Organic Seminars, March 10 & 11, Hongkong

SPREAD ORGANIC AGRICULTURE in the PHILIPPINES (SOAP)  

Goes to Hongkong

FREE SEMINARS: Organic Seminars, Mar 10 & 11, Hongkong

FOR: Agriculture Livelihood Projects (ALP), but will be open to all to join

WHERE: FILIPINO WORKERS RESOURCE CENTRE, 650 2/F POST OFFICE BUILDING, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON. contact number 90102198 or 61296301.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE

OPENING REMARKS: Sec Proceso Alcala

MARCH 10 am: Sustainable Organic Agriculture Practices (ASEC Dante Delima)
MARCH 10 pm: Hog Raising (Teresa Saniano)
MARCH 11 am: Pastured Chicken (Rey B. Itchon, DVM)
MARCH 11 pm: Rabbit Raising for Meat Production (ASEC Dante Delima)

OPEN FORUM with Sec Proceso Alcala both afternoons

We'd like to be able to design the courses according to your needs and interests. 

Please email spreadorganicagriculture@yahoo.com with subject: HONGKONG.  Let us hear from you to spread the word better :)

Poultry & Livestock Forum

WHAT: Poultry & Livestock Forum
WHERE: AANI Quezon Memorial Circle
WHEN: Every 3rd Sunday of the month, 1-5pm
WHO: Ben Rara and Doc Rey

This is not a seminar type, but a forum.  It will be focused on poultry and livestock sourcing, raising, marketing etc.  Open to the public and FREE. 

Study Then Ask

For about one week now I had been getting calls from this lady who had been reading this blog extensively and had questions.

Her questions I like answering as it teaches us too. Questions that didn't cross my mind to tackle when I was writing about topics. I know that I had been writing for the neophyte poultry dummy, but then again, I am not tasked to go into specifics nor come up with business reports, so there are details that skip my dummy mind.

Types of queries:

1) How far are the distances for the water nipple drinkers? Good one! We were doing it in the farm, on site and drilling holes and fitting the nipples into the PVC pipes as we were seeing the chickens and their sizes around us.

2) How do you assemble the nipple drinkers? That I believe I discussed. But hey, it was still an intelligent question to ask :)

3) How do the auto feeders get filled up? I may have taken that for granted, maybe discussed it...but I will take it as needing a double take to understand.

4) etc....there were a lot of good calls this week

Why am I thankful for them? It makes me see the points I have taken for granted. I must rephrase to make myself clearer. Gives me new topics. On the other hand, this blog has educated and took their questions and minds to a different level.

Thankful also that most are now reading reading and reading, then question :) As we said, we don't mind spending time and effort on this blog and out of town seminars, but please help yourselves too....so much information here.

AANI Plus

Good news!

During Agrilink 2010 in October, AANI will set up an outdoor, all day consultation tables for almost all aspects of agriculture (vermiculture, free range chicken, organic farming, aquaculture etc). Experts and agri entrepreneurs are the best sources of information. This move will make it flexible for those whose schedules are tight and can't make the scheduled seminars. Aside from the consultation tables, AANI will also schedule seminars in the frequently requested topics :)

We will post schedules here.

Our way of saying thank you for your support.

AANI Harvest Festival

AANI Harvest Festival: Farm in the park! July 16-18 at AANI Herbal Garden, Quezon Memorial Circle.

Fiesta ambiance with farm animals, zoo, barbecues, fruits, veggies, wine tasting, free seminars, music, gardening and cooking demos. Merrymaking, Agri and Aqua Kapihan etc.

This will celebrate AANI's anniversary.

There will be a seminar on Raising Sunshine Chicken:

Saturday, July 17, 8am, by Doc Rey :)

Free entrance. See you there!

Amanpulo & Manamoc

One of the most well known and highly rated restaurants in Tagaytay, get their dressed Sunshine Chickens from us, to augment the kitchen needs when they run out. Actually, they get day old chicks from us to grow in their own farm.

About 3 weeks ago, I get a call from our Tagaytay restaurant client, that we got referred to the Aman group, whose one property here was the Amanpulo Resort in Palawan. Soon after, we get a call from the A. Soriano Foundation people who looks after the community islands around their Amanpulo, giving them livelihood etc.

After getting some dressed Sunshines and eggs for the Amanpulo kitchen to try....can we do a seminar in their Manamoc office? They will fly us to Amanpulo..... Wow, who hasn't heard or read about Amanpulo!

Took some days for me to say "yes". Doc Rey and I are so afraid of heights and taking a 17seater plane will be like riding a rollercoaster on air to us! I was trying to convince Doc Rey to do go with an agri friend, but he wanted me as companion. Searched the internet about flying to Amanpulo. Hmmmmmm read very good reviews. So ok...after a couple of days, we agreed.

Glad we did! From the time we got to the A. Soriano Hangar, we were met by the Andres Soriano Foundation staff at the entrance, lunched and flew.

Basing from the flight map, this is our first view of Manamoc.

