Grass Fed, Naturally Farmed, Pastured Chickens: Raised with a lot of sunshine, fresh air, supplemented with probiotics and unmedicated feeds..... Your healthy option for a back to basics lifestyle
This is how we were greeted by Farmer TJ and his Sunshines
After a while, they left us to roam outside :)
We made a visit to TJ in Bulacan yesterday morning. This was supposed to be scheduled early December but all our timetables went wayward when the 12th month of the year showed in the calendar.
He has rested his other housings, ranging areas and have planned to make pocket grows in several ranging areas around the vicinity. That way, he will be able to practice range rotations, biosecurity, and still monitor as he will go around his farm around.
Instead of making one time grows, Krukukuk Farm has decided to do small but frequent loadings.
May be more work intensive...but will have fresh and constant supplies. Easier to predict and keep up with supply and demand.
This was funny...I took TJ and Doc Rey's pictures in three (3) different angles. Previewing it, thinking that I was taking against the light...I moved around...we all laughed when I realized its not the light! They were both dark :)
The Entrepinoy Atbp. is the 4th tab on my browser when I start up my Firefox.
Was talking with some guys last Sunday and we discussed about this site. The owner of the site is doing a great job there. He is able to connect the dots, that it doesn't appear like a puzzle.
I saw how that site started..really come a long way.
Today was a regular day and I normally go over comments first. A picture on the main caught my eye...looks like a photograph I took at the rooftop!
We had a tandem with Daily Dose Farm for the talks given during yesterday's Agri Kapihan.
If you are interested in agriculture and don't know what you want to focus on...shop around during the Agri Kapihan forums. Listen, learn and select :)
Next Sunday, January 13, come join the Aqua Kapihan.
We never missed a weekend at AANI Circle, so feeding the Sunshines isn't an issue. Adding to that, the fact that they are surrounded by neighbors who toss them leftovers, discarded veggies etc.
He wanted to go into white broilers. His father said to go into Bisaya Manok. Bernard found Sunshines.
Middle of December, Bernard and I were chatting on YM. He was asking about Sunshines, I was asking his opinion on my getting a toy. That was one of the funniest chats. If a 3rd party was reading...he wouldn't know how Bernard and I understood one another.
I ended up getting the toy the next morning! And Bernard waited to get his babies after Christmas.
These Sunshines that flew to Cebu are such imps! They missed their scheduled booking on the 1st flight, good 2nd flight accommodated them. Attaching their pics to the email took years to send...well, but see...now that they are there, Bernard isn't on YM. Must be out looking at the stars with his babies.
"Hey Bernard..did I tell you I was getting another type of toy on Tue"?
For our radio mileage, we are coming out with informative ads, based on FAQs we normally get. Like a "Dear Solraya" thing.
This way, we are tackling the basic FAQs, advertising, and since they will be several...it won't be monotonous hearing them :)
Although I did the concept and write-ups, I have to thank a Frank Ghost Writer for editing it to sound friendly :), Kathy for always overseeing production, and all of you who inspire us to be innovative.
Preview:
LISTENER:Dear Solraya, Maganda ang naalagaan ko na mga Sunshine chickens. Nagustuhan ng pamilya ko at ang sobra naman ay naibenta ko sa mga kapitbahay at sila din ay nasarapan sa lasa ng Sunshines.
Kaya lang, nagastos ng asawa ko ang pambili ng mga bagong sisiw; kaya sinubukan na lang naming magpa incubate para magka sisiw ulit kami. Kaso madaming nabugok mga mahina, pilay at madaling mga namatay ang mga sisiw. Ano po ang mali sa ginawa namin?
SOLRAYA:Hindi kami magsasawang paulit ulit na sabihin sa mga nakikinig na hindi pang breeding ang mga Sunshines.Pangkain yan.Tulad ng mga sisiw na puti…diba inaalagaan sila at kinakatay? Ang mga pinaparating naming mga Sunshines sa inyo ay nakakasigurado kayong piling piling, para maka-ani tayo sa takdang panahon ng mga masasarap at masustansyang Sunshines.
TAG:Para sa mga katanungan ninyo ukol sa Sunshine Chicken, mag text sa (0917) 847-2639 o mag email sa info@solraya.comMag log on sa solraya.blogspot.com para sa karagdagang kaalaman.
We are developing our rooftop to show urban farming is doable.
The project started when we wanted a demo farm. Easier to explain and show in real. It later showed us that urban farming is indeed workable. Chicken farming is possible in the city. Of course we encourage most to just raise for their own consumption. Even if you don't have a ranging area, you can do a "cut and carry" of grass, give them your fruit/vegetable kitchen/table leftovers.
So now, we are fixing it to really be a seminar area. Another office below, is being prepared for clients to be comfortable when they come to learn about the benefits of Sunshine :)
Join us through urban farming. You will find yourselves enjoying raising healthy chickens, because it is beneficial to you too...and the taste... Do you know what the taste of native chickens are?
I hanged some chimes for the driveway in Fairvew. I tell you...they are chiming, humming, dinging, donging, whistling and surfing the cool breeze this morning. Looks like a great year ahead!
At about 7am, I was on the phone with a client from Tagaytay who wishes to have her order delivered later tonight. I felt jumpy about this transaction as her farm, plans for a wellness center/spa has good vibes to me. The wild unkept look of the surroundings are very ME :) She is a gardener by profession and that makes conversation with her exciting to me. So, off we go to Tagaytay later.
A little after 7am, phoned Pol Rubia of AANI to see if Circle will be open (I believe in visiting my store sites at the start of the year). YES! He will be there. Indeed, likes, work togther :) I need some herbs too, for my gardener client.
Visit mother.
Eating my defrosted fresh Durian. My last pack from 2007 harvest. Wonder if the freezer at AANI still has some treasures frozen for me. Great way to start my year...Durian!
