Agriculture Magazine Office

Went to pick up some items...let me take you inside....

This is the main lobby.  On your right will be the Classifieds Ads area and your left is the Circulation Department.  See the framed photos on the wall?  Those are the covers of the current issues of the different publications under Manila Bulletin.

As we were discussing some pages to be printed...  That is Mr. Zac Sarian, the editor.  One of the staff for Agri, Mel.

The editor back on his desk.

Agriculture Magazine October 2011

 

Orders for Super Avocado had been pouring in :)

Yes, the ordinary white chicks can be pastured!

 

Housing design is important.  Give them a lot of space, air and sunshine.  The cost of the building in sustainable agriculture need not be expensive.  Imperative that they have easy access to the open range.

The chickens need shaded areas to comfort them from the heat of the sun.  Much like people..how you feel is how they experience it too :)  When we made the shift, other growers tried it too and have seen the logic to pursue it.

FAQs are tackled in our column, email us for your queries.

Doc Rey's column tackles veterinary issues.

Happy 14th Anniversary to Agriculture Magazine!  Honored to be working with you.

Agriculture Magazine September 2011

Yesterday at Agrikapihan, I was excited to see the September issue so I went at 8am. Guess what?  The two stalls that carried it, Teresa Orchard and AANI, had already sold the copies they brought!

Early today, I was going to check out National Bookstore. Since it is a Holiday, no traffic and my relaxed mind brought me just cruising. Next thing I knew I was in Quiapo hahahahahha....so, why not....go to the head office of Manila Bulletin to get copies.

Parking was so easy and the light rain was an easy excuse to don my raincoat:)

The children are really the ones we have to focus on educating:)

We had an easy time interviewing Dante Delima as there was a deeper story other than simply farming.  BTW, my editor says he hardly has to do anything if at all to my submissions.  Thank you.  But for this article...he added two words.  Why?  Maybe because he wanted to edit something, whatever he can.  In the opening paragraph, he added that Dante Delima and "his brother" Tibaw.  Well, they are brothers in sustainable agriculture after all :)

What was hard to do was to write it up, as a short story wasn't going to do it justice.

Dante Delima is worth meeting up in person.  You can't judge a man by his shoes.  Nor can a man's worth be seen in paper.

You have to experience being with a True Blue Farmer :)

Mr. Zac Sarian asked Doc Rey to do what his initial intention was for a column...that from a Veterinarian.  So here is his first article.

Agriculture Magazine August 2011

I was at a food writing seminar today, Power of Pen 3, when the Manila Bulletin booth was unpacking and preparing their table. Asking what Agriculture Magazine they had, they said August. Wow...sure? YES!

Happy to write about the Glinoga Organic Farm :)

Natural Farming Family

After being given a column on natural farming in Agriculture Magazine, we knew we wanted to go beyond the topics of simply natural farming. We wanted to show the people behind it, what it takes to be a natural farmer, who are the ones that have the sustainability....natural farming requires dedication and patience :)

A topic that played on our minds is the family as a unit...a natural farming family. Rare time that Doc Rey and I will be on the same wavelength, but we were one on this...the Glinogas.

Mid June, after I rushed my July2011 debut column, I met the Glinogas for an interview. Gold, the younger son, was sick but he patiently obliged and quietly waited. Silver, the older one, animatedly intermediated during the interview. These are 11 and 14 year old boys. I told Doc Rey he missed the wonderful vibes of the family!

Bittie Glinoga, an airforce pilot meets a nurse, Weng Fortun, during a course for paramedics/rescue, where she was the teacher.  One had a land, the other was raised by a farming family. Years later, they wanted to revive the denuded farm and give jobs to Pitogo, Quezon folks.  Glinoga Organic Farm was born.

I won't preempt our column for August 2011, but just a preview of things:

Lubi Lubi or Niyog Niyogan cooked as guinataan

Lagikway used as anti-hypertensive in the Pitogo, Quezon community.  Cooked like Camote Tops.

The Glinoga Organic Farm has a stall at the AANI FTI Weekend Market every Saturday and Sunday.  I told them that I wish that MM of Market Manila discovers them there.  That was in June.  After two (2) weeks, read this post :)  Good things are hard not to be noticed!

Read the full story soon:)

Agriculture Magazine July 2011

Our column "Natural Farming w/ Sandy and Doc Rey" debuts in the Agriculture Magazine for July 2011.

Mr. Zac Sarian makes an announcement in his Agripage of Manila Bulletin:

Breakthrough for natural farming. Great opportunity for Philippines for Natural Farming Inc :)

Natural Farming with Sandy & Doc Rey

This was what kept me excited yesterday as it was confirmed that my 1st article

was accepted with minimal revision (2 words!) and that please send our photos

for showing beside the name (sounded real already) and if we can write the next

article already (am still not yet over the awe that it is real).

