VOLUME XXXIV

Issue 8

Serving Los Baos and nearby communities

www.lbtimes.ph

Libre!

OCTOBER 2014

LB celebrates Filipino Elderly Week

by Emmanuelle Dominique Mendoza

and Neil Arwin Mercado

Over a hundred senior citizens from

various barangays availed of free medical
check-up, aerobic exercise, and pampering
sessions last October 29 at the Los Baos
Municipal Covered Court.
These activities were part of the Filipino
Elderly Week celebration, which had the theme
Ang Nakatatanda ay Yaman, Katuwang sa
Pag-unlad ng Bayan, Pangalagaan Kanilang
Kapakanan.

The elderly gather at the municipal covered court for the free consultation and medical checkup
during the Los Baos Filipino Elderly Week celebration. (Photo courtesy of the Municipal
Health Office)

SSS conducts seminar

on AlkanSSSya, membership benefits

The Municipal Health Office (MHO),

headed by Dr. Alvin Isidoro, coordinated the
free medical check-up. Free medications and
vitamins were also given to the Los Baos
elderly. According to Erlinda Darvin, 77 years
old and one of the participants from Brgy.
Timugan, she was pleased to join the event
because she was excited about the idea of Los
Baos honoring the elderly in the community.
She added that she was given vitamins and
cough medicines for free.

The celebration also served as an

opportunity for the elderly to meet new
friends from other barangays. Masaya ako
by Johanna Marie Drece, Joie April Lanuzga, and Yunika Ysa Lasic
kasi marami akong nakita, marami akong
The Social Security System (SSS)
senior analyst, SSS also aims to make 9 out of nakasalamuha (I am happy because I was able
Office of Sta. Cruz conducted an orientation10 Filipinos socially secure. Belen explained to see and mingle with many people), said
seminar about the AlkanSSSya program and
that SSS covers Filipinos from all walks of
Beatriz Cruz.
membership benefits for Los Baos residents
life ambulant vendors, household helpers,
Other activities during the week-long
at the activity area of the municipal hall last
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), jeepney
celebration
included the following:
Oct. 23.
and tricycle drivers, farmers and fishermen.

October
20 - Key senior citizens
In the AlkanSSSya Program, payment of
Through their membership in an
were
honored
during the flag raising
contributions is not through salary deduction
organization, workers in the informal
ceremony
but through their savings in their piggysector can avail of social protection in the
October 21 - The elderly took part
banks. AlkanSSSya members can avail of
AlkanSSSya Program. Members will have
in a Lakbay Aral at the International
salary and housing loans, funeral, maternity,
secured cabinet-like piggy banks, where
Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
disability, death, and retirement benefits.
they will save up to PhP330 per month or
October 22 - The elderly participated
PhP12 per day. At the end of the month, a
Around 70 participants joined the
in Zumba and Tai-chi sessions and
representative from their organization, one
seminar and applied for SSS membership. A
sports activities. The UP Los Baos
from SSS, and one from Bayan Center will
more detailed explanation about SSS benefits
Department of Human Kinetics
collect the contributions.
can be found at the SSS website (www.sss.
(DHK) facilitated different exercise
gov.ph). Records of members can also be
Mr. Roman Belen, head of Sta. Cruz
routines.
viewed here via online registration as well
Branch, explained that SSS wants to be more
Masaya ako kasi kinikilala nila [ng mga
as the SSS profile, available e-services, and
approachable to current and prospective
tao]
at hindi lang kinikilala kasi nabibigyan
details about registration, among others.
members by making their services more
din nila ng panahon ang mga matatanda (I am
accessible.
Belen led the previous SSS seminars in
happy because people recognized and devoted
According to Belen, the main goal of SSS Pakil, Sta. Maria, Cavinti, and Mabitac. The
time to the elderly), said Beatriz Cruz.
next stop of Belens team for the SSS seminar
is to provide social protection to Filipinos in
Continued on page 5
is in Pangil, Laguna.
times of need. According to Linda Garcia,

NEWS

LOS BAOS TIMES

KASAMA nagsanay sa vermiculture

ni Ma. Emily Alforja, pangulo ng Kapisanan ng mga Samahan ng Malinta (KASAMA)

Nagsagawa ng pagsasanay sa vermiculture ang lokal

na pamahalaan ng Los Baos, sa pamamagitan ng Gender
and Development Office (GAD) at ng Department of
Agriculture, para sa mga miyembro ng Kapisanan ng mga
Samahan ng Malinta (KASAMA) noong October 18 sa
Brgy. Malinta.
Ang pagsasanay ay bahagi ng proyektong vermiculture
kung saan tinuturuan ang mga kalahok sa tamang pagaalaga ng mga bulateng African night crawlers at pag-aani
ng vermicast na nagsisilbing organikong pataba.
Natutunan ng mga miyembro ng KASAMA ang
pagpapabulok ng tira-tirang pagkain, ibat-ibang klaseng
gulay, tuyong dahon, suha ng saging, at dumi ng baka
o kalabaw bilang bahagi ng proseso ng paggawa ng
vermicompost.
Ang vermicompost ay ginagamit bilang organikong
pataba para sa mga pananim ng mga miyembro ng
KASAMA at maaari ding mapagkuhanan ng karagdagang
kita.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay sa vermiculture, natutunan ng mga kalahok

na napakadaling mag-alaga ng bulate gayundin ang paggawa ng vermicast o
organikong pataba. Maliit lamang ang kailangang puhunan at hindi nangangailangan
ng mahabang oras o panahon para sa pag-aalaga. (Photo courtesy of KASAMA)

BiG Basketball League, nilahukan ng mga manlalaro ng LB

ni Batoy Tolentino, presidente ng Los Baos Group, Inc.

