PINAS MAY 2024

Carabao milk processing, deemed solution to poverty, hunger

BY hiLda AustriA

ASINGAN, Pangasinan – The carabao, the country’s national animal, is still relevant amidst the technological innovations, given the growing industry for carabao milk and other related products.

The industry is seen to be a solution to poverty and hunger in the countryside.

Thus, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is revitalizing the cultivation of Philippine carabaos nationwide to help generate income in the countryside and support the Marcos administration’s dairy nutrition program.

EXPORT QUALITY. The carabao dairy products of Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-purpose Cooperative of Asingan town Pangasinan are on display at the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines 2024 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from May 10 to 12, 2024. The dairy products have been the bread and butter of the families who are members of the cooperative. (Photo by Hilda Austria)

“Raising carabaos on a commercial scale offers Filipino farmers fresh livelihood opportunities. It also makes it possible to locally produce the milk needed for the President’s

Batanes launches agri-tourism farm, garlic initiatives

BY mary joy r. jAvier

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - To advance tourism and agricultural developments in the Batanes, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 2 recently launched the agri-tourism farm and garlic information caravan during the Mega Field Day held in Ivana, Batanes.

The initiative is through the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and Batanes Experiment Station (BES), which also aims to support the food sufficiency agenda of the government, specifically on garlic, root crops, and vegetables.

milk feeding program for children,” DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano said in an interview Monday.

The milk feeding program is in accordance with

Republic Act (RA) 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, which aims to address undernutrition among Filipino children through national feeding program in schools.

Carabao milk is said to be more nutritious than cow’s milk since it has higher calcium and lower cholesterol content.

Savelllano said DA’s Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) has been tasked to lead the effort, initially by repopulating the country’s stagnant carabao population.

PCC Director Caro Salces said surveys by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated that the country’s carabao population ranges from 2.7 mil-

Governor Marilou H. Cayco said the program is part of the provincial community investment plan, which aims to ensure the availability of sufficient and nutritious food throughout the province.

“This initiative also

highlights Ivatan culture and promotes agricultural development through collaboration among local government units and the Ivatan farmers. This serves also as a testament to the Batanes heritage,”

BY Liza Agoot

BAGUIO CITY –

The Cordillera region’s coffeedrinking culture not only makes the people connect and catch up with each other but also provides a good prospect for the industry.

“When you invite somebody, you say inta agkapi (let us have coffee). In Bonctoc, it is so pronounced. In the morning, people go to the kamalin (traditional market) carrying their cups and they talk with everybody. That is how they get news then, when there are no newspapers or radios or cell phones,” Juliet Lucas, director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Cordillera region, said Wednesday.

Lucas, a native of Bontoc, Mountain Province, shared that communication is effective that way – when people are having discussions while sipping a cup of steaming brewed coffee and relaxing.

She said the comfort provided by drinking coffee while having a chitchat allows people to have the opportunity to think better, and for elders to talk amicably when settling problems in the community at the Dap-ay, or where elders gather to dis-

Cordillera coffee culture hikes coffee bean sales

cuss issues.

Some literature says Benguet coffee became part of the country’s booming coffee industry in the 1880s and 1890s before the coffee rust, which was caused by a virus, affected plantations in 1899.

“In our areas, until the

instant coffee came, we have been producing our own coffee. We process it the crude way. We even improvise some wood materials for our gadgets in pulping but we usually use the open-fire roasting until the equipment was recently introduced,” Lucas said.

She said kettle brewing has been a longtime practice of the older generation, which some people continue to adopt due to the different taste and aroma produced when coffee beans are brewed

BENISON CHUA

GET-TOGETHERS. Coffee beans are roasted the traditional way during the 7th Coffee Festival in La Trinidad, Benguet on Wednesday (May 8, 2024). Juliet Lucas, Department of Trade and Industry - Cordillera director, said people from her hometown in Bontoc, Mountain Province used to carry their coffee cups to the traditional market to get news from one another – a practice that opened

for people

establish coffee shops. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

BY annabeL conSueLo petingleY

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA,

Antique – The rich food preparations in Antique could be the ticket for its inclusion in the country’s food heritage map.

“Antique has not only an intact ecology, with pristine water and environment, but the food preparation is also rich,” said National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Commissioner Arvin Manuel Villalon on Tuesday.