Someone told me last week that I should have sent several so the editor may have

a wider selection, if not, my material may just be set aside. I shrugged my

shoulder and thought, we wrote what we thought was best for the 1st :)

Final, Mr. Zac Sarian is giving Sandy and Doc Rey a column. I submitted my copy

with SUNSHINE w/ Sandy and Doc Rey as the original column name. When the final

copy was sent back to me, they changed the column title to "Natural Farming

with Sandy and Doc Rey".

Very good timing when Zac asked us, as it was the perfect venue to market PNFI. 

He didn't give me parameters and I can write about anything. Breakthrough for

marketing of PNFI :)

Background:

Long ago, Rey and Zac were going to do a series of books. Soon after we met

Andry, and the idea came to me about the "He saym She says"....why not "natural

farmer says, Vet says"! Great! But, the natural farming protocols came later,

after that probably when it did, our interest on the project waned or Zac was

preoccupied and didn't want to write it. Can't be sure what was the real

reason.

Last week when we were talking....I didn't even mention yet about PNFI as I was

going to give press releases to market PNFI.....he said he wanted me and Doc Rey

to write a column on livestock and poultry. I asked if he was serious and if he

was, can it be about something that was encompassing and closer to our hearts

now...natural farming. Then he said...perfect to bring back my original idea of

"natural farmers says, Vet says" now perfect!

Look at my article's last line :)

join the Philippines for Natural Farming, Inc on FB

https://www.facebook.com/Philippines-for-Natural-Farming-Inc and on the Yahoo

group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/philippinesfornaturalfarminginc/

I am lining up already next articles....Mabuhay ang natural farming. Mabuhay

ang PNFI!

Mr. Sarian just called now...waiting for the photos as the July issue is being

laid out, and asking about next article submission....totoo na nga ito.

After These, What Is Next?

Agri Plain Talk, Manila Bulletin, December 11 2010

Agri Plain Talk, Manila Bulletin, Jan 08 2011

Agriculture Magazine, Jan 2011, Page7

Panorama, Jan 02 2011, Page 20 and 21

In December 25 2010, Mag Agri Tayo, shown every Saturday at 9am over Channel 4 had featured the white pastured chickens too.  We are now partnering with them in given a school on the air and will be showing in several episodes our farming practices.  In early 2010 they did a 2part feature on us already, but they are now interested in the whites and the natural farming.  Watch out for the January 29 2011 episode.

Can you guess what the next stories of Mr. Zac Sarian will be focusing on? 

Good Start, Pay Forward

January 2 2011, Panorama of the Manila Bulletin had a two page spread on our pasturing white chickens. January 7 2011, Mag Agri Tayo (Every Saturday, 9am, Channel 4) set an appointment for another shoot next week covering Azolla, fPJ and OHN....this was just after they featured us on white pastured chickens in their December 25 2010 episode.   January 8 2011, Agripage of Manila Bulletin played up the use of Azolla as an alternative feeds for animals.  By mid morning, Channel 5 did a chance interview on us at Mercato Centrale for the Sunshine Chicken and we had another chance to highlight Azolla.

Today, I was also asked how much would Azolla cost?  "It multiplies so fast that I think it is a sin to sell it...besides, we were taught and given time and Azolla, it has to be paid forward to others".

These were the two photos that were used by Mr. Zac Sarian's Agripage, Jan 8, 2011:

AZOLLA IS CHEAP CHICKEN FEED - If you want to economize on feeds for your free range chicken, you should try growing Azolla even if you have just a small fishpond.  Just like what Dr. Rey Itchon is doing in their farm in Santiago City, Isabela.  They raise Azolla in their Tilapia ponds and harvest the water plant for feeding their white chickens which are raised as free range chickens.  The Itchons say that the chickens just love to eat Azolla which is rich in protein.  They only feed their chickens once a day with commercial feeds that is without any antibiotics.  Instead, they enhance the health of their fowls by adding fermented plant juice, which they themselves make, in their drinking water.  Photo above shows the Itchons' pond full of Azolla while at the lower photo, the chickens are relishing the Azolla given them.

Close up of Azolla:

We are now harvesting 50kgs a day, that translates to savings of PHP1500 a day.  That is what we feed the Sunshines.  We haven't even counted our Pangasius and Tilapia that live on Azolla alone.  We did a sampling recently and the growth is comparable to commercial fishponds that are fed with commercial feeds.   

