Manticao, Misamis Oriental---By our standards, the vastness of five thousand standing posts supporting varieties of dragon fruits was enough to warrant that the said commodity is seen as a lucrative business by the farm owner. On its previous cropping, the farm was teeming with vegetables such as ampalaya, eggplant, string beans, tomatoes, pechay, and okra.

As a trying-hard plantita, I have always wanted to grow cucumber (Cucumis sativus). I just love this cucurbit! It is so versatile as it can be savory or sweet, think desserts, or even drinks! It is definitely packed with refreshing healthy goodness.

Since retiring on January 1, 2016 as a public teacher, Ellen Acain Rosario embarked a life of productivity in her hometown in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte. Her 40 years of teaching and empowering young minds are now punctuated with more time spent in her established farm Queensland.   

It was a fine Thursday morning when we arrived at the farm of Carlito Cortez in San Fernando, Bukidnon. We were scheduled to interview this young farmer who preferred to work on his farm after securing his college diploma.   

On a Monday morning, minutes before eight o’clock, people would rush to the entrance door looking for directions, lining up at the biometrics, or keep last minute errands to prepare for a week-long training. The training management team (TMT) would have arrived at their respective halls at least an hour prior, which was expected of an ATI staff, setting up materials and equipment. Some of the participants would be on their way for billeting, guided by a technical assistant, while others would head on to the breakfast buffet.

Since the onslaught of the pandemic, food prices have continued to rise, reaching its highest point since last year. In the Philippines, food prices have increased across the country while income source of people have declined during the pandemic, making it harder for people to access the food they and their families need. Some of our neighborhood and residents of far-flung areas have heavily relied on the distribution of ayudas and other care package assistance from various government agencies.