Doc Rey has been doing the rooftop since yesterday. Fixing nets, propping up my plants, feeding the Sunshines with corn, bonding with the chickens :) Still at his power washer disinfecting today. He had to wash my car as he hits it accidentally. Easier to wash it, rather than avoid the car.
Happy New Year! Thank you so much to the people who supported us, clients who stayed through the years, new found friends and customers brought by Sunshine, organizations who believe, radio audiences who stay tuned and people in the sidelines just reading and listening. This circle props us up.
Biosecurity is important. Just like in our lives, we have to focus on what we want around us and nurture what is of importance.
31 December, gave us time to inspect our surroundings and relate it to our lives in retrospect.
We are brooding a batch for a client and moved them outdoors. Time also to upgrade to auto feeders for them. What is shown is an automatic feeder. You fill that with feeds and they are dispensed to the basin at the bottom. We hang them and adjust according to height of chicks, so they can't scratch them.
This is how we disinfect feeders, waterers, shoes, boots, brooders, screens, walls, driveways etc. We find the power washer effective as it gets to the nooks and cranny.... ..in simple terms, mga sulok sulok :)
I find it easy also that you have a big drum or pail, with water and chlorox, much like how you keep a pail to catch the dirty diapers of a baby. Dump everything there until you find the time to wash them. Then dry them under the sun.
Periodic disinfection need not be expensive. We use chlorox and let it sit under the sun. Best and free disinfectant is solar power!
My YM this morning. He bought Sunshines from St. Mary's Farm in Cebu.
Bernard Neil Tanchan: ive tasted sunshine chickens already...cooked 2 ways... both very delicious solraya: see...sarap..how did you cook it? solraya: how did it compare to bisaya manok? Bernard Neil Tanchan: same with bisaya manok but meatier and the meat is tender Bernard Neil Tanchan: one is estopadong manok...have you heard of that?" Bernard Neil Tanchan: and the other one is tinola solraya: yes, pero i feel sayang the taste for estopado as the soy can masque the taste solraya: sarap tinola solraya: so slow cooking low fire? Bernard Neil Tanchan: but it was very delicious...yes slow cooking solraya: do u turbo chicken? rub with rosemary herbs...and turbo Bernard Neil Tanchan: sometimes we do solraya: i'm glad visayans know what it is to eat good chicken..luzon people only know whites solraya: can i post this conversation? it will show your name ha Bernard Neil Tanchan: maybe coz we are still provincianos hehe Bernard Neil Tanchan: old people now that native is better than white chickens solraya: yes but you are young...most people your age here think manok is jollibee Bernard Neil Tanchan: maybe because my father let us eat bisaya manok every sunday...
We are privileged to be on today's Agree sa Agri. Last for the year 2007, it was a 2hr radio spot today, as Anne Bernardino will not be on board tomorrow at 4am.
Time constraints, a phone patch was done to have Doc Rey be her guest this morning. He talked about the importance of vaccinating your Sunshines and other animals as preventive measures.
Aside from schedules, he taught How To vaccinate your chicks.
Text in queries poured. That is what we want. No doubts should be left in your mind, so we can all help one another. There will be no guarantees to fail proof raising of animals....but trying to eliminate the steps that have proven wrong before, will be a big help to lessen the tuition we have to charge to experience.
Doc Rey will become more involved with Agree as Agri, not only for the Sunshines, but for your animal know how in general.
Last Friday, we went to Tagaytay as a client was loading January 02, 2008.
We were busy that day, but spur of the moment, we decided to make a quick trip.
Lunch time saw us at Cafe Lupe. Sarapppppppppppp ng Crispy Binagoongan. That made me buy the next day at AANI FTI, ingredients that inspired me to make a similar dish. But a pronto one. Like instead of the lechon kawali, I bought Lapid's Chicharon with laman and just balat :) For toppings, I got green mangoes, wansoy, lasona (the small red onions), tomatoes, red eggs and ginisang bagoong.
That lunch detoured me from my topic....burp.
I took pictures of the forestlike setting. Perfect to do it as I won't be with the delivery on January 02, plus it won't photograph well as it will be evening.
When I was reviewing pictures, they were overexposed! Can that happen to a digicam? Photos taken indoors and night time were ok. It is when taking pics outdoors that the camera decides to sit down and pout.
I got myself a camera that clicks that night :)
So....I think I make that trip to Tagaytay and since I am with a car color coding on Wednesdays, I spend the time there until I reach the 10am start of the window to enter Metro Manila. Great time to try another restaurant and take my pictures too :)
That is January 01 late evening delivery actually....see....We can't wait for 2008 to start as we can't let go of 2007 yet.
We get requests to visit our breeder farm. Sorry, but for biosecurity reason, we do now allow visitors. It will be to your utmost interest, our clients, that we are able to maintain our breeders in top health. Even amongst us partners, we refrain from doing so, as we have one assigned to breeding anyway, while others are assigned to finance and marketing.
You will see us there and able to get one on one pointers in raising our Sunshine Chickens.
Periodically, we have our free seminars. If you want seminars in your area, coordinate with your local DA, Municipal officers etc and advise them that we may be contacted for FREE SEMINARS in your area.
Recent dispersals have been in CAR, Bicol and Batangas.
Let's work hand in hand with government to give us all, Sunshines on our tables and to help us in livelihood.
We didn't decide to call it Sunshine for nothing. Sunshine gives us freshness and hope...it doesn't cost a lot to raise Sunshines... let's not forget the health benefits and of course the taste. Lasang native!
Doc Rey, I'm sending to you video and pics of my sunshine chicks, taken on their 22nd days. They are being ranged here in Marilao, Bulacan. Thank you very much. Happy Holidays!!
Most people I speak with always say that they want the year to end pronto, to be able to have a fresh start already.
I think to myself....