Setting up additional holding areas to bring up the harvest to 100kgs a day :)

Thankful For 2010....Looking Forward To 2011

These past days, I had been composing in my mind how to post for my year ending blog.  I  can just think of blessings.  Am sure I had my share of trials, but those are learning expeditions for future realizations.

For Sunshine Chicken, I can't ask for more.  Only on our 3rd year for the dressed chicken market, we got a lot of media mileage for 2010.  How many TV shows featured us?  At least six (6).  Mag Agri tayo featured us twice this year.  I have to look at their support and of course to Mr. Zac Sarian, Editor for Agriculture of Manila Bulletin, who is always documenting our moves in the pastured, free range chicken industry. Both of them had been covering our transition from colored to white.  The last segment we had in December 25 with Mag Agri tayo will be followed up soon by a TV shoot again next week.  That show got a lot of good reviews and feedback.  Mr. Sarian just wrote about us last week and will follow up in the January issues of Agriculture Magazine and Panorama.

As for our sales for dressed Sunshine Chicken?  Take it from the cue that we are always loading dayold chicks :)

Just as I was composing in my mind how to "Thank" 2010 and everyone...I got a call informing me that Bobby Inocencio passed away while vacationing in Dumaguete.  Bobby is the Father of Free Range Chicken industry in the Philippines.  He reintroduced and opened our eyes again to how chickens should be raised, not just for backyard, but for commercial too. Solraya Enterprises as that time was just into distributing of dayold chicks for Bobby's Teresa Farm.  I may not agree with his business styles, but after we stopped doing business, we maintained friendship.  Later on, when we started importing and selling chicks, roles were reversed and he bought our Sunshine chicks and sold them the the clients who trusted and just wanted to buy from Bobby :)  That is one thing that remained, and SASSO of France knows that...that triangle of work and respect remained between SASSO of France, Bobby of Teresa Farm and Solraya Enterprises.  I had to let France know right away about Bobby's passing away....even before I remembered to call Bobby's UP College barkada (we had common friends).

There will be no Sunshine Chicken if there was no Bobby Inocencio.  We have no unfinished business together and he knew we were friends even after the business deals were over.  Last contact was to greet each other for Christmas.

Thank you to all for the joys and blessings shared.  If we shared trials....that is it...just trials to see how we deal with all of these :)

Luxury Of Experimenting

Since start of 2010, I had been restless and knew I had to do something new or different. Marketing Sunshine, gone into healthy sausages, got the levels of the dressed chickens business to a comfortable level....what is next?

Have to go back to what was said about this 2010 in terms of Astrology, but I knew it drove me to make changes and movements. For one, I had learned to love the dressed chicken side. It wasn't part of the original enterprise, but it was part and parcel of marketing, to elevate consumers' awareness.

Been so quiet because I detached myself somewhat, to be able to see myself and where to go. I want to plant Camote! But I love my chickens too. Think of how you can do better to mankind. Think of how growing their own food will be more accessible and cheaper.

I had the luxury of time and effort. Can you guess what I did?

Look at where experiments may take you. This will help a lot of backyard farmers and people who will want to grow their own food. White broilers are readily available and cheaper.

It is in the raising!

Time For Getting On The Ground

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Cong. Procy Alcala will be the new Secretary of Department of Agriculture.

Early this morning, Tere texts that she and Dante are on the way to Manila to do initial support work for Secretary Alcala. Rare time that we can all get together, she calls to ask if time permits, will Zac Sarian and I have time for coffee after work?

The strong rain late afternoon didn't deter us from meeting up. Over dimsum and pots of tea, we shared laughter and just assuring ourselves who the real people are.

Its been sometime now since we all met. As usual, started with Zac and my itchy soles....wanting to get out of Metro and visit farms. For Doc Rey and I it is learning. For Zac, more often than not, in search for stories to tell. We went to Quezon and met the Earthkeepers (search tags Earthkeepers). In one trip to Davao, Tere led us to meet Dante and Tibaw...she said "they are True Blue Farmers".

Rest is history and it started a real respect of one another....not just because of the experience in natural farming...but more of natural people.

I didn't want to miss this...over long conversation, taking photos. I was able to capture the core group of Secretary Alcala.

Dante and Tere were the major movers and researchers for the Likasaka book on natural farming.

They credit the push and spreading of their work, to a lot of support from Zac Sarian of Bulletin.

I am thankful for the opportunity of being with them on a relaxing note. We were not work, we were their break from it all...it was for us all to get grounded. Tomorrow, it is time to get the feet on the ground to do the work.