Isang liga ng basketball ang inilunsad noong Oktubre 18

sa lumang munisipyo Liwasang Almasan sa bayan ng Los
Baos bilang parangal sa yumaong si Bryan Gahol, dating
manlalaro ng Philippine Basketball Association at dating
konsehal ng Los Baos.

Dinaluhan ng mga kaibigan at mga kaanak ni Gahol ang liga na sinalihan

ng mga manlalarong may edad 37 pataas. Sinimulan ni Arnel Gahol, kapatid
ni Bryan at kasakuluyang chairman ng BiG Basketball League, ang gawain
upang palawakin ang kampanya sa larangan ng palakasan hindi lamang sa mga
kabataan ngunit maging sa mga nagkaka-edad.

LBFPWD, munisipyo namahagi ng prosthetic legs para sa PWDs

ni Lorelie Liwanag, kalihim ng Los Baos Federation of Persons with Disabilities, Inc.

Patuloy na tinutulungan ng Los Baos Federation

of Persons With Disabilities (LBFPWD), Inc. na muling
makalakad sa pamamagitan ng braces o prosthetic legs ang
mga mamamayan ng Los Baos na naputulan ng paa o may
polio. Ito ay sa pakikipagtulungan ng School of Prosthetics
and Orthotics ng University of the East Ramon Magsaysay
Medical Center sa Quezon City.

Nagsimula ang proyektong ito sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng samahan kay Ms.

Louie Golla, direktor ng Motorcycle Philippines Federations-Persons with
Disabilities, noong Nobyembre 2013. Ang kanilang samahan ay binubuo ng
mga motoristang may kapansanan sa kanilang paa. Si Ms. Golla ang pinakaunang natalang babaeng motorista na may kapansanan. Si Ms. Golla din
ang nagbahagi sa LBFPWD ng patungkol sa organisasyon at paaralan na
tumutulong sa mga mamamayang may katulad na kondisyon.

Noong Pebrero 2014, apat na pasyente ang nadala ng

LBFPWD sa naturang pagamutan sa tulong ni Mayor Caesar
Perez ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Los Baos. Dalawa sa mga
pasyente ang nabiyayaan ng prosthetic legs.

Para sa mga nais na magkaroon ng braces o prosthetic legs o may

kakilalang nangangailangan nito, maaaring makipag-ugnayan kay Lorelie
M. Liwanag sa numerong 0915-584-8844, kay Jeanette I. Talag sa numerong
0936-347-1973, kay Lenie Bonapos sa numerong 0927-315-1303 o tumawag
sa PWD Office sa numerong 530-9143.

E D I T O R I A L S TA F F
Ricarda Villar
Editor-in-Chief

Joyce Marie Maloles

Associate Editor

Ricarda Villar
Layout Artist

Rosa Pilipinas Fadri-Francisco

Adviser

The Los Baos Times is produced by the students and

staff of the Department of Development Journalism
at the UP Los Baos College of Development
Communication in partnership with collaborators from
local government agencies, civil society organizations,
and schools in Los Baos. No part of this paper
may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by
any means stored in a database or retrieval system
without prior consent. All rights reserved.

Ma. Emily Alforja Natasha Mae Araez

Czarina Joy Arevalo Renee Marsha Babao
Nykyle Patricia Buenviaje Renz Louie
Celeridad Victorena Diesta Johanna Marie
Drece Jeiah Dumalaon Jabez Joshua Flores
Martin Imatong Joie April Lanuzga Yunika
Ysa Lasic Lorelie Liwanag Emmanuelle
Dominique Mendoza Neil Arwin Mercado
Jennifer Milante Batoy Tolentino
Writers

The Los Baos Times is located at Rm. 201B,

Department of Development Journalism,
College of Development Communication,
University of the Philippines Los Baos
College, Laguna
Tel. No.: (049) 536-2511 local 401 or 410
Email: lbtimes@devcom.edu.ph
Website: http://lbtimes.ph

NEWS

LB LGU opens organic market every Friday

LOS BAOS TIMES

by Johanna Marie Drece, Joie April Lanuzga, and Yunika Ysa Lasic

On October 24, the local government unit (LGU) of Los

Baos launched its Friday organic market at the Los Baos
Municipal Hall Activity Area. The organic market, managed by
the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, opens at 9am and
closes at 3pm.
The establishment of the organic market was part of the
project entitled Enhancing Gender-Sensitive Sustainable
Agriculture and Aquatic Science and Technology (S&T)-based
Livelihood Enterprises in Los Baos between the Los Baos
LGU and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). The project
aimed to empower the local farmers of all genders to take on
organic farming as a livelihood option, as well as to enhance
community entrepreneurship and marketing.
The Friday organic market provided farmer-cooperators an
integrated and accessible venue to sell their organic produce.
Karen Mercado, of the GAD office, explained that the Friday
Organic Market has helped the farmers gain additional income
from selling their products.The organic produce from the farmer
cooperators are also sold at Herb Republic along Lopez Avenue
every second and fourth Friday and Saturday of the month.
Since its launch in October, the Los Baos Friday organic
market has gained patrons from the municipal employees. Joyce
Del Valle of the Los Baos Budget Office said that purchasing
organic produce assure her that the vegetables her family
consumes is healthy and free from harmful chemicals. Kesa
pumunta sa palengke at bumili ng mga di-pesticide na gulay, dito
ka nalang, she added.

