The team was very lucky to have Tito John Fetalvero, host home of 2 counterparts (Kang and Hannah and Becs and Joseph). Tito John was very kind to organise a social and CAD activity in the Province of Bukidnon.
The team left on August 1, 2008 (Friday), dropped by at Cagayan de Oro for dinner then headed off to Tito John’s ranch in the middle of the barren mountains of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Friday night was a rest time for the team in preparation for the many activities that await them for the rest of the weekend.
On saturday morning, the team left for a breakfast with the Former Mayor of Impasug-ong, Marion Okinlay . Sir Mario shared to them the different programs and projects of their municipality and how they cope up with the country’s economic crisis through sustainable agriculture. A video presentation of their previous activities and programs was also shown. Right after breakfast, the team visited a plantation which processed the fruit of palm oil tree to produce crude oil. The next agricultural site that the team visited was a poultry house. Since the management was very strict in terms of safety and sanitation of their chickens, the team was not permitted to go inside the poultry house. Despite that, they were still able to learn from the owner on how they establish and manage it through the questions raised by some members of the team. The team traveled another mile to reach the flower and vegetable plantation. The owner said that they supply fresh lettuce to Jollibee, one of the country’s leading fastfood. Fresh indeed because some volunteers ate it right from the ground. The last place they visited before lunch was CEDAR. It was a tourist spot developed by the City Tourism Office. It had cold springs and waterfalls for tourists to enjoy. Lunch was served at the Municipal Hall of Impasug-ong. The most wanted lechon along with fruits, fresh lettuce from the vegetable plantation and other Filipino dish were served.
In the afternoon, the whole team headed off to watch the rodeo challenge. The excitement was at its top as the cows got wild while the players tried to hook them. Some team members tried their luck with the rodeo challenge. Dom took the lead, marched down the “arena” towards the cow. After several attempts, he was able to tie it up. Aili, Becs and Ferg also tried to play. After the nerve-wrecking rodeo, the team found relaxation through horseback riding. It was really fun and exciting especially for the first timers who were guided by the cowboys along the way. The evening was the time for different bonding sessions such as movie watching and story-sharing.
Sunday begun with a mass at the Transfiguration Church of the Benedictine Monks in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. After the mass, the team visited Mt. Kitanglad Eco-Park. Another lettuce freshly taken off from the garden and corn were served. The son of the owner introduced the team to how they establish and manage the eco-park. Tour at the tea tree plantation followed. After lunch, more horseback riding was done, through the generosity of one of Tito John’s good friends, Judge Estrada.
The last day of the Bukidnon adventure was intended for a Community Action Day at Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon. Rice Planting was the main event, taking into consideration that rice is the staple food in the Philippines. The CMU administration assisted the team for their rice planting activity. A briefing was given to let the team know how to properly plant rice. Everyone lined up and started plating rice. Rice planting was a first to most members of the team and most were very vocal about a deeper appreciation of rice because of the CAD.
That weekend in Bukidnon was a mixture of fun, adventure and learning. Our heartfelt thanks to the people who were very supportive and accommodating to us. It was a wonderful experience to be able to see the other side of Mindanao and appreciate its bounty when it comes to agriculture.
Cheers Tito John!
Mary Antonette Abello