from Manila to Zambales and vice versa just to get the summer vibe with fellow campers and festival goers. It was fun but we’ll bring the car next time for a change. 😀

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P.S. (2)

Thank God for a hubby who just waits for me patiently all the time. ❤ Indeed, he has a master’s degree in waiting. hahaha Nah, that is why I love my man to pieces. I just assured him that ladies are really like that. It’s part of every husband or boyfriend’s duties to wait for their ladies in anything – long shopping, long time taking a bath, long time dressing up, etc. He posted in his FB Stories the photo below with a written text. 😀

 

Transformational Leadership with God, Nature, and People in Mind: Not Your Ordinary Hike @ Mount Purro Nature Reserve

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“GNP – God. Nature. People.”

Oftentimes, the first thing that comes into our minds when we think of GNP is related to economics – Gross National Product. At Mount Purro Nature Reserve, it refers to “God, Nature, and People.”

My college buddies and I have been planning for a get-together/quick getaway after not seeing each other for 2 years. We did make it a habit to meet at least once a year. But tight schedules and commitments made it impossible for us to organize a get-together for the last 2 years.

For this year, one of my college buddies, Ja, suggested going on a day tour hike at Mount Purro Nature Reserve as we can only allow a day’s worth of catching up and unwinding from the daily stresses in our lives. So we made a reservation in advance and readied ourselves for the getaway.

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Mount Purro Nature Reserve is just an hour ride away from Metro Manila. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who wishes to unwind without going through the hassle of long travels. When we arrived, there were already guests checked in the night before and there were also other groups waiting for the day tour.

After presenting our vouchers, a guide rounded us up and showed us a video for a brief orientation and background of the place wherein the owner discussed how MPNR came to be. Our other college friend, Mench, is an Economics graduate and I’m sure the GNP concept struck a chord in her (right, Mench? 😀 ). I’m also guessing that the owner of the place, Sir Toto Malvar, who is a former corporate employee, may have also worked in a similar industry before deciding to pursue the project. I need to research more on this though. But for more of MPNR’s mission, you may check out their website at https://www.mountpurronaturereserve.com/our-story.

After the orientation, we prepared for the hike and the guide asked us to get our own stick/wooden staff, which we will use later on when we descend from the mountain. I, being the remote worker that I am and a homebody, honestly did not prepare for the hike. I was expecting a normal hike with trails that aren’t too steep. But lo and behold, when I saw the mountain, I had no choice but to face one of the most challenging hikes in my entire human history. 😀

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The hike was the first activity in the day tour’s itinerary – a 1-hour trail going up to the Malvar’s Peak and another hour coming down. Some hikers took advantage of a tree-planting session, which is part of a different day tour package at MPNR. But there are also some of us in the group who wanted to back out and head towards the camp. With the guide’s encouragement though, we all made it to the top. Hooray! I guess we all deserved a nice pat at the back and of course, kudos to our ever patient guide. 😊👍

After the climb that sure made all our limbs shaky and our tummies hungry, we witnessed the traditional cooking of the locals from the Dumagat tribe. They used bamboo poles cut into several parts to make improvised pots before roasting them over the fire. I must say that eating bamboo-cooked rice and sour pork stew is, by far, one of my most memorable experiences when it comes to interacting with the locals of a particular community. The first one was during my immersion back in 2013, which was a part of the requirements in one of my college Anthropology classes. As a souvenir from this recent experience and because I also love to cook, I bought one ladle made from a molave tree and handcrafted by the Dumagats.

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After the hike, a line-up of Filipino dishes that are truly Pinoy welcomed us for our buffet lunch. It’s just the perfect meal for someone who’ve used up all the energy from the hike and the perfect way to enjoy a native Filipino cuisine at their nipa-hut-inspired restaurant. Their buffet lunch starts at 12:00pm until 2:00pm, half of which we spent catching up with the happenings in our lives. At around 3:00pm, we decided to swim at Mount Purro’s swimming pool to cool ourselves down from the summer heat.

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The experience, I must say, is one for the books compared to all my other travel adventures. It’s because MPNR was able to integrate all three successfully: God, nature, and people – by raising awareness on how to sustain nature, by helping the community through livelihood opportunities, and by honoring God through the first two.