So many things to do yet...can we lengthen 2007?
The jumpiness of 2007 was a welcome surprise. We were and are so busy that we wish 2007 won't end yet. But, deadlines don't have to be met all the time. You win some, lose some...there will always be a next day to do things :)
Work and play was a hairline difference. Just yesterday, on the trip to Manila, there was an unexpected and unplanned purchase of a toy......well we'll see how my feng shui goes....btw 2008 is my year :)
2007 went fast because we were very busy. Thank you to all our commercial growers, government accounts, backyard raisers, weekend farmers and mostly to the end users of Sunshine Chickens, who patronized both the commercial and backyard growers.
2008 starts us off with the scheduled arrival of our Parent Stocks from SASSO, the established genetic company in the free range colored chicken industry. We have increased our number of Parent Stocks to cope up with the demand. Strategic planning by our able team is never ending. We don't sit on where we are now, thanks to you..but we will always look for ways how to offer you better service. The product is there already. What we work on improving is for all of us to grow together.
Merry Christmas...enjoy your Sunshines for the Noche Buena.
SASSolraya tayo!
You grow, we grow....Let's GROW: Solraya and SASSO team
Although my passion is our Sunshine Chickens, Solraya is composed of other branches in the business. One of which is our team of veterinarians who offer technical support and animal health services.
For those who have small animals and would like to share the blessings of your furry family members with their sheltered relatives..pls read their wishes.
I got a text early in the morning to get a copy of Manila Bulletin today. Not having a hardcopy of the newspaper, I called Tina immediately for some small talk (as if we don't do it all the time)....read about A French Farm in Abra.
Pamora Farm is the longest in the dressed free range chicken and value added products. They have done that, tried that and what we all teach others now, are part of all we learned together over our years together.
Their list of clients now includes Sofitel Hotel, Terry Selections, Santi's Deli and the weekend organic farms.
Solraya is happy to have been supplying the day old chicks requirements of Pamora Farm.
I found this blog. It didn't interest me for the sake of learning to dress a chicken. The blog got me for the reasons Herrick Kimball was writing it for. Documenting why and hopefully others will realize it too.
After you grow your Sunshines with your children...you may wish to learn with them how to butcher a chicken.
Nina Manzanares-Agu gave birth and left all details planned and mapped out. Thank God she did! Zac Sarian was in Taiwan for a previously set engagement. Except for the two important people, everyone was there plus more.
There were gifts for almost everyone. A seminar for Sunshine Chicken was done by Doc Rey. Cooking demonstration by Chef Bert Clemenia of De La Salle Culinary Arts in Lipa, Batangas. Very engaging trainor!
Seasoning the Sunshine Adobo with Herbs
Why Rosemarie is Good
Secret is Low Fire, Slow Cooking
Want to see Chef Bert and Sunshine more often? AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center will feature us together once a month :)
I first heard about him when Engr. Pol Rubia mentioned about some culinary students staying at AANI Herbal Garden and doing an OJT planting and learning about herbs.
Only way to learn! Experience...so you know why, when and what you will be doing.
I am thankful to be working with a great personality.
One of the food blogs I visit is that of Connie Veneracion's Pinoy Cook, w/c led me to a blog she created for the season, The Noche Buena Blog.
Staying at AANI FTI Weekend Market, I get to meet the cooks at home. We have been getting orders for the large sized chickens 2.5-3kilos to be used for Gallantina, Relleno and Roasts.
Another comfort food came to mind....not a noche buena fare....but a hole in the wall comfort food. Have you tried having Pospas? Can't recall where I have it in Laguna. What's that place that Laguna is known for puto? Its like lugaw or arroz caldo, but richer and tastier. I guess it is because it is left to simmer for hours.
I am supposed to do a trackback to pinoycook.net...let me try how to do this one: http://www.pinoycook.net/nochebuena/rellenong-manok-stuffed-deboned-whole-chicken/trackback/ ....hope I got it.
F1 means first generation, bred from selected Parent Stocks (PS). The Parent Stocks we imported from France are selected for taste, growth rate and adaptability to the tropical weather.
Free Range Chickens - They were designed and developed to free range. The Sunshines are meant to graze and forage. They are most happy unconfined in open areas with living grass. You may do a "cut and carry" to bring them their grass, if necessary...but compare how energetic and lively they are when they hunt for their own treasures from the soil.
We breed properly, hatchery in farm, transport in brand new (not receycled) properly designed chick boxes and we are available for free technical assistance. Parent Stocks are imported and replenished periodically to give you quality F1 free range chickens.
Just got to Manila after an 8hr drive. Had to be around for the loading of a dispersal for 3000 Sunshines at 6am, South of Metro Manila.
Looks like the longest day of 2007 for me. Started with this dispersal, 3 meetings today, hatch this afternoon, preparing deliveries for tonight...not counting the surprise events....exciting huh?! I love Fridays.
Do you believe that it is a "small world"? The other day made me think not just about a small world but more like
If you go to where you want to be, do the things that you like to do and seek what makes you happy....you will eventually get back that circle of friends, places, events and things back. As they are the same to people who likes the same things as you do.
I got a call at 7am, apparently overseas. I was feeling under the weather that day and decided to go to work an hour later. Inquiry was about Sunshines...from Toronto. That call led our talk to like 30yrs ago, when we both got to Toronto....same bowling places, common gossip people, my eventual co-workers were his neighbors. We worked in immigration on other sides of the fence. Because we were discussing about poultry, he eventually mentioned a nephew, based in SFO, who was into gamefowls...I thought about "someone". Next day I asked what the name of that nephew was....yan ang telepathy grabe....it was the person I thought of :)
This is what you do at past 1am, waiting for loading of chicks...you blab, blog or whatever you call it.
When the idea of going to Alaminos, Pangasinan was brought up at 6am...I said "YES"!