Adelaida Castillo, an 85-year-old farmer from Brgy. Maahas,

explained that aside from being chemical-free, the produce sold at
the Friday organic market is relatively cheaper since the products are
directly delivered to the market and no middleman is involved. Farmer
cooperators also take home higher earnings. Shifting to organic farming
also reduced the cost of farm inputs on pesticides and fertilizers.
Sadyang malaki ang ipinagbago dahil hindi na kami bumibili ng pang
abono. Sariling compost na namin ang ginagamit namin, Castillo shared.
Nestor Pamulaklakin, a farmer from Brgy. Maahas said, Maganda
ang kita ko ngayon. Lamang kaysa noong dati na hindi ako gumagamit
ng mga organic. Saka dati, kailangan ko pang bumili ng pesticide. Ang
ginagamit kong spray ngayon ay sili at kung anu-anong herb. Hindi na
ako gumagamit ng mga pesticide na binibili. Mang Nestor also said that
vegetables grown with the aid of chemical pesticides are hazardous to the
health of the consumers so they have stopped using them.
Communities involved in Friday oranic market include Barangays
Tuntungin-Putho, Lalakay, Timugan, Maahas, and Bagong Silang.
The GAD Office staff regularly visits farm sites to get updates and to
hold farmer consultations. The farm visits also ensure that farmers are
provided the resources and technical assistance needed and that the crops
are grown organically. The farmer-cooperators underwent a series of
trainings before they were granted the resources for setting up an organic
farm. The trainings were on vermicomposting, organic methods and
pest control, organic vegetable crop production, as well as postharvest,
packaging, and marketing skills. Farm materials, seeds, and planting
materials were provided as part of the LGU Los Baos-PCAARRD
livelihood project.
For more updates on the LGU Los Baos-PCAARRD project,
visit the Gender Sensitive Organic Vegetable Prodn for Low-income
Communities of LB Facebook communtiy page.

LB holds Kasalang Bayan 2014

by Natasha Mae Araez, Czarina Joy Arevalo, and Renee Marsha Babao

On December 12 at 4pm, 88 Los Baos couples tied the

knot for free. The local government of Los Baos, through the
Gender and Development (GAD) Office, held the Kasalang Bayan
2014 at the General Paciano Rizal Park in Los Baos, Laguna.

was also provided. The couples, however, shouldered their respective

wedding rings, which were optional. Saldaa shared that aside from
enjoying a free wedding and reception, the 88 couples will benefit from a
joint PhilHealth, which also covers their children.

According to Saldaa, the event was in collaboration with various

municipal offices. The flow of the program was handled by the Kasalang
Bayan Core Group, led by Atty. Genalyn Bagon-Soriano, the municipal
administrator of Los Baos while Engr. Ricky Estopace, the municipal
engineer, oversaw the events physical arrangements. Dr. Fe Banasihan,
According to Nanet Saldaa, of the GAD Office, the Kasalang
the municipal agriculturist, was in charge of event decorations.
Bayan is part of the municipalitys implementation of Municipal
Banasihans committee envisioned a traditional ambiance, in line with the
Ordinance No. 2013-1240, also known as Kasalang Bayan
quadricentennial theme. The decoration committee is also responsible for
Act, which was enacted in 2013. The biannual Kasalang Bayan
the entourage and the photo booths.
aims to help couples who do not have enough money to secure
Dr. Alvin A. Isidoro, the municipal health officer, led a medical team
the necessary documents and to hold a wedding ceremony and
consisting of at least 15 nurses and two doctors who were on standby in
reception.
case of emergencies. No serious injuries have taken place in the previous
Eighty-eight out of the 100 slots were secured during the
Kasalang Bayan. The medical team prepared for cases of dizziness,
registration last October 30, 2014 for the Kasalang Bayan to be
heatstroke, hypertension, anxiety attacks, minor wounds, and other
held in December. The age of participants to the Kasalang Bayan
accident-related injuries. An ambulance was also on standby.
ranged from 18 to 60 years old, with the youngest bride and groom
Los Baos Police Chief Insp. Ricardo Dalmacia was in charge of
both 18 years old. Most of the couples come from Brgy. Bambang.
traffic and security. Police Chief Inspector Dalmacia said that the event
The brides wore Filipiniana dresses while the grooms wore
was unlikely to cause heavy traffic in the area and that there was no need
barong tagalog or camisos de chino. Each couple was entitled to a
to close or block any roads. However, the Los Baos PNP deployed about
reception table for eight persons-- the bride, the groom, the parents
60 policemen to implement the security plans for the event.
of the bride, the parents of the groom, and a pair of principal
sponsors. Aside from the food and catering, the couples wedding
pictures, give-aways, invitations, bouquets and the video coverage
Held every February and December, the Kasalang Bayan is
a free mass civil wedding ceremony for the Los Baos residents.
The event coincides with the quadricentennial celebrations of Los
Baos.