NCCA chose Antique as the venue for the April 28-30 closing ceremony of the Filipino Food Month, mandated under Proclamation Order 469.

He said hosting the ceremony was already a

Antique eyes inclusion in PH food heritage map

FOOD MONTH. National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Commissioner Arvin Manuel Villalon (left) hands the certificate of appreciation to forum speaker Roberto Villacabral during the Filipino Food Month closing program at the Old Capitol in San Jose de Buenavista on Monday (April 29, 2024). Villalon said in an interview Tuesday (April 30) that Antique is envisioned to be on the country’s food heritage map because of its rich food preparations. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

springboard for the inclusion of the province in the country’s food heritage map.

They learned that Antique has a rich culinary heritage, like the “pinindang” or the unsalted dried fish fry listed in the Ark of Taste.

“The rice-based desserts like “sapal” or fermented rice and food related to rituals or healing by the indigenous people are also good to be mapped,” Villalon said.

Antique also needs to label its products for people to know they are from the province., he added.

“The preserved food preparations of Antique will be documented in the cultural mapping led by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) with the University of Antique and the local government unit as over-

seer,” he said.

The cultural mapping that started before the pandemic and will culminate in August this year includes the documentation of the rich food preparations in Antique.

Senator Loren Legarda, in her message read by NCCA Special Projects Unit Head Mark Omaña at the start of the three-day event on April 28, said that “the cultivation, preparation, and partaking of food are intricately interwoven with our cultural identity, our traditions, our values, and even our stewardship of nature.”

Legarda, who authors Senate Bill 244 or the proposed Philippine Culinary Heritage Act, hopes to promote Filipino culinary practices in the education system and preserve native ingredients and cooking methods. (PNA) n

What PBBM loves and hates to eat

BY raymund Antonio

AS PRESIDENT Marcos takes pride in the improvement of Filipino cuisine ranking in the world, he shares what Pinoy street food he loves the most—the balut or incubated duck egg.

In his BBM Vlog 259: “Chibog,” the President let Filipinos know what street food he loves the most until now.

“Siguro talaga iyong hinahanap ko kung minsan—balut. Bata pa ako natuto akong kumain ng balut (Maybe what I look for now from time to time—balut. I was still a kid when I learned to eat balut),” he said.

Fruits, the Chief Executive added, are also part of his diet.

“Ang hindi ko mahindian lalo prutas. Iyong prutas kahit na kailan ibigay mo sa akin kakainin ko lahat ‘yan (I can’t say no to fruits. No matter when you offer fruits to me, I’ll eat them all).”

The President said pizza and sashimi were also among the favorite “comfort food” he shared with his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos apart from Filipino dishes. But despite the Filipinos’ love for the ubiquitous

junk food, Marcos revealed he isn’t a fan of it so he brings snacks with him.

“Hindi ako kumakain ng tsitsirya. Marami akong dinadalang mga snack (I don’t eat junk food. I bring a lot of snacks),” he said.

The President shared this trivia about him as he shared the recent rank-

ing released by online travel guide Taste Atlas that put Filipino cooking on 33rd of the best cuisines in the world. In taking pride in Filipino cuisine, Marcos expressed hope that it could be elevated more once tourists discover the Philippines’ regional cuisine. n

(Screenshot from BBM Vlog 259)

Filipino Food Sensation Abi Marquez Takes Home Webby Awards for Social Media Mastery

BY the good news pilipinAs teAM

THE PHILIPPINES’ popular social media food creator, Abigail “Abi” Marquez, has clinched the prestigious 2024 Webby Awards for her captivating one-minute videos spotlighting Filipino cuisine to a global audience. Known fondly as the “Lumpia Queen” for her innovative use of the local food wrap, Marquez secured the People’s Voice accolade for the Best of the Internet in the Social – Food & Drink category.

Outshining stiff competition, including renowned names like America’s Test Kitchen, Jennifer Garner, Danny Freeman, and Edith Galvez, Marquez earned the admiration of 2.2 million voters who crowned her as the ultimate fan favorite. The reveal of the 28th annual Webby Awards winners took

place on April 23, marking a monumental achievement for Marquez and the Filipino food scene.

Celebrating her triumph, Marquez’s management agency, NYMA, shared the exhilarating news locally. Reflecting on her journey from her nomination to victory Marquez exclaimed, “We made history!” echoing the sentiments of countless fans thrilled by her win.