This is where half of my roots are from.
We left AANI QC Circle at 9am. Got to Sausalito for lunch a little after 1pm. Those two pictures were taken from the food place.
Jocelyn and David did well with the farms. The chicken farm is separate from the organic vegetables, so biosecurity is better.
There are five poultry houses. Good we went there as from initial photos sent, I thought the buildings were elevated. Nope, they were built on the ground, so no expense for flooring. The side doors open straight to range areas and kept open for the chickens to go in and out during the day.
There was a time they decided to experiment and got some chickens from another supplier. Mortality was high and they were not as resistant to diseases as the Sunshines.
We were brought to the vegetable farm also. I took so many photos, but I don't know how my digital could have gotten them over exposed. Good the video came out well.
No pesticides used here.
They have always aimed to create a niche in the 2.5kilos and over, chickens. Keeping standards to harvesting at 85-90days minimum. Slowly they are getting their footprints in the market.
The eggs from her uncaged Sunshines are being taken by a French patisserie with several branches in Manila. A couple of hotels have called them back after they submitted samples, a large chain is making an initial order.
Jocelyn and David are enjoying doing the rounds selling their chickens and vegetables that they are proud of.
Marusil is Bobby Inocencio's better half. Since Bobby is the Godfather of Free Range Chicken in the Philippines, Marusil cooked a lot of the ranging chicken to be served to guests.
This recipe was featured in a brochure that they used to give around.
Marusil is Ilongga. I am not sure if this is a regional recipe.
Marusil's Steamed Chicken Ingredients: • 1 whole SUNSHINE chicken • 1 teaspoon rock salt • 1 chunk ginger, grated • 1 head garlic, crushed • 2-3 stalks lemongrass Gravy: • dripping from steamed chicken • 2 T all purpose flour • spring onions and grated ginger • salt and pepper • 2 T peanut oil Directions: Rub chicken with salt. Rub juice of grated ginger on the skin and inside of the chicken. Stuff chicken with grated ginger, crushed garlic and lemongrass. Steam for 30-40 mins or until tender. Set aside.
My first stop today was to visit the dealer in Alabang. Pleasant chitchat because we haven't seen each other in a long time.
Destined to exit Bicutan, I missed it and ended up in the Skyway! That brought me to Magallanes. I ended up using SLEX because of the traffic and excited Bicutan again from Southbound this time :)
Did some chatting at AANI FTI with women who bought ready to slaughter Sunshines, exchanging recipes and cooking times. I could have stayed the whole day.
Had to run to Cainta as we ran out of some injectables for our stores.
Traffic was terrible!!! From Cainta, I opted to go to Antipolo and pass thru Marcos Hway, rather than go back the route of Ortigas.
No cause of traffic, but it is everywhere.....I guess last days of BER.
The Salcedo Community Market and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte will host an Ilocos food and crafts fair on December 15, 2007, showcasing the finest fresh produce, specialty food items and indigenous crafts from the Ilocos region.
Entitled “Panaggapas: The Ilocano Harvest,” the day-long event was organized by the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office in cooperation with the Museo Ilocos Norte, the Gameng Foundation.
The festival is the first time the Salcedo Community Market – Manila’s most popular weekend market – will host a fair of regional Filipino specialty food items and traditional crafts.
Specialty items on sale will include popular products such as Ilocos garlic, shallots, cornick, linga (sesame seeds), miki and tupig, sugarcane wine (basi) and sugarcane vinegar (sukang Iloko) – all of which will be on sale from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Other items on sale will also include Ilocano delicacies such as bagnet, empanada and longganiza. Among the non-food items are woven textiles and cotton fabric, as well as dried tobacco leaves – a traditional household insect-repellant and garden pesticide.
Newly-elected Gov. Michael M. Keon describes the special event as "a showcase of Ilocano talent, creativity, and industry," while Cong. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (2nd District) invites everyone “who appreciates good, honest food, and hand-made quality products” to the fair.
“Panaggapas” – or “harvest season,” in the local language – is the traditional highlight of the year's efforts, when the hardworking farmers give thanks for the blessings they have received and rest after another year of work.
Salcedo’s “Panaggapas” Festival will also include a cooking demonstration of traditional Ilocos food by authentic cooks brought in specially for the event, as well as representatives from the province’s hotels and resorts.
Also on sale at the event are traditional Abel Iloko – or woven cotton fabrics – as blankets, runners and napkins. Included among the regional crafts are handcrafted baskets and mats that are renowned for their tight, intricate weaves.
“The Ilocos harvest festival not only showcases the produce of one of the country’s oldest regions, but also highlights the Salcedo Market’s commitment to promote the Philippines as a whole,” said Women of Bel-Air Foundation, Inc. Chairperson Constancia Q. Lichauco.
The Women of Bel-Air Foundation, Inc. will take over the operations of the market beginning January 2008 and has promised to upgrade services at Manila’s most popular market for the past three and a half years.
Lifted from a press release circulated by email by Le Club. Have you been to Salcedo Weekend Market? If not, GO! I enjoy this weekend thing. Food is great. You get shopping pushcarts for convenience. Meeting the bakers, cooks and farmers upfront and personal gives a country fair atmosphere.
By 4am we were at the entrance to the compound of DZEC 1062, for the Agree sa Agri radio show of Anne Bernardino.
Doc Rey was there to be the resource speaker, I was there as driver. They said the driver spoke more than the veterinarian. Kasi kung minsan ang bagal...sayang lull sa air diba?
The topic in Raising Sunshine Chickens was barely touched as there were phone in and text questions that came in and you tend to prioritize them.
The winners for the Thursday, Dec 06 text in contest were announced.
Why "winners" when there was just one question? Because the first winner was Crisanto Mahinay of New Cortez, New Corella, Davao del Norte. He was far away from the Davao City Airport so we sort of postponed is prize until he can time his schedule to the City.
