culture

Bohol’s 'mushroom queen': Reaping the fruits of fungi culture

CEBU CITY – Rona Denque, the woman behind the success of the Green Thumb Farm in Corella town in the neighboring province of Bohol, is now fi guratively and literally reaping the fruits of the fungi that she has been cultivating since a few years back.

She considers fungi as her lucky charm in her now successful agri-entrepreneurship venture.

Fungi often connote a negative meaning to some people, but for Denque, fungus is magical.

Her fungi, the oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), has become the gem of the province of Bohol and Rona's venture into this earned her the acclamation as Bohol's "queen of cultured mushroom".

Denque's love for farming developed during her childhood days. She recalled that during those times in Tagum City, Davao, where she was born, her parents believed she had a green thumb and often wanted her to take care of plants for them to grow.

As an active zumba enthusiast, she then met a co-zumba attendee who introduced her to mushroom production after being trained by the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas' Bohol-Agricultural Promotion Center (DA-7 B-APC).

Since then, her interest in mushrooms has kept burning. She owed it to being active in zumba, which she considered a blessing in disguise.

In 2017, Denque officially started her mushroom journey with a formal training on culture and production, which she attended at the DA-7 B-APC, after her trial and error self-learning from an online video.

The actual hands-on learning she gained from the DA training has enriched her skills and knowledge in mushroom production.

One of the signifi cant lessons that she cannot forget is the proper way of using the media or substrate like the rice stalks or straws which must be well-sterilized in maintained medium fi re for several hours. "The process is very tedious, much more when these straws are to be cooled down and fi lled into a fruiting bag for spawning and then placed in a dim area for them to germinate and grow," Denque said in a press release from DA-7 on Wednesday.

All these she has to do for the love of mushrooms.

And with passion, detemination, and support of her husband Jares, she learned to perfect the production and culture of mushrooms.

Now, aside from the usual white mushroom, she and her husband also grow gray and pink ones. Even without an established market for their produce, this does not hinder them from continuously producing mushrooms. "When you start on something, never quit as this will be the secret to success," she shared.

To enhance her mushroom

‘MUSHROOM QUEEN’. Agripreneur Rona Denque’s venture into fungi production has earned her the recognition as Bohol’s queen of cultured mushrooms. In 2017, she offi cially started her mushroom journey with a formal training on mushroom culture and production from the Department of Agriculture. (Photos courtesy of Green Thumb Farm and DA-7)

enterprise (from production, processing, innovation, packaging, labelling, marketing to linkages), she attended various trainings and seminars off ered by government agencies such as the DA, DA's Agricultural Training Institute-7 (DA ATI7), Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology.

She said these trainings have contributed to achieving a 99 percent success, allowing her to do the whole value chain almost perfectly.

With this result, the Denque couple has expanded their mushroom farm as well as their markets from local to the international arena.

Aside from the mushroom production, Denque has also been promoting healthy organic foods which gained her numerous recognitions. Aside from being named Bohol’s "queen of cultured mushrooms", she became president of the Bohol United Mushroom Growers Association, and was featured as a "JuanaWonder" during the Women's Month Celebration and in the "Kalamay Express" YouTube channel.

Amidst this pandemic, the Denques did not stop their passion for mushroom production. Blessings and opportunities came unexpectedly as they were able to purchase additional equipment for them to start their long dreamed Al Fresco Restaurant which they opened recently.

The said restaurant is located in Corella with a "farm to table" concept and offers mushroom-based food choices and meat-free delectable dishes.

Mushrooms are a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, fi ber and antioxidants. It is low in calories, fat-cholesterol-gluten free and very low in sodium. (PNA)

Malabon food pantry: Compassion in action

HELPING THE NEEDY. People line up to get food items at the community pantry along Gov. PascualBaritan Road in Malabon City on Monday (April 19, 2021). The initiative was the brainchild of Malabon resident Nina Louise Tesorero and her friends who are behind ‘Project Pay it Forward’. (Photo courtesy of Nina Louise Tesorero)

MANILA – Compassion and kindness know no boundaries.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic continues to cause a lot of economic dislocation and suff ering among Filipinos, acts of kindness like the setting up food pantries, where hungry people can at least can get their basic needs for few days, is a sight to behold.

In Malabon, a food pantry for needy city residents has been set up along Gov. Pascual-Baritan Road, near the Jose Rizal High School campus over the weekend.

The initiative was the brainchild of Malabon resident Nina Louise Tesorero and her friends who are also behind 'Project Pay it Forward'. Tesorero said they were inspired by the series of community pantries that were fi rst set up in Quezon City and other parts of the country. Despite being busy with other projects tasked to help front-liners and tricycle and jeepney drivers who were aff ected by the pandemic, Tesorero said they decided to go ahead with their community pantry as they felt would be of big help to the people economically affected by Covid-19. "Tatlo po kami na bumubuo ng Project Pay it Forward, ang nag-o-organize ng community pantry sa Malabon. Tinutulungan din po ako ng parents ko and other relatives (There were three of us who set up Project Pay it Forward, which organized the community pantry in Malabon. My parents and other relatives help us in this initiative)," she added.

