A Passion For Organic Agriculture

featured on PhilStar by Domini M. Torrevillas, From the Stands

A 50-minute drive from Magallanes, Makati, will take you to the Villegas organic and hobby farm in Malvar, Batangas. It’s a developed agriculturally landscaped organic farm complex that mixes nature’s beauty through ornamental and vegetable gardening in the midst of sustainable growth of agro-forest and fruit trees, crops, livestock, and fish. It’s a farm worth visiting by those with a passion for a wellness and stress-free farming environment.

The passionate developer of this dream project is Pablito “Pabs” M. Villegas, whose love for farming and agriculture began when he was a child pulling weeds and planting seedlings and watching them grow alongside his father, a small farmer and tenant. His enchantment with the soil made him work for a degree in agriculture from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos, and a master of science in agricultural economics at the University of Georgia in the United States. Taking up these courses, Pabs told me, “strengthened my belief that proper agricultural policies and sustainable farming methods could provide solutions to economic and social problems, particularly rural poverty and food insecurity that have become widespread in the world.”

This conviction was further reinforced as he took up duties as field staff and consultant with a number of international organizations, among them the UNDP Food and Agricultural Organization, World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, the European Union, and the consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Altogether, he worked in 20 countries in Asia, the Pacific and Africa, in the fields of agricultural and rural development, agricultural policy and planning, rural microfinance, food security and poverty reduction.

He was too young to retire, but he did, in December 2003, to make a dream come true. That month, with his savings, he and his wife, Prof. Susan Baladad-Villegas of UP-Manila, formally started the organic and hobby farm in Batangas. The farm produced organic vegetables and herbs by March 2004, introduced free range chicken in 2006, and a small aquaculture pond in 2009, thus establishing an integrated crop-livestock-fish farm with organic fertilizer, crop protection and zero waste management protocols and best practices.

Pabs says the farm adheres to the strict use of biological (natural) crop nutrition and protection system to aid a healthier lifestyle. It serves as a training ground for farming and healthy lifestyle enthusiasts, smallholders and agribusiness professionals as well as children and youth. It has a greenhouse for high-value and off-season crops, a nursery and technology demonstration facilities.

With an emerging Sustainable Agriculture & Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Learning Center, the farm is now a busy place for “Lakbay Aral” (study tours) in organic and sustainable agriculture with two to three days apprenticeship training in organic farming technologies. Pabs says the four basic principles of organic agriculture (health, ecology, care and fairness), are embedded in the farm owners’ motto, “We Care for your Health; we Nurture the Earth.”

With his passion for wellness and adherence to sustainable agriculture, Pabs developed the farm into a smallholder residential farm estate. The three-hectare complex accommodates nine residential smallholder farms, each farm module provided with piped potable and irrigation water, and access to the SAGE learning center, its greenhouse, nursery, organic inputs and materials production house.

These residential farms can raise assorted lettuce cropping, herb production, natural-grown and free-range colored chickens, ducks, goats, as well as fish. These can easily be raised with the SAGE learning center providing organic fertilizer, vermi-compost, and offering post-harvest handling, food processing, and natural food gourmet demonstrations. Add-on attractions for potential leisure farmers are already existing fruit bearing mangoes, coconut, santol, jackfruit, bananas, mahogany, narra and gmelina trees.

Want to own an accessible, productive and affordable organic farm?  Click here - Email query

Green Chef: Basil Seasoning Herb

SOURCE:  WH Foods

DESCRIPTION
Basil is a highly fragrant plant whose leaves are used as a seasoning herb for many different types of foods. Basil has round leaves that are oftentimes pointed. They are green in color, although some varieties feature hints of red or purple.

VARIETIES
There are more than 60 varieties of basil, all of which differ somewhat in appearance and taste. While the taste of sweet basil is bright and pungent, other varieties also offer unique tastes: lemon basil, anise basil and cinnamon basil all have flavors that subtly reflect their name. The scientific name for basil is "Ocimum basilicum,"  from the peppermint plant family.

PRODUCE WASH
Studies have shown that washing produce in solution containing either basil or thyme essential oil at the very low concentration of just 1% resulted in dropping the number of Shigella, an infectious bacteria that triggers diarrhea and may cause significant intestinal damage, below the point at which it could be detected. It makes good sense to include basil and thyme in recipes that are not cooked such as salads. Adding fresh thyme and/or basil to your next vinaigrette will not only enhance the flavor of your fresh greens, but will help ensure that the fresh produce you consume is safe to eat.

SOURCE OF VITAMIN A

Basil is a very good source of vitamin A (through its concentration of carotenoids such as beta-carotene). Called "pro-vitamin A," since it can be converted into vitamin A, beta-carotene is a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamin A and not only protects epithelial cells (the cells that form the lining of numerous body structures including the blood vessels) from free radical damage, but also helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream. Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up in blood vessel walls, initiating the development of atherosclerosis, whose end result can be a heart attack or stroke.

Free radical damage is a contributing factor in many other conditions as well, including asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The beta-carotene found in basil may help to lessen the progression of these conditions while protecting cells from further damage.

SOURCE OF MAGNESIUM

Basil is also a good source of magnesium, which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel.

SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS

In addition to the health benefits and nutrients described above, basil also emerged from our food ranking system as a very good source of iron, and calcium, and a good source of potassium and vitamin C.

QUICK SERVING IDEAS
Since the oils in basil are highly volatile, it is best to add the herb near the end of the cooking process, so it will retain its maximum essence and flavor.

