Saturday saw us flying to Mindanao for the seminars and the Veggie Congress.
My camera takes photos, why I can't transfer them now puzzles me. So what transpired and lessons learned will have to be verbalized by me, with you letting your imaginations work.
Day1 got Davao bugs biting me all over and till this very minute, I am red, spotted and itching all over ewwwwwwwwwwwww. The hives sidelined me and it was opportunity to rest, strengthen relationships and sleep.
Monday gave us a close encounter with a working horizontal windmill. In that farm, you observe how worms work for you and how microbes are used and given back to nature to make good bacteria enhance naturally. You get into a company of intelligent and financially blessed people who make a choice of farming and giving back to others by teaching. Think why people who make a lot still make a choice to farm? Its not all about money...nor Manny :)
The opening of the Veggie Congress attracted a huge crowd from all over the Philippines. Why? People are so enthusiastic now about farming and putting food on the table? Try again....Pacman was hosting lunch in his farm.
Night before, when we got to Gensan, invites were issued to us for lunch at his farm. They said 700 was the magic number. By noontime, that number ballooned and grew to a size that surely the seed companies hopes their vegetables grow to. It was useless being there. There was no real knowledge to be gained. People were lining up for a photo with Pacman! Geezzzz...and the government paid for so many LGU's members' per diem for this.
In Gensan, the boys went to the Veggie Congress very early in the morning to observe in the farm and what have them. The ladies stayed for a late breakfast. Sitting in hotel coffee shops make you experience a lot of things. No verbals needed, just looking, feeling and piecing stories together that you pull from past experiences :) By doing so, you see yourself from a different perspective. You may not be totally happy of who you are, but then, it is still your sole decision to be who you are.
A little after noon, the group decided to leave the farm and search for interesting farmers to visit and learn from....of course there will be many around.
The road led us to a long driveway, lined with fruit trees. We stop by a wooden house and the farmer of the land greets us. With that expansive area, quiet time....I can understand why Mang Ben was all agog to have us visit and it afforded him non-stop talking.
The topics go beyond the normal woes of farmers. This farmer is past that. As a financially successful businessman who decided to lead a quiet life farming, his problems will be about the users and the opportunists that his eyes see.
Who led the Veggie Congress? How much was spent? Why was it at Pacman's? Who are using Pacman? Mang Ben says Pacman by himself has a good and big heart. Thing is, he is being used by people around him. Sad ha. As Pacman may do a lot without being a politician. Surely the others will make him spend a lot and maybe get more for themselves....hopefully Pacman snaps out of this.
One in the group made a good comment. Instead of hosting that lunch for so many people, who won't be benefitting any anyway since there was nothing really in that farm to see....(oh yes, there were a lot of gamefowls!)... Manny instead should have a multimedia ad that shows him eating vegetables and encouraging people to grow their own food, even in small containers.
We went to Mindanao to do farm visits...but the education was not in the farming, but about interpersonal relationships.
Thank you for the hives and the long lines at Pacman's farm...it brought is to fruitful roads :) And yes, to a lot of Durian, Marang and panga ng Big eye.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Natural Farming In The Philippines
1st year anniversary for this yahoo e-group.
Aside from the regular get together that anniversaries are celebrated with, a whole day seminar of natural farming should and obviously in order.
August 01, 2009 Saturday, 9am-5pm, Cancio Calma Compound in Pasong Tamo Extension.
Seminar fee of PHP1,000 per person, includes lunch and snacks. Speaker will be Andry Lim, tackling more on livestock natural farming.
See you there :)
Aside from the regular get together that anniversaries are celebrated with, a whole day seminar of natural farming should and obviously in order.
August 01, 2009 Saturday, 9am-5pm, Cancio Calma Compound in Pasong Tamo Extension.
Seminar fee of PHP1,000 per person, includes lunch and snacks. Speaker will be Andry Lim, tackling more on livestock natural farming.
See you there :)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Faceless
Started the day early, right. Had a tubful of fresh Durian....and this was before we went to Davao! It wasn't to get a quick fix of our addiction to Durian....but like more of a view of what's to come :)
Our trip was at the same time of a new loading of Sunshine Chicks at Andry and Jojie Lim's Helen's Farm. We all jumped out excitedly the van as we saw the netted ranging area and the huge brooder cribs of Jojie.
Zac Sarian was agog taking photos. The crib, the brooding materials and the first feedings of the Sunshines were all new to him and he was jumpy asking questions and multi tasking with his digital camera. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww....watch out for it. Am sure he will have a new story for the Sunshines in Davao under natural farming!
I was too! Doc Rey and Andry were discussing. Jojie was instructing caretakers. Zac was documenting. I was also taking stock of the morning as it was a different view.
The Jojie's crib was big so the Sunshines can move merrily around. Doc Rey instructed me to take photos and videos as he wanted to edit his presentation.
Sob sob sob :( The moment I plugged the USB of the camera...three (3) viruses were shown to me...then I can't access the files of the camera!
Does it mean I have to get a new camera????? For the meantime, you and I will have to imagine what I am writing.
What do you think of Jojie's sign? "Serving Sunshine"...has a lot of meaning.
Our trip was at the same time of a new loading of Sunshine Chicks at Andry and Jojie Lim's Helen's Farm. We all jumped out excitedly the van as we saw the netted ranging area and the huge brooder cribs of Jojie.
Zac Sarian was agog taking photos. The crib, the brooding materials and the first feedings of the Sunshines were all new to him and he was jumpy asking questions and multi tasking with his digital camera. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww....watch out for it. Am sure he will have a new story for the Sunshines in Davao under natural farming!
I was too! Doc Rey and Andry were discussing. Jojie was instructing caretakers. Zac was documenting. I was also taking stock of the morning as it was a different view.
The Jojie's crib was big so the Sunshines can move merrily around. Doc Rey instructed me to take photos and videos as he wanted to edit his presentation.
Sob sob sob :( The moment I plugged the USB of the camera...three (3) viruses were shown to me...then I can't access the files of the camera!
Does it mean I have to get a new camera????? For the meantime, you and I will have to imagine what I am writing.
What do you think of Jojie's sign? "Serving Sunshine"...has a lot of meaning.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Tools
Tools are supposed to help you. Toolong=help
Most people, specially if your work is office based, may think that a GPS is not important. Some may look at it as a toy. For us, the Global Positioning System is an important tool to make our work easier.
New drivers, customers and routes...requires endless instructions to familiarize with. With a GPS, you just need to give the new driver the unit and press your desired multi point route, that you just press before turning over to him.
How to do a check and balance? Reset info and check it once the van gets back. It tells you total kilometer ran.
Shows stops made and duration. He says he had to stop to sleep...or had engine trouble. That may be an alibi for delay in return to homebase, but actually there may be detours.
There is a log taken of route :) Nice feature. No need for a tracking devise. You will see the true history of the delivery when you get back the unit. Perfect to see if there had been diversions.
Speeding....ahhhhh...we get calls about drivers overspeeding etc. This time, even if no calls, you get to see his average speed.
This time I got a unit that spoke the streets' names. Wide screen. Multi point route.
Next problem was: I go saving locations on MY unit. But there are several drivers and vans. Everyone should have the same saved locations but that would mean that I have all units when I save it. My supplier said that I can save it all in MY unit and he may have it transferred to all other units we have, thru a software.
I picked up Margie tonight, and to go to Caress' house, I just clicked on BANSON Caress.....Margie was thrilled it was talking to us and was getting mad when I was using other roads. After giving us the cold shoulder, it talks again and recalculates a new route :)
Going home, I click on DEFENSOR Margie! She was happy to be home as the GPS said "Arriving at DEFENSOR Margie on right".
If you got a lot of drivers with different routes and problematic on checking on them? I suggest get a GPS.
Most people, specially if your work is office based, may think that a GPS is not important. Some may look at it as a toy. For us, the Global Positioning System is an important tool to make our work easier.
New drivers, customers and routes...requires endless instructions to familiarize with. With a GPS, you just need to give the new driver the unit and press your desired multi point route, that you just press before turning over to him.
How to do a check and balance? Reset info and check it once the van gets back. It tells you total kilometer ran.
Shows stops made and duration. He says he had to stop to sleep...or had engine trouble. That may be an alibi for delay in return to homebase, but actually there may be detours.
There is a log taken of route :) Nice feature. No need for a tracking devise. You will see the true history of the delivery when you get back the unit. Perfect to see if there had been diversions.
Speeding....ahhhhh...we get calls about drivers overspeeding etc. This time, even if no calls, you get to see his average speed.
This time I got a unit that spoke the streets' names. Wide screen. Multi point route.
Next problem was: I go saving locations on MY unit. But there are several drivers and vans. Everyone should have the same saved locations but that would mean that I have all units when I save it. My supplier said that I can save it all in MY unit and he may have it transferred to all other units we have, thru a software.
I picked up Margie tonight, and to go to Caress' house, I just clicked on BANSON Caress.....Margie was thrilled it was talking to us and was getting mad when I was using other roads. After giving us the cold shoulder, it talks again and recalculates a new route :)
Going home, I click on DEFENSOR Margie! She was happy to be home as the GPS said "Arriving at DEFENSOR Margie on right".
If you got a lot of drivers with different routes and problematic on checking on them? I suggest get a GPS.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Hard Work
You can't hide, how much you run away from it. It does return back and boomerang.
When you think there is no road..just walk on and create your own path. You will find that others will use it to look for you and before you know it..work is all around.
Plus, don't lose hope. Its a pity if you work hard but don't sustain. When you don't sustain, the others are just waiting to get it from you :)
When you think there is no road..just walk on and create your own path. You will find that others will use it to look for you and before you know it..work is all around.
Plus, don't lose hope. Its a pity if you work hard but don't sustain. When you don't sustain, the others are just waiting to get it from you :)
Friday, July 03, 2009
Looking Sad
At 37days, these Sunshine look sad and small...don't you think too?
I forget now what they weighed when I was texting the owner, but I was sure that is was so far off.
Not ranged, was one of the first issues I gathered.
How often were they fed? How much space do they have? Are they getting fresh air? Sunlight? Are veggies and grasses cut and carried to them?
Pictures please....
These were taken after a discussion of requirements and feeding practices:
The beddings look good, part of natural farming there.
Without a ranging area, even with a nice view to see out their window, they surely know what they are missing. If you can't give them the freedom to eat...might as well give them good food to eat, ALL THE TIME.
If they can't be ranged, still allow them fresh vegetables and grasses that you gather and put inside the pens. I will still suggest that you give them grains/feeds adlibitum, to supplement their diet. Using auto feeders will keep the feeds dry and saves time as you may fill it up in the morning. They get dispenses in the feeders, as needed.
I forget now what they weighed when I was texting the owner, but I was sure that is was so far off.
Not ranged, was one of the first issues I gathered.
How often were they fed? How much space do they have? Are they getting fresh air? Sunlight? Are veggies and grasses cut and carried to them?
Pictures please....
These were taken after a discussion of requirements and feeding practices:
The beddings look good, part of natural farming there.
Without a ranging area, even with a nice view to see out their window, they surely know what they are missing. If you can't give them the freedom to eat...might as well give them good food to eat, ALL THE TIME.
If they can't be ranged, still allow them fresh vegetables and grasses that you gather and put inside the pens. I will still suggest that you give them grains/feeds adlibitum, to supplement their diet. Using auto feeders will keep the feeds dry and saves time as you may fill it up in the morning. They get dispenses in the feeders, as needed.
Sawsawans
I always heard and read that to know if the guy infront of you is a Filipino...watch if he makes a saucer of sawsawan (dipping sauce) even before his meal arrives.
In our quest for great tasting roasted chicken, I was adamant that our Sunny doesn't need a sawsawan. I close me ears when suggestions crop up. But then, who am I to insist my tastebuds or maybe my lack of seasoned buds :) Besides, it will be on the side and won't destroy the product. Its up to them how they want to mix up.
Ok Ok....I will give in and experiment. I have no secret to my marinade for the Sunny...but let me keep my sauce to myself. For what???? So you try to guess what it is! Its my payment for giving in to your tongue's request.
To the cooks out there.....maybe you can comeup with a unique sauce. Oh pls...spare me the liver sauce. If I want sauce...it has to be different!
In our quest for great tasting roasted chicken, I was adamant that our Sunny doesn't need a sawsawan. I close me ears when suggestions crop up. But then, who am I to insist my tastebuds or maybe my lack of seasoned buds :) Besides, it will be on the side and won't destroy the product. Its up to them how they want to mix up.
Ok Ok....I will give in and experiment. I have no secret to my marinade for the Sunny...but let me keep my sauce to myself. For what???? So you try to guess what it is! Its my payment for giving in to your tongue's request.
To the cooks out there.....maybe you can comeup with a unique sauce. Oh pls...spare me the liver sauce. If I want sauce...it has to be different!
17th Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair
Come and join us on Aug 13-16 at SM Megamall, for the Philfoodex event.
This event is not purely food, so it will be interesting to see a lineup of all local products.
As usual, Sunshine growers are invited to market there.
This event is not purely food, so it will be interesting to see a lineup of all local products.
As usual, Sunshine growers are invited to market there.
Feels Like Forever
I am transferring files from a computer who's monitor decided to do stripes on my eyes. Ironically, the Vista on this new computer is driving me nuts as it won't read my other softwares. Deliberating on going back to XP...OR... buying a new Quickbooks 2007 or higher version. Good I typed that, as the cash register said, cheaper to revert back to XP.
Sorting through pictures...this was the only seminar pic I took from ever since. I will say the only one, maybe the very first seminars drove me nuts as lack of experince dictates that moles become mountians. Later seminars find me busy and so picture taking had been forgotten.
We have since moved to a better and colder seminar room....Organika...the meatshop. On a seminar Sunday, chairs are placed there and tables rearranged to accomodate the participants.
