I am not used to waking up in the morning. Morning – when the sun is up is usually my sleep time. But when I was in Bacolod for our Organic Farm Tour, the experience once again reminded me of how beautiful it is to wake up in the morning.
We headed to Penalosa Organic Farm on our second day of Organic Agriculture Tour. A lovely organic farm in the Victorias City. It was a long drive from May’s Organic Garden where we were staying. People know how much I dread long drives – but traveling with blogger friends is a whole new experience for me. I once traveled with people I just met, traveled for business, with friends and with family – but blogging for leisure-slash-work with people who share the same passion as mine (writing and story telling) is just as awesome!
We finally arrived in Penalosa Organic Farm and was welcomed with this beautiful sight. If you are traveling to Negros Occidental, this place is one of the places to see and visit.
Click Read More to see how beautiful Penalosa Farm is..
A little bit of introduction about Penalosa Farm – Sir Ramon left us with a statement that left us thinking – Agriculture can help elevate our status as a third world country. We should eliminate the thinking of being dependent on other for the supply of goods. Through Organic Farming, we can reach the oasis of supply – besides organic farming is Pro Life, Pro God and Pro Pocket.
We were served with this aromatic tea and Sir Ramon shared that this tea is all natural. The sweetening agent and flavoring are all from natural leaves. A five-leaf tea is what it is called. It is refreshing in a hot sunny day, despite it is served warm. A hint of calamansi, and a little pinch of sweetness. He said that it will help us enhance our memory that would be beneficial for our tour.
Before we got our feet soaked with soil and tasted the many different plants (yes, we tasted!) in the Penalosa Farm, sir Ramon invited us for a tour around the house villa – which served as a welcome hall and lodging space for the guests. With a small area, the house was built with materials that might be considered as “waste” but inspiration and with the help of his kid who is an architect, they were able to build such a master piece nestled in a beautiful farm.
We were then invited to the conference hall where we learned more about Organic Farming and Agriculture. Penalosa Farm is proud of the Micro Model Integrated Micro Business Farm. We were asked about the famous beaches, mountains and tourist spots in the Philippines, and it was a surprise that no one even thought or mentioned about the beautiful places in Negros.
Sir Ramos then shared that Negros is known for its farms, and more
people come to Negros Occidental because of organic farming. Organic Practitioners
from all over the world learn from us, and we don’t want foreigners to
learn our technology and practices, then later on started exporting in
the Philippines.
The plants served like an appetizer for me, that I started craving for food and it was perfect timing when we were invited to Cafe Organico for lunch!
You know when you are with a company of bloggers, lunch time should be 1.5 hours, and set aside 15 minutes for food shots, and the extra 15 minutes for more food shots in between bites.
It was nice eating organic food that you feel less guilty going for a second round. Our Penalosa Farm lunch was the most colorful food set we had during our stay in Bacolod.
Back to the great hall, it was time for the big reveal – the presentation. It felt like defense presentation back in College.
Sir Ramon then make a human chain and showed us the interaction of each product and output and how organic farmers can make use of each for everyone’s benefit. He invited each of us to take part as a “model” – some became chicken, feeds, waste products and business partners – while I became another business partner which can benefit and grow business from ready-made poultry products.
Group 3 then presented, and I was amazed with Jonel’s creativity and presentation. I felt like a kid listening as he drew a pig based on their presentation and findings.
We got a big applause from Sir Ramon – he was impressed with our findings and output – but at the end of the day, I think we got the bigger take-away from the organic farm tour and visit to the Penalosa Farm.
Before we left, he shared with us some “wisdom” – Live. Learn. Love. Laugh.
I think I am doing those four! But probably I can improve “live” by going organic – and to start with it, I can probably go plant in our rooftop where mom keeps some good plants.
Some more wisdom:
No unproductive soil, but unproductive farm. (same goes for other work places ;))
There is money in the countryside (and I am now convinced!)
A farmer who doesn’t know how to pray is not a good farmer (indeed. true for other professions – we have to give back the glory to Him).
Thank you Sir Ramon Penalosa and to your lovely wife for accommodating us and for teaching us the things that I can never learn in the metro!
***Thank you once again to Penalosa Organic Farm and
Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute, Ms. Niet,
and Ruth Floresca, for the amazing 4-day organic agriculture tour.
Please stay tuned for more stories about this trip!