Asked how long they are planning to operate the community pantry, Nina said they aim to continue it until this coming Sunday (April 25). Some 180 people have so far benefi tted from this initiative. "At kung papalarin po, hanggang end of April (And if we will be lucky, until the end of April)," she added.

As the virus of kindness also spreads, the friends of Tesorero's friends are also helping in their own way.

When asked about the response of donors for the initiative, Nina said this has been proven overwhelmingly as a lot of people are giving donations. "Nakakataba po ng puso na ang dami pong sumasadya sa community pantry dito sa Malabon para sila po mismo yung magbaba ng donations nila. May mga donations ng isang plastic bag na extra food supplies nila, meron din pong bagong bili na sadya pong idu-donate, meron din pong mga nanghikayat pa ng iba para mas marami silang mabigay (The response has been very heartwarming. A lot of people are coming to Malabon to personally give their donations. There are those giving plastic bags containing their extra food supplies, there are those giving newly bought food items. There are those convincing others to give more so that the needy will be helped)," she added.

Donors are from all age groups, Tesorero said. "Hindi lang in-kind ang binibigay nila kundi may cash donation din (Donations are not only in-kind. Some are also giving cash as well), she added.

Like other community pantries, the one in Malabon also observes the same rule of "getting only what you need" for benefi ciaries and "giving according to your capacity" for donors. "Pero may mga instances po na kukuha sila ng one to two piece per item or more. Hindi na po namin pinipigilan, kasi po baka yun po talaga yung pangangailangan nila. Na totoo po talagang kapos sila at mahirap po ang buhay (But they are instances that some benefi ciaries would get one to two or more items. We are not stopping them as we are thinking that they are really poor and in dire need)," Nina said.

She said that the concept of the community food pantry is to take care and trust one another. "So instead po na sawayin sila, nire-remind lang po and then, nagiging okay naman po (So instead of scolding them, we remind them of (the take only what you need rule), then everything is okay again)," she added. (PNA)

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I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. (A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. 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Entertainment

Glaiza de Castro shares how she, fi ance cope with long distance relationship

GLAIZA DE CASTRO WITH HER FIANCÉ DAVID RAINEY

Glaiza de Castro took to her YouTube channel to share how she and her fi ancé David Rainey cope with their long distance relationship despite the ongoing global pandemic.

In the caption of her latest vlog, de Castro lamented how it’s been almost a year since the Philippines imposed a travel ban.

“If booking flights used to be so easy, sometimes surprisingly aff ordable, now it's a conundrum of trying to fi nd ways on when or how you will see your loved one/s again,” she said.

De Castro said she’s aff ected by the travel restrictions “not because I’m itching to book my next travel destination” but because she is living miles apart from her boyfriend and that has been made more diffi cult by the current coronavirus situation.

“Anyone who's in the same situation as me probably checks updates everyday hoping things will change. But as COVID cases continue to grow, I guess we have to accept the fact that it's not gonna happen anytime soon,” she said.

With the three-minute video she posted, de Castro shared how the pandemic tests their faith and challenges their creativity as a couple.

“This is the story of how we persevere, how we try to make each other feel that distance is never going to be a hindrance in keeping our relationship,” she said.

“As simple as it may seem, these (excerpts from) letters played a huge part in our journey,” she added.

Although miles apart, Rainey and de Castro shared in the video that they used to write old fashioned letters to each other thinking it’s a nice and thoughtful way to keep in touch.

The two got engaged last Christmas. De Castro, however, maintained that they are not in a hurry to tie the knot.

“Defi nitely hindi pa this year. It might not even be next year. Pero we’re not in a hurry to get married kasi sigurado naman kami sa isa’t isa,” she said, as reported by Push in January.

“For now, we’re really planning kung ano 'yung pinaka-beneficial sa lahat. Kasi since 'yung family niya ay nasa Ireland, 'yung family ko nandito. Iniisip namin kung paano sila magtatagpo na hindi sila magwo-worry sa pagta-travel,” she said.

While they await for travel restrictions to ease up, de Castro said they will just continue to make plans for their special day. (MNS)

Sitti calls second baby a ‘miracle’

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sitti has recently received a miracle in the form of her second child.

Shortly after sharing the happy news to the world, the bossa nova singer refl ected on the timely reminder that there can be miracles. "To be honest, I didn’t really want to announce this pregnancy. I didn’t want to make a fuss but then I realized that the good things that happen in my life are not really just for me, they’re meant to be shared with others too especially if it gives them hope," she wrote in a Facebook post. "And that’s what this baby gave us. A reminder that even if I had these chronic diseases (PCOS and APAS) that make it hard to conceive and keep a baby, God CAN work around it and give us His miracle," she added.

Sitti also shared a message of hope to couples who have been waiting for "that baby blessing" for a long time. "Pray, wait, believe, and trust that He, the Creator and giver of life, will make everything beautiful in its time. Hang in there, and while you wait, do enjoy the gift of intimacy with your husband. The Lord always has His purposes for us at any given season," she said.