Doc Rey was just telling me the other day that his 1st seminar should have a commemorative photo. Sad to say, none from me. I remember a particiant take our pictures for prosperity.
As I am uploading the photo now and a history on seminars....I get a call from a participant last Sunday, a party of three (3). They didn't get their free chicks and was wondering if it got forfeited. Nope....it is presumed that the participants are not prepared and/or will want to make changes to their brooder....so they have thirty (30) days to claim from time of seminar.
Last Sunday's seminar was bad....the aircon won't work. Been fixed the next day, freon leak. So this participant was commending Doc Rey's seminar as people didn't leave even with the intense heat. Yes, everyone stayed till the end :)
Oh, that should have been an example of the need for fresh air in brooding. Am sure everyone thought about that...but mentioning it might make the heat unbearable!
We had been doing seminars for for about two (2) yrs now. Seems like been doing it forever as it is a snap now setting up one. But then, it is always exciting and enjoyable. You meet a lot of people...never will two (2) seminars be exactly the same.
In the new area we are thinking of moving to....I think I want the seminar area open and airy...or at least have an option to be able to move out to the garden. I learned my lesson from the broken aircon.
Sorting through pictures...this was the only seminar pic I took from ever since. I will say the only one, maybe the very first seminars drove me nuts as lack of experince dictates that moles become mountians. Later seminars find me busy and so picture taking had been forgotten.
We have since moved to a better and colder seminar room....Organika...the meatshop. On a seminar Sunday, chairs are placed there and tables rearranged to accomodate the participants.
Doc Rey was just telling me the other day that his 1st seminar should have a commemorative photo. Sad to say, none from me. I remember a particiant take our pictures for prosperity.
As I am uploading the photo now and a history on seminars....I get a call from a participant last Sunday, a party of three (3). They didn't get their free chicks and was wondering if it got forfeited. Nope....it is presumed that the participants are not prepared and/or will want to make changes to their brooder....so they have thirty (30) days to claim from time of seminar.
Last Sunday's seminar was bad....the aircon won't work. Been fixed the next day, freon leak. So this participant was commending Doc Rey's seminar as people didn't leave even with the intense heat. Yes, everyone stayed till the end :)
Oh, that should have been an example of the need for fresh air in brooding. Am sure everyone thought about that...but mentioning it might make the heat unbearable!
We had been doing seminars for for about two (2) yrs now. Seems like been doing it forever as it is a snap now setting up one. But then, it is always exciting and enjoyable. You meet a lot of people...never will two (2) seminars be exactly the same.
In the new area we are thinking of moving to....I think I want the seminar area open and airy...or at least have an option to be able to move out to the garden. I learned my lesson from the broken aircon.
Making Plans
We are making plans to consolidate and centralize our operations in one strategic location. Hopefully, if plans push through, we will relocate in the area of Cubao, near Araneta Center.
WHAT? Moving will be our office, seminar area, commissary for dressed chickens, Solraya's Organika store, a Sunny Rottisserie with a drive thru.
WHY? Often we get raised eyebrows that our office is in faraway Fairview. Yes we do deliveries, but a lot of clients want to browse and pick up stuff at Organika. Also, if we are consolidated in one centralized location, logistics for our deliveries and operation is easier to check.
Day old chicks will also be available there for previously booked orders.
My mind is now busy how to fix the place. No frills...just utilitarian, clean look, airy...it'll be different. Quaint :)
WHAT? Moving will be our office, seminar area, commissary for dressed chickens, Solraya's Organika store, a Sunny Rottisserie with a drive thru.
WHY? Often we get raised eyebrows that our office is in faraway Fairview. Yes we do deliveries, but a lot of clients want to browse and pick up stuff at Organika. Also, if we are consolidated in one centralized location, logistics for our deliveries and operation is easier to check.
Day old chicks will also be available there for previously booked orders.
My mind is now busy how to fix the place. No frills...just utilitarian, clean look, airy...it'll be different. Quaint :)
Open 9am to 9pm, Drive Thru
Sunny in Santiago is now open 9am to 9pm, starting today.
We had the soft opening less than a month ago, and started selling at 5pm til 9pm. Since we advertised that we delivered, we had been getting calls and walk in customers as early as 11am!
That made us see how we will fare today opening at 8am to do cleaning and setting for the lunch crowd.
We're setting out a ramp so we can wheel up and out the ovens. That will make the pick up and ordering more accessible for customer and us. Will really be like a drive thru thing! Plus greater visibility with our lighting outside.
Your mind should be nonstop in reinventing and marketing.
Wish us good :) Salamat po
We had the soft opening less than a month ago, and started selling at 5pm til 9pm. Since we advertised that we delivered, we had been getting calls and walk in customers as early as 11am!
That made us see how we will fare today opening at 8am to do cleaning and setting for the lunch crowd.
We're setting out a ramp so we can wheel up and out the ovens. That will make the pick up and ordering more accessible for customer and us. Will really be like a drive thru thing! Plus greater visibility with our lighting outside.
Your mind should be nonstop in reinventing and marketing.
Wish us good :) Salamat po
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Where Did The Photos Go?
Geez....I may be led to think that is was inside the balloons or the butterflies carried them as they were released inrepresentation of releasing our mother :)
I had photos in postings and I can just see the two (2) most recent ones.
The slideshows from Picasa are ok. Its just the photos posted that are gone.
Anyone can enlighten me on this? Help :(
I had photos in postings and I can just see the two (2) most recent ones.
The slideshows from Picasa are ok. Its just the photos posted that are gone.
Anyone can enlighten me on this? Help :(
Quiet Moments
Been away for an extended period.
The scheduled trip to Manila two weekends ago was supposed to be a touch and go before moving to other events.
Early Sunday night the 21st, sidelined us because our mother wanted to be with our father already...so we helped her pretty up for her journey to him.
They have been both so blessed to have peaceful transitions and my sister and I are just happy for them that they are now together.
They both taught us the value of hard work and being self sufficient. Mommy always had the notion that her daughters were at odds. My mother only left when she was convinced that my sister and I never really had an issue...other than maybe what she had always tried to perceive.
It will do parents a lot of peace in themselves, seeing children working hard, being independent, not having to bite other people to eat and knowing that money is not an issue :)
Posting this is not to explain my absence....it is for me to move on.
Btw, we had Sunshine one dinner. Thanks to Bingbang for preparing.
The scheduled trip to Manila two weekends ago was supposed to be a touch and go before moving to other events.
Early Sunday night the 21st, sidelined us because our mother wanted to be with our father already...so we helped her pretty up for her journey to him.
They have been both so blessed to have peaceful transitions and my sister and I are just happy for them that they are now together.
They both taught us the value of hard work and being self sufficient. Mommy always had the notion that her daughters were at odds. My mother only left when she was convinced that my sister and I never really had an issue...other than maybe what she had always tried to perceive.
It will do parents a lot of peace in themselves, seeing children working hard, being independent, not having to bite other people to eat and knowing that money is not an issue :)
Posting this is not to explain my absence....it is for me to move on.
Btw, we had Sunshine one dinner. Thanks to Bingbang for preparing.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Davao, Gen San UPDATED July 1
Seminar: Raising Sunshine Chicken from day1 to harvest.
DAVAO
Seminar July 11, Saturday, 2pm
Microtel Inn, Damosa Gateway Complex, Lanang, Davao City
Fee: PHP300, includes snacks
Speaker: Rey Itchon, DVM
GEN SAN
Seminar July 13, Monday, 2pm
East Asia Royale
Fee: PHP300, includes snacks
Speaker: Rey Itchon, DVM
Text (0917) 847-2639 to reserve slots, you may just pay at the door.
DAVAO
Seminar July 11, Saturday, 2pm
Microtel Inn, Damosa Gateway Complex, Lanang, Davao City
Fee: PHP300, includes snacks
Speaker: Rey Itchon, DVM
GEN SAN
Seminar July 13, Monday, 2pm
East Asia Royale
Fee: PHP300, includes snacks
Speaker: Rey Itchon, DVM
Text (0917) 847-2639 to reserve slots, you may just pay at the door.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Variety
Am not talking about a variety of Tamarind.
When I saw this Sampalok tree in the farm, the idea of stuffing the chicken with flowers and young Tamarind leaves dawned on me.
I know, I know...the norm is using Tanglad or lemongrass. Cheaper and easier...but the Ilokano market where we are testing the dry run of Sunny isn't really keen on the damo smell nor taste.
What's the variety in the story? Well, there won't be a fixed marinade nor recipe for now for Sunny. We will offer variety in taste. Just like home cooking, you can't really predict what you will have for dinner...it depends on the mood of the cook.
Think its a good business idea?
I was with my supplier for the additional rotisseries and deliberated with gas fed or electric. Basket type or my original spit type. Decided on the spit type, after searching and reading about rotisserie cooking.
The point why it is supposed to be better? Because it keeps on turning and the chicken is basted by its own juices.
If it is meat you let sit on an oven...or one that you put on a grill, even when covered...its just roasting. So if I have it on a supposed to be rotisserie oven, but it goes on a merry go round basket, it is just roasting.
I like it hard to spell...rotisserie!
When I saw this Sampalok tree in the farm, the idea of stuffing the chicken with flowers and young Tamarind leaves dawned on me.
I know, I know...the norm is using Tanglad or lemongrass. Cheaper and easier...but the Ilokano market where we are testing the dry run of Sunny isn't really keen on the damo smell nor taste.
What's the variety in the story? Well, there won't be a fixed marinade nor recipe for now for Sunny. We will offer variety in taste. Just like home cooking, you can't really predict what you will have for dinner...it depends on the mood of the cook.
Think its a good business idea?
I was with my supplier for the additional rotisseries and deliberated with gas fed or electric. Basket type or my original spit type. Decided on the spit type, after searching and reading about rotisserie cooking.
The point why it is supposed to be better? Because it keeps on turning and the chicken is basted by its own juices.
If it is meat you let sit on an oven...or one that you put on a grill, even when covered...its just roasting. So if I have it on a supposed to be rotisserie oven, but it goes on a merry go round basket, it is just roasting.
I like it hard to spell...rotisserie!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Clear The Way
New batches required new ranging areas. Also, segregation areas are in order because we have to separate sizes for Sunny and the vacuum packed dressed chickens.
Areas nearer to the entrance had to be cleared. Easier to shove them in crates and to carry them to the truck, even when parked by the roadside.
Life has to be easier for caretaker, driver...so clear the way for new netted plots that will act as holding areas. Accessible for me too, rather than walk all the way just to check on tomorrow's harvest.
Cleaning and clearing. You have an image of open space....allowing the grass, soil, insects and even the worms to breathe fresher air. Hidden in the ground are treasures. No chemicals, just good everything....I repeat...grow your own food :)
All young, short trees, giving us fruits. No commercial fertilizers used. Bear in mind, we do range rotations and so our areas are fertile from the compost rice hull and chicken manure.
Chokonan Mangoes....best when eaten green
Sweet Santol
Delicately flavored Atis....sarap
Because of these, I asked help to clean, clear and discard from cupboards and rarely used cabinets at home. I might just find some treasures....stowed and forgotten.
But then, things kept and forgotten are not that essential for you. Better to be given to someone who needs it
Areas nearer to the entrance had to be cleared. Easier to shove them in crates and to carry them to the truck, even when parked by the roadside.
Life has to be easier for caretaker, driver...so clear the way for new netted plots that will act as holding areas. Accessible for me too, rather than walk all the way just to check on tomorrow's harvest.
Cleaning and clearing. You have an image of open space....allowing the grass, soil, insects and even the worms to breathe fresher air. Hidden in the ground are treasures. No chemicals, just good everything....I repeat...grow your own food :)
See what we found!
All young, short trees, giving us fruits. No commercial fertilizers used. Bear in mind, we do range rotations and so our areas are fertile from the compost rice hull and chicken manure.
Chokonan Mangoes....best when eaten green
Sweet Santol
Delicately flavored Atis....sarap
Because of these, I asked help to clean, clear and discard from cupboards and rarely used cabinets at home. I might just find some treasures....stowed and forgotten.But then, things kept and forgotten are not that essential for you. Better to be given to someone who needs it
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Slippery
Are you scared to go through slippery mud because you may get stuck? Your fears are very well founded. But surely, you can't just stand there and not cross to get to the other side. Much like problems we have to hurdle in daily life...same thing with this mud.
You have to be well equipped, plan, and be brave :) then GO!
I was watching our old, battered L300 this morning. He can't hardly inch his way on the slippery mud. He can't do that by exerting all effort and throttling. The more he will get stuck and lose ground.
Move cautiously, maneuver firm, but sway with the mud. If you have the upperhand against competition, sure go forward fast. But, if you are an old L300, go slow and sway dance it. Don't be wary of the soft looking puddles...it means they have been used by others and safer to go that route :)
If you are a powerful truck, don't destroy the road too. You will have to pass by the same path on the way back and you will need it to be open to traffic.
After the hard work of the day and hiking through, you will need those puddles to cleanse :)
The same story in other aspects of life.
Freshest Best
It is said that is best to have fruits, first thing in the morning. What is better than having the freshest of them, first hour of the day :)
Last night I heard Doc Rey talking with the caretaker, about something that was smelling.....Didn't really bother listening as it may be a rat :(
This morning, as I was nearing the workhouse, I was greeted by an enticing smell.....freshly harvested Latexless Lanka!
I have a lot, that I will slice some and let it sit inside a bottle of vodka or GSM Blue. Read somewhere that the alcohol will enhance the benefits of the fruits, while giving you a delicately flavored vodka :)
Packed a lot in the ref, as I will take some to Manila for mommy.
While at it, Doc Rey brought me a big bowl of Aratiles. I love these. Even as a kid, Aratiles makes my day and makes me look forward to provincial trips.