LOS BAOS TIMES

COMMUNITY POSTS

LB showcases agri produce in organic agri congress

by Nykyle Patricia Buenviaje, Renz Louie Celeridad, and Victorena Diesta

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist,

in partnership with the Region IV-A
Agricultural Training Institute, held the first
Laguna Organic Agriculture Congress at the
Cultural Center of Sta. Cruz on October 28-30.
The organic agriculture congress, themed
Sa Organiko Panalo Tayo, Kayat Lagunenyo
Para Sa Iyo Ito, was open to all offices,
departments, organizations, and individuals
who were interested in organic agriculture.
According to Lydia Estrada, the assistant
provincial agriculturist of Laguna, organic
agriculture aims to create a farming system
that will grow various chemical-free crops.
The promotion of organic agriculture, such
as holding the congress, is in line with
Republic Act (RA) No. 10068 or the Organic
Agriculture Act of 2010, which mandates
the state to promote, propagate, develop
further, and implement the practice of organic
agriculture in the Philippines.
The organic agriculture congress also
aimed to help address gender awareness
issues -- recognizing the need to change the
traditional belief that farming is only for men
and to bridge the gap between the rich and the
poor through technology transfer.
Laguna cities and municipalities took
part in the provincial congress on organic
agriculture. The local government unit
(LGU) of Los Baos was represented by the
Gender and Development (GAD) Office,
the implementing agency for the organic
agriculture component of the gender-sensitive
livelihood project between the LGU Los Baos
and the Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and
Development (PCAARRD).

Los Baos GAD Office staff helps farmer cooperators sell their produce during the three-day organic
agriculture congress. (Photo courtesy of the GAD Office)

From the PhP 4.6 million project

Enhancing Gender-Sensitive Sustainable
Agriculture and Aquatic Science and
Technology (S&T)-based Livelihood
Enterprises in Los Baos, PhP 2.2
million was allotted for organic agriculture
projects.
The implementation of the organic
agriculture component started in March
2014 and covered five barangays, namely:
Bagong Silang, Timugan, Maahas,
Tuntungin-Putho, and Lalakay. According
to Karen Lagat-Mercado, of the Los Baos
GAD Office, their unit started the project
implementation by conducting seminars
about organic agriculture in the five
barangays in partnership with PCAARRD.
These seminars were followed by trainings
for the farmer cooperators.

According to Mercado, the organic

agriculture project not only provided additional
source of income for the cooperators, it also
helped the women especially the housewives
develop greater confidence, build their selfesteem, and become more independent. With
their own earnings, the women now depend less
on their husbands income.
Through the congress, Los Baos was able
to showcase organic produce from the farmercooperators and present the LGU Los BaosPCAARRD collaboration to representatives of
various cities and municipalities in Laguna.
For more updates on the LGU Los BaosPCAARRD project, visit the Gender Sensitive
Organic Vegetable Prodn for Low-income
Communities of LB Facebook Community
Page.

MDRRM, nagsagawa ng basic life support, first aid training

ni Martin Imatong at Batoy Tolentino

Naglunsad ng ibat-ibang pagsasanay

ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Los Baos sa
pangunguna ng Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (MDRRM)
Office para sa mahigit 50 na mga nais maging
volunteers o responders. Isinagawa ang Basic
Life Support at First Aid Training noong
Setyembre 13, 14, at 20 sa munisipyo ng Los
Baos samantalang ang Water Search and
Rescue (WASAR) Training naman ay ginanap

noong Oktubre 3-5 sa City of Springs

Resort ng Brgy. Baybayin at sa Laguna
Lake sa nasasakupan ng Los Baos. Siyam
na katauhan mula sa Special Operations
Group ng Philippine Coastguard ng
Region IV-A ang nagsagawa ng WASAR
training. Sa mga nagsanay sa WASAR,
12 s ang nabigyan din ng pagsasanay sa
Outboard Motor (OBM) Operation o ang

LBG Inc., nagbigay handog sa mga guro, estudyante

ni Batoy Tolentino

Dalawang proyekto ng Los Baos, Inc.

(LBG) ang isinagawa noong Oktubre 6 at
7 para sa ilang mga guro at estudyante ng
Los Baos. Ang Libreng Kalinga para sa
mga Guro ay ginanap sa Brgy. Bambang
Elementary School noong Oktubre 6.

Bilang pagdiriwang ng buwan ng

mga guro, naghandog ang LBG ng libreng
masahe, manicure, at pedicure para sa
mga guro ng nasabing paaralan. Taon-taon
itong ginagawa ng LBG sa ibat-ibang
paaralan bilang pasasalamat sa mga guro.

paggamit ng motorized speed boat sa panahon

ng emergency.
Layunin ng pagsasanay na madagdagan
ang kaalaman at kagalingan ng mga volunteers
mula sa ibat-ibang barangay ng Los
Baos sa pagresponde sa ibat-ibang uri ng
sitwasyon. Ang mga volunteers ay patuloy
na magkakaroon ng iba pang pagsasanay sa
ibang kapasidad tulad ng high angle rescue, fire
rescue, at iba pa.
Ang programang food sharing naman ay
ginanap sa covered court ng Brgy. TuntunginPutho noong Oktubre 7. Daan-daang mga
estudyante ng daycare center at elementarya ng
Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho ang nabahagian ng libreng
pagkain. Layunin ng programang ito na maitaas
ang kampanya laban sa malnutrisyon.

