Through reading materials and suggestions from
friends, my interests in planting since boyhood were truly enhanced. An elderly neighbor in the farm, Ma Taco (may
he rest in peace; he died last January 2012) advised me once, "continue to
plant seeds because there will always be one or two that will grow." My wife and I made a shortlist of our favorite
fruits and plant the seeds.
The first fruits that my wife and I reaped/tasted
came from the variety of bananas we planted such as Bungulan, Lacatan, Turdan, and Saba; papayas
in 2 different varieties (Red Lady & Sinta); dalandan, rambutan and passion
fruits. Followed by avocados and guavapples
from 2-year old trees, and guyabanos and poncan from 3-year old trees and
jackfruits from a 4-year old tree. All fruit
trees are flourishing well. We consume
the fruits in various ways of preparations using traditional recipe and innovation.
Through hard-earned savings from living and working abroad helped us fulfill one of our dreams - to have a small farm for fresh produced of fruits, herbs, vegetables, livestock and fresh water fishes. Fresh produced that we prepare, cook and eat gives us that particular crispness and “yummy” exquisite flavor. Not to mention about the second thought passing in the minds about the presence of chemicals in the fruits that we eat.
Finally, the farm modest living keeps my charming
wife and me to thank God always for the fresh and flourishing fruits, livestock
and fish in the farm. It also give us
more time to pray for a newness of spirit, a freshness of faith and renewed
appreciation of His richly blessings.
To date, we have varieties of fruit-bearing trees/seedlings,
vegetables and herbs planted in the farm, all favorites of my wife. Every time we see flowers appearing in the
plants, my wife and I cannot hide the excitement. Both of us hope for all the fruit trees to
grow healthy and to bear fruits for many years. Psalms 92:14 They shall
still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.