The 3rd Pinoy Organic Festival

The venue and set up for this show was simple and basic. Tents, ordinary tables, under the trees, in the parking lot. No frills, no extravagance...by default it went with what basic and organic really meant. The attendees were mostly farmers, which is the point of this event. It was a good convergence for farmers like us.

Senator Miguel Zubiri was there. He is the principal author of the Philippine Organic Agriculture Law. At the end, it will really be the organic and natural farming practitioners, herbal advocates and the consumers who will be guided by moral ethics and common sense. Oh well, that is my opinion.

Doc Rey conducted a seminar on the last day. Very well attended and the interest was held.

I went around Sunday morning and found a sweet tuba seller! My favorite drink ever! Asked her to reserve the last bottles for me and asked her if we can go visit her farm. She is one of the few OCCP Certified Organic farms. Timing, because she also wanted to carry Sunshine Chicken in her store to go with her veggies. That should be another post, after we visit the farm.

I asked Mr. Sarian, editor for Agriculture of Manila Bulletin if he wanted to join the trip. That is how agri friends spend time together....farm visits :) We get to enjoy good company and the best fresh produce.

It is those farm tours that allow us to know, where to get what. We really see how the farms are operated and how the produce are grown. Oh no, we are not a certifying body nor an organic organization. We are just enjoying time together with friends.

Mr. Zac Sarian during opening day.

Relations That Work

Means that we collaborate, we work individually, and work with one another....and we are all hard workers :)

It is rare that we get to sit down with friends and still do our jobs. The trade shows offer that kind of opportunity. Most times we are all miles apart, but the shows centralize us.

Doc Rey enjoys day2 of INAHGEN 2010 with Rene Almeda of Alaminos Goat Farm and Mr. Zac Sarian of Manila Bulletin :)

Can you guess what's next?

Zacess Story

Mr. Zac Sarian, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, multi awarded journalist, Editor for Agriculture of Manila Bulletin... We enjoy the pleasure of being able to join him in farm visits and interviews with successful farmers.

In Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura every Sunday over DWWW, he has a segment called Zacess Stories. There, he talks about success stories...its not the magnitude, it is in the manner of how people have uplifted themselves. I like listening to him tell those stories.

The program isn't scripted so no one knows what comes up in one's segment. Not too long ago, we were all surprised when it was Toto Barcelona of Harbest Seed Company, who was the Zacess Story. He is a regular at the radio program so we were all pleased :) His age was mentioned and I said to Toto, " I hope in 8yrs, when I get to your age, I will be featured too".

Today was not the usual Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura day for me. I never stand from my seat from start to finish. I am an obedient member. I keep quiet and still until 7:30am. This morning at 6:30am I left the booth and stayed out and mingled with the visitors for Agrikapihan forum.

Listening to Zacess Stories had been a habit so when Zac's segment came up, I and Doc Rey kept quiet. It started with something vaguely about Sunshine Chicken....well...ok....so maybe he started the segment in jest, looking for us inside the booth?

Hmmmmm...oh no....we were his Zacess Story! Am so excited, pleased and awed...I run inside the office, right outside the technician's booth so I can listen. There is a PA outside, but there were people outside to entertain and you can't concentrate.

I joked Zac after that, he made no mention about profits gained, unlike his other Zacess Stories. Wahahahahhahha....Yes of course, the success story being portrayed is the hard work and perseverance in simple, earnest duties.

I thought I was the only one who wanted to shut off and listen....just found out now that Doc Rey himself went inside the car to listen to the radio :)

Bacolod/Iloilo Loop UPDATES

We are just finalizing schedules. Updated April23, 2:51pm.

Working on May 04 for Iloilo, a 2-5pm schedule. Getting a Cafe venue, 15mins away from the city, as FREE venue. That way we are able to offer a FREE SEMINAR, as long as you order snacks and drinks. Very fair!

May 05, Bacolod. 2-5pm, Villamonte Barangay Hall. That is along Ylac St, Brg Villamonte. They say tricycle drivers would be able to take you there if you have to commute. This is in the City proper, and about 15-20mins from the ferry area. Complements of the Barangay...we are able to give this FREE SEMINAR in Bacolod. Just do good to another person :)


If you are interested, you may contact (0917) 847-2639. There will be a PHP300 fee for the seminar, depending if we get a host venue or not.

We will be doing farm visits. This will be an exciting trip as Mr. Zac Sarian will be in our company.

If you miss the seminars but wish to speak with us, call me on the CP.

See you :)

Ilocos Sur Weekly

We have to thank the coverage that Agriculture Magazine gives us, and their trust in our products. They feature our growers, announce our seminars to reach out to people who wants to learn for livelihood, and report on the different aspects of successful money making ideas.

