No to GMO: Organic Agriculture Act to be signed by GMA

Organic Agriculture is the production of crops and livestock that relies on the ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of chemical inputs and in-organic fertilizers.

It fosters the principles of Care, Health, Ecology and Fairness.  Care for this generation and the future; promote a truly Healthy food (albeit: free of pesticides, hormones, chemicals); preserve Ecological balance; Fair in giving equal opportunity to non-conventional farmers.  These principles and more are learned from our Study Tour in an Organic Farm (Lakbay-Aral sa Bukid Organiko) which is facilitated by a professional pool of resource persons/specialists who provides lecture on organic agriculture, farming practices and hands-on technology demonstration. The study tour is tailored according to the level of the audience and requirements of the group.  Study Tour is for everybody just as the protection of earth is by everybody. 

Some of the Organizations that have been to the farm are CFA Homeschoolers with parents and teachers; De La Salle Lipa faculty and students; United Nations Filipino Consultants and Expatriate Staff; Medical doctors and practitioners of Alternative medicine; Agricultural Development and Marketing Officers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Japan and Philippines.

We support and assist farmers who would like to switch to Organic Farming!  The real farmers are those who have taken on the vital role in the health of people, economy of nation and balance of ecosystem.  They deserve to be rewarded with increased income, lower cost of capital, higher production yield and empowered network of supporting components.  For non-agriculturists, be informed of the benefits to you and family of going organic. 

Let's do our share in protecting our Mother Earth, join us tomorrow as we switch off our lights from 8:30PM to 9:30PM!  As one people, we are united in raising awareness and taking action to fight climate change.

Chef with a green CAP (Chef Apprenticeship Program)

It's no joke that there is this moniker, "Green Chef," floating around the Culinary industry.   Like everyone else on earth, everybody is trying to do their share in the green revolution, moreso, the chefs and restaurateurs who are at fist to fist with food quality and safety, poverty reduction, zero-waste management (average of 260 kg per person or 676 kg of waste to landfill, much of it coming from the kitchen).

The Chefs and Restaurateurs are faced with greening responsibilities  from cooking technologies, real-fresh produce, hormone-free meat, energy-efficient kitchen equipment and appliances, environment-friendly cleaning aids.  The Villegas Organic and Hobby Farms SAGE Learning Center, with it's expertise on sustainable agriculture and zero-waste management, has cooked-up a special program to produce a culinary leader who embraces a healthy lifestyle and cares for the environment.

Dubbed as Green Chef Apprenticeship Program, it's objective is to imbibe the values of CHEF (Care, Health, Ecology, Fairness) in becoming a responsible chef, experiencing food first hand from its origins and gain understanding of how it affects the environment, thus, show respect to the ecology of life.

This whole day orientation and forum is set on May 29, 2010 Saturday at Malvar, Batangas City (approximately an hour from Magallanes). 

We can only accomodate 50 persons so get your slots early :
Reserve by April 20 avail of the discounted rate Php1,200.00
Reserve by May 10 avail of the discounted rate Php1,400.00
Last day of reservation  (if there are available slots) May 27 with rate Php1,800.00

For group discounts:
EMAIL  activeculture@Ymail.com  activeculture.club@Gmail.com
CALL  774.84.72    SMS 9088.858.656

Spiritual Heritage Tour: Bisita Iglesia 2010

What is Bisita Iglesia?  It is a Filipino family tradition, said to be a penitential activity,  that involves visiting of several Churches.  This is the laity's way of taking part on the passion and death of Christ. 

Every year, Nature Awareness and Conservation Club (NACCI), in its service to members and special guests's spirituality, takes you to quaint historical churches on holy week.  This year it will lead the spiritual journey on the road to LAGUNA, on March 31st (Wednesday) and BULACAN, on April 1st (Thursday).   

Laguna Bisita Iglesia, March 31 Holy Wednesday
San Antonio de Padua Church
St. Mary Magdalene Church
St. James Parish Apostle
St. Gregory The Great Parish
St. Peter of Alcantara Church
St. John The Baptist Church
St. Bartholomew Parish

Bulacan Bisita Iglesia, April 1 Holy Thursday
Divine Mercy National Shrine
Barasoain Church, San Gabriel
Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion
Santiago Apostol Church
National Shrine of Saint Anne
San Agustin Parish Church
Simborio Chapel

For inquiries, itinerary and more information, please EMAIL activeculture@Ymail.com  or  activeculture.club@Gmail.com

Waiting on... A time...