Since we didn't have a Tuesday winner due to wrong spellings, we picked out another winner: Jess Balisi of Imus Cavite.
Ano and kinakain ng Solraya's Sunshine Chicken?
Ang pagkain ay mga living green grass, legumes, plants, insects, seeds, myriads, at other natural commodities.
Jess Balisi will just prepare his cage and pick up his prize at AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center. We hope to be around then to meet him :)
When asked what we suggest to use for brooding, we reply that we personally like to use infrared red brooding bulbs.
These bulbs are designed to give out heat. Unlike the incandescent bulbs that were meant to emit light and expire in a few days, these infrared bulbs are built to last and come out to be very fairly priced in the long run.
Comes in clear and red. The red bulbs were designed for poultry use, to limit feather picking.
Take a peek at the Sunshine hatch of 30 November. We are now brooding 3000 heads for a Southern Luzon client who wanted ready to free range Sunshines. The photos were taken at day1 and day3.
See how they move at day4. For the Ilokanos out there....you might get brooding pointers here.
We run contests for listeners of Agree sa Agri on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The first one was done last Thursday, 29 November.
Ano ang lasa ng Solraya's Sunshine Chicken?
Lasang native na manok.
The winner was Tiny Tugagao who will bring the chicks to his son's place in Bulacan. He expects to dress the Sunshines in March in time for his grandson's birthday. He picked up his ten (10) Sunshine Chicks on 01 December at our booth located at AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center.
Photo shows the radio program's host, Anne Bernardino, Doc Rey and Tiny Tugagao.
On Friday, 07 December, Doc Rey will be interviewed by Anne Bernardino for questions about the Sunshines.
This address is actually our first store. But because we are based in Region2, this outlet was predominantly used as delivery point for the Metro suppliers. Since it was treated as a warehouse, it looked like one.
As I was posting the photos for our main store in Santiago City, there was a veterinarian who applied and we said "WHY NOT" :)
This very minute, aluminum and glass partitions are being installed. The rolldown doors and air conditioning are scheduled in the next days. Painting and signages are being planned. Should be our New Year to Solraya!
Just like our other outlets in Region2, we hope our animal health services may be replicated in Manila.
The address is great: Quirino cor Regalado, bside SM Fairview. For some reason, it is always a big production explaining where we are.
After the renovation and new signages, we hope to correct that.
I have a lot of pictures taken the past days....but as usual, I didn't expect to be staying over in Manila beyond Sunday so my reason again is "no camera dock".
No pictures = blabs :)
I wasn't working booths today so it was "no uniform day" for me. Have forgotten how it was not to sport my linen polo jacks (w/c are so comfortable).
Very early for my 9:30 appointment w/ my Sunshine breeding partners. When they found out I was 1hr early, they had to rush to take showers and run to Seattle's Best. I always had my Globe Visibility on the road and never got to use a Wiz Spot. Good I was alone, got the chance to try it. It was a so easy pala. No more wondering how to connect at a Wiz Spot.
The meeting was light, more like touching base and making sure our breeder, accountant and marketing were all doing assignments. Stamped approval in person, for next importation of Parent Stocks. Really ideal setup we have.
Had a 2pm appointment, so killed time at Market! Market! Got Christmas and Bossanova CDs :)
Can't wait to post my pics: 1) of a batch we are brooding for dispersal in Batangas 2) a raffle winner of a contest we do over Agree sa Agri.
If you wake up early on weekdays, you might want to listen to DZEC 1062khz at 4-5am on Friday, 07Dec. Sunshine Chicken will be featured and Doc Rey will be interviewed.
We are more relaxed when we moved hatchings to Fridays. That means, the invoicing and preparation are done late Friday while the Sunshines are being transported from hatchery to our base in Manila. Drivers are off to destinations and airport all at one time and pick up of growers and dealers are set for Friday night.
We get to have a comfortable sleep and wake up well for our separate AANI assignments. Rested again for the Sunday, early Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura of DWWW 774.
Today as usual, saw me at AANI FTI. It could have been a regular day for me, except that I had a very interesting talk with a group of three men who bought 10 chicks, 2weeks ago.
As you will gather eventually after knowing me more, numbers is not an issue to me. I get more passionate on a 10chick sale from an interested group rather than a sale of 3000 from a disinterested party.
They were so eager to learn and discuss "what ifs and what may bes". Our conversation went from politics to religion (AANI FTI is neighbor to the Maharlika Village of the Muslim Community) and led to Halal Chicken.
That scenario about starting with 10chicks, brooding them like babies, practicing before going on a bigger scale made me remember Farmer TJ's beginnings :)
Yes, that is the way to go. Start with a comfortable number and learn from the small mistakes.
Gave me another reason to credit Sunshine talk for the educating morning I had.
Preview of our print ads starting January 2008 for Agriculture Magazine of Manila Bulletin.
If you will notice, we have veered away from the "imported" image, that was part of our former ads. No colors in reference to a country. We didn't want to be bought because Sunshines' parents came from halfway around the world.
A lot of grass, fresh air, let loose to forage, freedom from cages, and of course...sunshine!
We want to be known as the product patronized because of the taste and health benefits. Equal to that is our service and customer relation.
Original layout was done by Orange Segment. Picture taken by Joey Lacson of his Sunshines, ranging near Mambukal Resort, for harvest this Christmas season, meant for family and close friends. Sheryl of Manila Bulletin did some bit of editing for the print ad. Thank you.
About a month ago, I was puttering with sites and came across sitemeter.com and statcounter.com. Installed the features to this site and became one of the sites I check as soon as I login.
Interesting that you see:
1) how many people are browing your page at the moment 2) details of who visited 3) how many pages they viewed 4) what sites they came from 5) how they got to your site 6) the search words that got them to you 7) popular pages
It was like a game to me viewing those every day.