COLUMN

THE MULCHING MATSING

Nu Wave Farmer: Paulo Sandoval

LOS BAOS TIMES

by Jabez Joshua Flores

advocate. Flores also served as Paulos

mentor in organic farming.
With fellow gardeners Malaya
Salas, Dan Sta. Romana, and Timi
Manching, Paulo shared a simple
mission of making farming more fun
and encouraging others to return to the
love of working on their own soil. This
group of gardeners worked together
and helped other garden owners in Los
Baos to create edible gardens.
Despite having financial difficulties
as with most start-ups, Paulo never
failed to show up during scheduled days
of community farming and diligently
attended to his own plot. He continues
to work on devising ways to design an
efficient and organized garden.
Paulo Sandoval, 26, presented the
concept of Young Filipino Farmers during
the Organic World Congress in Turkey on
October 13-15.
Paulo is a 26-year-old resident of Bay
who decided to focus on full-time farming
-- right after Typhoon Glenda ravaged Los
Baos and Bay in Laguna. It may have
made him realize that there is no greater
gift of security he can give himself, than
being real to his heart and following his
plans to pursue farming.
The Sandoval Family celebrated
Paulos decision as it fulfilled Sandy
Sandovals dream. Out of Sandys 13
grandchildren, one finally took on the
farmers hat. Sandy started Tara Farms, a
three-hectare land in Bay, in the 70s.
Paulos interest in farming was
encouraged by Jabez Flores, a UP Open
University (UPOU) graduate student and

An opportunity opened after

Malaya Salas, a fellow gardener, sent
an entry in behalf of the Nu Wave
Farmers in the International Federation
of Organic Agriculture Movements
(IFOAM) World Organic Congress in
Istanbul, Turkey.
Malaya sent a poster showing
different scenes of their farming
activities. IFOAM granted the Nu Wave
Farmers the privilege of presenting their
idea for an hour at the World Congress.
However, the grant did not cover the
airfare and the congress was to take
place in a weeks time.
Paulo shared this news to relatives
and received financial support. The
amount was almost enough to buy a
ticket to Istanbul, the conference venue,
but would still not be enough to cover
other travel expenses. Things were
looking glum for Paulo until the day
before the departure. A much-needed

financial support from his family abroad

made him able to secure enough funds for
his trip.
Through the help of friends and
relatives, attending the congress in Turkey
has allowed Paulo to establish himself
as an organic farmer. The Organic World
Congress in Turkey opened opportunities
for Paulo to link and network with
individuals advocating organic agriculture.
Paulos presentation encouraged IFOAM
officers to plan to visit Los Baos to see
the Community Shared Agriculture (CSA)
collaboration project of Quezon City-based
CSA group, Good Food Community, and
LBs Nu Wave Farmers.
Jabez Flores is an
organic farmer and
permaculture designer
for Kainos Farm in
Calamba, Laguna.
He maintains his own
garden in Los Baos
called Daang Kalabaw
Community Garden.
He finished BA
Sociology at UP Los
Baos in 2007; Certificate in Organic Agriculture
at UPOU in 2012; Basic Permaculture Design at
Cabiokid Foundation, Nueva Ecija in 2014; and
is currently taking up his masters in Environment
and Natural Resources Management specializing
in Upland Resources Management at UPOU.
He also teaches Personal Entrepreneurial
Development at UPOU.
To know more about what Jabez is up to, visit his
blog www.organicbackyardthinking.blogspot.com
and https://www.facebook.com/jabez.flores.
The Mulching Matsing is a column dedicated to
encouraging the community members, especially
the youth, to engage in organic farming.

Continued from page 1

LB celebrates...

Erlinda Darvin added, Ngayon lang nangyari

yan dito sa Los Baos. Natutuwa kaming
lahat, kaming mga matatanda.
According to Baby Escobin of the
Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA),
the celebration was in line with Presidential
Decree 470 Series of 1994, which declared
the first week of October as Linggo ng
Katandaang Filipino or Filipino Elderly Week.
OSCA sought to honor and recognize the
value of the elderly in the community. For this
years celebration, the activities conducted
were identified after a series of consultations

with Senior Citizens Associations (SCA)

in every barangay. OSCA partnered with
the local government unit of Los Baos,
which provided the venue and food for the
activity. Other partners included the UPLB
DHK, MHO, and IRRI.
Dr. Federico Cruz, also of OSCA,
shared that they were overwhelmed with
the turnout of elderly participants as over
150 people gathered to join the flag-raising
ceremony and the inauguration of the
elderly week celebration.

Most of the senior citizens who joined

the program were from Brgy. Timugan (33
participants); Brgy. Lalakay (21 participants),
and Brgy. Bagong Silang (19 participants). The
big turnout of participants was credited to the
combined efforts of OSCA and the barangay
SCAs. OSCA and the barangay heads met
every first Thursday of the month to orient the
heads about the progress of preparations for
the celebration. Beatriz Cruz, vice-president
of Senior Citizens Association of Timugan
(SeCAT), explained that in their barangay, she
did house-to-house visits to distribute printed
letters regarding the activity.