90% of our time is spent waiting.  Waiting on the sun to come out (or more rain to come down this El Nino), waiting for the coffee to brew, waiting for the bread to toast, waiting for the car to warm-up, waiting for the traffic light to go, waiting for a parking space, waiting for the elevator, waiting on the person you have a meeting appointment with, waiting for lunch and waiting and waiting...

And half the time we circumvent around waiting. We take instant coffee, biscuits instead of toast, running off without warming up the car, beating the red light, illegal parking... We take matters into our hands. The same holds true in our lives, we have the I-want-it-now mentality driven by conveniences and technology. What we need to be reminded of is that waiting is still a big part of life.  And the best things in life happen from waiting:  waiting for the crop to grow, waiting for the child to become independent, waiting for original buko pie to bake, waiting to cross the marathon finish line, waiting for the Cebu mango to ripen or dry up, waiting for the hard-earned investment to yield, waiting for that mahogany tree to be a shade, waiting for that Big Yes!...

This season of lent we remember the sacred waiting on the Lord. "..waiting gives experience; and experience, hope: and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:4-5

As we reflect into our lives and renew our commitment to Christ this season, let us make time to "partake" of His passion and death, so that once again, we experience His holy resurrection.

To Every Thing There is a Season - Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Mr. Green Chef: Moringa "malunggay"

Malunggay or Moringa oleifera Lamk dubbed as the "best bio-food on Earth" has taken part of the main stage in agricultural programs in Asia and worldwide. Known for its various medicinal and culinary usage, many by-products of Malunggay are being discovered on a regular basis.

Containing four times more calcium and two times more protein than milk, seven times more vitamin c than oranges, four times more Vitamin A than carrots, three times more Potassium than banana, three times more Iron content of Spinach, aside from being heavy HDL (high density lipo-protein-- a rich source of amino acids, omega oils, and anti-oxidant properties), the capacity of Malunggay to be at par or to top other leafy green vegetables and other fruits is tremendous.

In the Philippines, Malunggay has been a part of the alternative/ therapeutic practices of the Filipinos. Grown as a vegetable tree or a border plant, its tree can easily grow in one's backyard and will not require a high toll on maintenance. Being geographically conducive for Malunggay propagation and production, the Philippines is now among the top Malunggay producers in the world, just running behind India, Nicaragua, Madagascar, and Hawaii.

Due to extensive proliferation of the miracle tree and the recent discovery of its healing and medicinal capacities, the Philippine Government launched in 2008 a massive campaign on Malunggay planting and by-product production. Congressman Villafuerte of Camarines Sur spearheaded the governmental initiative of propagating Malunggay thru tree-panting by utilizing 700 hectares of land devoted to the growing of the trees. The Quezon City government is urging its constituents to plant Malunggay to curb hunger and diseases. Gov. Arnaiz of Negros Oriental has 350 hectares of malunggay farm.

Testimonials:

Jubbie Deocos of Iloilo had sun-burned and flaky due to living in the province. Upon working and living in Manila, the flakiness of the skin worsened. After using the MORINGA LOTION, his skin started peeling the dry flakes and resulted to a fairer skin. (Jubbie Deocos/Contact Information available upon request).

Mr. Renato B. Guevarra, a 76 year-old retired captain started using the powder for 2 months. His cholesterol level went down from 225 to 170 and his uric acid went down from 6.8 to 5.6. (Contact Info available upon request).

SOURCE: Partner - DS Pinoy

For orders, please email us  activeculture@Ymail.com  or  activeculture.club@Gmail.com

Running: Let's get to know Mins and Max!

BEGINNER SERIES

Let's get to know the minimum and maximum, the normal and average numbers for heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate.

Heart rate - number of heart beats per minute. The best time to get this is first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. Find your pulse around your wrist or neck. Place your finger tip on the pulse and with the aid of a stopwatch, count the pulse for 1 minute or 60 seconds.  More about heart rates...

Maximum heart rate (HRmax) - safe heart rate for an individual.  Formula: HRmax=220-age(real age!)

Recovery heart rate - guide of progress and to spot problems such as overheating or dehydration.  Less than 30 beats per minute (bpm) reduction at one minute after stopping hard exercise is a predictor of heart attack. More than 50 bpm reduction showed reduced risk of heart attack.

Target heart rate - desired range of heart rate reached during exercise to receive the most benefit from a workout. 
Click here - Target Heart Rate Calculator.