I did a 30day graph and "whoaaaa"....I was surprised and really happy....the visitors jumped, increasing steadily...and they stayed and read more...PLUS...there are a good number of returning visitors.
Thank you....blogging keeps me sane in between work....and I hope it does to you too. There might be some who really go for "info" :)
More than 1,300 guests met amid verdant gardens and magnificent castles… Savored excellent French cheeses, cold cuts and other delicacies… Indulged themselves to the free flowing wine… Were entertained by the Powerdance, Ms. Verni Varga and Mr. Jay Cayuca… And danced the night away to the music of The Bloomfields!
The above text was lifted from Le Club news.
It was a night for fun. I was with my closest friends and PR team. I guess all of Manila was there...relatives, friends from school, people you knew from way before. We had so much laughter as it was a time for us to be signed off from work and see real friends. No pretentions when seeing old faces.
Invites said "formal"...so everyone looked dolled up :)
Wine was flowing....cheese selection was like seeing cartwheels on the table....cold cuts were great.
I forgot to take photos of the feast on the buffet tables. Seeing my friends' smiles will be enough proof of the evening and the Beaujolais.
We have extended our booth at AANI QC Circle and enclosed the two sides with poultry wire. The hut in the middle was maintained as is so small meetings can be held there.
You can't miss us with our tarps, uniformed personnel, very visible from the seminar area and we are the corner you pass going to the wash rooms :)
Located inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, take the East Ave Gate to enter. You will see it on your left side as you enter. There is a lot of parking. It is also accessible using the pedestrian underpass that connect the Quezon City Hall and the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Doc Rey is normally there Saturdays and Sundays to entertain inquiries.
There are some Sunshines left to range so people can see that they are low maintenance.
Thing is....hard to keep the grass growing in a small area with foragers. With the number of booths around us selling organic vegetables and fruits, it isn't hard to feed them.
At the onset, we will simply have ads running, contests to familiarize consumers what Sunshines are all about and later have Doc Rey participate in the education on the air segment of the agricultural program.
If you wake up early you may want to set your tuner, or from overseas, listen thru the internet.
Total of 160sqm, we are located along Panganiban cor Alfonso, in the busy market road. Parking is available.
The pictures here are taken after we did our Christmas decor. Shown here is the inner office. That is the airconditoned area where customers are attended to for veterinary consultations and meetings. All veterinary medicines and supplies are displayed here.
Our grooming and confinement area is located beyond the glass enclosured area.
The outer area is where the feeds, grains, pet food and accessories are shown.
Very good turnout even though there was the warning about typhoon Mina's entry.
The seminar of chocolate making was interesting. I went forward to listen. From recipe books and food magazines, the content of the seminar wasn't new to me. What got my attention was the speaker. I think her name was Roxanne...she was entertaining and grabbed her audience' attention.
Another seminar was on AirPG stove. No need for your regular LPG.
Aside from the talks given, the people may speak with the roster of experts who are part of Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura family of DWWW 774.
I got the 2nd batch of Sunshines Sunday (Nov.18) at FTI-AANI. Arrived there early at 5:50A - maybe earlier than some of the stall owners. It was drizzling and a bit chilly that morning. While waiting for your crew, I did some "walking" and "browsing" inside the market to while away the time. Just a few buyers here and there. Maybe because of the rain and it was still early, anyway.
The delivery van arrived at around 6:20A, coming from the domestic airport to drop some orders for airfreight, I was told.
Before I left AANI, I bought some "kakanin"- puto, bibingka, suman, etc. For an amount equivalent to something like 20 USD, I could feed a barangay already! "Mura talaga sa AANI weekend market".
I arrived back at Lipa before 8:00A with a stop along the way to check the Sunshines, had a quick breakfast at my in-law's house then picked up my farm manager and onward to Rosario, Batangas where this 2nd batch will be reared.
At Rosario, there were three chicks that were acting "groggy" when I transferred the batch to the brooder. The rest were okay and as soon as they were heated, already running and jumping. Gave them some feeds in the afternoon when I figured they were already rested and some drinking water before sunset.
Some of them even took a bath in the waterer! I was worried they would get sick! But they seemed to be happy doing that! And as soon as they wet themselves they laid close to the light bulbs to heat and dry up. A tad crazy, I thought...
The following day, on the 19th, the 3 weak ones died. But those that took a bath were just as sprite as everyone. Well, I could not really pinpoint which ones but they were all robust and cheerful so I just assumed, you know.
Sending you some photos of this second batch. The first batch I don't have any at all, I forgot to bring my camera. The first batch is in another location by the Taal lake in Lipa. Next time I will not forget to bring my camera. Karen did not take photos last time.
I will order another batch next December when I go home for the Christmas holidays. Most probably the following Saturday right after Christmas so that I can pick it up myself. Anyway, I will e-mail confirmation.
This is how our Sunny looks like now. We use this mini chick van we called Sunny, for the Metro Manila runs, it holds 20boxes comfortably, 30 boxes when need be. It is everything our regular chick van is: it has a ventilation fan and exhaust.
There were just slight changes made as the back doors didn't show details well, Orange Segment did the necessary work.
Next assignment for a truck wrap is the green Ford Ranger :)
The seminar in 18 November held in Angeles City, Pampanga, was hosted by Rare Fruits Nursery, Solraya's Sunshine Day Old Chicks dealer for the area.
We have met Verns Reyes (agri_center of the PCARRD forums), the owner of Rare Fruits Nursery, on several occasions. We had agreed on a dealership for the area, to be kicked off with a seminar.
Turning to Fil-Am Friendship Hway from MacArthur Hway, seemed like the site was out of the way. But, as soon as we saw the place....we knew "this was it"...it had the air of Verns - refreshing, straight to the point, innovative, focused.