LOS BAOS TIMES

ANONG
MASASABI
MO?
Ano ang gusto mong makita
sa itatayong museo sa Los Baos?
I want to see the different bills of different
countries, because they represent the principle
of the country (Gusto kong makita yung ibat
ibang pera ng magkakaibang bansa, dahil ito ang
nagpapakita ng mga prinsipyo ng isang bansa).
Samuel Kim, Los Banos, Laguna
Mas maganda kung magpo-focus lang sila sa
mga sining na makikita lamang mula sa mga
etniko ng Pilipinas para mas maging wellinformed ang mga tao sa kung anong meron sa
bansa natin bago sila magpunta at alamin ang
ibang bansa.
Maura Santos, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Gusto kong makita yung replica ng Bundok
Makiling.
Yani Lat, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Gusto kong makita ay yung mayaman na kultura

ng Pilipinas hanggang sa kasalukuyan.
Carla Mallari, San Pablo, Laguna

Siguro kung bibisita ako dun, gusto kong makita

yung mga miniature nung mga lugar at [mga]
bagay na ipinagmamalaki ng Los Baos.
JC Alarcon, Madaluyong, Metro Manila
Gusto ko makita yung pictures nung mayors tapos
kung gaano sila katagal naging mayor [mula sa]
pinaka-ancient na kung sino man yung naging
mayor.
-Renel Lapiz, Brgy. Batong Malake
Si Maria Makiling. Yung replica niya pati
replica ng Oblation kasi yun yung pinagmamalaki
ng Los Baos. Pati kung anong pinagmamalaki ng
Los Baos. Buko pie. Yung mga ganun. Gusto ko
din yung parang sa real estate, [miniature] gusto
ko yung may ganung buo ng Los Baos, yung may
Bundok Makiling.
Christian Jhonas Bismonte, Brgy. Anos
Yung tungkol sa Los Baos tulad ng halimbawa
saan nagmula ang Los Baos, yung ating Makiling
at saka yung mga magagandang bagay tungkol sa
Los Baos.
Rosalina Eugenio, Brgy. Lalakay
Mula sa mga panayam nila Jennifer Milante, Triany Joy Trianes,
at Jeiah Dumalaon.

Continued from page 8

Manong Nestor...

Kasi ang mongo, legumes yan. Ang roots nyan, may nodules
nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Kaya bago bumunga o bumulaklak yung
mongo, inaararo ulit namin yan at hinahalo na sa lupa, Mang
Nestor explained.
According to Mang Nestor, organic farming plays a vital
role in the community. Because the farmers supply the food of
the community, they should be careful in the production of their
vegetables. Consumers are mostly dependent on them in terms
of the nutrition that they get in their meals. Farmers should be
responsible in the methods they used to produce vegetables, Mang
Nestor added.
He also stressed that it is not only the consumers who are
affected by the use of harmful chemicals in farming. Even the
farmers are negatively affected as well. Sana, huwag na silang
gumamit ng pesticides dahil hindi lang consumers yung apektado.
Sila ding farmers. Napakamahal na nga, nakaka-cause pa ng ibatibang sakit sa katawan. Nade-degrade din yung quality ng lupa
kasi namamatay yung mga IMO o Indigenous Microorganisms na
natural na nagpapataba sa lupa. Kaya ngayon, nalulugi na nga sila,
nagkakasakit pa, he insisted.
If only farmers would choose to farm organically, then they
would also experience the peace that comes from knowing fully
well that what they cook and what they make their families eat are
healthy and free from farming chemicals.
Unang-una, panatag ang kalooban ko na kahit anong gulay
ang ipakain ko sa aking pamilya ay safe sila at malusog. Isa pa ay
kahit papaano, kahit kakaunti, may dumarating akong pera at may
naitutulong ako sa pamilya ko. Hindi na kasi ako nakapagtatrabaho
gawa nang wala nang tumatanggap dahil matanda. Dahil sa
organic farming, hindi na rin ako gumagastos masyado sa
pesticides kasi mga natural yung ginagamit ko, said Mang Nestor.
Some of these natural farming technologies are 1) Fermented
Fruit Juice (FFJ) that helps in making the plants bear fruits and
vegetables, 2) Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) that aids in making
the plants grow healthier and more robust, 3) Indigenous
Microorganisms (IMO) that assist the soil to provide more
nutrients to the plants, and 4) Vermi-Composting, which makes use
of African night crawlers in decomposing biodegradable materials
which serve as soil fertilizer.
For the FPJ, Mang Nestor says not all plant parts can be used.
Only legumes and pod-bearing plants like ipil-ipil, acacia and
malunggay can be used because of their high nitrogen content.
Mang Nestor mixes two teaspoons of FPJ in a liter of water
and he uses this mixture once every week to water the soil. Not
surprisingly, it is not just the farmers who benefit from organic
farming. The consumers who are the main market of organic
produce are also given the chance to eat healthy food and be proud
in what they eat.
Panatag ang loob nila na walang chemical yung kinakain
nila. Masustanya yung kinakain dahil masustansya rin yung
pinanggalingan. At syempre mas sasaya sila kasi nga alam nila na
healthy at natural yung gulay, Mang Nestor encouraged.
Based on his observations, Mang Nestor said that consumers
must be careful when buying vegetables in the market. He even
made use of the regular eggplant that can be bought from the
market as an example.
He said that most people would buy flawless eggplants rather
than the ones with holes in them. But according to Mang Nestor,
the reason why those shiny eggplants look so perfect is because
they were soaked in pesticides.
Continued on page 7