Respiratory rate - number of breaths per minute. It is determined by counting the number of times the chest rises or falls per minute. Average respiratory rates, by age:

Preschool children: 20–30 breaths per minute
Older children: 16–25 breaths per minute
Adults: 12–20 breaths per minute
Adults during strenuous exercise 35–45 breaths per minute
Athletes' peak 60–70 breaths per minute
 
Blood pressure - pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries. The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body. The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

Learn about the Kenyan Run in the following link and Join the running clinic:  FREE!
http://activecultureclub.blogspot.com/2009/09/whatcha-beat.html

RUNNEX Discovery Running Series
Every Sunday 6:00AM at UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Visit runnex.org

References:
Google
Wikipedia

ECOTOUR: Sagada & Bontoc

Sagada, Bontoc (Mountain Province) with Banawe, Ifugao
April 9 to 11 Weekend Adventure

SAGADA is a pleasant little tranquil community in the mountains where the people are so warm and friendly. BONTOC is the capital of Mountain Province and is right in the middle of Cordillera. Bontoc rice terraces are made of stone walls to separate their rice fields.

Visit sites like: Banawe View Point, Bontok Museum (learn about the cultures and traditions of the people in Cordillera), Sagada town proper, Calvary Hills, Echo Valley with hanging coffins, scenic Fedilisan Rice terraces, very refreshing Bomod-ok falls, cave spelunking at Burial caves and connecting caves, witness the fine art of Sagada weaving, picturesque Kiltepan Tower, side trip to Bontoc ukay-ukay (thrift-shop)

Participants are encouraged to donate educational toys and books, medicines or medical equipment to Sagada Hospital.  Let your trips be more memorable for you and the locals in your chosen destination.

FOR TOUR INQUIRIES AND COMPLETE ITINERARY:
Please email activeculture@ymail.com or activeculture.club@gmail.com

Rice is red, Farmers are blue...

This week we have been tormented by news about corruption in the Department of Agriculture.  Corruption is a wornout word in Manila.  We have been up in arms with it for so long while it crept through our system like the birth of identical twins.

The Philippines, which consumes about l3 million tons of rice a year, is the world's biggest rice importer to-date. It sounds absurd how a third world country, with a staple food of rice, with surplus of labor, cannot produce it's own need.  Doesn't it raise a red flag?!

Some opinions from different political figures/analyst about the subject:
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr, "Assuming that there is really a need to import rice, the correct procedures must be followed. We cannot tolerate a practice wherein they engage in importation without passing through the usual bidding process" Read more

Benjamin Diokno talks about an alternative, "Abolish NFA and get serious with agricultural modernization. In the event of rice shortage, bid out the right to import to the private sector. But winning bidders will have to pay import taxes – real, not imaginary taxes. Let the winning bidders sell the imported rice at market clearing prices... The present rice policy has another evil effect: it exacerbates joblessness in the country. Since importing rice is known to be the preferred mode of the government, Filipino farmers are discouraged from aggressively planting rice. But every time we import rice from Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, we are creating jobs abroad and giving up jobs at home. For a labor surplus economy like the Philippines, that’s unacceptable."  Read more

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI): "The adoption of a combine harvester-thresher and direct seeding will lower the cost of producing rice, thereby making rice production in the Philippines more competitive with other rice economies.  Promoting the competitiveness of rice production in the Philippines is vital to increasing farmers' income and reducing the consumer price of rice.  Adoption of these technologies will also reduce much of the drudgery in rice cultivation. The disadvatage of adopting these technologies is that there will be less employment.  Thus, while rice farmers strive to be more competitive, it is also important that the nonfarm sector create jobs for agricultural laborers."  Read more

Agri-Agra credit law signed by the President

President Arroyo signed Agri-Agra credit law to facilitate increased credit to farmers and spur productivity. 

I am not a fan of loans and I wish I have another solution for the farmers, fisherfolks (ERRATUM: there is a solution - please read below).  Even how reluctant I am to hear about this increased credit news, and how analysts/agriculture personnels see an increase in loans from the farmers of up to P122 billion -- I hope it serves it's purpose of assisting farmers increase productivity.  I hope their harvest is more sufficient to pay for the loans.  I dont want to see them more poor than before the loan is made. 

"The government is now moving to relax the tight rural credit squeeze following President Arroyo ’s enactment of an amended Agri-Agra law that finally bars banks from skirting a requirement for them to funnel 25% of their loanable funds into farm loans, a policy shift that agriculture officials said could mean up to P122 billion in fresh loans for farmers and fisherfolk."  Read more

For those farmers, fisherfolks (or you who knows them) who would like to continue what they love to do but need assistance in acquiring or managing funds, THERE IS A SOLUTION after all!  Build a financial relationship with a knowledgeable and accomodating financial analyst couple with the names of Mr Benj Santiago and Ms Fely Santiago.  They will:

• Share valuable concepts and help you understand how money works (and how money can work hard for you and not you work hard for the money)
• Work with you on a plan
• Provide regular check-ups to help you reach your goals.