One province that had supported the Sunshine endeavor is Ilocos Sur. By now, there are several independent growers (who no longer rely on government's dispersal) lechon manok vendors, doing the ready-to-range and food processing.

Why did the ready-to-range prosper? Because the people have compared the quality of those privately raised in comparison to those brooded under make-do-to comply scenario. Watch out for more features by Manila Bulletin on these growing industry :)

And yes, we are able to visit the growers often, because we have an outlet of Solraya there, for Sunshine day old chicks. To make it affordable and readily available.

So, when our friends asked if we wanted to meet up...it was an easy YES! Perfect time to document while doing farm visits. Great meals with friends...

See how uniform the harvest of Corn? The farmer used organic fertilizers. Durabloom in particular.


Side note: This is the image of Our Lady that is pasted in my mind now. When I talk to Her, this is how I see Her. Last Monday, while sitting outside Gov. DV Savellano's office, I saw this statue. Now I know why this is the image in my mind. I see her all the time :) She stands guard outside the Gov's office!

Honored

Ilocano cd,drive going to Ilocos...we were quiet. Doc Rey and Zac would lapse to laughing and commenting on the Ilocano song that I can't understand.

Think fast, do something, create new conversation......maybe that is why the topic drifted to the blog, the seminar that just passed and back to the blog that will be zacsarian.blogspot.com.

Zac had always wanted an online presence. He thought it entailed a lot of work, manpower and expense. He said he needed help. Well, what help when he had the skills, experience and the eye for what will sell. Remember, he had been selling/publishing for the longest time. All he needed was a clerk! I told him by that night, before 12midnight, he will have his blog for the start of his sign, the Year of the Ox.

Next day at breakfast, he was talking about Sunshine. I begged off...saying....may he just write about us sometime later? It looks tacky and self serving. He said he will email me the post and I post it....as (shhhhhh) he is intimidated by virus alerts and USB connections.

I get his assistant's email, subject : FR MR SARIAN! Wow, how formal I thought. It dawned on me I never called Zac yet as Mr. Sarian except when to introduce him :) I went a fast cut and paste....to post. It won't ACCEPT??! hmmmmm....I wonder if Manila Bulletin has a security feature wehehehheh...

I had to retype....akala ko di ako tatagal! Hard to retype ha. Anyway, that's when it dawned on me he wrote about us.

Very honored...bow....Salamat :)

Worst Is Yet To Come For RP Economy.... How Do You Move Then?

That was the status of a person on my YM list. I asked why so negative...

He said people should see and feel the negative so they can move and work beyond the problems. Well....maybe in Japan where he is based. For the majority of us Filipinos in the Philippines...we sit back and relax for all reasons. We relax when we feel comfortable and confident. We relax more when we think the worse is yet to come...much more when worst is to come! Scared? Nuh....more like statue game, poker face duh.

Someone called me the other day and said that the competitor told him that they are riding on our advertising and marketing advances. Thank you for the compliment. If you are riding on someone, why backlash them? Ride with the good wind...because if you kill your competitor, you damage the industry too. So goes for all. No time now for bickerings and politicking. We all have to move on and reinvent ourselves.

Last week, I was toying with horizontal marketing in my mind. Who to do it with, how, when, what. Destiny drops the pieces in the puzzle.

We had a client who wants to get closest to organic raising of Sunshines. We needed a key person to guide him. Well, today's article of Zac Sarian turned on the light. He featured us at the same time. Of course Tere and Armand of Earthkeepers! So when Doc Rey met with the client this morning, he just handed them the Manila Bulletin to refer to.

Tere coincidentally texted me about pricing of day old chicks as she was getting inquiry from people who visit their farm. We talked on the phone and she was also thinking about integration of seminars to benefit the participants from learning from people who are technical already, outside and beyond the organic farm inputs.

I can picture Zac writing out his columns earlier. He features articles for other people to sieve doable ideas from. Linking suppliers maybe wasn't in his agenda today.

Back to my negative friend.....he wasn't really negative. He was on the road of pushing and scaring people to bring out the best in them.

Sure, with the proper motivation and psyche....yes, problems are hurdles to get to better things.

"moshi moshi"

Agriculture Magazine Jan 2009

Talk about great starts....

The latest issue of Agriculture Magazine by Manila Bulletin, has the editor writing about Gov DV Savellano's agriculture projects for Ilocos Sur.

Timely that we are making the trip tomorrow to IS, and bringing with us the gift of media coverage :)

Zac Sarian hopes to be back to Ilocos Sur very soon to check on the harvests and dispersals of Sunshine Chicken in that province. Dispersals are done weekly. They should be harvesting the first batch real soon.