Marquez’s ascent to stardom transcends her mouthwatering lumpia recipes. Seamlessly blending her passions for film-

making and culinary arts, she emerged as a digital luminary amid the pandemic, captivating millions with her fresh perspective. Recently crowned TikTok Philippines’ Foodie Creator of the Year 2023, Marquez’s videos have amassed a staggering 1 billion views, attesting to her widespread appeal.

In a candid conversation with multi-awarded broadcast journalist Rico Hizon on CNN Philippines’ The Final Word, Marquez divulged her creative process, Turn to page 22

Abi Marquez’s one-minute videos showcase Filipino food to a global palate. Photos from Abi Marquez’s social media.

Paragliding boosts Nueva Vizcaya tourism

BY ben moSeS eBreo

THE AMBAGUIO town, named after a mossy grass called ‘Ambagew’, is a 5th-class municipality of Nueva Vizcaya, the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region.

It is one of the remote municipalities of the province but is now embarking on a first-world adventure sport called ‘paragliding’.

The upland town’s natural airflow and environ-

ment have been hailed by foreign paragliding enthusiasts as a world-class adventure.

Ambaguio’s growing paragliding adventure prompted local officials and paragliding experts to join the 2024 First Tourism Champions Challenge conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. Luckily, Ambaguio won as champion in Luzon with their Skyport project proposal bagging the

Ambaguio Mayor Ronelio Danao (1st from left) and DOT Regional Director Troy Alexander Miano(3rd from left) show the ceremonial check for the prize the town won during the 2024 Tourism Champions Challenge. (Photo Courtesy of Ambaguio Turismo)

P20 million prize from the DOT with an additional P5 million from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Ambaguio tourism officer Nuepe Manuel, Jr. said the Skyport project, which will be established in Barangay Naduntog, aims to transform the upland town as the paragliding capital of the country.

“We thank the DOT and TIEZA for this opportunity to properly institutionalize and operationalize the paragliding adventure in our municipality. We have challenges but we are committed to advancing the paragliding industry in our town,” he said.

The exponential growth in the tourist arrivals in Ambaguio took off in 2019, the start of the paragliding adventure, then slightly slowed down in 2020 due to the pandemic. It recovered and registered an annual increase

in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

“In 2018, we have recorded 5,000 test flights alone with various paragliding enthusiasts,” Man-

uel said. With the new and unique tourism activity, the local government was able to develop and train

12 Indigenous Peoples as paragliding pilots of whom four are already international athletes in the said air sport.

Batanes launches agri-tourism farm, garlic...

From page 4

said Cayco.

Meanwhile, Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr, through his chief of staff, Dea Addatu, emphasized that sustainable garlic production is one of his priorities to make Batanes a top garlic producer in the Cagayan Valley Region.

“We showcase not only the rich culture of Ivatan but also the agricultural developments achieved through the collective efforts of the provincial and municipal local governments and the Ivatan farmers,” Addatu said.

Roberto Busania, regional technical director for operations of DA Region 2, said the initiative

is a collective action of the government to meet the increasing demand for garlic and to reduce the region’s

dependency on imports, which is currently beyond 80,000 metric tons on the average annually.

He also assured that the DA will continue working with all farmers to forge stronger partnerships to boost the garlic industry further, make it costcompetitive, aligned with global quality standards, and provide continuous benefits to farmers and stakeholders.

On his part, Ivana Mayor Celso Batallones expressed his gratitude to all the visitors, guests, participants, garlic farmers, and stakeholders at the first Ivana Mega Field Day.

“We will continue to strengthen the agri-tourism farm because Ivana is here for this purpose,” said Batallones. (OTB/ MFJ/PIA Region 2) n

Governor Marilou Cayco (4th from right) and DA Regional Technical Director Roberto Busania (5th from right) cut the ribbon which signals the opening of the Mega Field Day in Ivana, Batanes. (Photo courtesy of DA)

The proposed Skyport project in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya. (Photo courtesy of DOT)

The town’s officials are now working on the flight site development and the establishment of a paragliding tourism hub.

Manuel said the architectural and engineering designs are now being finalized for submission before the construction stage of the project.

“With the Skyport project, we expect the creation of tourism-related job opportunities for our villagers, promotion of our local products, and the other eco-tourism attractions in our municipality,” he said.