Combine fresh chopped basil with garlic and olive oil to make a dairy-free variety of pesto that can top a variety of dishes including pasta, salmon and whole wheat brushetta.

Enjoy a taste of Italy by layering fresh basil leaves over tomato slices and mozzarella cheese to create this traditional colorful and delicious salad.

Adding basil to healthy stir-fries, especially those that include eggplant, cabbage, chili peppers, tofu and cashew nuts will give them a Thai flair.

Purée basil, olive oil and onions in a food processor or blender and add to tomato soups.

Enjoy a warm cup of invigorating basil tea by infusing chopped basil leaves in boiling water for eight minutes.

HOW TO GET BASIL:

This herb is available in small pots at Villegas Organic and Hobby Farms.

Click Here to Email Order :)

2nd Quezon City International Marathon - 5 December 2010

The 2nd Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM2) will take place on December 5, 2010, Sunday and will start and end at the Quezon Memorial Circle, fronting the Quezon City Hall.

QCIM was one of the largest road running events in the Philippines last year where an estimated 6,500 participants completed four running distances: 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon and Marathon. It was a truly international marathon with more than 70 runners from Canada, Singapore, Germany, The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Kenya running the different distances. Kenya had the largest delegation with 13 runners. Read More

Click here - QCIM 2009 on YouTube

PREPARE for the marathon, JOIN the Running Clinic starting June 20th - F.R.E.E!!!  Click here to inquire about the details

Dear Noynoy...

We chanced upon this eye-opener letter in the inbox and we ascertain that it contains issues that are worth pondering on by Filipinos.  We hope you take out something from this.

Dear Noynoy,
You are now swamped with suggestions and advice, but just the same, I hope you’ll have time to read what this octogenarian has to say.

You were not my choice in the last election but since our people have spoken, we must now support you and pray that you prevail. But first, I must remind you of the stern reality that your drumbeaters ignore: you have no noble legacy from your forbears. It is now your arduous job to create one yourself in the six years that you will be the single most powerful Filipino. Six years is too short a time — the experience in our part of the world is that it takes at least one generation — 25 years — for a sick nation to recover and prosper. But you can begin that happy process of healing.

Bear in mind that the past weighs heavily on all of us because of the many contradictions in it that we have not resolved, whose resolutions would strengthen us as a nation. This past is now your burden, too. Let us start with the fact that your grandfather collaborated with the Japanese. Your father was deeply aware of this, its stigma, its possibilities. He did not leave any legacy because he did not become president. He was a brilliant and courageous politician. He was an enterprising journalist; he had friends in journalism who can attest to his effulgent vision, who did not profit from his friendship, among them Nestor Mata, Gregorio Brillantes — you may consult them. I cannot say I did not profit — he bought many books from my shop and when he was in Marcos’s prison, your mother brought books from my shop to him.

Forgive me for giving you this unsolicited advice. First, beware of hubris; you are surrounded by panderers who will tell you what is nice to hear. You need to be humble always and heed your conscience. When Caesar was paraded in ancient Rome before the cheering multitudes, there was always a man chanting behind him: “Remember, you are mortal.”

I say to you, remember, the poor — some of them in your own hacienda — will be your ultimate judge.

From your comfortable and privileged cocoon, you know so little of our country and people. Seek the help of the best — and the best do not normally want to work in government and neither will they approach you. You have to seek them.

Be the revolutionary your father wanted to be and don’t be scared or wary of the word “revolution.” It need not be always bloody. EDSA I was not. Your father wanted to destroy the most formidable obstacle to our progress — the Oligarchy to which you and your family belong. To succeed, you have to betray your class. If you cannot smash the oligarchy, at least strive to have their wealth develop this country, that they bring back the billions they stashed abroad. You cannot do this in six years, but you can begin.

Prosecute the crooks. It is difficult, thankless and even dangerous to do this. Your mother did not do it — she did not jail Imelda who was the partner in that conjugal dictatorship that plundered this nation. Watch her children — they were much too young to have participated in that looting but they are heirs to the billions which their parents stashed abroad. Now the Marcoses are on the high road to power, gloating, snickering at our credulity and despicable amnesia.

You know the biggest crooks in and out of government, those powerful smugglers, thieves, tax cheats — all you really need is guts to clobber them. Your father had lots of it — I hope he passed on to you most of it.

And most of all, now that you have the muscle to do it, go after your father’s killers. Blood and duty compel you to do so. Cory was only his wife — you are the anointed and only son. Your regime will be measured by how you resolve this most blatant crime that robbed us of a true leader.

And, finally, your mother. We loved her — she united us in ousting an abominable dictator. But she, too, did not leave a shining legacy for her presidency was a disaster. She announced a revolutionary government but did nothing revolutionary. She promised land reform but did not do it. And most grievous of all — she transformed the EDSA I revolution into a restoration of the oligarchy.

She became president only because her husband was murdered and you became president elect only because your mother died. Still, you are your father’s son and may you now — for the good of this country and people — scale the heights he and your mother never reached.

I am 85 and how I despair over how three generations of our leaders failed! Before I go, please let me see this unhappy country begin to be a much better place than the garbage dump our leaders and people have made it. You can be this long awaited messiah but only if you are brave enough and wise enough to redeem your father’s aborted promise.

Hopefully yours,
F. Sionil Jose

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: (Text and photo from wikipedia)

F. Sionil Jose is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society.

Catch him at PhilStar, every Sunday!