Approaching the runway of Amanpulo Resort....

Even before landing, you see a line of golfcarts and Amanpulo staff waiting for you. As we alighted, HR Manager and F&B Manager greeted us and welcomed us warmly.

After a light meal, freshened up and now we are all set to crossover to Manamoc. See the island behind us? 30 mins away, that is where we went for the seminar.

The brooder and housing was almost done when we saw it the next day. After the seminar, it was time to go and visit the first location of the project for comments.

Originally I had no intention of going to the farm, 2kms away. But I heard that the generator was going to be turned off, then there were motorcycles for us...so game! I haven't taken a motorcycle ride for ages...and these are the smaller bikes and we were on the rough road climbing a mountain. It was so much fun being a back passenger...the wind, the view, the company :)

I was really glad to have made this trip. Enjoyed Manamoc so much...its community, the people, the A. Soriano Foundation people. Even while still there, Doc Rey and I were talking about what we can give to them. The chosen communities of the ASF are the better ones we have seen so far of the many ones that we have encountered that are receiving livelihood programs.

My Amanpulo experience will be a topic of a separate posting.

Wisdom From Age

Do you find yourself sometimes not wanting to attend to something then ending being happy? I do and did recently.

When we were invited to do a free seminar for a group of Senior Citizens, I was wary....maybe it is the picture of sad, very old people in my mind...flashes of your civic activities in homes for the aged when you were much younger.

Two weeks ago, Doc Rey scouted the area but didn't enter. He said it looked nice inside, but it was way not accessible and far. So on the day, we got to the gate. The instructions texted to me was "open and close the gate after you"....fairy tale segment of bad times to come? Bad me! I should have seen it as independent minds and movements of the group we were to encounter.

At the end of the driveway, we were greeted by the organizer and the owners of the venue. They knew Zac Sarian, who was with us, and were so happy as they had been inviting him to visit the place but he didn't find the time then. Zac also didn't know where we were going nor who owned it...so everyone was equally surprised.

It was actually good as I didn't have to entertain him as Doc Rey as doing the seminar. The owners toured him and they went through the garden that showed very interesting finds for Zac. I won't preempt as am sure he will write about it in his columns as he was so excited.

I sat myself at the back near the table for the boodle lunch. 30mins prior to lunch, some of the men and ladies stood up to prepare the table. The rolled Banana leaves were unruly when laid. I thought about rolling them the other way...thank God it worked :) I saw how the men brought out their swiss knives and worked on the table and layout of things. Not contented, one even brought out garden shears from his body bag to clip on the some wayward materials. One laid out Banana fruits from the fresh tangkay that was brought as baon. It was laid in twos at intervals. Meant to be shared by all. What struck me the most???? The man who had shears went through all the Banana fruits and clipped the top. The most logical reason for me, was that it was going to be easy for the person to peel the banana. Wasn't that sweet a move?

Although I was at the onset of an Asthma attack and had to rest, I observed and had a different seminar meant for me, all to myself. This group wasn't a helpless lot. It is good that Senior Citizens have a bonding. They know one's needs and wants. They have taken full responsibility for themselves. They have the tools for their activities.

This must be the good that the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts training brought to us. I saw it most evident as they were prepared :) I don't know if the kids these days still have those trainings :(

Don't get me wrong. This was a very intelligent group. Much like you and me when we get to their age now :)

Some posts ago I talked about retirement without knowing I will see why in the next days. My friends and I were also talking about setting our own retirement place. That way we all know one another and will enjoy activities together. We will have the same set of friends and family members are known to one another.

Free Consults

Mr Zac Sarian called to tell me that he is writing about "Free Consultations" from Doc Rey on free range chickens during Agrilink 2009.

I was thankful for his writing about Sunshines, but after the conversation I thought....we've always had free constultations, it wasn't like it will be only for Agrilink :)

But I learned something there...maybe its not common knowledge?

Yes, consulting Doc Rey on free range chicken raising is FREE. I think it is ok to say that he doesn't charge PF, because he is also open to being asked as Vet ng Bayan over DWWW's Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura.

Our seminars are also almost always FREE. Fairview's 4th Sundays seminars are PHP450, but that has 10 chicks and a CD. In provincial seminars, we charge a minimal fee to cover venue. Overall and more often, no charge, FREE :)

Isabela Seminars

Free to everyone to attend :)

September 17, 10am
Cabatuan Community Center

September 21, 10am - POSTPONED, will post details again. Updated Sep19
San Fermin, Cauayan
CVPMDC Compound, beside LVO Lumber

Topic: Raising Sunshine Chicken
Speaker: Doc Rey

Great Holiday

September 07 was declared a national holiday, but the seminar at Central State University went as scheduled. We were given a timetable and Doc Rey was to start at 8:30am. By 8am, Ariel, the coordinator was already texting finding out where we were. We are almost always on time so I appreciate it when people do stick to schedules.

