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“Bees promote sustainability and balance the ecosystem because they pollinate nearby plants and crops, allowing them to grow and be productive,” Dela Cuesta said. On the other hand, Dela Cuesta also cares for some colonies in a space he rents at Asilo de San Vicente de Paul at United Nations, Manila.

Turning honey into money

Some people often regard honey as “liquid gold” because of its money-making potential. With eight colonies across Metro Manila, Dela Cuesta harvests 32 kilograms from each and reaps its benefits.

He and his wife, Sheila, started a brand called HoNea (named after their daughter) around the same time Dela Cuesta began beekeeping. While Dela Cuesta deals with the care and maintenance of the colonies, his wife formulates various products made with honey and beeswax, including shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and candles, among other items.

They also dabble in edible products, like pure honey and honey-infused vegan ice cream.

Research shows that honey has antimicrobial properties, while raw honey is a viable source of antioxidants. In the meantime, Sheila uses other organic ingredients like goat’s milk, coffee, and herbal extracts, which she sources locally, to augment the honey and beeswax’s natural benefits.

“We try to be plastic-free and sustainable as possible, hence why our beauty products are in bar form, and we don’t use plastics in our packaging,” the part-time beekeeper said.

Dela Cuesta also offers training to aspiring beekeepers to unlock the potential of bee colonies within and outside urbanized areas. He even promotes World Bee Day, held every May 20, in the country by holding online seminars and discussions with other seasoned beekeepers who are a treasure trove of knowledge. His other initiative includes the SaBeedo Nights, an online talk show on YouTube that features other beekeepers as guests to continue raising awareness about the nuances of beekeeping and the relevance of bees in an ecosystem. Although just a part-time beekeeper, Dela Cuesta is passionate about his venture and willingly shares his knowledge about bee farming with interested Filipinos so more people can appreciate bees in the ecosystem.

INTENDING to empower tech researchers and startups to bring positive change to the world, PLDT Enterprise supported the TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2023 by Leave a Nest, a knowledgemanufacturing company in Japan, whose goal is to “advance science and technology for global happiness.”

Held at the Ateneo de Manila University, nine finalists from a total of 46 teams of startups and research teams from fields of biotech, eco-tech, med-tech, food-tech, agritech, and deep tech presented local solutions that they have been developing that aim to solve deep issues in society.

Planting the seeds of technology

As one of the event’s local partners, PLDT Enterprise motivated this year’s finalists with invaluable mentorship and co-working space by awarding the PLDT Enterprise Award through its innovation arm, PLDT Innolab.

The PLDT Enterprise Award was given to ARES for its unique smart agriculture technology that uses innovative renewable energy solutions and remote monitoring systems to optimize poultry farm yield.

“We are proud to witness ARES’ technology which aligns most with PLDT Enterprise’s key focus areas and Innolab’s sustainability goals,” says Kristine Dara Ever Juan, Head of Innovations Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab) at PLDT Enterprise. “We are looking for Smart City solutions that integrate well

Conference features PCAARRD goat production technologies

By Butch Gunio

THE presentation of goat production technologies developed by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) was a highlight at the recent conference organized by the Federation of Goat and Sheep Producers and Associations of the Philippines Inc. (FGASPAPI) and the city government of Tarlac.

FGASPAPI is a federation formed and recognized as the official representative of the small ruminant industry. It is a member of the Livestock Development Council and National Agriculture and Fishery Council and an industry partner of DOST-PCAARRD.

PCAARRD’s technologies and projects showcased were Sure Feed (SFEED): pelleted feeds for lactating dams, on-farm application of a workable protocol for embryo transfer for goats, portable goat pregnancy detection kit, standard slaughtering and cutting of goats; Let’s Doe: A project to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and Farmers’ Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management.

Organizers said the conference aimed to impart mature technologies and new goat and sheep production approaches.

Farmers from provinces and other goat and sheep industry stakeholders participated in the event.

Themed “The Goat and Sheep Industry: Responding to Calls of Resiliency By Embracing Mature Technologies,” the conference occurred during the weeklong 25th charter anniversary celebration of Tarlac City.