Sitti and husband Joey Ramirez tied the knot in May 2015. They welcomed their SITTI fi rst child, Issiah Dañelle, in November 2018. (MNS)

Jennica Garcia tells fellow parents: Self love is not selfish

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Jennica Garcia penned a letter addressed to her fellow parents, reminding them of the importance of self-love and surrendering one's marriage to God.

Amid persisting breakup rumors with her husband Alwyn Uytingco, Garcia said self love can only go wrong if it starts to destroy a family.

“Dear Parents, self love is not selfi sh. It only becomes selfi sh when you love yourself too much to the extent that your family becomes broken because of it,” she said on Instagram.

The daughter of veteran actress Jean Garcia went on to discuss marriage, advising them that if one has already let go of the other, turn to God and do not beg for the spouse’s aff ection.

“If you are going through something in your marriage but both of you are helping each other to keep the marriage intact, all praises to God! However, if only the husband or the wife is trying to fi x what is now broken JENNICA GARCIA and your spouse already let go of you to start a journey that is all about them (me, myself and I) -- a journey without your family in it, cling to God and do not beg further for your spouse aff ection when you already tried getting them back many times,” she said.

Although she acknowledged that it is diffi cult to accept reality, Garcia said only God can “change your spouse's heart and you are not God.”

She also cautioned her fellow parents of the strong desire for companionship that they might feel when lonely but stressed that one is never alone in Christ.

“The desire for companionship will be so strong during moments of loneliness but take courage in the fact that the Lord knows your story from start to fi nish,” Garcia quipped.

“There are marriages that make it till their last breath, then there are those who end up parting ways for good. Which one among the two, will you end up in? Only God knows.”

The actress also encouraged people to seek for God’s will and not their own plan, reiterating that His plan is better than anyone else.

“So hold on tight to Jesus and pray for His will and not yours to be done. WHY? Because whether your family is restored or otherwise, there is no better life than the life God has planned for you,” Garcia said.

Last month, Garcia appeared to have deleted photos of Uytingco from her Instagram page. Garcia also sought advice on how to change her Instagram username.

Garcia, 31, and Uytingco, 33, were married in February 2014.

In several Instagram posts, she further spurred speculation of breakup, when she posted a photo of her handwritten note for her children Athena and Severina, telling them that she is scared of what will happen in the future aside from speaking about “looking forward to a new life.” (MNS)

Why Michelle Vito never gave up on dream of fi nishing college

MICHELLE VITO

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Michelle Vito has been acting since she was a teen, but that did not hinder her from achieving her goal of earning a college degree.

Vito admitted that she had a hard time juggling both work and school.

“Sobrang saya pero nung mga time na ginagawa ko 'yun, to be honest, ang hirap talaga. Parang may times na gusto ko nang sumuko, na piliin na lang 'yung showbiz or piliin na lang 'yung school. Pero ngayon na natapos na, very worth it naman talaga 'yung challenge na kahit sobrang hirap, at least natapos ko,” she said.

Early this year, Vito graduated from the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde with a degree in human resources management.

While she considers fi nishing college as a life milestone, Vito said she had to sacrifi ce a lot of things before achieving that feat.

“Nung pumasok ako ng showbiz, ang pinakauna kong sinacrifi ce, ayaw ko talagang umalis doon sa dati kong school nung high school pa lang ako. Kasi last two years ko na 'yun noon. Since Grade 1, nandoon na ako. Gusto ko doon maka-graduate, nandoon 'yung mga kinalakihan kong friends and teachers. Sila 'yung gusto ko makasama kapag grumduate ako ng high school. 'Yun po 'yung pinakaunang ginive up ko para magawa ko yung showbiz,” she said.

When asked why she did not give up on her dream despite all the challenges, she said: “Bata pa lang kasi ako, elementary pa lang ako, gusto ko na talaga matapos 'yung pag-aaral. Factor na din na 'yung mga kapatid ko, nag-aaral sila, nakapagtapos sila. Ako rin, gusto ko rin na makapagtapos na rin ako.”

For Vito, having a degree is something she can always be proud about.

“Iba pa rin talaga 'yung nakapagtapos. Iba 'yung matututunan ko sa showbiz, ibang learning experience 'yun, and iba din 'yung sa college. Professional ka and meron kang degree,” she said.

Through it all, Vito said she was also fortunate to have her boyfriend, actor Enzo Pineda, by her side.

“Very supportive naman siya especially nung nagthe-thesis ako. Nagpapadala iyan ng ice cream sa bahay, 'yun na 'yung comfort food ko kapag nasstress na ako. Isa siya sa mga taong nagpu-push sa akin na laban lang. Okay kasi 'yung feeling na may mga tao sa paligid na naka-support sayo kasi if ako lang, talagang hindi ko kakayanin.”

Vito is currently working in the series "Bagong Umaga." It is is available via free TV (A2Z Channel 11), cable or satellite TV (Kapamilya Channel), livestreaming (Kapamilya Online Live), and on-demand streaming (iWant TFC). (MNS)