FEATURE

Mga dapat alamin tungkol

sa samahan ng PWDs
sa Los Baos

Ating kilalanin ang Los Baos Federation of

Persons with Disabilities, Inc. (LBFPWD)
sa pamamamagitan ng kanilang mga
adhikain at gawain mula sa presidente ng
samahan na si Bb. Jeanette I. Talag.
Ano ang tawag sa inyong partikular na
kondisyon?
Nabibilang po ako sa tinatawag na people
with low vision. Ako ay nakakakita at
nakaka-aninag pa. Thirty-seven years old
ako nang nagsimula ang kondisyon sa aking
kaliwang mata. Matapos ang pitong taon,
naapektuhan na rin ang aking kanang mata.
Noong nagsimula ito, akala ko ay sore eyes
lamang. Ngunit ibang pamumula ng mata ang
aking nakita. Gumagaling din ang pamumula
hanggang sa may nakita akong kulay itim sa
aking mata. Nang matingnan ito ng doktor,
dugo na pala iyon at na-detach na ang aking
retina sa kaliwang mata. May nakita ding
napunit na parte ng aking retina kung kayat
malaki ang pinsala ng aking kaliwang mata.
Tatlong doktor dito sa atin ang aking hiningan
ng opinion. Ni-refer ako sa Maynila. Doon
ko na nalaman ang kondisyon ng aking mata.
Mayroon namang maaaring gawin sa retinal
detachment ngunit wala itong kasiguruhan.
Ayon sa doktor, maaaring sanhi ito ng isang
physical trauma (nasuntok o natamaan) o
maaari din namang hereditary o namamana.
Ang sa akin ay namana ko at ang aking anak
ay mayroon ding ganitong kondisyon.
Sa kabila ng inyong kondisyon ay
pinangungunahan niyo pa din ang
LBFPWD. Ano ang layunin ng inyong
samahan?
Ang ma-ipakita na theres still life after
disability. Gayundin, ang maipakita na hindi
kami burden o pabigat. Nais ipakita ng
samahan na ang mga may kapansanan ay may
kanya-kanyang talento at kapasidad, marami
pang kayang gawin, at kaya pang lumabas.
Ano po ang kakayahan ng mga may
kapansanan na mag-pursige?
Puhunan namin ang pagiging disabled namin.
Kapag sinasabi ng ibang disabled kami, mas
lumalaki ang pagnanais naming pumantay sa
mga abled. Ang aming kapansanan ang aming
motibasyon.
May mga pagsasanay po bang ginagawa ang
inyong samahan?
Mayroon. Ngunit sa ngayon na nalimitahan
ang samahan sa mga livelihood programs.
Sa inyong palagay, PWD-friendly ba ang mga
establishments o gusali ng ating gobyerno?
Ang Robinsons Mall at munisipyo ay ilan
sa mga tinuturing naming PWD-friendly
establishments.

Nabibigyan ba ng sapat na proteksyon

ang mga PWD?
Madaming batas na naglalayong
protektahan ang mga PWDs, ngunit tila
hindi ito alam ng lahat o hindi lubos na
naisasakatuparan.
Paano sumali sa inyong samahan?
Maaaring magparehistro sa aming
tanggapan. Ang aming opisina sa
ngayon ay kasama ng opisina ng Senior
Citizens Office na nasa likod ng lumang
munisipyo. Maaari ding magpatulong sa
health center ng inyong barangay upang
makapagparehistro.
Ano ang inyong mensahe sa mga may
kapansanan gayundin sa mga walang
kapansanan?
Sa mga may kapansanan, nais ipakita ng
samahan ang aming pagnanais na maitayo
ang PWD. Walang katunayan na tapos na
ang buhay kapag mayroong kapansanan.
Ito ang simula upang mabuhay ng mas
maayos. Sa mga walang kapansanan,
hiling namin ang inyong pang-unawa
na hindi kami pabigat. Kung tutulungan
ninyo ang mga may kapansanan, doon
kami magkakaroon ng magandang simula.

Ang bahaging ito ay sa produksyon ng mga

sumusunod: Project Coordinator/Program
Producer: Ma. Teresita B. Osalla; Program
Hosts: Winifredo B. Dagli at Benjamina Paula
G. Flor; Episode Producer: Ma. Teresita B.
Osalla
Para sa mensahe, kumento, o suhestiyon na
maaaring mapag-usapan sa Dito sa Laguna,
tumawag o mag-text: Send LAGUNA <name>
<address> <message> to 0916-188-DZLB
(3952) o tumawag sa 536-2433.
Ang Dito sa Laguna ay nasa ilalim ng
produksyon at pamamahala ng Department
of Development Broadcasting and
Telecommunication ng UP Los Baos College
of Development Communication.
Ang Dito sa Laguna ay isang programang
ipinalalabas tuwing Sabado sa Community
Cable Channel 8 sa ganap na ika-10 ng
umaga. Laman nito ang mga magagandang
kwento, masasayang karanasan, at
makabuluhang mga usapan patungkol sa
Laguna. Ang replay ay tuwing Lunes (2PM),
Miyerkules (4PM), at Biyernes (10PM) sa
parehong istasyon.