Aside from tall grasses, Aratiles trees make perfect companion shades. They grow well, multiply fast and the fruits make good eating for your Sunshines....wehehheeh but in our farm, it's Sandy's food.
Checking a new ranging area, see what lies hidden among the leaves. It was enough to quench our thirst after the hike :)
That is called Macopa.
It wasn't too long ago that I was buying seedlings and hauling them to Isabela for transplanting. Forgot all about it and just wished them well. Now, they are serving us healthy breakfast.
The caretaker's wife has her vegetable garden. So between the two of us, we are harvesting our meals.
Easy to eat, even without washing....why? Because no chemicals are used here.
Last night I heard Doc Rey talking with the caretaker, about something that was smelling.....Didn't really bother listening as it may be a rat :(
This morning, as I was nearing the workhouse, I was greeted by an enticing smell.....freshly harvested Latexless Lanka!
I have a lot, that I will slice some and let it sit inside a bottle of vodka or GSM Blue. Read somewhere that the alcohol will enhance the benefits of the fruits, while giving you a delicately flavored vodka :)
Packed a lot in the ref, as I will take some to Manila for mommy.
While at it, Doc Rey brought me a big bowl of Aratiles. I love these. Even as a kid, Aratiles makes my day and makes me look forward to provincial trips.
Aside from tall grasses, Aratiles trees make perfect companion shades. They grow well, multiply fast and the fruits make good eating for your Sunshines....wehehheeh but in our farm, it's Sandy's food.Checking a new ranging area, see what lies hidden among the leaves. It was enough to quench our thirst after the hike :)
That is called Macopa.
It wasn't too long ago that I was buying seedlings and hauling them to Isabela for transplanting. Forgot all about it and just wished them well. Now, they are serving us healthy breakfast.
The caretaker's wife has her vegetable garden. So between the two of us, we are harvesting our meals.
Easy to eat, even without washing....why? Because no chemicals are used here.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I Agri With Less Antibiotics
And more of probiotics :)
I was advised today that one of the Sunshine growers, TJ Gonzalez, will be featured in the July 2009 Agriculture Magazine again.
Again, because in 2008, he had been featured several times about his finding and developing his niche market for the Sunshines he grows together with his partner Jop.
Sometime about 2 months ago, Zac Sarian featured TJ again because he is one of the growers who opts to raise our line of Naked Necks. This July, he gets featured with his Sunshines, because the cover features are on "less antibiotics, more on probiotics".
We are happy to have had TJ with us from the start. He has had the opportunity to try other breeds as he was asked to foster care a flock for a friend....good for all, as he was able to compare.
Actually, breeds aside....I am more proud of how we market our growers. Hopefully our growers are aware at what they are offered.
Given that the different chicks are all pure and from Certified Parent Stocks, the bottomline will be the chicks' growth will depend on the care that was given to it :)
We have seen TJ from good weather to stormy ones. He loves what he is doing, plants, animals etc. His passion is seen in his produce.
Less antibiotics, more probiotics.....less talk, more TJ of Baliuag Bulacan.
I was advised today that one of the Sunshine growers, TJ Gonzalez, will be featured in the July 2009 Agriculture Magazine again.
Again, because in 2008, he had been featured several times about his finding and developing his niche market for the Sunshines he grows together with his partner Jop.
Sometime about 2 months ago, Zac Sarian featured TJ again because he is one of the growers who opts to raise our line of Naked Necks. This July, he gets featured with his Sunshines, because the cover features are on "less antibiotics, more on probiotics".
We are happy to have had TJ with us from the start. He has had the opportunity to try other breeds as he was asked to foster care a flock for a friend....good for all, as he was able to compare.
Actually, breeds aside....I am more proud of how we market our growers. Hopefully our growers are aware at what they are offered.
Given that the different chicks are all pure and from Certified Parent Stocks, the bottomline will be the chicks' growth will depend on the care that was given to it :)
We have seen TJ from good weather to stormy ones. He loves what he is doing, plants, animals etc. His passion is seen in his produce.
Less antibiotics, more probiotics.....less talk, more TJ of Baliuag Bulacan.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Catch The Sunshine, If You Can
We now catch, slaugher, dress, dry rub and roast Sunshines daily.
My two best tools at 5:30am for this task....a truck and my dressy rubber boots. Syempre naman, even if farming, you can look good.
Getting to the farm at sunrise, we see chicken crates near the 1st ranging area. Since the caretaker now knows that we dress daily, he has learned time management and segregates as seen, the roasted chicken and the frozen dressed chicken required sizes.
We are now on triple number from the 1st dry run day of Sunny, so he was still catching them when we arrived.
How do you catch the Sunshines?
1) You have a smaller netted area, where you guide them to entering. Of course before that, you have sort of pre judged them by eyes already if they are in the weights you want to harvest.
2) Excercise time....you run around with them. Practicing poker face and your peripheral vision, faking that you are looking left, when you are targetting to grab their legs :) That is good if you are experienced. If not, you end up looking a taong grasa after a rainy night, running in paddies.
3) Aha, they haven't had their grains...its just sunrise! So, you spread out a mat and sprinkle feeds on the ground. They all run around your legs...it can get ticklish, that is when you thank your boots again.
By now, you can just carefully pick them from the back as they eat. No stress :) They are still pecking and as they are weighed before loading up in the colorful chicken crates.
My two best tools at 5:30am for this task....a truck and my dressy rubber boots. Syempre naman, even if farming, you can look good.
Getting to the farm at sunrise, we see chicken crates near the 1st ranging area. Since the caretaker now knows that we dress daily, he has learned time management and segregates as seen, the roasted chicken and the frozen dressed chicken required sizes.
We are now on triple number from the 1st dry run day of Sunny, so he was still catching them when we arrived.
How do you catch the Sunshines?
1) You have a smaller netted area, where you guide them to entering. Of course before that, you have sort of pre judged them by eyes already if they are in the weights you want to harvest.
2) Excercise time....you run around with them. Practicing poker face and your peripheral vision, faking that you are looking left, when you are targetting to grab their legs :) That is good if you are experienced. If not, you end up looking a taong grasa after a rainy night, running in paddies.
3) Aha, they haven't had their grains...its just sunrise! So, you spread out a mat and sprinkle feeds on the ground. They all run around your legs...it can get ticklish, that is when you thank your boots again.
By now, you can just carefully pick them from the back as they eat. No stress :) They are still pecking and as they are weighed before loading up in the colorful chicken crates.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Dwarf
Last week, Doc Rey brought home from the farm a small basket of Green Mangoes. Next day I asked that is be peeled and made into buro. I was told that they were yellow and ripe already. Went to the kitchen, as I can't believe those were to be ripe already.
Very well ripe and perfect eating stage! Sweetest I have had in a long time too! No fibers that get caught in-between your teeth. It was smooth, chewy, juicy, tangy and sweet....best part, no chemicals were used to have the tree induce flowering, nor was chemicals used to hasten ripening. Good thing I thought about buro, if not, we would have waited for it to turn yellowish and will be to late to appreciate it.
At the farm this morning, I asked to be shown the tree. Oh yes, I got several of these varieties.
Short nor small things don't appeal to me. Well, OK, I can get it working and use it to my advantage. The height of the tree makes it very easy to trim and havest the fruits :)
And see how perfect the shade was for the Apples, or rather the Mangoes, of the farm's eyes.
Very well ripe and perfect eating stage! Sweetest I have had in a long time too! No fibers that get caught in-between your teeth. It was smooth, chewy, juicy, tangy and sweet....best part, no chemicals were used to have the tree induce flowering, nor was chemicals used to hasten ripening. Good thing I thought about buro, if not, we would have waited for it to turn yellowish and will be to late to appreciate it.
At the farm this morning, I asked to be shown the tree. Oh yes, I got several of these varieties.
Short nor small things don't appeal to me. Well, OK, I can get it working and use it to my advantage. The height of the tree makes it very easy to trim and havest the fruits :)
And see how perfect the shade was for the Apples, or rather the Mangoes, of the farm's eyes.
Sunny This Morning
Every morning, Sunshines are freshly slaughtered, dry rubbed and roasted to give you the 100% lasang native Sunny.
This morning, I went to the farm and was there in time for the selection. Some were under tall grasses....yes sir, these are just tall grasses. Seems like small trees to big chickens wehehehehe. Come to think of it, those types of grasses are nice to have around as shades.
These batch walked themselves to the cage. Maybe they saw what the modus operandi were for the past days, and decided that they won't bother tiring themselves running around...only to get caught later.
Its past 2pm now. The signs in the outlet is partly up. The signs people had to stop as operation of the rotisserie is soon to start. I thought I'd be abe to show off the Sunny Store today to you :)
This morning, I went to the farm and was there in time for the selection. Some were under tall grasses....yes sir, these are just tall grasses. Seems like small trees to big chickens wehehehehe. Come to think of it, those types of grasses are nice to have around as shades.
These batch walked themselves to the cage. Maybe they saw what the modus operandi were for the past days, and decided that they won't bother tiring themselves running around...only to get caught later.
Its past 2pm now. The signs in the outlet is partly up. The signs people had to stop as operation of the rotisserie is soon to start. I thought I'd be abe to show off the Sunny Store today to you :)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Rule #1, Look After Health
We are the first to always say that our Sunshines are not for breeding, they are raised for meat purposes.
Inspite of all those....we still get the so-called "dispersals". The group who will buy "ready to slaughter" at live weights. They then "disperse" what they may term as breeders or the layers.
If meant as layers, that is OK. The Sunshines are dual purpose...meat and table egg production.
I remember once that I got a comment on this blog and a text on my phone, about our selling breeders when we say they are not for breeding....or something to that effect. Doc Rey called the person.
We can't think of any such transaction, until we traced it to a branch of ours who had a recent sale on live weight transaction. Supposedly for the purpose of slaughtering. Surely, breeders can't be bought for PHP150/kg :)
The person turned out to be a veterinarian so they were talking on the same level. This veterinarian wasn't party to the term breeders etc. He was just the recipient. The guy the project was turned over to. So, he knew exactly where the problem was :(
Two months after, he calls Doc Rey. The chickens were thin and lost a lot of weight.
Were they being taken cared of?
Were they being fed?
Veterinarian talking to another veterinarian. Surely, even if it was hog grower that was being fed to your chickens, they will still GROW...delayed yes...but as long as being fed, they won't decrease in weight. At the very least, they will not gain, but not lose :(
He will look into the management...
Next sentence. They haven't laid eggs.
Inspite of all those....we still get the so-called "dispersals". The group who will buy "ready to slaughter" at live weights. They then "disperse" what they may term as breeders or the layers.
If meant as layers, that is OK. The Sunshines are dual purpose...meat and table egg production.
I remember once that I got a comment on this blog and a text on my phone, about our selling breeders when we say they are not for breeding....or something to that effect. Doc Rey called the person.
We can't think of any such transaction, until we traced it to a branch of ours who had a recent sale on live weight transaction. Supposedly for the purpose of slaughtering. Surely, breeders can't be bought for PHP150/kg :)
The person turned out to be a veterinarian so they were talking on the same level. This veterinarian wasn't party to the term breeders etc. He was just the recipient. The guy the project was turned over to. So, he knew exactly where the problem was :(
Two months after, he calls Doc Rey. The chickens were thin and lost a lot of weight.
Were they being taken cared of?
Were they being fed?
Veterinarian talking to another veterinarian. Surely, even if it was hog grower that was being fed to your chickens, they will still GROW...delayed yes...but as long as being fed, they won't decrease in weight. At the very least, they will not gain, but not lose :(
He will look into the management...
Next sentence. They haven't laid eggs.
Please don't forget that we say chickens don't need roosters to lay their table eggs. They don't need layer mash to lay. BUT, bear in mind...they need to be healthy chickens, to be able to lay eggs.
Malnourished hens will probably not lay eggs. You will have to condition them and bring them at par with their healthy layer counterparts :)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunny, Ang Manok Sa Damuhan
Signs are being started by my contractor today...last minute changes by me this morning....
Meet Sunny, Ang Manok Sa Damuhan .... you like his name?
Last night was really good:
1) We got two (2) repeat customers
2) The others were first timers, BUT, referred by others from the night before
Meet Sunny, Ang Manok Sa Damuhan .... you like his name?
Last night was really good:
1) We got two (2) repeat customers
2) The others were first timers, BUT, referred by others from the night before
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
You Will Meet Sunny Soon
Last night we had a soft opening of the rotisserie chicken outlet in Santiago City, Isabela.
No signs yet, as we just thought about opening two nights ago. Yes, read right. Two (2) nights ago, we decided to open the box of rotisserie oven, had electricals installed pronto and just did a salt and pepper rub on some of our chickens. Tasted good...so we decided to roast some more last night.
Yesterday, we ran live ads on the radio. By the time we were cooking, we got inquiries already from drive bys! The few we roasted gone :)
Today, we finalized our radio ads and had it voiced over. Gave a GO on the outdoor signages.
Deliberated last night on initial taglines to be used for the radio and outdoor ads....came up for our intial outings:
1) Meet Sunny :)
2) gala sa damuhan
3) walang anibiotiko
4) pinasarap ng panahon
Come to think of it. We really had Sunny all the time. We called our small truck wrapped chickvan as Sunny, if you remember our previous posts wayback 2007! We've always said our Sunshines do range on living grass (gala sa damuhan), no antibiotics, and had been using the tag "pinasarap ng panahon" in our long standing brochure.
We have just recycled ideas? Nope. We are just doing our step by step outings in marketing...to always give you something new and better.
This morning, we had our fill of high spirits from the wonderful comments we got on Sunny. From people who knew and loved their food.
Doc Rey just showed me what he had been working on since lunch time. A more cheery area :) Last night we had no signage at all, we were close to invisible and lighting was bad. What sold us were our uniformed personel outside and the radio live ads.