TJ and Verns has some alliances due to rare fruits, so TJ can't refuse him when asked to come for the seminar.
Not only did TJ do the seminar..he seasoned some chicken pieces with salt and pepper and did "inihaw na sunshine" for the guests. It disappeared FAST. We didn't get to taste it. From the looks of the guests, it was good.
We have good response in that area, basing from inquiries Rare Fruits Nursery is getting for the Sunshines.
Seminars will be scheduled there periodically.
Enjoy the slide and the videos.
Rare Fruits Nursery: Fil-Am Hway, Circumferential Rd, Angeles City, Pampanga. Infront of VC David Car Center
We have accepted to be part of "Agree sa Agri", hosted by Anne Bernardino, Mondays thru Fridays, 4-5am, over DZEC 1062 khz. Phoned in questions will be entertained and referred to Doc Rey.
All programs are now simulcasts on Eagle Broadcasting Corporation's radio stations in Lucena, Dagupan and Davao.
DZEC's coverage: Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Samar, Aklan, Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Isabela, La Union, other parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
What's great is that DZEC is not only nationwide but also globally because of audio streamlining through their sister company Net 25 TV and worldtvradio site. In fact, listeners from Saudi Arabia, Hongkong, Singapore, London, and elsewhere in the world had already sent their messages and queries about some topics that were discussed within the newly launched agri-business program "AGREE sa AGRI", through sms.
Our group met tonight and agreed on the timing of our importation of the 2nd batch of Parent Stocks, that will produce the Sunshines.
Tried and tested strain is what we will bring in. The growers who have been ordering from us since April up until mid October have been familiar with the growth rate and the taste of the F1 chicks we had been making available. Consultations with our regular clients reiterated our October decision to go with the genetic company that has a wide customer base world wide for the free range chicken industry.
In April, we went with another genetic company because at that time our preferred supplier had unfinished business with the former client. There were no other choices.
To simplify and shorten the links found on the this blog, I decided to delete that long list of photos and rather have a featured slideshow of growers, events etc. These albums will always be updated.
It will take time before I am able to upload pics in organized albums.
Please bear with me. Meatime, you can search thru archives for interesting pics.
Also, if you click on the slideshow, it will open up a new window for my Picasa albums, that are currently being worked on.
Starting this week, we have moved our hatching day to Fridays. A lot of requests wanted to pick up the Sunshine day old chicks on a Saturday, that is why the move. Sunshines sent by air will now be received on Saturday mornings as well.
Very soon, we will have two hatching schedules in a week. One to serve the air cargo and the South, and the other hatching day to serve the North orders.
That way:
1) Our drivers who are trained to transport day old chicks will not be too tired 2) Loadings/harvests for growers are not all at the same time and can be properly scheduled 3) The eggs don't sit in the egg room for more than three (3) days 4) We are able to visit growers in different areas more leisurely 5) Our Saturdays and Sundays are more open to seminar schedules
Pol Rubia of AANI got from our very first batch of Sunshines. That was soon followed by two to three more purchases.
His son Raymond, once bought a batch because his farm dog overplayed with some of the Sunshine chicks.
Raymond and I would have small talk about the growing chicks...about how he gives them worms daily. He tried photographing. Laughingly saying he can't, because by the time he clicks, the Sunshine has walked away having eaten the worm already.
Some two weeks in a row now, he purchases Sunshines, after he sells his organic vegetables in his booth at AANI. By now, he has developed a relationship with our chickens :) When we aren't around to explain the Sunshines at AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, he does the talking and is open to accept bookings for orders.
I remember him saying to me recently that he finally got THREE photos. Glad I saw his first postings at the PCARRD forum, which led me to seeing a Sunny get his daily dose.
Its one thing when you have the camera, but forget to take pics due to excitement, busy eating and engaging conversation.
Frustrating when you have documented a seminar, bbq chicken, fruit nursery, truck wrap....and you can't upload it because you always kept your camera dock at your work corner :) now 10hrs away.
I will keep my postings about yesterday's seminar, save it so I can show you with colors.
They finished one side of Sunny's truck wrapping. Nice! It turned out more vibrant on final printing, compared to photos the artist and I exchanged via emails.
Tomorrow will be hectic and we are looking forward to a girls' nightout at the Beaujolais.
Don't worry...will take pictures of the Philippine setting of the wine festival that all of France celebrates.
My assignment today was AANI FTI:) We are right across a fruit stand that sells native Durian, so I like being assigned there. We are next to the annex entrance so parking is just a hop away.
Midday saw me checking on the hatch.
I sneaked out to finalize artwork for the truck wrap as they were printing today and installing Monday. Small world! I saw Stephane of Le Club. We were using the same printers, Orange Segment. He was there for the Beaujolais 2007 printing. I am going to the Beaujolais with my groupmates from High School...looking forward to having a fun with good old friends :)
Found extra time to get a heavy duty juicer. Did those in 2hrs flat..then went back to hatchery.
Meeting going on now outside as I am posting. But, I'd rather leave that talks amongst the vets.
This is my favorite. You set it to cook while you relax with a book, cup of tea, disuss the day...while the aroma of herbs and chicken invite you to good dinner...I thank Gigi for this recipe. Aside from designing my house and making this roast, she also taught me a super sarap Halayang Ube
Ingredients: • 1 whole SUNSHINE chicken Marinade: • 1 head garlic, crushed herbs • 1/8 C olive oil, more if you please • 1T rock salt, depending on your taste • Freshly ground black peppercorns • Fresh herbs, to your liking. I prefer Rosemary, Basil, Tarragon, whatever tickles your nose and taste buds at the moment Directions: Mix the marinade in a bowl and rub this all over the chicken. Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 2 hours, best if longer. Rub and turn chicken from time to time. When you are ready to roast it, stuff the marinade under the chicken's skin and inside the cavity.