Marichelle Costales, provincial tourism officer, said Ambaguio’s Skyport project emerged to be the champion in Luzon out of the 98 proposals submitted to DOT for the competition.

She said the paragliding adventure in Ambaguio, which started before the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the tourist arrivals in Nueva Vizcaya.

Movie actor and paragliding enthusiast Ian Veneracion has been regularly visiting the province for its paragliding adventure and helped in promoting the industry as a world-class experience along with the Nueva Vizcaya Paragliding Team, and the LGU, among others.

“Right now, there are many trained paragliding operators and pilots in Ambaguio and we are optimistic that the paragliding adventure will be sustained for the better expectations of our various stakeholders,” she said.

With this, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan hailed Ambaguio for winning the Tourism Champions Challenge and expressed its strong support for their Skyport project. (OTB/ BME/PIA NVizcaya) n

Carabao milk processing, deemed...

From page 4

lion to 2.9 million as of September last year.

However, Salces estimated that only 30,000 to 50,000 of those animals are suited for commercial milk production.

In Pangasinan, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the Gatasang Kalabaw Kontra Kagutoman at Kahirapan (GK3K) on April 27.

Under the program, about 300 indigent families have been chosen to benefit from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in Balungao, Pangasinan.

The groups received PHP4.6 million seed capital, which will be used for the carabao-breeding and carabao milk production in the first year of implementation of the project; and carabao milk, hide, and meat processing in the second year.

The local government of Balungao provided 10 hectares for carabao housing, forage area and vegetable production site, as well as other logistics and essential materials amounting to PHP4 million.

“Ang layunin po ng program na ito ay mapababa and kagutuman at kahirapan. Ang nutrition ng mga bata ay mahalaga habang lumalaki sila (The program aims to end hunger and poverty. The children’s nutrition is very important while they are growing up),” Department of Social Welfare and Development-Ilocos Region personnel Myla Ramos said.

The PCC-Don Mariano State University also provided specialized train-

ing to the beneficiaries, as well as additional carabaos and artificial insemination.

In turn, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pledged to provide equipment for milk production through its Shared Service Facility program.

While the project on carabao milk and meat processing is just beginning in some areas, members of the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-purpose Cooperative (BSNMC) in Asingan town are now benefiting from the result of their 30 years of commitment to the carabao industry.

PILLARS. Bantog Samahang Nayon Multipurpose Cooperative (BSNMC) chairman Rolly Mateo Sr. (leftmost), vice chairman Roweno Dingal (second from left), and board of director members Arnold Tubera, Fermin Jamias (seated), Ernesto Gabriel and Zenaida Nambatac, (standing). (Photo by Hilda Austria)

Roweno Dingal, vice chairman of the BSNMC, said he could not believe what he has earned since he started to actively join the cooperative back in 2018, after he quit his job at a hotel in Metro Manila due to the pandemic.

“Ngayon lang kami nakakita na may kumikita ng PHP100,000 sa isang buwan dahil sa paggagatas ng kalabaw (This is our first time to see somebody earn PHP100,000 in a month from carabao milk),” he said.

Dingal personally got himself his own car.

In 2023, members of the cooperative received their dividends after years

of allotting it as capital of their organization.

BSNMC chairman Rolly Mateo Sr. said some of the members received over PHP1 million to PHP2 million dividend.

Mateo said through the carabao industry, he was able to send his six children to finish their studies.

One of his children is now a graduate of law while two are finishing their veterinary courses in college.

The cooperative has even hosted the first the three-day Kalabaw Food Festival in Barangay Bantog Asingan town last April 19.

BSNMPC’s latest achievement is the construction of a PHP10.5million building and warehouse on a six-hectare land it procured from its earnings.

Its officials plan to have their own housing project for their members and their own resort in the near future.

“We would like to encourage our kababayans (townmates) to try dairy production to elevate their livelihood,” Mateo said in Filipino.

He said the success of their cooperative is also a product of the wholeof-government approach since different national government agencies have been helpful to them.

Among the agencies that help them include the PCC, DTI, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Education,

Cordillera coffee culture hikes...

From page 6

by boiling.

Antonio Domesag, former mayor of the town of Peñarrubia in Abra and a full-blooded Tinguian tribe member, also said that he grew up seeing his grandfather, also a former mayor of the same town, meeting his officials while having coffee.