I will let you meet Sunny when they put up the signs. It will be up before the week ends. Things is, I don't think I might be around to take photos.
Oh...the place is nothing fancy. It was all do-with and diskarte.
Simply....Its just down to earth real good tasting chicken.
No signs yet, as we just thought about opening two nights ago. Yes, read right. Two (2) nights ago, we decided to open the box of rotisserie oven, had electricals installed pronto and just did a salt and pepper rub on some of our chickens. Tasted good...so we decided to roast some more last night.
Yesterday, we ran live ads on the radio. By the time we were cooking, we got inquiries already from drive bys! The few we roasted gone :)
Today, we finalized our radio ads and had it voiced over. Gave a GO on the outdoor signages.
Deliberated last night on initial taglines to be used for the radio and outdoor ads....came up for our intial outings:
1) Meet Sunny :)
2) gala sa damuhan
3) walang anibiotiko
4) pinasarap ng panahon
Come to think of it. We really had Sunny all the time. We called our small truck wrapped chickvan as Sunny, if you remember our previous posts wayback 2007! We've always said our Sunshines do range on living grass (gala sa damuhan), no antibiotics, and had been using the tag "pinasarap ng panahon" in our long standing brochure.
We have just recycled ideas? Nope. We are just doing our step by step outings in marketing...to always give you something new and better.
This morning, we had our fill of high spirits from the wonderful comments we got on Sunny. From people who knew and loved their food.
Doc Rey just showed me what he had been working on since lunch time. A more cheery area :) Last night we had no signage at all, we were close to invisible and lighting was bad. What sold us were our uniformed personel outside and the radio live ads.
I will let you meet Sunny when they put up the signs. It will be up before the week ends. Things is, I don't think I might be around to take photos.
Oh...the place is nothing fancy. It was all do-with and diskarte.
Simply....Its just down to earth real good tasting chicken.
Food & Drinks Asia
Septemeber 17-20 are the dates to calendar for the Food & Drinks Asia & Food Franchising 2009. This show used to be part of AFEX (Asian Food Expo) but the organizers decided to separate the finished food products from the equipments.
We will be joining with a corner booth, across the Activity Center.
See you at World Trade Center in Pasay City, on those dates.
As usual, our growers are most welcome to display and market their products :)
We will be joining with a corner booth, across the Activity Center.
See you at World Trade Center in Pasay City, on those dates.
As usual, our growers are most welcome to display and market their products :)
Prepare
Often times we are asked when can we deliver. I always ask if they are prepared. Ordering day old chicks is easy. All you have to do is call and book an order. What's most important is that your brooder is prepared and your caretaker is psyched for the cradling of the chicks :)
See how nice it is when before the chicks have arrived, the brooder is all set.
The chicks transfer from their chick boxes to the brooder, gracefully and no stress :)
See how nice it is when before the chicks have arrived, the brooder is all set.
The chicks transfer from their chick boxes to the brooder, gracefully and no stress :)
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Sunny
It is for Isabela. At least for Santiago City, this morning.
Remember back, I bought a rotisserie oven meant for the chickens? It was never started, not even opened. Yesterday, while toying with something new to do....we made a call to an electrician, and yes he can install pronto. Made a call to the farm to slaughter ten (10) chickens weighing 1.5kg. Instructed to season with salt and pepper and to bring it at 6pm to the proposed outlet.
By 5pm, the proposed outlet was being swept....it had been abandoned for sometime. By 6pm, the chickens were being inserted into the bars.... YIKES, it wasn't a simple task to just put them into those rods. It needs experience and know how. Easier said than done! But they are machines, and we are humans. After several trials and errors, we got them going merrily around without falling wings nor legs :)
By 7pm, we got it broiling....to perfection till a litle after 8pm. Hey, they taste great. That rotisserie looked intimidating but was simple to use.
How are we going to call the chickens? Because the sun was up this morning.....I am inclined to call the SUNNY.
Taglines? I have several now in my little notebook. To be discussed with my sign printer who I am meeting later today. Don't want to preempt my AD taglines now.
So there, we had been equipped for a while. Had to wait for proper timing and motivated personnel.
Actually, we are just setting this up and turnkey operation to a loyal staff of ours. It was offered to others, but some people don't have the talent to spot opportunities nor business ideas.
Welcome to Sunny!
Remember back, I bought a rotisserie oven meant for the chickens? It was never started, not even opened. Yesterday, while toying with something new to do....we made a call to an electrician, and yes he can install pronto. Made a call to the farm to slaughter ten (10) chickens weighing 1.5kg. Instructed to season with salt and pepper and to bring it at 6pm to the proposed outlet.
By 5pm, the proposed outlet was being swept....it had been abandoned for sometime. By 6pm, the chickens were being inserted into the bars.... YIKES, it wasn't a simple task to just put them into those rods. It needs experience and know how. Easier said than done! But they are machines, and we are humans. After several trials and errors, we got them going merrily around without falling wings nor legs :)
By 7pm, we got it broiling....to perfection till a litle after 8pm. Hey, they taste great. That rotisserie looked intimidating but was simple to use.
How are we going to call the chickens? Because the sun was up this morning.....I am inclined to call the SUNNY.
Taglines? I have several now in my little notebook. To be discussed with my sign printer who I am meeting later today. Don't want to preempt my AD taglines now.
So there, we had been equipped for a while. Had to wait for proper timing and motivated personnel.
Actually, we are just setting this up and turnkey operation to a loyal staff of ours. It was offered to others, but some people don't have the talent to spot opportunities nor business ideas.
Welcome to Sunny!
Thank You Ho
In an e-group I frequent, I replied to a topic on Bamboo. Soon after, I got an email from James and gave me the idea of making my bamboo into a walking stick. Yes, it will look suave, quaint, naturally practical :)
I played with that idea as I do a lot of walking in farms, my uniform is color green....and the look is very me!
Lately, I had a compelling need for a long hooked thing. There is a noose to the rolldoor of the truckbed. The bed is high for me to reach in for that noose. I need something to hook it closer to me.
Well, I needed a walking stick too...and won't settle for an ordinary looking one...
Buddah Bamboo, Bambusa Ventricosa
I can't wait for Doc Rey to smoothen it for me!
Thank you HO! I think I'm getting hooked and will want to get hold of other varieties.
I played with that idea as I do a lot of walking in farms, my uniform is color green....and the look is very me!
Lately, I had a compelling need for a long hooked thing. There is a noose to the rolldoor of the truckbed. The bed is high for me to reach in for that noose. I need something to hook it closer to me.
Well, I needed a walking stick too...and won't settle for an ordinary looking one...
Buddah Bamboo, Bambusa Ventricosa
I can't wait for Doc Rey to smoothen it for me!
Thank you HO! I think I'm getting hooked and will want to get hold of other varieties.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Colored Range Broilers
Those are perfect descriptions to what Sunshines are.
1) The Sunshine Chickens are colored Brown Red, Black, Grey and we also have the Egyptian looking Brown striped chicks. The Naked Neck is a strain we have, predominantly for growers who have seen the stability and hardiness.
2) They are meant to be free ranged on open areas, thus termed "Range".
3) Broilers yes. They are raised for primarily for meat purposes.
In short, broilers are meant to be eaten. We are used to seeing white industrial chickens, but there are colored ones. The colored range broilers are raised the way chickens are really meant to be. Free ranging on open fields, fresh air, foraging and a lot of sunshine!
Aesthetically, lovely to look at....running on the range as they fill up your eyes with our different colors.
Taste buds wise....let your tongue do the talking. Am sure that as you eat, you will let your fingers do the talking...doing the THUMBS UP!
1) The Sunshine Chickens are colored Brown Red, Black, Grey and we also have the Egyptian looking Brown striped chicks. The Naked Neck is a strain we have, predominantly for growers who have seen the stability and hardiness.
2) They are meant to be free ranged on open areas, thus termed "Range".
3) Broilers yes. They are raised for primarily for meat purposes.
In short, broilers are meant to be eaten. We are used to seeing white industrial chickens, but there are colored ones. The colored range broilers are raised the way chickens are really meant to be. Free ranging on open fields, fresh air, foraging and a lot of sunshine!
Aesthetically, lovely to look at....running on the range as they fill up your eyes with our different colors.
Taste buds wise....let your tongue do the talking. Am sure that as you eat, you will let your fingers do the talking...doing the THUMBS UP!
888
There was an interesting AD I saw just now...Should have tickled the superstitious for 888! The developer must have grabbed this property with the primary reason for the triple 8.
Well, I like the curves on the 8s....but what will I see as special luck for me?
8 houses on #8 8th St. New Manila
Well, I like the curves on the 8s....but what will I see as special luck for me?
If every one ATE, ATE, ATE Sunshine Chicken :)Well, even if regional dialect pronunciations... am still OK
If everyone will EAT, EAT, EAT!
Veggie Congress, GENSAN
Just got a call for an invite to the Veggie Congress in Gen Santos City on July 14-16.
What is most interesting is also an opportunity to visit Pacman's farm and he is hosting lunch for a Veggie Derby! Wehehheeh he can't get over the derbies huh? The farm was planted with several kinds and different varieties of veggies...to see which are the fastest growing ones.
Time..if only schedules can be held in one's palm for a day longer. It will coincide with a trade show we are attending. Well..maybe we can all go to Davao, then Gen San. I fly earlier to ingress for show and Doc Rey and company stays behind.
Lemme think.....
What is most interesting is also an opportunity to visit Pacman's farm and he is hosting lunch for a Veggie Derby! Wehehheeh he can't get over the derbies huh? The farm was planted with several kinds and different varieties of veggies...to see which are the fastest growing ones.
Time..if only schedules can be held in one's palm for a day longer. It will coincide with a trade show we are attending. Well..maybe we can all go to Davao, then Gen San. I fly earlier to ingress for show and Doc Rey and company stays behind.
Lemme think.....
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Sandy, Home On A Sunday
The weather had been really bad in Metro Manila, that we decided to head back for a few days in Isabela. Doc Rey's radio segment as Vet ng Bayan was done by phone patch at 5:15am...thank God for telecommunications.
Very off to be in a sunny place, different work to do...but take the chance to do wonderful lovable things:
Had oatmeal for breakfast.
Since there is a truck ban for big trucks inside the market road where Solraya Santiago is located, Doc Rey drove the feeder truck between the stores to deliver the stocks from the big truck to the branches. Boy, that was a long time since I have seen that scene. Timing of arrival of our stocks from Manila are days that we are in Metro. So today was a rare Sunday in Isabela.
Farm cooking....THE BEST! By 12noon, Doc Rey suspends his delivery trips and said we will go to the farm. I was excited to wear my new raindrop boots to the muddy farm...oh of course to see the Ilokano Sunshines too.
As I walked past the bunkhouse, the smell....aroma...of???? Can't tell...but, there on the farm table were fresh Green Papaya peelings and bare stalk of Malunggay. Can it be Tinolang Manok????? YES! Little did I know, Doc Rey called to the farmhelp to slaughter a Sunshine. He called at 9am, they caught, slaughtered...and now at 12noon, the freshest Malunggay leaves from one of the fence trees were dropped. Everything in this dish, except for say salt and pepper came from the farm. Sunshine and veggies.
What's good about home cooked food? No extenders, no scrimping. It was slow cooked to perfection. The soup was creamy and thick, although clear. The Papaya was fresh an crispy and soft all at the same time. Not mushy. The Malunggay leaves you know were just off the tree, dark dark green, all whole leaves and it slightly tinged the yellowish color of the soup stock.
Oh, I shouldn't forget my treat. The blood of the chicken is poured over "bigas", then left to curdle, then lowered into the soup stock to cook.
I commented that it is far far far better than the tinola in our favorite resto. I also had an answer....it was done without profit in mind :) We didn't have to extend the servings to 12 people. There was just enough water for a soup base and not for 12 servings to fill up bowls and have chicken pieces float.
The soup here was a meal by itself!
Tonight I meet with my staff for a rotisserie chicken we are opening. Hmmmmm, this meal made me have 2nd thoughts about doing a tinola, arrozcaldo place. Good old Chicken Soup!
WHY? The location will be beside hospitals, great drive thru access....The kind of food that will be great to take home or to take to hospital. Let me think about it till dinner.
Even in provincial settings, niche marketing is the way to go. Niche is not about being big, its about FOCUS.
I act fast...but cooking or working, its best to have low fire while slow cooking :) You reap more in all aspects.
Very off to be in a sunny place, different work to do...but take the chance to do wonderful lovable things:
Had oatmeal for breakfast.
Since there is a truck ban for big trucks inside the market road where Solraya Santiago is located, Doc Rey drove the feeder truck between the stores to deliver the stocks from the big truck to the branches. Boy, that was a long time since I have seen that scene. Timing of arrival of our stocks from Manila are days that we are in Metro. So today was a rare Sunday in Isabela.
Farm cooking....THE BEST! By 12noon, Doc Rey suspends his delivery trips and said we will go to the farm. I was excited to wear my new raindrop boots to the muddy farm...oh of course to see the Ilokano Sunshines too.
As I walked past the bunkhouse, the smell....aroma...of???? Can't tell...but, there on the farm table were fresh Green Papaya peelings and bare stalk of Malunggay. Can it be Tinolang Manok????? YES! Little did I know, Doc Rey called to the farmhelp to slaughter a Sunshine. He called at 9am, they caught, slaughtered...and now at 12noon, the freshest Malunggay leaves from one of the fence trees were dropped. Everything in this dish, except for say salt and pepper came from the farm. Sunshine and veggies.
What's good about home cooked food? No extenders, no scrimping. It was slow cooked to perfection. The soup was creamy and thick, although clear. The Papaya was fresh an crispy and soft all at the same time. Not mushy. The Malunggay leaves you know were just off the tree, dark dark green, all whole leaves and it slightly tinged the yellowish color of the soup stock.