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Sir Toto Malvar actually made it to my list of mentors and influential people. That is, when it comes to the family project that my siblings and I have felt in our hearts to pursue in God’s perfect time. My other mentor is Sir Dodong Cacanando. What these two mentors have in common is their desire to honor God by being good stewards of His greatest gift – nature. And by doing so, help others (most especially the local community) benefit from the endeavor.

I see them both as “transformational leaders” based on what I’ve read in this article by the Harvard Business Review entitled “What The Best Transformational Leaders Do” and supported by this article from CIO, “What is Transformational Leadership? A Model For Motivating Innovation.”

Wikipedia defines it as:

Transformational leadership is a theory of leadership where a leader works with teams to identify needed change, creating a vision to guide the change through inspiration, and executing the change in tandem with committed members of a group;[1] it is an integral part of the Full Range Leadership Model. Transformational leadership serves to enhance the motivation, morale, and job performance of followers through a variety of mechanisms; these include connecting the follower’s sense of identity and self to a project and to the collective identity of the organization; being a role model for followers in order to inspire them and to raise their interest in the project; challenging followers to take greater ownership for their work, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of followers, allowing the leader to align followers with tasks that enhance their performance.

To cap off the experience and end this article, I can say that indeed, building a business on faith is more like building your business on a solid foundation. Putting God at the center of our endeavors just makes everything we do worthwhile and helps us better appreciate the people who matter to us most – family, friends, and the community. 🙂

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

A hiker with God as the guide,

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P.S. Thanks to sis Mench for some of the photos! ❤

The Role of Climate Change and Rice Tarrification Law in Rice Production: Agri Talk

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Before I begin the actual article, I’d like to share an update to those of you who have been following my blog posts lately. And let me begin by saying, thank you to all those who prayed for my checkup – the doctor’s initial assessment turned out negative. BUT, she suggested I still undergo the 2D and 3D mammography tomorrow. We will get my other test results tomorrow, too, but it will be assessed by my doctor on Saturday. The battle is not over yet, not yet.

But life must go on – I am still breathing and I am still walking. So, let’s keep the ball rolling. 😉

What Do Experts Have to Say About the Rice Tarrification Law?

For today’s article, I will be sharing about the Rice Tarrification Law recently signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Since a majority of our family’s agribusiness revolves around rice farming, I had to do a lot of research on what this law entails and what are the different opinions of industry experts on the matter.

Here are some of the articles I was able to dig up:

“Rice Tarrification Bill Enacted Into Law”

“Rice Tarrification Law Good for Farmers, Agri Group Says”

“Rice Tarrification Law: Farmers Worry; Lawmakers Wary”

“CARD MRI Holds Forum on Rice Tarrification; Vows to Launch Related Module for Its 6.2M Clients”

The Rice Tarrification Law basically proposes a better alternative to consumers by lowering the market price of rice through minimal import restrictions, and importers pay a 40 percent tariff only. Tariffs collected will be distributed to farmers as incentives and financial assistance which the government will provide through programs irrigation, new grains, fertilizers, etc.

This law also aims to eliminate rice traders and middlemen since the tariffs will go directly to the rice industry, experts said. But along with the elimination of rice traders in the agri system sprouts two new challenges – rice cartels and rice smuggling.

The latter poses a new threat since there will be those who will try to evade paying the tariffs imposed by the Bureau of Customs. The challenge to the government is this – will there be other security agencies who can monitor the imported rice that comes in? For one, we don’t have enough border patrols.

The emergence of rice cartels would also mean an even stronger market group to compete with. The challenge here is this – will small-time local rice farmers, who cannot pay enough for the tariffs, get the chance to buy imported rice or still have a chance to sell their produce locally and earn a decent profit?

Yet another challenge is this – with the unresolved cases and ongoing graft and corruption in the country, what is the assurance that the farmers will receive their due share of the tariff proceeds?

When I called my Dad and Mom last Saturday to check up on them and talk about this matter, as expected, the conversation lasted for 2 hours. 😀 That’s one thing about our family, it is like a debate team. We love to discuss, analyze, and assess matters with little oppositions and contradictions here and there but can honestly escalate to an actual debate later on. lol Just kidding. 😀

My parents advised us to let this year pass since this will be the adjustment period, so to speak, for registrations and all. Next year will be the time to assess whether this new law will indeed benefit the local farmers or not. I suggested to my parents that if this means producing rice for personal consumption only, maybe it is about time we explore other crop ventures – the initial proposal of my siblings and I for the new family project.

