Food Finds Asia | Tree-Planting in Mexico, Pampanga celebrating UNESCO Day of the Galleon | Mexico, Pampanga – Mama Sita Foundation (MSF), together with Sta. Clara Power Corporation and various advocacy groups, hosted a tree-planting cum webinar last Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Mama Sita’s Experimental Farms in Purok 3, Brgy. Suclaban, Mexico, Pampanga.
Guest Speakers
Remembering that historic date in 1565 when the Manila Galleon returned to Acapulco, Mexico laden with coconuts and other botanicals marking our entry into the global food trade.
Marcos Octavio Vara Jacobo Economic and Cultural Affairs Chief of the Mexican Embassy in the Philippines said, “This tree planting symbolizes a pivotal moment of an enduring friendship between 2 nations, As we pay homage to the resilience formed during the Galleon Trade, we are reminded how Manila Mango now exported by Mexico and achuete now exported by the Philippines enriched the flavors of our local cuisines”.
Trade Attache Intan Zalani of the Malaysian Embassy cited, “This event reflects the shared collaboration and innovation that our nations hold dear. Agriculture is the engine of innovation, the bedrock of sustainability we have the power to shape the future… but this future will not be realized on its own. It will require dedication and joint efforts like what we witness today.”
National Historical Commission of the Philippines Director Carminda Arevalo described the galleon trade as a meeting point of Eastern and Western Cultures. “Just as the galleon trade was a pillar of our history, agriculture is the bedrock of our nation’s freedom.”
Participants and Tree-Planting Activity
Notable attendees include representatives from the Department of Tourism (DOT), Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-BSMED) National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Soroptimist International of Mandaluyong and Asian Social Institute (ASI) among others.
The event was attended by representatives from numerous government agencies and organizations, including media coverage by GMA Integrated News, all showing support for the advancement of sustainable agriculture.
Other organizations showed their support for the success of the tree-planting:
- Monde Nissin
- Luntiang Republika
- Federation of People’s Sustainable Development Cooperative
- Haribon Foundation
- Güd is Better
- Lime Tree Farm
- Nut ‘N Else
- MFI Polytechnic Institute, Inc.
- National Historical Commission of the Philippines
- Peter Paul
- Soyuz Foods, International
- Vegetari
- Pinagdanlayan MPC
- Cruz Agricultural Biosystems Services
- Kakaw Galleon
- Monfort Foundation
- Trees for Life Foundation
Participants planted over 300 trees, including coconut, tamarind, guava and other fruit bearing and native trees, contributing to efforts that bridge the past and future of agriculture. Webinar on Agricultural Sustainability Following the tree-planting activity, participants attended a webinar on sustainable farming practices. Resource persons were:
- Rita Macabuhay, Manager of MFI Polytechnic Institute, Inc., who discussed the critical role of small-scale farming in rural development and food security.
- Eduardo B. Cleofe, Owner of Luntiang Republika Ecofarms, who gave a virtual tour of his ecofarm, showcasing eco-friendly operations.
- Rico Cruz, Main Consultant at Cruz Agricultural Services and Balik Scientist for DOST-PCAARRD, who presented on the coconut as “The Plant of Life and Energy” and its significance in the agricultural industry.
- Ramon L. Rivera, President of the Philippine Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, who emphasized the role of efficient breeding programs in enhancing coconut production through germplasm management.
Looking Ahead The Day of the Galleon event aims to connect dedicated farmer suppliers of selected varieties of crops that will with stand over twenty stronger typhoons every year to dedicated consumer buyers of natural flavors.
Emma C. Asusano, director, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, DTI vowed to assist organized farmers acquire needed farm machineries/equipment to modernize Philippine Agriculture.
Participants, Brgy.rep and ASI reps pose for a photo at the Brgy. Suclaban Covered Courts after the tree planting.
(From left to right: Adolfo Reyes, ASI Prof. Dennis Batoy (ASI) and students from Myanmar and Vietnam,(6th) Brgy. Suclaban Kap Danilo Miranda.
Members of Soroptimist International of Mandaluyong with Malaysian Attache Intan Zalani
Rep. from Sta Clara Power Corp and Morong Power & Water Corp.
ABOUT MAMA SITA FOUNDATION
Mama Sita Foundation (https://www.mamasitafoundation.com) is a non-stock non-profit organization birthed from the vision and legacy of Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes, a Filipino food icon who was committed to spread awareness on Filipino food and Philippine-grown crops that deliver its unique flavors and tastes. Its initiatives are focused on promoting Philippine culinary heritage, Filipino foodways, and agricultural sustainability.