Oh, I shouldn't forget my treat. The blood of the chicken is poured over "bigas", then left to curdle, then lowered into the soup stock to cook.
I commented that it is far far far better than the tinola in our favorite resto. I also had an answer....it was done without profit in mind :) We didn't have to extend the servings to 12 people. There was just enough water for a soup base and not for 12 servings to fill up bowls and have chicken pieces float.
The soup here was a meal by itself!
Tonight I meet with my staff for a rotisserie chicken we are opening. Hmmmmm, this meal made me have 2nd thoughts about doing a tinola, arrozcaldo place. Good old Chicken Soup!
WHY? The location will be beside hospitals, great drive thru access....The kind of food that will be great to take home or to take to hospital. Let me think about it till dinner.
Even in provincial settings, niche marketing is the way to go. Niche is not about being big, its about FOCUS.
I act fast...but cooking or working, its best to have low fire while slow cooking :) You reap more in all aspects.
Manifestations
Difficult to answer a general question of "Why did my 3 chickens die suddenly last night?"
Hopefully, you complied and dutifully did your flock report...that gives us a better picture.
So when you call us, be prepared with ideally, ALL or at least SOME, of the following :)
1) daily flock report
2) what were the irregular observations lately
3) do they have colds?
4) what is the color of the manure?
5) was there a sudden change of temperature the past days? nights?
6) how were they acting the past days? night?
7) what have you been giving them in terms of treatment?
8) was there a change of caretaker?
9) change in feeds?
10) did you vaccinate recently? medicate?
Actually, we suggest that you be in touch with us with your WEEKLY weights. These help us both monitor developements and problems at the onset...and it builds a very good rapport between you, caretaker and solraya :) These weekly talks almost always, are able to nip at the bud of problems. Send us pictures and what have yous! Pictures MAY tell a lot of truth.
Remember the "K" in the seminar check list? KEEP IN TOUCH
Hopefully, you complied and dutifully did your flock report...that gives us a better picture.
So when you call us, be prepared with ideally, ALL or at least SOME, of the following :)
1) daily flock report
2) what were the irregular observations lately
3) do they have colds?
4) what is the color of the manure?
5) was there a sudden change of temperature the past days? nights?
6) how were they acting the past days? night?
7) what have you been giving them in terms of treatment?
8) was there a change of caretaker?
9) change in feeds?
10) did you vaccinate recently? medicate?
Actually, we suggest that you be in touch with us with your WEEKLY weights. These help us both monitor developements and problems at the onset...and it builds a very good rapport between you, caretaker and solraya :) These weekly talks almost always, are able to nip at the bud of problems. Send us pictures and what have yous! Pictures MAY tell a lot of truth.
Remember the "K" in the seminar check list? KEEP IN TOUCH
Friday, June 05, 2009
Be Fit, Be Prepared
Doc Rey always talks about "What to prepare before the arrival of chicks"....
On top of the standards in poultry management, biosecurity included, you should also be prepared to go around the farm....that's the only way to go to observe. You can't just trust stories handed to you, can't rely on CCTV...you have to go out there :)
Dry or wet season, we need to be well equipped and clothed. Not all farms are flat, no tall grass, nor no insects and predators. I feel secure going around in boots, walking stick (not just to ward off danger...but to help me climb) gasp gasp.
Posted previously about my penchant for colorful boots. These rainy days make me enjoy them more even in the city. Today, when I visited Mabol and her aunt farmers, they were all so "aliw" at my black and white colored boots with dog prints.
I showed them the site where they may surf for their chosen design - just search for "plueys manila". In two hours, we were on our way to pick up our orders.
I fell in love with these colored rain drops....
New working shoes are in order. I have to be safe when doing farm visits. If you are prepared, work is done easier and faster.
On top of the standards in poultry management, biosecurity included, you should also be prepared to go around the farm....that's the only way to go to observe. You can't just trust stories handed to you, can't rely on CCTV...you have to go out there :)
Dry or wet season, we need to be well equipped and clothed. Not all farms are flat, no tall grass, nor no insects and predators. I feel secure going around in boots, walking stick (not just to ward off danger...but to help me climb) gasp gasp.
Posted previously about my penchant for colorful boots. These rainy days make me enjoy them more even in the city. Today, when I visited Mabol and her aunt farmers, they were all so "aliw" at my black and white colored boots with dog prints.
I showed them the site where they may surf for their chosen design - just search for "plueys manila". In two hours, we were on our way to pick up our orders.
I fell in love with these colored rain drops....
New working shoes are in order. I have to be safe when doing farm visits. If you are prepared, work is done easier and faster.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Grow Your Own
From the very start, we had been advocating for the backyard and weekend farmers to grow their own food....mostly chicken :)
The restaurants and food service industry had been primarily a customer for the small commercial growers.
Recently, maybe because of volume needed, logistics...some restaurants have decided to grow their own Sunshines.
You say they can't do it because they don't know how to raise? That was what I thought so too at the onset. But I realized, they had been growing their own white chickens to make sure they get constant supply...so they do have a team of poultry men. Most see the logic of getting a good brooding man, then the feeders and rangers are new hires.
Where's the logic to that? They don't have bad habits on raising chickens. weheheheheh
"Growers don't fret :)" You are not losing a market. It should be opportunity for you to be creative and get several steps more up the ladder...or several steps sideways, where there is a lot more elbow room for play.
Honest, if I was a grower...serving the restaurants is hard. It's OK if they have minimal requirements, but if they are big? Let them grow their own, and you will be led to something better.
Now when we go around, we don't just do farm visits...but taste tests as well!
The restaurants and food service industry had been primarily a customer for the small commercial growers.
Recently, maybe because of volume needed, logistics...some restaurants have decided to grow their own Sunshines.
You say they can't do it because they don't know how to raise? That was what I thought so too at the onset. But I realized, they had been growing their own white chickens to make sure they get constant supply...so they do have a team of poultry men. Most see the logic of getting a good brooding man, then the feeders and rangers are new hires.
Where's the logic to that? They don't have bad habits on raising chickens. weheheheheh
"Growers don't fret :)" You are not losing a market. It should be opportunity for you to be creative and get several steps more up the ladder...or several steps sideways, where there is a lot more elbow room for play.
Honest, if I was a grower...serving the restaurants is hard. It's OK if they have minimal requirements, but if they are big? Let them grow their own, and you will be led to something better.
Now when we go around, we don't just do farm visits...but taste tests as well!
Working On What Makes You Chirp
Much like praying, meditating and exercising....they all work for something that in whole, totals you to a better person.
Today is my day3 of working on myself. Monday was day1..that for mommy. Day2 was for mommy and Rocky. Today day3 is for errands for Doc Rey. Tomorrow is Zac and my barkada day. Friday will be Rocky day again.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. See that when you decide to relax and play...you have a different sense of return.
The only Sunshine things I did were answer inquiries, book orders and while playing...placed an ad at Facebook!
Well, I was so surprised at the response weehehhehehehe....that wasn't working huh. See what I mean?
Today is my day3 of working on myself. Monday was day1..that for mommy. Day2 was for mommy and Rocky. Today day3 is for errands for Doc Rey. Tomorrow is Zac and my barkada day. Friday will be Rocky day again.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. See that when you decide to relax and play...you have a different sense of return.
The only Sunshine things I did were answer inquiries, book orders and while playing...placed an ad at Facebook!
Well, I was so surprised at the response weehehhehehehe....that wasn't working huh. See what I mean?
Monday, June 01, 2009
Globe Duo
Time away from shows, seminars and farm visits makes me get a hold of small talk and chats... good I waited for my sister and brother-in-law to get to the hospital today as our conversation got to Globe's Duo.
You send the message [Duo mm on] to 8888. You get a 2nd line (landline) on your cellphone post paid line, that allows you to call and be called by Metro Manila (02) numbers for free. I presume that is what "mm" stood for. Makes me assume that this is also available for other key areas, that you register to also, IF you are there often enough.
I was running low on battery...so I called Doc Rey asap to tell him to forward whatever message I send him, to 8888. He didn't click REPLY to the msg he got from 8888 right away. By the time I was able to instruct him to do so, he got a landline number two numbers away from mine. Pity, we could have had numbers in succession. Not possible to choose, so you will have to be quick to get neighboring ones.
Why didn't he REPLY right away? The message to be forwarded [Duo mm on] looked satanic or at the very least, like a joke to him. He expected that 8888's reply to him had to be inverted to read, or encrypted :)
Argggggg....almost always, a technical mind can't just accept instructions....they can't simplify their minds!
Much like taking care of free range chickens...let's simplify our ways and go back to basics. Take things as it is.
Globe Duo...s0me things are free. Or fairly priced. You pay additional PHp399 for the value added service.
You send the message [Duo mm on] to 8888. You get a 2nd line (landline) on your cellphone post paid line, that allows you to call and be called by Metro Manila (02) numbers for free. I presume that is what "mm" stood for. Makes me assume that this is also available for other key areas, that you register to also, IF you are there often enough.
I was running low on battery...so I called Doc Rey asap to tell him to forward whatever message I send him, to 8888. He didn't click REPLY to the msg he got from 8888 right away. By the time I was able to instruct him to do so, he got a landline number two numbers away from mine. Pity, we could have had numbers in succession. Not possible to choose, so you will have to be quick to get neighboring ones.
Why didn't he REPLY right away? The message to be forwarded [Duo mm on] looked satanic or at the very least, like a joke to him. He expected that 8888's reply to him had to be inverted to read, or encrypted :)
Argggggg....almost always, a technical mind can't just accept instructions....they can't simplify their minds!
Much like taking care of free range chickens...let's simplify our ways and go back to basics. Take things as it is.
Globe Duo...s0me things are free. Or fairly priced. You pay additional PHp399 for the value added service.
Cardinal Santos
Hospitals and medical doctors are two things I stay away from. I can't point to what brought about this phobia, but its real :(
It is double whammy when family is sick because you tend to think about your fears and think that they are experiencing that too.
Tripled when you can't be there because of work. Priorities weighed and since I was just in Metro Manila, I had to be away when my mother was sick since the start of a show last week. That experience stressed me a lot and my tummy had just been acting tightly.
We were just waiting for the last test done yesterday. All other vital tests were ok....so the worst news are over.
Today, I go into Cardinal Santos.... excuse my long absence from the hospital scene...but valet parking, very cheerful lobby, no medicine odor at all....the doors of the patients' rooms had no names (was it for security reasons or for it to un-look like the normal hospitals?), the room was very comfortable, wide scenic window....
Mommy was sleeping well. Looked well. A second after, my tummy started to feel better! The stress has started to leave me too. Though she complains of hip pains, we are more than happy that vital tests are passed.
What was the best test? She talked a lot, asked for the bad food, made "bilin" (sounds scary? but its just naturally being a mother). Anyway, she is set to go home tomorrow. Decided to rest myself and will stay in Manila for the week.
It is double whammy when family is sick because you tend to think about your fears and think that they are experiencing that too.
Tripled when you can't be there because of work. Priorities weighed and since I was just in Metro Manila, I had to be away when my mother was sick since the start of a show last week. That experience stressed me a lot and my tummy had just been acting tightly.
We were just waiting for the last test done yesterday. All other vital tests were ok....so the worst news are over.
Today, I go into Cardinal Santos.... excuse my long absence from the hospital scene...but valet parking, very cheerful lobby, no medicine odor at all....the doors of the patients' rooms had no names (was it for security reasons or for it to un-look like the normal hospitals?), the room was very comfortable, wide scenic window....
Mommy was sleeping well. Looked well. A second after, my tummy started to feel better! The stress has started to leave me too. Though she complains of hip pains, we are more than happy that vital tests are passed.
What was the best test? She talked a lot, asked for the bad food, made "bilin" (sounds scary? but its just naturally being a mother). Anyway, she is set to go home tomorrow. Decided to rest myself and will stay in Manila for the week.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
FREE To Harbest Sunshines
There are some people who are easy to work with and whom we look forward to collaborations....one of which is Toto of Harbest Seed Company.
Harbest is hosting us and has scheduled FREE seminars for Raising Sunshine Chicken:
WHERE: Harbest Demo Farm - Carmen, Rosales (200m from SM Rosales)
WHEN: 4th Saturday of June, June 27, 8am
WHO: Doc Rey
WHERE: Trece Martirez Provincial Capitol Compound, Farmers Hall
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
WHEN: 1st Friday of August, August 07, 8am
WHO: Doc Rey
Thank you to Toto :)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Common Sense
Yesterday, during opening of 2nd Pinoy Organic Festival, one of the speakers was Jacqueline Alleje.
I was manning my booth, but it was just about 3 booths away from the seminar area, so my selective attention gets caught by Jacqui.
She is one person that can make you look up from what you are doing. Fresh, crisp, perky, dressed well....much like a good salad. She is Swiss by nationality, but embraced being a Filipino. Don't attempt to talk behind her back wehehehehhe...she may have baluktot Pilipino...but understands everything :)
On talking about organic farming, she went something like..."the farmer has doable scenarios and projects...and consumers have acceptable standards. When those two meet, then there is a deal".
Much later after the talk, I congratulated her for liking her speech. She asked in awe "Did you listen"? I have ears...didnt need to be seated there. She was amazed that I quoted her verbatim....led to her joining us for an enjoyable brunch.
Her muffins, my batchoy, and Doc Rey's fried fish. True to persona...she was eating healthy.
Yes, you can still seat together even if eat different things. Its the character that is the bottomline in groups.
Friday, May 29, 2009
DTI International
I can't pass this day without making mention of Department of Trade International (DTI International).
During IFEX that just passed, a DTI representative had approached us several times for the Japanese market. Next day, she brought the Japanese party to us, complete with an interpreter. Short, noisy meeting it was. The questions were not really about our company nor how our growers raise the chicken.....looking back, maybe more like "go see" the prospect :)
Several days ago, I got a call again from the same DTI representative, requesting for a meeting with the Japanese group, with DTI personnel.
