Tag Archives: nature conservation

Bamboo For Flood Control And As A Windbreak

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My recent consultation with my ob-gynecologist (she’s my 3rd doctor already for this year) somehow pacified the hypochondriac in me. 😃 I was advised to retake some of the lab tests after 3 months – no treatment needed (thank You, Lord). I just have to do some diet and lifestyle modifications. It looks like the prayer for complete healing in Jesus’ Name still continues. 🙏

Right now, I’m starting to continue what was listed in my plans. I just have to pace the tasks well since my health will be my top priority. Baka kasi agawan ko din ng trabaho ang househelp namin. lol 😅 We are extremely grateful for having her though because she’s such a tremendous help here at home.

One of the pending tasks is to increase bamboo production inside the farm. This is all we can do right now – plant trees that require less maintenance. We are still waiting for God’s perfect time to have the electricity (as per the community’s demand) and water pump installed, so we can hire a farm caretaker who can help us oversee our farm projects.

I’m praying we will be able to preserve what is left of nature.
My siblings and I are still learning how to identify the different varieties of bamboos that grow on our farm.

My grandpa planted these bamboos some decades ago to protect the riverbanks from soil erosion. I think this is what communities situated near riverbanks should do now in preparation for the upcoming La Niña. Even if portions of the riverbanks were already rehabilitated by the National Irrigation Administration, bamboos planted near the riverbanks can still help keep the soil from being washed off during flash floods.

The creek beside the farm.
This huge cluster of bamboos is the perfect snakes’ den.
We want to increase these bamboo clusters because our ultimate goal is to grow a bamboo forest.

Bamboos are also excellent windbreaks during strong typhoons. If we already have a farm caretaker, I plan to grow the giant bamboo. I already contacted the nursery that will supply the seedlings. However, the weather is still too hot it will be better to delay planting them until the rainy season, and I still have to study how to grow this bamboo variety.

What we need during heat waves and strong typhoons – plant more trees.

Most of my proposed farm projects aren’t merely for the purpose of earning profit. It is more about us being good stewards of the land that God has entrusted to us – preserving nature in its original state when we first saw it and hopefully, keeping it as it is when we leave this world. I told my siblings that a decade from now, our farm will be the only farm remaining near the town proper as urbanization continues to ramp up in the area.

Kaya sana mapagpatuloy ng mga susunod na generations ang nasimulan din namin at ng mga lolo at lola. I only have 2 pamangkins, who are geniuses, by the way. They have God-given superior IQs, and they’re supposed to be accelerated when they were in grade school (UPIS). But, my sister decided not to push through with it. Hopefully, I can give them a cousin who’s also a genius, so they can rule the world – I mean, manage the farm well. 😃 But this is not for us to know, and all we can do right now is to do what God will ask us to do.

If God wills it we profit from a particular farm project, then we consider it as a bonus only. We still need to spend money for the upkeep and maintenance of the farm and to regulate how the natural resources are being utilized.

By the way, if you see me on the farm, please don’t assume that I have a gender identity crisis. 😆 I am 100% a woman, but the survivor in me is activated every time I am on the farm, so I tend to be very “manly” on-site. Don’t be intimidated if you’re a man. 😉

Ang aga ng call time ni Dad sa bukid, and I’m not an early riser because my creative hours fall between 10 pm – 3 am. So, this explains my puffy morning face. 😄
My preferred summer farm attire – bright pink feet para kita agad ng ahas sa malayo. At syempre, breast cancer advocate tayo.
Yo snakey, you forgot to put your clothes back on.
This footwear is a must during the rainy season. Who says you can’t be a fashionista at the farm? Yes, choose colorful polka dots. That is if you’re also a unicorn like me.
Here’s your regular dose of chubby cheeks from yours truly as proof na babae po talaga ako. 😅 This was taken after our errand at Sorsogon City yesterday.

I might hibernate on WordPress for a while so I can strategize my next move such as considering whether I work as a freelancer again or go full time as a remote worker while farm projects are still in the early stages of development. I already have a long list of tasks including my other advocacies. I’m just praying for God’s leading which of them should come first now. 🙏

P.S. I’ve been avoiding this part of the house because this used to be Mom’s turf – the TV room. But for this month, I plan to watch Netflix here again and reminisce memories of her to celebrate Mother’s Day this year – the first without her. ♥️

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

A Quick Farm Tour

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Hi, beloved readers! I’m going to share with you today a quick video I made featuring our farm and some of our developments there. Because life is not all about being broken or heartbroken. 😉 And whether heartbroken or not, I am always busy doing something, especially if it is for God and His kingdom. 🙏

I recommend watching this when you’re ready to sleep because my sleepy voice will lull you to sleep. 😅 I also would like to share with you an essential item that’s also part of my emergency preparedness checklist – a reliable dog tag where you can attach important keys and a whistle.

This dog tag is in my everyday bag, and I always wear it when I’m at the farm. But you may want to include this in your Bug Out Bag (BOB) just to make sure you won’t forget to bring it with you during an emergency.

Is there a camera phone out there that doesn’t have a default selfie filter where your irises are enlarged and your pupils are dilated?

Though I also suggest hiding this dog tag underneath your shirt because people might think you’re in the military (if you’re not), and it might cause you more harm than good, especially when “chaos” starts. A construction worker at the farm actually thought I was a police officer when he saw me wearing the dog tag.

He asked me, “Ma’am, pulis ka tabi kay an kulintas mo…?” (Ma’am, are you a police officer, because your necklace..?) I told him that no, I’m not a policewoman and that my dog tag was given to me by my brother (he’s the real military officer 😃).

Dad’s my contact person in case of emergencies.

If you plan on having one made for you and your family, I recommend purchasing military-grade dog tags because they are highly durable. You won’t have to worry about them breaking off easily. 👍

“Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8