Another way of assisting farmers is through the KASAMA KA cooperative which it's primary thrusts are the following.  You earn a living, we all earn the earth back through sustainable agriculture.

• To package, train, transfer the technology and set up location-and commodity-specific NUSOFAC/SVAC for to its primary cooperative members;
• To spearhead the coordination and organization of a decentralized marketing network of organic farm produce;
• To provide safe affordable organic farm products to the general public and consumers; and
• To support organic movement advocacies and projects/activities related to sustainable environment resources and management, climate change, health and wellness and food security.
• Want to know how to join the KASAMA KA coop?  Email us!

Know more about Agri-Agra credit law from Manila Bulletin

Not too (run) fast!

BEGINNER SERIES

Running is a sports hype in the Philippines today.  There is not a weekend without a race (visit takbo.ph for schedule).  From fun run, wellness run, run for a cause, surf run (?), to marathon and ultra-marathon.  More and more people see the benefits of running and the ease of carrying it out.  The no-fuzz sport where you wear a comfy shirt and pair of shorts, put on your running shoes and whoala!  One is set to run on a track oval, a street (but not cross the highway please!), a threadmill in a gym, a hilly terrain, a forest maybe (for those who are fortunate to be close to one), around a park or more likely, a parking lot (as Manila got more visible parking lots than runnable, "green" parks) and wherever there is a place to run.  Perhaps the mall is no exception to get away from the scorching heat of the sun this El Nino phenomenon.   But not so fast!  There is more to know about running...

Last Sunday, RUNNEX, a group of Executives who are advocating for running since early 80s has reopened a new season of running clinic for 2010.  Dubbed as "Discover Running Series,"  it is a 3 month-long program facilitated by experienced coaches and pacers who guide, assist and motivate runners to achieve running as a lifestyle.  Catch the specifics at runnex.org

New runner or a come-back?  Get some tips from a Specialist in Rehab Medicine and Sports Medicine, Doctor Rodolfo "Junnie" Rosales Jr, who has given medical attention to some Runnex members:

PRE-RUN must do:

• Get a clearance from your doctor
• Take an ECG test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.  The heart is a muscular organ that beats in rhythm to pump the blood through the body.   In an ECG test, the electrical impulses made while the heart is beating are recorded and usually shown on a piece of paper (appears like the sound wave monitor from a radio component or signal bar from a mobile phone) .
• Record your baseline parameters on heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate:
• Heart rate - number of heart beats per minute.  The best time to get this is first thing in the morning before getting out of bed.  Find your pulse around your wrist or neck.  Place your finger tip on the pulse and with the aid of a stopwatch, count the pulse for 1 minute or 60 seconds. 
• Blood pressure - pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries.  The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body.  The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
• Respiratory rate - number of breaths per minute.  It is determined by counting the number of times the chest rises or falls per minute. 
• Warm-up stretch
• Warm-up run for at least 5 minutes.  This can be walk-run or brisk walk depending on the heart exertion and legs reaction.  Listen to your body.

POST-RUN must do:

• Record the changes in parameters -- heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate
• Cool down stretch
• Take note of any abnormal feeling in your breathing, body pain, leg or ankle aches.  The most usual pain a beginner-runner experiences is the achilles tendonitis. Depending on the gravity of pain and when in doubt, see a doctor.

NEXT in Begginner Series:  Let's get to know Mins and Max!

"The miracle isn't that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start" (John Bingham, running speaker and writer).  It's not too late to start running.  Run with us at UP Diliman, Quezon City, 5:30 in the morning, SUNDAYs.  It's fun to run even in the heat of the sun!  Email us for more details.

About Dr. Junnie Rosales:
Full Name: Rodolfo P. Rosales, Jr
Specialization: Rehabilitation Medicine and Sports Medicine
Clinic: St. Lukes Medical Center Quezon City, Medical Arts Building, Suite 223
Email us for more contact info!

Educational Field Trip: Organic Farm in Batangas, Philippines

Catholic Filipino Academy students, parents and teachers participated in Lakbay-Aral sa Kalikasan (Study Tour with Nature) at Villegas Organic and Hobby Farm Complex, Batangas, Philippines

The Villegas Organic and Hobby (VOHO) Farms hosted almost 80 participants from the Catholic Filipino Academy – consisting mainly of grade school kids including their parents, seven high school students and some pre-school kids – who actively took part in the one-day "Lakbay-Aral sa Kalikasan" on 27 February 2010.

