By Anthony A. Araos
Filipinos are mourning the passing of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. He was arrested and jailed four times during the martial law period. He was one of the leaders of the opposition to the Marcos dictatorship. President Marcos, who ruled the Philippines with an iron fist for two decades, was toppled in a peaceful People Power uprising in February 1986 led by the widow of late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Corazon.
The late Sen. Nene Pimentel authored the Local Government Code of 1991 and the Cooperative Code.
He was a former DILG secretary during the administration of President Corazon Aquino.
Nene Pimentel is the father of former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Thank you for fighting for the restoration of freedom and democracy during the one-man rule of Marcos. After learning the news of his death, I immediately prayed for the eternal repose of his soul and be blessed for his invaluable contributions to the nation.
-o0o-
There is a great truth to the assertion that Alfonso Lista has everything to love about the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
I think you’re mistaken, if you take the importance of the town’s dragon fruit produce in the equation touching the tourism industry and development quite lightly.
Welcome to dragon fruit wine as a major attraction for local and foreign tourists.
Welcome to a dragon fruit wine party in the event a Dragon Fruit Wine Festival finally takes places in Alfonso Lista!
Throughout the world, stocks of wine are being delivered these days just in time for the Christmas season. Well-loved and recognizable supermarkets and groceries in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila are into this since the Yuletide celebration practically and officially started in September in the Philippines. The Philippines holds the distinction as the country with the longest merry-making period for Christmas in the world.
Specials and surprises like no other without dragon fruit wine are indeed mind-boggling. Why would anyone share that sentiment? There has to be an interesting answer to such a puzzling question.
Take your choice: French Cellars Shiraz at PhP320, Pikes Red Mullet at PhP420, Salsa Club Sangria at PhP208, Beach Hut Chardonnay at PhP288, Cedar Creek Chardonnay at PhP280, Trenham The Family Moscato at PhP490, Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz Cabernet at Php459 or Alfonso Lista’s Dragon Fruit Wine just below Php150. Again, take your pick!
Sipping dragon fruit wine and enjoying the revelry of Dragon Fruit Wine Festival is certainly a lifestyle. If others are willing to spend on souvenir items during the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City or Maskara Festival in central Philippines, I’m sure many others are willing to spend on the Dragon Fruit Wine Festival in the fast-emerging town of Alfonso Lista. Thus, it can easily affect one’s lifestyle.
So you don’t have to travel to China for the sole purpose of tasting dragon fruits. Just look for them when you travel to Alfonso Lista.
Surely, Ifugao folks and elsewhere in the Cordilleras are likely to realize the “valuable assets” of Alfonso Lista’s new-found gem in dragon fruit wine by conducting the Dragon Fruit Wine Festival and going to the massive market outside of the province.
But, first Alfonso Lista farmers and Tourism Officer Lorena Dulnuan as well as municipal government officials should come up with relevant inventories related to stocks. This shall ultimately fit well and perfectly with the strategy to upgrade its production.
Dragon Fruit Wine is undoubtedly a strong growth driver for Alfonso Lista. Increased production of dragon fruits should lead to higher revenues for the municipal government. High profitability among all stakeholders then should be the overall goal.
Dragon fruit is a gem of life. Finally, see and feel how life flourishes. Through a dragon fruit and the conduct of a dragon fruit wine-themed festival, a Filipino is given the rare opportunity to promote sustainable agriculture, food production and entrepreneurship.
Putting into words the essence of raising dragon fruits for a living and raising this message to a higher level and sharing it with many others is of paramount importance because it all holds a great weight.
-o0o-
The provincial government should promote rural and value chain development toward increasing agricultural and rural enterprise productivity and rural tourism.
Agriculture is not just planting rice; it is nurturing life. Rural enterprise productivity is not just a mere concept, it is enriching life itself. Attracting local and foreign tourists in the countryside is not a small part of life, it is a challenging task to its stakeholders and all the more deserving of the officialdom’s utmost concern.
The provincial government should strongly affirm that it is in a position to address the problems of the agriculture sector and the tourism industry. Governance in the strict sense is gravely ill because officials are not competent enough to deal even with simple problems.
-o0o-
For the next three years or so, the municipal government of Alfonso Lista- under the leadership of Mayor Edralin Alipio, has to map out macroeconomic policies including fiscal, monetary and trade policies related to dragon fruit production. Experts from the private sector should be tapped to provide much-needed guidance and assistance on this pressing matter. For there is a need to look into wholesale and retail prices of dragon fruits at the market and this is simply inevitable.
Distribution of low-priced dragon fruit produce to public markets has been constricted by “shortages” on the part of farmers.
There are factors affecting the average farm gate prices of dragon fruit produce. May these views be helpful in improving the production of dragon fruits in the coming years.
-o0o-
I am lauding Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño of DILG for the nth time for his unflinching efforts to weed out corrupt and inept barangay officials throughout the country. These incompetent barangay government officials have no business staying in office even for a second.
-o0o-
Further, I am commending Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for his continuing efforts to establish more “Malasakit Centers” in the Philippines. How about finally putting up one in poverty-stricken Ifugao province? “Sino kaya ang may malasakit na taga-Ifugao na maaring magsulong ng Malasakit Center sa Ifugao? “Who among the Ifugao folks have the courage to push for a Malasakit Center in Ifugao?”
I have some names in mind.
-o0o-
Did you know? There is one place in Ifugao covered by the all-important project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) known as the Philippine Indigenous Communities-Conserved Areas (ICCA). The project recognizes and formalizes, as among the government’s conservation strategies, traditional practices and customs of indigenous peoples in ancestral domains within key biodiversity areas in the country.
I’m referring to Mt. Polis in Hungduan town. Unfortunately, most Ifugao folks are not aware of this fact. I asked 20 personnel at the provincial government on this matter and only two are aware of it. In other words, awareness level is shockingly low. Too bad, this is a vital concern related to indigenous peoples’ conservation practices. Simply stated, this is a case of public employees who are not aware or knowledgeable of the government’s recognition not only of indigenous ancestral areas, but also indigenous knowledge and practices.
By the way, the other place in the CAR included in the said project is Mt. Taungay in Tinglayan, Kalinga.
-o0o-
Unlimited odd thoughts unloaded: For all the scoldings children are getting each day of the week, they should always remember that parents are disciplinarians.
-o0o-
Blooper in Ifugao: The English word push means shove. In Tagalog, it means “Itulak”. Ilocanos say, “Iduron”. How about in Ifugao? Answer: Ibulao. What?
At one time, at the office of a board member, I asked for a fastener. To my surprise, I was given a puncher. So, I asked, why a puncher. I got no answer. Exasperated, I thought of bringing her to Ibulao River. Hehehe.
-o0o-
For our food delights corner: This time around, let us make way for break time delights at the office or at home. Nachos and tacos are simply great at the table. Try sautéed veggie tacos, marinated shrimps tacos or Mexican chili beef tacos. If not, there’s grilled jalapeno-lime chicken or barbecued beef brisket. Whatever your choice for merienda time, make sure the cheese serving is extra generous. For appetizers and dessert: chocolate fudge, leche plan and chilled orange juice. What is more to say? It is surely a healthy and yummy snack. Just don’t forget to pray for all the blessings.
-o0o-
Finally, some thoughts for our dear readers: “Wisdom is indicated by its results.” Matthew 11:19
“Look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.” James1:27
“God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Acts 10:34, 35
“Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34
“Public cooperation is critical for effective law enforcement. A police force that is feared and shunned cannot count on that cooperation.” Editorial of the Philippine Star newspaper**