The registration was very well organized and same may be said about the welcoming committee. As we were driving by the auditorium, they knew who we were...maybe we were bright as the sunshine :)

There is something about school organized seminars that are very rewarding for our team to do. The organizers are sticklers to details. They are passionate. You were invited because they thirst for knowledge. It is made open to the public and they invite farmers for the information exchange. Conversation is about advocacy and real honest interest to do better. It is offered for FREE to all.

We finished the day at CLSU feeling light hearted and knew that we will be glad to go the next time they ask. Rain or shine, holiday or not. We really thank the organizers of the Central State University's (CLSU) seminar.


Headed for Isabela after a very good lunch at their canteen...by 4pm, guess where we were???? Just before reaching Caranglan, there was a long line and the police were saying "not to move" as there was a landslide upfront. Not move up? But the landslide area is way up, like another 20kms away....

We inched our way up to the site. Thanked Zac Sarian in our minds, for giving me a bagful of sweet Rambutan from Teresa Orchard. He may have had a premonition, as he specifically said, it was to be eaten for today's trip!

The Caranglan landslide was open at about a little past midnight. Thing is, the vehicles from the other side, going to Manila, took up 2 to 3 lanes...some drivers even slept and was left obstructing the highway :) There was a more zigzagy road, in the already steep and curly roads of the mountain range....as you maneuver around the bigger trucks that created an obstacle course.

For some reason, God played a trick and speakers of the radio won't work during that long wait. No news nor music to listen to, strong rains that prevented you from mingling with other stranded motorists, poor cellphone signals....turned out well. Gave you quality time for talk :)

Coming Up

People who want to alleviate others' plights, or the ones who thirst for knowledge....do still, or actually work more harder when it is least expected.

I got two calls today for seminars in their area. One in Batangas, the other one in Nueva Ecija.

Will post schedules once finalized. Looking at August/September time tables.

Both will be FREE as they are organized by LGUs.

Ilocos Sur Seminars

Since we are in Ilocos Sur every Monday, we will be able to schedule FREE seminars every Monday.

Contact us thru (0917) 847-2639 so we may schedule in your area, or at our Solraya Vigan branch.

Thank you sa Ilocos Sur!

FREE Seminars At MATH

Reminder: Market At The Hills, starting Nov 08, will have extended hours, to night market. Saturdays, 9am-9pm. Sundays, 9am-6pm.

Activities have been lined up to make it interesting for the customers and booth owners.

Free seminars have been lined up. To kick off the start of the night market:

Nov 08, 2-5pm, Starting An Organic Garden by Raymond Rubia of Daily Dose Farm

Nov 09, 2-5pm, Raising Grass Fed Sunshine Chicken by Rey B. Itchon, DVM

See you at Market at the Hills, Corinthian Hills Clubhouse, Temple Drive

Santiago City Seminar

We didn't go through with our scheduled 3rd Sunday seminars in Santiago City Isabela, because a group close to Cong. Gigi Aggabao wanted one scheduled for Wednesday, when the Cong is around.

For those inquiries for yesterday's seminar, please feel free to join Doc Rey and the group on Wednesday, Oct22 at 2pm, at Cong. Gigi Aggabao's residence. No fee, it is for FREE.

Everyone is invited, even if you are not the Cong's constituent.

Topic: Raising Sunshine Chicken for Commercial and Backyard Farmers

Agrilink 2008 Seminars

I have been too busy to ask for schedules to post. All I know is we have been given a slot for 1pm Saturday at a seminar room and for a Saturday am in the open area at the lobby.

Saw this page and it may guide you to be able to fix your schedules.

Agrilink 2008 seminar schedules.

Hope To See You In Bayawan City

Doc Rey was invited to do a seminar on Sep18, for Bayawan City LGUs.

I will post details once finalized.

Another FREE SEMINAR At AFEX 2008

Due to the attendance and interest that yesterday's seminar got ( considering it was a Wednesday), the organizers have set us again for another seminar.

WHEN: September 6, 4pm, Saturday
WHERE: Activity Area, AFEX 2008, World Trade Center
WHAT: Benefits Of Raising Grass Fed Sunshine Chickens

See us at Asian Food Expo 2008 :)

Candelaria Seminar

On Friday, August 1, 2008, we will be at Candelaria, Quezon to be part of a group to give seminars on livelihood.

I believe it will be held the the Municipal Hall area. Ask for the seminars to be given by the AANI group of Pol Rubia.

EDSA Garden House Seminar

What: How To Raise Grass Fed Chickens
When: August 16, 2008, 2pm (make sure you are there before 2pm, they close doors)
Where: EDSA Garden House Seminar Room, EDSA cor Quezon Ave, Manila Seedling Bank
Who: Doc Rey

This is free!

FREE SEMINAR Raising Sunshine Chicken

When: July 6,2008, 9am
Where: AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City

If you want to learn about the benefits of eating free range, grass fed chickens and how to raise them for backyard and commercial benefits, come and join us for the FREE SEMINAR.

See you :)