The "Lakbay-Aral sa Kalikasan" was purposely designed to immerse young students on living things, sustainable environment and organic agriculture (which they have limited exposure to in the city) and to make their learning experience fun, memorable and exciting.

Mr. Pablito Villegas, Dr. Isagani Catedral and Ms. Dinah Rose Pizarro facilitated the study tour program, providing outdoor hands-on learning on earthworms and their value in promoting sustainable environment, soil and its types, culinary and medicinal plants, and the inter-relationships of worms-soil-plants, demonstrated in a sustainable/environment-friendly farm and ecological balance through the maintenance of biodiversity and employment of zero waste management practices, as exemplified by the VOHO Farms. The students also enjoyed hands-on fishing, running after free-range chickens and playing in the tree house and "bahay-kubo" (indigenous Filipino house), thereby enriching their eco-experience and enhancing their appreciation for nature.

After the educational field tour, as part of their commencement activity, high school students were introduced to Organic Gardening 101. On the other hand, grade school kids planted fruit tree seedlings and prepared dedication cards to their tree. A five-year old girl wrote on her tree: "I will save papers so you can live long." This concluding session intended to instill in the students their valuable role in protecting the environment and to leave in them a memorable experience to share with their friends and family.

The recently passed Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 clearly mandates the inclusion of organic agriculture curriculum in all levels of the Philippine educational system. The remarkable success of the study tour program (educational field trip) last Saturday was a step toward promoting the sustainable environment and organic agriculture in the schools and its community or constituents.

Presenting Mr. Green Chef...

Hi there!  I am Mr. Green Chef, the person you trust on herbs and veggies.  Every so often, I will introduce you to a herb or a vegetable that is full of vitamins, nutrients, and what more, it has medicinal value! 

Believe me the most effective medicines are found in the FARM-acy, not pharmacy.

The herb I first grown in my garden is the Lemon Grass.  Resembling a gigantic weed, it is an aromatic tropical plant with long, slender blades that can grow to a height of 5 ft.

Health Benefits

• ease stomach discomforts, nausea
• aids in lessening, if not totally curing, the pain caused by sprain (refer below how to prepare a liniment)
• menstrual problems or dysmenorrhoea
• insomnia or stress from it's calming effect
• reduces the level of uric acid and of other toxins
• cut down excess fats and cholesterol
• reduce acne and pimples
• makes skin firmer as it tones muscles and tissues

How to Prepare a Liniment

1. Chop 4 ounces of the lemon grass leaves and roots
2. Boil all together, with fresh coconut oil
3. Let it cool.

Photo, information courtesy of Philippine Herbal Medicine

Disaster-ready Philippines

The earthquake that struck Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010, brought chills into my body as I remember the 7.1 magnitude earthquake I experienced in the 90s. 

Me and my classmates were off from school, walking along Taft avenue, under the light rail transit.  When the earth shook, we moved away from a huge building structure, embraced one another and said our prayers.  It was a foretaste of the end of the world (well, what do i know about it?!).  It was a moment where you think about your families, their whereabouts and the possibility of reuniting...  Was that a glimpse of Chile earthquake?  I dont think so.  Chile's earthquake was with far greater strength, unimaginable.  I would have not wanted to exchange my place that day to Chile.

Where was I?  I was part of a team that conducted a study tour in an organic farm.  I was surrounded by families (father/mother, young children) who made a decision to change their lives and believe that one step (at a time) will make a difference on earth. 

They are Catholic Filipino Academy, advocating for zero waste management.  While gradeschoolers get to know up-close the relationship of plants, soil, worms and how these work together in the farm to manage waste, the highschoolers did Organic Gardening 101, producing a plot of pre-germinated lettuce at the end of the activity.  The homework left for the whole family now is to bring what they learned in the farm to their own homes.

Meanwhile, the Philippines got a wake up call from Chile and sets the alarm for Disaster Preparedness.  How are we ready for a natural calamity? 

"This is another warning for us, if Ondoy and Pepeng were not enough, we ought to get our acts together and be prepared for the next time that mother nature decides to come down hard and pummel the Philippines again." said Senator Edgardo J. Angara who is calling for a focused drive to achieve a level of national disaster preparedness that would make the country better equipped to face natural calamities.

When do we start?

Know more about Sustainable Agriculture and how the principles of Care, Health, Ecology and Fairness are developed in this environment.  Join our Study Tour!  We Care for your Health, We Nurture the Earth!!!