He later had his property planted with coffee trees for the needed supply.

“Some community members often visit the house to seek help about problems in the villages and they talk of solutions while sipping coffee,” he said.

As a community elder, Domesag said, an invitation for a community member to have coffee at

his residence is a way to make that person feel at ease and comfortable.

Nida Organo, municipal agriculture officer of La Trinidad, said out of the 99,000 fruit-bearing coffee trees in the municipality, about half are considered old trees, or about 50 years to 100 years old, which are being rejuvenated to add to the supply.

“We have a lot of old trees, which were inherited and have sentimental values. That’s why the owners refuse to have them cut. (These are) proofs that coffee beans have been used by older generations,” she said.

Coffee business

Lucas said because cof-

fee drinking is a social activity, local entrepreneurs have been encouraged to establish shops serving brewed coffee.

She noted that a Google search for “coffee shops” in La Trinidad will show more than 80 locations.

“This shows that we now have a lot of coffee shops, which is a sign that the simple coffee-drinking nature of the people in the Cordillera is also giving economic prospects,” she said.

Lucas said a lot of roasted and ground coffee brands have been introduced by members of the La Trinidad Arabica Coffee Producers Association, which has 795 members from seven of

the municipality’s 16 villages.

“It is good that the industry is vibrant, with everybody so enthusiastic to produce coffee, especially with a lot of coffee shops established in La Trinidad. Aside from Baguio, Atok, and Tublay, there are now more potential outlets. But the problem is that production is not enough,” she pointed out.

She said various government agencies are collaborating to improve the volume and quality of the region’s coffee beans. With more establishments requiring coffee beans, farmers also have to adapt and adjust based on the market’s demands, she added. (PNA) n

Filipino Food Sensation Abi Marquez Takes Home Webby...

From page 14

musing, “The concept is, these dishes – can we turn them into something like wrapping it in lumpia? Is that possible?” Her oneminute masterpieces not only dazzle with speed but also brim with flavor and ingenuity, captivating over 3 million TikTok devotees.

Beyond tantalizing taste buds, Marquez shares invaluable culinary wisdom gleaned from her background in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Her mission transcends mere gastronomy; it’s a heartfelt endeavor to showcase Filipino cuisine on the global stage.

The grand celebration

The Philippines’ popular food vlogger Abi Marquez has made history by winning The Webby Awards People’s Voice of the Best of the Internet voted by 2.2 million voters. She won over fellow nominees in the social food and drink category including Webby winner America’s Test Kitchen, Jennifer Garner, Danny Freeman, and Edith Galvez. My report via Goodnewspilipinas.com. Photo from NYMA and screenshot from Webby website.

awaits as Abi Marquez and fellow winners of the 28th Annual Webby Awards gear up for a star-studded in-person award ceremony, presented by the International Academy of Digi-

tal Arts and Sciences on May 13. Hosted by Amber Ruffin, the event promises a glittering affair at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

WATCH one of Abi Marquez’s food videos here and join the celebration of Filipino culinary excellence and creativity by sharing Abi Marquez’s inspiring journey with your friends and family! Help spread the word and let’s celebrate her remarkable achievement together. n

Carabao milk processing, deemed...

From page 19

and DSWD.

The cooperative has a total of 500 carabaos, 80 of which are in milking stage and producing 180 to 200 liters of carabao milk daily.

It targets to increase production to 500 liters a day.

Aside from fresh milk, the other products that the cooperative sell are yogurt (mango, strawberry, blueberry, and chocolate flavors), corn-flavored ice cream, pastillas (milk candies), polvoron (crumbly dessert made of milk and sugar).

The cooperative will also venture into male carabao meat production within this year.

Asingan town Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. said the success of the dairy production industry in their town through the BSNMPC started during the pandemic.

“A truckload of carabao milk was distributed to the residents since they cannot sell it due to the lockdowns but through social media, they were made known to national government agencies like the DSWD and DepEd, which provided them contracts for their feeding programs,” he said in Filipino.

Earlier, the cooperative secured a contract with the DepEd-Pangasinan II Schools Division to supply some 52,250 packs (200 milliliters each) of carabao fresh milk and milky buns to institutions under its jurisdiction.

The provincial government also ordered products from the cooperative last year for the supplemental feeding of undernourished children.

“It was like a dream come true for us,” Mateo said. (PNA) n