DTI office for me always had that image where you apply for permits.....I told you before, my mind is micro mini :)
I was instructed to go to DTI International at 1:30pm today. Going there, the DTI rep was instructing me how to find the building. Where do I park? Oh...she already had reserved parking for me.
Got there exactly at 1:30pm as I got lost....good I had allowance for Makati one ways. She was there to greet me at the door. I got there exactly the same time as a the Japanese party...good I was on time!
We were led to a conference room, with other Food rep. Snacks were served. I tell you, the Department of Trade does take care of supplier and clients. The venue and snacks, most specially their presence, in my opinion, is a great confidence and take away doubts for both sides.
You think it started at IFEX? Nope, it all started at DTI office in Tokyo. The IFEX was just great timing.
Government does work....we just have to work out our parts too :)
During IFEX that just passed, a DTI representative had approached us several times for the Japanese market. Next day, she brought the Japanese party to us, complete with an interpreter. Short, noisy meeting it was. The questions were not really about our company nor how our growers raise the chicken.....looking back, maybe more like "go see" the prospect :)
Several days ago, I got a call again from the same DTI representative, requesting for a meeting with the Japanese group, with DTI personnel.
DTI office for me always had that image where you apply for permits.....I told you before, my mind is micro mini :)
I was instructed to go to DTI International at 1:30pm today. Going there, the DTI rep was instructing me how to find the building. Where do I park? Oh...she already had reserved parking for me.
Got there exactly at 1:30pm as I got lost....good I had allowance for Makati one ways. She was there to greet me at the door. I got there exactly the same time as a the Japanese party...good I was on time!
We were led to a conference room, with other Food rep. Snacks were served. I tell you, the Department of Trade does take care of supplier and clients. The venue and snacks, most specially their presence, in my opinion, is a great confidence and take away doubts for both sides.
You think it started at IFEX? Nope, it all started at DTI office in Tokyo. The IFEX was just great timing.
Government does work....we just have to work out our parts too :)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Philippine Free Range Chicken
Been very busy that we didn't notice our 2nd year passed by :)
Some people have commented that in such a short time, we had made a name for Sunshine Chicken in the Philippine free range chicken industry. Competitors have even been telling some of our friends that they have no need to pay for advertising....they just ride on our work! How they ride on us, is pretty obvious :)
Advertising, marketing all stems from hard work. And that is really where we credit the branding that Sunshine Chicken is now.
What may point to hard work?
1) You have to change automobile tires every year
2) There is a vehicle in maintenance check up mode in car dealers' service centers all the time
3) There is a need for a 3rd vehicle for your use as one is always on maintenance or coding...and vehicles have to rest too
4) You forget what day of the week it is
5) Need like 24 uniforms....as you don't get home to wash clothes
6) Two sets of luggage as one is unpacked and the other is on standby
7) Faces and names get harder and harder to match together
8) Plane tickets are like booklet passes
9) Phone bills that run to +++
10) When you phone a hotel, the frontdesk knows what room to give you :)
I can go on and on...but what's best after all that?
1) Everyone knows you wehehehehehhe...it can be fun as you instantly are not alone in a room full of people
2) Plane, bus and car rides are best times to catch on sleep
3) Camaraderie formed with others on the road are nice to look forward to. Friends have been made because of Sunshine!
4) Work on consumer awareness to eating healthy food has gained a lot of mileage since we started
5) We get average of 600+ pages read on this blog DAILY....visitors are about 150 average DAILY
6) Marketing is my main work....and it allows me to be on the internet :)
Because we enjoy what we are doing, I will not really call it hard work...but more like focused and honest deeds.
Let us help you, so we can all grow together.
Some people have commented that in such a short time, we had made a name for Sunshine Chicken in the Philippine free range chicken industry. Competitors have even been telling some of our friends that they have no need to pay for advertising....they just ride on our work! How they ride on us, is pretty obvious :)
Advertising, marketing all stems from hard work. And that is really where we credit the branding that Sunshine Chicken is now.
What may point to hard work?
1) You have to change automobile tires every year
2) There is a vehicle in maintenance check up mode in car dealers' service centers all the time
3) There is a need for a 3rd vehicle for your use as one is always on maintenance or coding...and vehicles have to rest too
4) You forget what day of the week it is
5) Need like 24 uniforms....as you don't get home to wash clothes
6) Two sets of luggage as one is unpacked and the other is on standby
7) Faces and names get harder and harder to match together
8) Plane tickets are like booklet passes
9) Phone bills that run to +++
10) When you phone a hotel, the frontdesk knows what room to give you :)
I can go on and on...but what's best after all that?
1) Everyone knows you wehehehehehhe...it can be fun as you instantly are not alone in a room full of people
2) Plane, bus and car rides are best times to catch on sleep
3) Camaraderie formed with others on the road are nice to look forward to. Friends have been made because of Sunshine!
4) Work on consumer awareness to eating healthy food has gained a lot of mileage since we started
5) We get average of 600+ pages read on this blog DAILY....visitors are about 150 average DAILY
6) Marketing is my main work....and it allows me to be on the internet :)
Because we enjoy what we are doing, I will not really call it hard work...but more like focused and honest deeds.
Let us help you, so we can all grow together.
Joining Agrilink 2009
Don't miss this year's Agrilink, slated for October 8-10 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Agrilink is touted as the biggest agriculture show ( I will say "yes" in terms of number of visitors). As usual, we will be exhibiting indoors and outdoors.
This early, in cooperation with Agri Aqua Network International (AANI) we are planning on how to give you a better showing of our products.
As usual, our Sunshine growers are most welcome to join us in marketing their products in all the trade shows that we join.
Agrilink is touted as the biggest agriculture show ( I will say "yes" in terms of number of visitors). As usual, we will be exhibiting indoors and outdoors.
This early, in cooperation with Agri Aqua Network International (AANI) we are planning on how to give you a better showing of our products.
As usual, our Sunshine growers are most welcome to join us in marketing their products in all the trade shows that we join.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Casual Uniforms
With all the travelling that we do, the barong polo jacks we use for uniforms look very good, crisp and clean.
BUT hard to be carrying around garment bags when we fly.
Good I found this company that does 100% cotton knits. Cool as it absorbs moisture, and you can't be so crumpled looking....as you have to "gusot" it, to actually give back its body, after you sort of get it deformed.
Doc Rey has polo jacks, and regular polo shirts. I have my so comfy tennis dresses (read a previous post) and polo jacks too.
Now you can call us for airplane trips in a minute's notice. I have prepared and packed carry ons....with our NEW uniforms, they are possible :)
Thank you to Emy of Nook Ltd's patience with me....see them at the 2nd Organic Pinoy Festival at AANI FTI Weekend Market, May 29-31.
BUT hard to be carrying around garment bags when we fly.
Good I found this company that does 100% cotton knits. Cool as it absorbs moisture, and you can't be so crumpled looking....as you have to "gusot" it, to actually give back its body, after you sort of get it deformed.
Doc Rey has polo jacks, and regular polo shirts. I have my so comfy tennis dresses (read a previous post) and polo jacks too.
Now you can call us for airplane trips in a minute's notice. I have prepared and packed carry ons....with our NEW uniforms, they are possible :)
Thank you to Emy of Nook Ltd's patience with me....see them at the 2nd Organic Pinoy Festival at AANI FTI Weekend Market, May 29-31.
Current Blood Testing
Mondays are the ERRANDS DAY....
By 6am, we were at BAI to get the crew that will do the blood testing on our current flock, for accreditation for local shipping permits.
Got back early at 2pm and decided we can do something that requires urgency...to change tires on a 1year old truck. We do a lot of travelling and yes we bald tires in a year's time.
Thinking of doing Visayas/Mindanao on a roro.....time constraints, but the trip sounds inviting.
By 6am, we were at BAI to get the crew that will do the blood testing on our current flock, for accreditation for local shipping permits.
Got back early at 2pm and decided we can do something that requires urgency...to change tires on a 1year old truck. We do a lot of travelling and yes we bald tires in a year's time.
Thinking of doing Visayas/Mindanao on a roro.....time constraints, but the trip sounds inviting.
Talent Ventilation
It is very rare that we get to chitchat at the breeder farm, because we do a lot of farm visits and we won't jeopardize our own operation.Doc Rey was advised that the current poultry laying building was tunnel ventilated during the grow out period of that batch before it was transferred. He wasn't asking too many questions then, because maybe he didn't want the conversation to go to capital expenditure.
He was surprised how well it turned out to be and felt safe that come sweltering heat or high winds, the Sunshine layers will be fine.
He called it TALENT VENTILATION...for obvious reasons and PHP6M cheaper :)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Simply Good
That was early lunch today, just before the monthly seminar, today being the 4th Sunday.
There was nothing special to celebrate :) Doc Rey wanted to get dressed weight and cooking shrinkage...weehehehhe, that's the reason why we did this great roast.
Don't ask me now the results of that test....my assignment was to instruct to season with salt and pepper and ask that lemongrass (tanglad) be placed in the cavity, before charbroiling.
We asked that this be cooked in a lechonmanokan near us. That I know...it took 30mins to cook this 1k Sunshine. We had two (2) whole chickens cooked and left one for them to try.
They are used to selling white chickens and were excited to taste the Sunshines....which they described as having an "international taste"!
I will take that the adjective meant it tasted GREAT and different from what they are used to. Besides, there was no mind boggling marinades used nor perfunctory sawsawans...not even pickles. Surely, their manoks were fat and plump....but these lean Sunshines were taste packed.
Timing that a supplier we work a lot with, showed us his fruit stand in a good traffic area. He wants to do take out inasal. He is a true blood Visayan, and knows his bisaya manok inasal.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Days After
The morning after IFEX 2009 saw us on the road. 1st stop was TJ in Bulacan for his daughter's bday. We were too early and looks like TJ had a sizeable group in the rare fruits members....so we decided to socialize with him another time.
I developed a bad case of flu and was feeling under....so better to get comfortable inside the car :)
2nd stop was Nueva Ecija to visit the brooder for this weekend's loading. Another grower to be visited was busy ranging a batch so he missed the call as we were passing by his town...well next time then.
Proceeded to Baguio for the night. Burnham Suites is worth your money and offers comfortable rooms.
Next morning was Baguio growers. I love this place....as the entrepreneurs are vibrant and well motivated! On the way to Ilocos Sur, we visit another grower in La Union.
Vigan is where we are based in Ilocos Sur as we have a Solraya branch. Got our usual room at our Vigan Plaza hotel...
Went to Abra the next day to visit our growers and picked up Jojie Lim who went to her friend in Abra too. Schedules are matched when you guys want to meet, even when all calendars go wayward at times.
Plans made, talks agreed on...let's see where they take us the next days ahead....
I developed a bad case of flu and was feeling under....so better to get comfortable inside the car :)
2nd stop was Nueva Ecija to visit the brooder for this weekend's loading. Another grower to be visited was busy ranging a batch so he missed the call as we were passing by his town...well next time then.
Proceeded to Baguio for the night. Burnham Suites is worth your money and offers comfortable rooms.
Next morning was Baguio growers. I love this place....as the entrepreneurs are vibrant and well motivated! On the way to Ilocos Sur, we visit another grower in La Union.
Vigan is where we are based in Ilocos Sur as we have a Solraya branch. Got our usual room at our Vigan Plaza hotel...
Went to Abra the next day to visit our growers and picked up Jojie Lim who went to her friend in Abra too. Schedules are matched when you guys want to meet, even when all calendars go wayward at times.
Plans made, talks agreed on...let's see where they take us the next days ahead....
IFEX 2009
Hurdles, when looked from afar, turn out to be great stepping stones.
Three weeks before IFEX 2009, CITEM wrote to us to request that we move booths, as an association wanted our spot. Nope, chose that location early and paid for. I got to ingress early, and the association's people were there seating in my booth. I talked to CITEM and yes they said I will be allowed to ingress in my booth. I didn't want to be at odds with my neighboring booths as they will occupy my perimeter...so I took a walk and looked at the location from afar. Talked to CITEM and CENTREX for a solution. Will they allow a booth by the post? Right smack in the middle? Oh they said YES!
See how well it worked for us.
This year's IFEX met our needs. Much like last year's event, we were seen by good media mileage and food industry people. Nana Ozaeta and her staff from F&B World was there to visit us. We gamely took pictures of the framed article of Sunshine featured in their magazine in Jan 2009, that we display prominently. Growers and prospective farmers saw us there too. Restaurants talked to us. Government agencies matched us with inquiries.
The food trade shows are meant to really market our growers who raises the our Sunshine Chickens. We are there to turnover inquiries and sales.
What was the highlight of the show for me? The one that made me proud?
A lady walked up to me and said she wanted to try the chicken for her restaurant. I asked her location and immediately got a brochure and wrote down the name of my grower in that area. As I handed it to her....she smiled right away and said that the grower was her cousin!
They hooked up right away for initial meetings and talks between me and grower.
Why am I happy? Because there was no questions asked, they were hooked up right away. I am sure, it proved my point about the referrals and marketing we really do for our growers. It was very obvious and my grower must have felt it too.
Felt like IFEX already served my purpose, if only that one transaction is closed....btw, its not a small one :)
Aside from our Sunshine growers, I also keep our booths open to friends whose products I believe in carrying side by side with mine. Kablon Farm and Alaminos Goat Farm was with us this show. I also invited our e-group members of natural farming in the Philippines....but maybe they will not be shy next shows :) It is an earnest and serious invitation with no strings attached, to market with us.
Sad Andry Lim wasn't around....we were able to take a picture of three (3) cover stars of recent Agriculture Magazine editions. Jojie represented Andry Lim, Rene Almeda of Alaminos Goat Farm and of course, Doc Rey of Sunshine Chicken.