LOS BAOS TIMES

Continued from page 6

Mang Nestor...
Ang i-aadvice ko sa consumers,
maging mapagmatyag sa pagbili at
piliin ang bibilhin. Itanong kung saan
galing ang produkto at kung anong
klaseng pagpapatubo yung ginagamit
dito. Pamalagiin nila ang pagkain ng
organic product kahit sabihin na hindi
yun ang ginagawa ng karamihan, he
said.
While he is aware that a lot of
farmers are still practicing chemical
farming, he also knows that there are
a lot of people who want to start anew
with organic farming.
Sa mga technology at knowledge
na na-acquire ko sa different
trainings at seminars sa LGU (Local
Government Units) natin, pwede
akong mag-advice at kung maaari
ay mag-lecture, he said. He even
encourages his neighbors and friends
to plant vegetables in their own
small backyards. He said that even
in cemented spaces, one can still
grow vegetables through container
gardening. If the space becomes too
small for the growing plants, one can
use strings and wires to hang them
known as aerial gardening.
Maraming ways. Kung ayaw
mo, maraming dahilan. Pag gusto
mo, maraming paraan, Mang
Nestor said. Mang Nestors depth of
understanding, skill, and experience
in organic farming makes him an
exceptional farmer in the field. His
achievements are seen in the trophies,
medallions and certificates displayed
in his home. He is also known as a
farmer who is generous, kindhearted,
and professional.
Mang Nestor also has a strong
faith in God. Ang pinaka-importante
sa lahat bago ka mag-umpisa
magtrabaho, ang bunga niyan,
hindi akin. Bigay lang sa akin ng
Panginoong Diyos yan. Maski anong
gawin ko, maski anong training ko,
kung hindi kaloob ng Diyos, kung
hindi ka hihingi ng awa, ewan.
At kung nagtanim ka at hindi mo
sinamahan ng malasakit at pag-ibig,
hindi ka magkaka-ani. Pagkatanim
mo, pabayaan mo, hindi ka
makakapagpabunga. Kaya kailangan
diyan ay alagaan mo, he said.

Mga natatanging kwento ng Los Baos

Manong Nestor of Brgy. Maahas

by Johanna Marie Drece, Joie April Lanuzga, and Yunika Ysa Lasic

Every Friday, Nestor Pamulaklakin proudly sells his

organically grown vegetables in the front steps of the Los
Baos Municipal Office. At 74, Mang Nestor still enjoys
farming in his humble little farm in Brgy. Maahas in Los
Banos, Laguna.

Because Mang Nestor knew the ways of chemical farming, he

developed a keen eye in examining vegetables. Kapag bibili ka sa
palengke ng ampalayang ang gaganda tapos wala man lamang sira,
umasa kang may chemicals yun. He explained that these fruits are
soaked in chemical-filled containers and then harvested right after a day.

Mang Nestor is only one of hundreds of the current

organic farmers of Los Baos, Laguna under the TechnoSakahan Community hosted by the Philippine Council
for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research
and Development-Department of Science and Technology
(PCAARRD-DOST) in partnership with the Gender and
Development Office (GAD). He maintains and prunes the
model farm in Brgy. Maahas where he also earns a living.

May may lason ka nang nakakain, he said. Mang Nestor soon

realized that the chemical fertilizer he used degraded the natural
nutrients of the soil as well the microorganisms in it. His plants were
overdosed with chemicals, withering them out eventually. From that
experience, he thought of doing regular composting wherein he
gathered dry grasses and leaves which he deposited into his self-made
ground wells. He waited for six months up to a year for the dry grasses
and leaves to decay and decompose. He then removed the upper portion
and took the soil underneath it and mixed it with humus. Decomposing
is a long process, Mang Nestor said, but he was not in a rush for he
knew that great things take a long time. He patiently waited until it is
ready to be used as a fertilizer.

At one point in his life, Mang Nestor was also a farmer

practicing chemical farming. He was accustomed to using
commercial products such as fertilizers, pesticides, and
herbicides laden with chemicals to increase his harvest. But
at the back of his mind, he thought about the safety of his
harvest. Minsan yung produkto mo, nag-aalala ka habang
kumakain, gawa ng may lason, he said.

Mang Nestors transition from chemical to organic farming started

when he inquired at the Department of Agriculture. He was eager to
learn because he knew he still lacked proper knowledge regarding
organic farming. It was a lucky coincidence for Mang Nestor because
the Department of Agriculture was then looking for co-operators of
a new project titledEnhancing Gender-Sensitive Organic Vegetable
Production Livelihood Enterprise for Low-Income Communities of Los
Banos Laguna. So without any hesitation, he joined the orientation.
Every Tuesday for six months, he attended trainings and seminars
with other farmers until he felt that he was ready to start organic
farming. The Department taught them to avoid using toxic chemicals
and commercial fertilizers. They regularly visit Mang Nestors farm to
check if he really is using natural organic methods in his farm.
Mang Nestor and the other farmers also learned how to enhance
the soils nutrients and to bring back its fertility. One example is Green
Manuring the process of using plants as humus instead of the actual
manure of animals.
First, they will prepare the land, wherein they will plough and crush
the soil and leave it to be aerated for two weeks. From then, they will
scatter mongo seeds in the area.
Continued on page 6

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