I want to cook this slow. Set the whole chicken in the turbo broiler at 300degrees, upside down. After 45mins, invert the chicken, to make it sit. Roast for another 45mins. Increase to 350 degrees for the last 10mins to make it golden brown. Total cooking time will depend on weight of Sunshine Chicken, 1 hour per kilo. While cooking, the roast will emit a wonderful aroma. Serve immediately. I want to stay away from the fat, but you may want to use the drippings as sauce. Best with fresh green salad or buttered vegetables.
Day started at 4:30am from Manila to visit a grower in Baguio. When they found out we were going, they wanted us to bring another batch of chicks. I said "let's see 1week old first".
Had my large Capuccino at leisure while on the road.
Got to the Rosario junction to Kennon at 10am, too early to have lunch so went up to Baguio. Enjoying the relaxing trip while coordinating with my "truck wrap" makers, answering calls from the forwarding Manila landline :)
Met with our grower in Solibao Restaurant in Burnham Park. Am glad I discovered this place. Never been there, but they say it is like an institution landmark in the area. Great noodles and I had to have two orders for myself of the Puto Bumbong :)
The delivery of their 2200 day old chicks was done Nov 3 late evening, Sunday dawn, that was the time when typhoon Kabayan was going to cross Northern Luzon! Saturdays find me toxic that I didn't hear of any typhoon until the two chick vans were off to deliveries late Saturday pm and we had time to listen to news on TV.
I checked with them Monday about how Kabayan was and she replied the winds were super strong but it passed Baguio already. I wondered why no mention of the Sunshines. Well...always..."no news is good news".
We really planned to go up to visit that grower as we never met. Transactions were by phone and we want to make sure everyone succeeds in the raising. They practiced with some 500 chicks before and were able to dispose.
Going back to lunch....so we were discussing about the typhoon, strong winds, how they sleep with the chicks during the brooding time. The grower was a veterinarian. So we were not too scared with the Sunshines in her hands :) Then off we went 6km from the City to visit the 1week old chicks.
You go up and up roads, less winding but more UP, thinking the vehicles in this area must really by well maintained as you feel like getting ready for a rollercoaster ride! We were not prepared for this:
The property was like in the highest peak! The boundaries are the cliffs. Everythings else you see around was like lower than you. We can just imagine the winds here during storms. How they were during Kabayan...We were excitedly scared walking towards the building, not knowing how they are in that temperature.
I didn't change to boots anymore and they just provided stepping stones as the area was still a little muddy...
SURPRISE! You see cute 2000+ chicks, healthy, vaccinated at day3, being brooded kinda too carefully as it was VERY WARM inside that building. We had to ask them to raise the curtains as we ourselves weren't comfortable already :) I left pretty much of the discussions amongst the vets, while I was taking pictures and enjoying the cool breeze outside.
By 2:30pm we were saying goodbyes after making initial talks about cementing our Baguio connections.
We had to stop by my favorite spot in the Rosario junction....S.O.U.L. Cafe, for my green tea latte :)
The AANI people are also equipped to assist you in your queries and are able to accept bookings directly.
Every 4th Sunday of the month, we are at the Agri Kapihan.
If you can't attend seminars because of distance, form a group of interested people. Let's talk. We might be able to do the seminar at your convenience.
Here are pictures of the shines when they were 2 weeks old confined in a brooder pen. And the succeeding pix were taken earlier this morning on range. Aged 1 month and 5 days. I feel sad about the 7 shines that were killed by a wildcat from the day we started letting them out on range. It was not a one time attack, the wildcat would prey on one or two shines and be back after 2 or 3 days. It would be impossible for my caretaker to guard them the whole day. So i'm looking for a way to trap the elusive varmint before another shine falls victim. I enjoy seeing the shines running around the range area.
Best regards
They really look happy where they are. Should be making family's and close friends' dinner tables in December.
I asked him the difference of the gamefowls and the Sunshines on the range:
Gamefowls are more active on range. They run around and roost on trees. Thats why varmints have a little hard time preying on them, except for the weaklings that are easier to catch. The shines are a little bit sluggish, and loves to rest under the shade after feeding. They become perfect targets for wildcats. Each night, my caretaker would gather them and place them on a safety brooder cage to keep them safe from varmints.
WHAT: FREE SEMINAR on Raising Sunshine Chicken WHERE: Rare Fruits Nursery Fil-Am Friendship Hiway, Circumferential Rd. Angeles City, Pampanga (Infront of VM David Car Center) TIME: 10am
You may contact Vern Reyes (0917) 511-1009 for details
Everyone is welcome to join.
Good opportunity to gain confidence in hearing that your simple, back to basic ideas are doable. The rare fruit trees in the nursery will be interesting too.
Go through the "PRICES and AVAILABILITY" on the left side of the blog.
For pick up of products in any of our outlets, there is NO MINIMUM purchase and no need to prepay. You can pay when you pick up your Sunshines.
For orders that we can deliver on our normal routes, we can do COD transactions.
Orders that require air cargo space, we suggest you book with us one (1) week in advance so we can assure cargo space on 1st flights.
We will require minimum of one (1) box of 100 day old chicks for orders to be shipped by air and prepaid transactions. Additional cost for handling and freight will depend on number of boxes ordered.
The past days have seen the PCARRD FORUM down. Am sure that like me, there are hundreds out there addicted to this message board. Let's hope they solve any new problems they have in electricity or hardwares.
My luxury in life are "long nails" :) For those who've met me, make-up, colognes, clothes etc aren't what makes me tick. My nails and desserts wake me up BIGTIME.
Last couple of weeks had been hectic. Thank you for a holiday and that gives me time to do my nails at CANS before the most enjoyable busy weekends again.
Is there a place where we can clone ourselves? Sunday finds us choosing amongst important TO DOs.
I will just think of problems on shortage in manpower tomorrow :)
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