Three weeks before IFEX 2009, CITEM wrote to us to request that we move booths, as an association wanted our spot. Nope, chose that location early and paid for. I got to ingress early, and the association's people were there seating in my booth. I talked to CITEM and yes they said I will be allowed to ingress in my booth. I didn't want to be at odds with my neighboring booths as they will occupy my perimeter...so I took a walk and looked at the location from afar. Talked to CITEM and CENTREX for a solution. Will they allow a booth by the post? Right smack in the middle? Oh they said YES!
See how well it worked for us.
This year's IFEX met our needs. Much like last year's event, we were seen by good media mileage and food industry people. Nana Ozaeta and her staff from F&B World was there to visit us. We gamely took pictures of the framed article of Sunshine featured in their magazine in Jan 2009, that we display prominently. Growers and prospective farmers saw us there too. Restaurants talked to us. Government agencies matched us with inquiries.
The food trade shows are meant to really market our growers who raises the our Sunshine Chickens. We are there to turnover inquiries and sales.
What was the highlight of the show for me? The one that made me proud?
A lady walked up to me and said she wanted to try the chicken for her restaurant. I asked her location and immediately got a brochure and wrote down the name of my grower in that area. As I handed it to her....she smiled right away and said that the grower was her cousin!
They hooked up right away for initial meetings and talks between me and grower.
Why am I happy? Because there was no questions asked, they were hooked up right away. I am sure, it proved my point about the referrals and marketing we really do for our growers. It was very obvious and my grower must have felt it too.
Felt like IFEX already served my purpose, if only that one transaction is closed....btw, its not a small one :)
Aside from our Sunshine growers, I also keep our booths open to friends whose products I believe in carrying side by side with mine. Kablon Farm and Alaminos Goat Farm was with us this show. I also invited our e-group members of natural farming in the Philippines....but maybe they will not be shy next shows :) It is an earnest and serious invitation with no strings attached, to market with us.
Sad Andry Lim wasn't around....we were able to take a picture of three (3) cover stars of recent Agriculture Magazine editions. Jojie represented Andry Lim, Rene Almeda of Alaminos Goat Farm and of course, Doc Rey of Sunshine Chicken.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
2nd Organic Pinoy Festival
May 29,30,31 sees the 2nd Organic Pinoy Festival.
Venue will be at the AANI FTI Weekend Market grounds.
Although Sunshine has a permanent booth there, we will still set up and be part of the occassion.
As usual, we will encourage our growers to be part and market their products there.
FREE SEMINAR on Raising Sunshine Chicken at 1pm Sunday, May 31.
Venue will be at the AANI FTI Weekend Market grounds.
Although Sunshine has a permanent booth there, we will still set up and be part of the occassion.
As usual, we will encourage our growers to be part and market their products there.
FREE SEMINAR on Raising Sunshine Chicken at 1pm Sunday, May 31.
AANI FTI Seminar for May2009
Talked to Pol Rubia this morning and Doc Rey is scheduled to give a seminar on Raising Sunshines on May 23 at 9am.
See you there! AANI FTI Weekend Market...behind Sunshine Mall, as you enter FTI compound in Bicutan.
See you there! AANI FTI Weekend Market...behind Sunshine Mall, as you enter FTI compound in Bicutan.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
She-Ka
When we got a call to guest at She-Ka, I liked the prospect right away!
It was a show by women, about women and for women.
As always I get to call times early...it was comforting to know that the crew were made up of familiar faces from One Morning and other on site coverages.
The relaxed set, crew and hosts made the interview very enjoyable. Incidentally, that was arranged by CITEM to promote IFEX 2009.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Iloilo/Roxas/Bacolod/Dumaguete
We got requests to do go back to that part of Visayas again soon to do seminars again.
Will keep this blog posted for the JULY schedule.
Booking airlines and hotels....to jive with our schedules.
Will keep this blog posted for the JULY schedule.
Booking airlines and hotels....to jive with our schedules.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Indulge In Sunballs
Excited over the great yema balls I had the other day at Manna Specialty Bakery, I asked Elena's baker to make me those rich balls using my Sunshine eggs from grass fed hens.
Can't wait till 8pm when I am supposed to get them, together with the liver pate....I peeped and tasted a couple.
See how they are...
Biting into one.....ohhhhhhh....
Indulge....
Try making some. Research on old recipes for Yemas..just like the way you remembered them.
Can't wait till 8pm when I am supposed to get them, together with the liver pate....I peeped and tasted a couple.
See how they are...
Biting into one.....ohhhhhhh....
Indulge....
Try making some. Research on old recipes for Yemas..just like the way you remembered them.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Choice Cuts
Always been asked about the availability of choice cuts and boneless chicken.
I was in a japanese grocery the other day...that's one of my comfort trips when alone. Bought some packs of pickled eggplants and cucumber and had ramen by myself.
Walking through the chiller section, I saw smoked boneless chicken, vacuum packed. Hey, I liked the smoked chicken.
Boneless....there really is a market for this. Think about the cut ups and the boneless niche. Surely will command a premium price for your produce.
I was in a japanese grocery the other day...that's one of my comfort trips when alone. Bought some packs of pickled eggplants and cucumber and had ramen by myself.
Walking through the chiller section, I saw smoked boneless chicken, vacuum packed. Hey, I liked the smoked chicken.
Boneless....there really is a market for this. Think about the cut ups and the boneless niche. Surely will command a premium price for your produce.
Healthy Patty
Chatting with my healthy farming buddy and he gave an idea to make chicken patties. Of course, much like my processed longanizas, these patties should have no preservatives and will just be seasoned using herbs.
Instead of ground, it may be better to have it finely chopped, to get more bite and flavor.
Rolled into balls or formed as patties...healthy and tasty alternative.
Attention Rene...this should be a product that may come out from Patty's Farm :)
Instead of ground, it may be better to have it finely chopped, to get more bite and flavor.
Rolled into balls or formed as patties...healthy and tasty alternative.
Attention Rene...this should be a product that may come out from Patty's Farm :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sunballs: Yema
Pressure to have my stocks of liver pate....I brought some packs of Sunshine liver to Elena. Timing, I haven't had lunch, so it was opportunity to sit down for chitchat. Puttanesca, Chocolate Sin...and I saw yema balls.
Those egg yolks rolled into balls is one of my all time favorites! Haven't had a real good one in a long time. Most I've had tasted pastey....more like mashed potatoes. Elena said, it might be it, as an extender.
I tried her yema balls....3 pls :) She said is can get addicting! YES, I agree!!!!! This will look, taste and be healthier....if Sunshine eggs, from our grass fed hens, were used.
Costing...pencil pushing.... OK, I will try. A new commission for my pina-MANNA line. Heavenly balls..yema...I might just call them Sunballs :)
I am excited to see Lori Baltazar...such a sweet tooth! She might love this too.
Another business idea for you.
Those egg yolks rolled into balls is one of my all time favorites! Haven't had a real good one in a long time. Most I've had tasted pastey....more like mashed potatoes. Elena said, it might be it, as an extender.
I tried her yema balls....3 pls :) She said is can get addicting! YES, I agree!!!!! This will look, taste and be healthier....if Sunshine eggs, from our grass fed hens, were used.
Costing...pencil pushing.... OK, I will try. A new commission for my pina-MANNA line. Heavenly balls..yema...I might just call them Sunballs :)
I am excited to see Lori Baltazar...such a sweet tooth! She might love this too.
Another business idea for you.
Mornings@ANC
What can make me turn around? Yesterday, we were headed to Isabela for a quick trip and touch base, before the IFEX event over the weekend. It was a leisurely trip, with me on the wheel. Lunch, dessert of the biggest Blizzard at DQ etc etc etc. Somewhere about San Rafael, Doc Rey gets a call from CITEM and asking if we can guest that afternoon (uhuh, too late) and the next morning at Mornings@ANC.
He passes the phone to me and YES, I will go back :) I like that show and will want to meet the hosts up close and personal...wehehehe....means, watch from the bleachers!
I needed a cooked dish. No cook, but still asked a store staff to dry rub some chickens and stuff with lemongrass. Sounds easy huh? By 11pm, it was ready for charbroiling. I was excited to taste it. After I asked it to be chopped....I noticed this plant like stuff hiding among the chopped pieces. Hmmmmm...can't be tanglad or lemongrass. Looks more like celery to me...and the chicken was far too peppery...ewwwwwww!
Relax....I remembered I had some tubs of pate left in the freezer :)
By 6:30am, I was at my AANI Circle booth getting some dressed chickens for the table setting. Aside from me, there was a couple at the AANI area reading through the other booths' tarpaulins. The moment I entered my booth, they came in and looks like very happy that there was someone to ask about Sunshines. The chat extended to a pleasant one and may translate to day old chicks flying out of Manila :)
Soon after, I went to ABS-CBN. I am always early for appointments, as #1 I am so poor in parking so I scout the place, #2 I like to be early wehehehehhe. Because of that, I got the parking right under the canopy, by the entrance.
Got off and scouted the place...it was near for me to carry my stuff. Good, because I didn't think about bringing the dependable kareton.
Geez...everyone who was guesting in DZMM, Channel 2, Channel 23, ANC...I saw them all. Who drove them, where they got off, what were they wearing when they arrived and the clothes they were carrying to change to.
8:00am came and I walked into Studio 6. The guests for the IFEX promo fixed their own tables. I was the only one doing it solo...but its ok. Don't touch my chicken...because that's only for the camera. I cautioned everyone that it was peppery. The asst floor director and another PA said that the hosts liked their food hot ahahhahahha.
Ok...so fixed up now.
Soon after, the hosts were digging into the liver pate, even before the show started....the very savior. It was most easiest to munch on, w/o destroying the look, as pates are meant to be dug into. So it still looked good through the camera's eyes. I had to replenish the crackers several times!
Got good reviews about my liver pate. Actually not mine...this is a pina-MANNA. Commissioned Elena of Manna Specialty Bakery to do it for me, together with the Gizzard Adobo.
Pressured to have more....decided to go by Elena's store.
You should make your own and sell them. I suggest, don't cut corners and make a good one. The market who will seek for it, demands a good one.
As the hosts of Mornings@ANC said....it was really awesome. Mind you, those comments were made on and off camera :)
As we were tidying up the set, CITEM promo staff asked us to guest again for a Friday morning show in another channel. But, that is already the start of IFEX! Let's see how we will shuffle ourselves.
He passes the phone to me and YES, I will go back :) I like that show and will want to meet the hosts up close and personal...wehehehe....means, watch from the bleachers!
I needed a cooked dish. No cook, but still asked a store staff to dry rub some chickens and stuff with lemongrass. Sounds easy huh? By 11pm, it was ready for charbroiling. I was excited to taste it. After I asked it to be chopped....I noticed this plant like stuff hiding among the chopped pieces. Hmmmmm...can't be tanglad or lemongrass. Looks more like celery to me...and the chicken was far too peppery...ewwwwwww!
Relax....I remembered I had some tubs of pate left in the freezer :)
By 6:30am, I was at my AANI Circle booth getting some dressed chickens for the table setting. Aside from me, there was a couple at the AANI area reading through the other booths' tarpaulins. The moment I entered my booth, they came in and looks like very happy that there was someone to ask about Sunshines. The chat extended to a pleasant one and may translate to day old chicks flying out of Manila :)
Soon after, I went to ABS-CBN. I am always early for appointments, as #1 I am so poor in parking so I scout the place, #2 I like to be early wehehehehhe. Because of that, I got the parking right under the canopy, by the entrance.
Got off and scouted the place...it was near for me to carry my stuff. Good, because I didn't think about bringing the dependable kareton.
Geez...everyone who was guesting in DZMM, Channel 2, Channel 23, ANC...I saw them all. Who drove them, where they got off, what were they wearing when they arrived and the clothes they were carrying to change to.
8:00am came and I walked into Studio 6. The guests for the IFEX promo fixed their own tables. I was the only one doing it solo...but its ok. Don't touch my chicken...because that's only for the camera. I cautioned everyone that it was peppery. The asst floor director and another PA said that the hosts liked their food hot ahahhahahha.
Ok...so fixed up now.
Soon after, the hosts were digging into the liver pate, even before the show started....the very savior. It was most easiest to munch on, w/o destroying the look, as pates are meant to be dug into. So it still looked good through the camera's eyes. I had to replenish the crackers several times!
Got good reviews about my liver pate. Actually not mine...this is a pina-MANNA. Commissioned Elena of Manna Specialty Bakery to do it for me, together with the Gizzard Adobo.
Pressured to have more....decided to go by Elena's store.
You should make your own and sell them. I suggest, don't cut corners and make a good one. The market who will seek for it, demands a good one.
As the hosts of Mornings@ANC said....it was really awesome. Mind you, those comments were made on and off camera :)
As we were tidying up the set, CITEM promo staff asked us to guest again for a Friday morning show in another channel. But, that is already the start of IFEX! Let's see how we will shuffle ourselves.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Down Feathers
Often asked if Sunshines will survive the rainy season when being free ranged already.
Yes.
How? Why?
There are 3 types of feathers.
1) Contour - The ones that you first notice. The feathers that show you the colors? See how they sort of have a combed look when it gets wet? The water just seems to slide.
2) Flight - Allows them to fly :) Notice also how they open their wings when they feel warm...to allow air to their skin.
3) Down - Those fine, short feathers. If the Sunshines already make the water just slide through their contour feathers, the down feathers make sure they are kept warm.
Have you tried shampooing gamefowls? Even if you submerge them already in a pail of water with, you find that they are still dry inside and you have to really toss and tumble their feathers.
Another good example is when you slaughter and defeather chickens. You have to dip the chcken in boiling water to be able to defeather them. You will find that you really have to mess up the feathers to get the skin wet.