The Toll of Climate Change on Rice Industries

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Local rice farmers are facing yet another challenge brought about by the extreme heat wave. Dad told me we are experiencing El Nino this summer – severe drought. The last time this happened was back in 2008. My Mom said time will come when intervals between seasons of El Nino will be shorter with the ever-worsening climate change and heat wave.

Extreme drought for farmers means lacking sufficient ricefield irrigation which will then result in lower crop yields a.k.a. less or no profit at all. According to Dad, farmers right now are in dire need of sufficient water supply since rivers are almost dried up. He shared how two farmers started to drill on their ricefields hoping to tap into a good water source such as a spring, but to no avail.

Every drilling activity costs 15k. This means that if you attempted to drill twice, you shelled out 30k already. It’s a big waste of money unless you were able to find a water source asap so you won’t have to spend more. If you’re unable to get the water supply that you need for your crops, they will all dry up with huge losses on your end than gains.

An Outpour of Blessings

God, in all these circumstances, was good to my Dad. Maybe it’s because I pray about the farm every night? 😀 Nah, I won’t take the credit because I know it is all God and God alone.

Dad shared how he “luckily” drilled through a major source with overflowing water and not just a trickle. It was more than enough to irrigate all his ricefields. I told Dad it was indeed a wonderful blessing and maybe he can share the water supply to nearby ricefields and ask the owners to pay for it since the water will be coming from our land.

I know they will take the offer than to let their crops completely dry out and earn nothing. Dad will be able to help other farmers irrigate their crops and save on drilling costs and he can also recover the amount he spent for drilling and pumping for water – a win-win situation.

By the way, the average pumping cost for ricefield irrigation is 150php per hour. So I asked Dad how long does it take to completely fill up one ricefield, he said it’s overnight and sometimes it takes days depending on the size of the ricefield. Indeed, there really is more to farming than planting the crops, letting them grow, and harvesting them without doing anything. Yes, it is nowhere close to gardening. I was totally wrong. 😀

What better alternatives do rice farmers have?

I browsed the internet for better options not just for our business but for other local rice farmers, too. I found online groups and websites where they share information and discuss different agricultural practices that are on par with the drastic climate changes – how farmers can adapt to these changes.

These organizations are the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (UNIFAD), and Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD). You may check them out through their social media channels if you’re also in the agribusiness industry.

One topic that requires urgent attention now is about how climate change can affect biodiversity and how biodiversity, in turn, affects food production. I realized that my Dad and other rice farmers were just worried about water supply. And yet what I’ve found out was something more catastrophic than that given the alarming depletion rate of earth’s natural resources. This is where the imbalance comes in, which, in turn, can affect how we produce our food.

One scary thought, or rather, challenging question I had after my research is this – will our children or the future generation still have enough decent food to consume in the next decades or centuries, perhaps? I am promoting two advocacies now in agribusiness and they are sustainable agriculture and local food movement. These two encapsulate the mission of the new family project that my siblings and I are working on.

In our own little ways, what can we do to support these advocacies?

I’ll have to discuss this in the next article because this post’s too long already. 😀 But here’s one to motivate us to do something and this is also one of my core beliefs when it comes to creativity: “Where there are seasons of drought, there is ingenuity.” The geniuses of our time and the times before made a lot of discoveries and inventions out of a lack of something.

How to Be Good Stewards of God-Given Resources

But let us not forget that God owns everything that we have and we are only stewards of what He has entrusted us. He will be the one to provide us everything that we need so we can continue the work that He has tasked us to do.

I am praying for summer rain in Bicol and all other rice-producing regions. Rain during the summer season is a miracle. But I have a God who makes things possible and I believe in miracles because I have faith. So, I say, it will happen. 😉

And yes, I pray for a healthy body, too. Because there are a lot of things that I still need to do and my body’s the vessel to move around. But then again, not my will but His will and not my plans but His plans always. ❤

“The earth is the LORD’s, and all it contains. The world, and those who dwell in it.” – Psalm 24:1

P.S.

Is there any pill cuter and girlier than this? The bright pink got stuck in my head it helps me remember when I should take them. 😉

I’m also squeezing this article in real quick because I still have other articles to do at work until the end of this week. I just want to get this off my head – like lice. Off with your head! Errr, off with the lice! I mean, off with the thoughts. 😀