So YES, they will do fine even if they get wet....Just make sure they have a roof over their heads and dry beddings, so they may run for cover when they want to. Also, getting wet is different from soaking wet.
Yes.
How? Why?
There are 3 types of feathers.
1) Contour - The ones that you first notice. The feathers that show you the colors? See how they sort of have a combed look when it gets wet? The water just seems to slide.
2) Flight - Allows them to fly :) Notice also how they open their wings when they feel warm...to allow air to their skin.
3) Down - Those fine, short feathers. If the Sunshines already make the water just slide through their contour feathers, the down feathers make sure they are kept warm.
Have you tried shampooing gamefowls? Even if you submerge them already in a pail of water with, you find that they are still dry inside and you have to really toss and tumble their feathers.
Another good example is when you slaughter and defeather chickens. You have to dip the chcken in boiling water to be able to defeather them. You will find that you really have to mess up the feathers to get the skin wet.
So YES, they will do fine even if they get wet....Just make sure they have a roof over their heads and dry beddings, so they may run for cover when they want to. Also, getting wet is different from soaking wet.
MMS
By 6am, I got a text that Sunshines were enroute to Guimaras already.
This couple has the energy, excitement, enthusiasm....but no real experience in brooding :)
What comes to our rescue? MMS....they were sending pictures of the brooding...I was calling to comment. That exchange went for about 3 or 4 photos/calls. By the 4th photo and call, we were over "comfort zone 101".
Well...we said 101...so it means this will be a whole semester :)
Keeping in touch is a requisite.
This couple has the energy, excitement, enthusiasm....but no real experience in brooding :)
What comes to our rescue? MMS....they were sending pictures of the brooding...I was calling to comment. That exchange went for about 3 or 4 photos/calls. By the 4th photo and call, we were over "comfort zone 101".
Well...we said 101...so it means this will be a whole semester :)
Keeping in touch is a requisite.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Brooder Hut
By 8am, we were crossing a small brook to get to this piece of property in Laguna.
Doesn't the brooder look inviting? Am sure the Sunshines were excited to be let free in there :) The brooder even had a sort of ante room.
Look at them...excited....they were literally jumping to freedom :)
The only thing that was ready when we got there were the three (3) lights. They laid the newspapers when we got there. We guided them in mixing brown sugar with the first drink. Instructed them on placing stones in the drinkers....It was actually good, as we were able to video the preparation of the drinkers...a new input for our presentations :)
When the Sunshines were set free, they were sort of in an OJT. Observed how they all gathered under the three (3) existing bulbs...they knew that they had to add bulbs to keep them warm.
Doesn't the brooder look inviting? Am sure the Sunshines were excited to be let free in there :) The brooder even had a sort of ante room.
Look at them...excited....they were literally jumping to freedom :)
The only thing that was ready when we got there were the three (3) lights. They laid the newspapers when we got there. We guided them in mixing brown sugar with the first drink. Instructed them on placing stones in the drinkers....It was actually good, as we were able to video the preparation of the drinkers...a new input for our presentations :)
When the Sunshines were set free, they were sort of in an OJT. Observed how they all gathered under the three (3) existing bulbs...they knew that they had to add bulbs to keep them warm.
Old And New
Just back from a whirlwind 3days-2nights trip.
First stop was Iloilo: About 1week ago, I got a call for an order of chicks to be picked up in Iloilo to be grown in Guimaras. I suggested that before we send the Sunshines, they may do the seminar in Iloilo. Yes, they went to the seminar and we even visited their farm. Monday, he starts with a trial batch.
The buiding shown above is an old chapel inside the hacienda....I wonder what Zac Sarian and Doc Rey were discussing as they entered :)
The crowd we had in Oton was very receptive and interaction was good during the seminar. I would say we had a 50/50 mix of expats and locals present.
One of growers in the area was a pleasant surprise when he showed up. I may have misunderstood him when he said that farm was quite a distance, I thought he can't make it. I saw Zac Sarian in an animated conversation with him, and taking notes and a photograph...I hope it makes his pages soon :)
We visited also another farm, Dawn's...she does contract growing of white broilers, but practices natural farming around with veggies to keep the flies away.
Lunch was a hearty spread of seafoods.
I have to thank Erik for setting up the seminar with Joachim's The Bazaar Cafe.
Stayed at Grand Dame Hotel in La Paz. Great hotel! Clean, comfortable...highly recommended.
Next day was Bacolod. First time that we took the fastcraft. One of my real friends, Mabol, was there waiting with her van to drive us around Bacolod.
Happy again with the choice of hotel. Planta Hotel is the newest and also by the same owners of Business Inn, so I knew it will be at par to standards. Can't complain :)
We tried Jo's Inato for lunch. Took eons to get our lunch, but it was worth the wait. Binacol (like tinola, using buko juice as water and buko strips) and the inato tasted different from the usual inasal.
Rushed for time, we were late arriving for the Bacolod seminar. I hate being late, moreso when you are pressured by a slow acting power point to unfurl its contents...then you get a non responsive projector cables....but...patience...all is well. We got a Bounty guest. Thank you to Walter and Fely for arranging the seminar venue.
Dinner was at Aboy's...wow.....this left us breathless....no space after all that great food! The simplicity of the cooking enhanced the freshness of the ingredients. I reprimanded Mabol for not taking us there in previous tripsto Bacolod.
Next morning, we invited Walter and Fely for breakfast as a "thank you" for the arrangement. We ourselves didn't eat much as we were going for lunch at Mabol's family's house in Sta Clara. We went around the Pacifica Agrivet branches and did our courtesy calls, went to the tissue culture lab of Tita Julie...then went to their house for lunch. She and Zac were old friends from the garden and orchid societies....so Mabol and I had time to chitchat.
While we were doing the seminar at Silay (thanks to the LGU), Mabol and Zac Sarian went to visit their farm in La Carlota. Not much space..just 800 hectares...and just 4 hectares as backyard veggie farming :)
We have to go back real soon and take a more leisurely trip....with old and new friends, old and new growers, old and new dealers :)
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Out Of The Ordinary
The weather is not our usual.
Doc Rey is absent for Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura. Normally, he would be do his Vet ng Bayan segment by phonepatch, but he was in an area that had bad Globe signal.
There was no farm visit and I was with Jojie Lim..I decided to be un-uniformed and donned my cute tennis dress.
Instead of Doc Rey, I did my small talk on the unusual weather and what we have to do to make sure the Sunshines are ok...
1) Beddings - they are meant to keep the ranging Sunshines dry and warm. So keep it clean and make sure they have beddings.
2) Curtains - Don't keep out the cold, as you keep out the fresh air they need. You may have a wind breaker, meaning, have the curtains (with air flow below and outlet above) about atleast 1ft from the housing walls.
3) Make sure they get their dose of herbs for prevention and to give them their armor in this weather. Chop up garlic, chilis, oregano - and put it in their drinking water. Be careful when working on the herbs as they can get potent and have a burning sensation :( The potion will keep the Sunshines warm and healthier.
4) Keep you flock report and advise us weekly, so we may monitor and be alerted for potential problems.
5) Build the housing on an elevated, flood free area.
Logic and common sense plays a lot when you give care and attention to something.
Doc Rey is absent for Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura. Normally, he would be do his Vet ng Bayan segment by phonepatch, but he was in an area that had bad Globe signal.
There was no farm visit and I was with Jojie Lim..I decided to be un-uniformed and donned my cute tennis dress.
Instead of Doc Rey, I did my small talk on the unusual weather and what we have to do to make sure the Sunshines are ok...
1) Beddings - they are meant to keep the ranging Sunshines dry and warm. So keep it clean and make sure they have beddings.
2) Curtains - Don't keep out the cold, as you keep out the fresh air they need. You may have a wind breaker, meaning, have the curtains (with air flow below and outlet above) about atleast 1ft from the housing walls.
3) Make sure they get their dose of herbs for prevention and to give them their armor in this weather. Chop up garlic, chilis, oregano - and put it in their drinking water. Be careful when working on the herbs as they can get potent and have a burning sensation :( The potion will keep the Sunshines warm and healthier.
4) Keep you flock report and advise us weekly, so we may monitor and be alerted for potential problems.
5) Build the housing on an elevated, flood free area.
Logic and common sense plays a lot when you give care and attention to something.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Socializing Is Important
Farm visits by your veterinarian are most important. If not possible, send pictures often. In a previous post, we agreed that photos do talk and tell the story of the rearing of the Sunshines. At the very least, keep in touch at least once a week.
In the photos above, w/c were agreed to be amended already by the owner, several factors have to be changed.
1) Multi batch separated by a net only. Should be at least 15meters apart.
2) The shelter has no beddings. Have some rice hull there to keep the dry, especially in this weather.
3) The land is big. Give the Sunshines the space it needs, for ranging, 1sq meter per bird. Notice how bald the ranging area is? The caretaker said 4days, it went bald already. Its not that they are overly eating..it is because they are in small area, so you think they eat fast.
4) Very few feeders
Overall, good....given that biosecurity and space requirements aren't met.
Hopfully when we go vistit again...we are now utilizing and playing with the large property and use the shaded and grassy areas :)
Friday, May 01, 2009
Chickens Feed The Fishes
Two days ago, I get a quite frantic call from a veterinarian who's worried about his present Sunshines on the range.
I thought he got the wrong number, as he knew Doc Rey's contact.
Nope, he clicked on the right contact..he wanted to speak with me as he was embarassed to ask Doc Rey. Thought balloon right away...."he must have done something he knew wasn't right" hahahhha.
Ok, what age? What range did you use (because he just harvested)? I wanted to make sure.
I preempted the answer already in my mind, following my just blown thought balloon...YUP, he used THE SAME ranging area. The very area he just harvested from.
"Don't you remember about how to break cycle of the bacteria? That some need chickens as hosts for them to survive and spread????" You need to let brooders and ranging areas rest. To break that cycle.
No vaccines, no antibiotics are being used.
Now he can sound a little more frantic, as he already let out his can of worms.....calm down...chop up some chilis, ginger, garlic and add them in the drinking water.
That was 2days ago and I asked him to advise me. He didn't, so I called.....The sunshines are happy now, and transferred to another area.
Conversation led to other things. His family was asking why will he want to take care of chickens, well he said initially : nice to look at seeing running all around, food on the farm's tables. Later on, people were buying from them. He takes care of about 1000-1500 a month.
After pencil pushing and co-relating their expenses chicken raising and fishpond expenses...hey the chickens fed the fishes! He was now laughingly telling me that no one now questions the chickens in the farm.
Hope that after we do the Visayas loop, we be able to visit him in Tarlac. Our media friends might find interesting the veterinarian venturing into sustainable farming...going against practices, BUT knowing that there are points in the exact science that can't be thrown away and will always be the foundation of farming.
He is equally excited about the visit and the marketing that it will do to his town.
Where's my natural farming tandem? This might be the best venue to kick off our pages :)
BTW, when I told Doc Rey about his vet friend being shy to call him, he said "tell him just think the Sunshines have colic"...diba kabag yun? lol
I thought he got the wrong number, as he knew Doc Rey's contact.
Nope, he clicked on the right contact..he wanted to speak with me as he was embarassed to ask Doc Rey. Thought balloon right away...."he must have done something he knew wasn't right" hahahhha.
Ok, what age? What range did you use (because he just harvested)? I wanted to make sure.
I preempted the answer already in my mind, following my just blown thought balloon...YUP, he used THE SAME ranging area. The very area he just harvested from.
"Don't you remember about how to break cycle of the bacteria? That some need chickens as hosts for them to survive and spread????" You need to let brooders and ranging areas rest. To break that cycle.
No vaccines, no antibiotics are being used.
Now he can sound a little more frantic, as he already let out his can of worms.....calm down...chop up some chilis, ginger, garlic and add them in the drinking water.
That was 2days ago and I asked him to advise me. He didn't, so I called.....The sunshines are happy now, and transferred to another area.
Conversation led to other things. His family was asking why will he want to take care of chickens, well he said initially : nice to look at seeing running all around, food on the farm's tables. Later on, people were buying from them. He takes care of about 1000-1500 a month.
After pencil pushing and co-relating their expenses chicken raising and fishpond expenses...hey the chickens fed the fishes! He was now laughingly telling me that no one now questions the chickens in the farm.
Hope that after we do the Visayas loop, we be able to visit him in Tarlac. Our media friends might find interesting the veterinarian venturing into sustainable farming...going against practices, BUT knowing that there are points in the exact science that can't be thrown away and will always be the foundation of farming.
He is equally excited about the visit and the marketing that it will do to his town.
Where's my natural farming tandem? This might be the best venue to kick off our pages :)
BTW, when I told Doc Rey about his vet friend being shy to call him, he said "tell him just think the Sunshines have colic"...diba kabag yun? lol
Buhay Pa, Timplado Na
That should be in quotation marks...like...
What does she refer to?
WRONG, not just the Sunshines.
YES, to the pork and chickens that are raised eating grasses, herbs, veggies in all their fresh glory and having their food mixed with fermented veggie and fruit juices.
Since their subsistence consists of the herbs etc, they are seasoned to taste even prior to slaughtering.
Not just a tagline there...but truth and reality!
So Mam Jojie, this is like a registration to Intellectual Property Rights for you. Nice one!
"Buhay pa, timplado na"Why in quotation marks? It was coined by Jojie Lim and she is scared it might be snatched again from her wehehehhehehe.
Still alive, when seasoned
What does she refer to?
WRONG, not just the Sunshines.
YES, to the pork and chickens that are raised eating grasses, herbs, veggies in all their fresh glory and having their food mixed with fermented veggie and fruit juices.
Since their subsistence consists of the herbs etc, they are seasoned to taste even prior to slaughtering.
Not just a tagline there...but truth and reality!
So Mam Jojie, this is like a registration to Intellectual Property Rights for you. Nice one!
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