Scholars Upscale Social Marketing To Promote Hero Farmers

Can you imagine life without farmers? A team of scholars from the Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5 leadership program can’t. They harnessed the power of marketing strategies mostly through the new media to promote a farmer empowerment project in Consolacion, Cebu. Because of the on-going training that the farmers are undergoing, they will soon yield better and abundant harvests in their respective farms all over Cebu.

The online community has been abuzz with the iluvfarmers farmers campaign that champions hero farmers in Cebu.

About Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan

Team CPMPC of the YMA program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. created a campaign for the “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan.” The project aims to educate farmers in vegetable and fruit production and innovations as part of the poverty alleviation goals of the Municipality of Consolacion.



Around 120 farmers go to the 5,000 square meter demo farm site in Brgy. Danglag to learn from the trainers from Harbest Agribusiness Corporation and the Department of Agriculture Regional Offices.



The program’s aim is to empower our farmers with knowledge to improve farm practice and increase yield, thereby providing better income opportunities.



The project started last September 11 and is set to end on November 18, 2011. This has been done in 18 other project sites all over the country as well, and as of writing, graduated more than two thousand farmers.

About iluvfarmers

The Team CPMPC scholars of YMA drafted and implemented a massive campaign to help these farmers gain social awareness and support from the public with the parameters set by RAFI which is 1,000 likes on the Facebook page and 10,000 peso donation or signature of commitment within a one month period.



But instead of focusing on achieving the goals, they turned to the notion that the quality of interaction and support they get is more important especially within the deadline.



As part of the marketing strategy, they branded their campaign as “iluvfarmers” to imply the need for people to appreciate our farmers who are considered as unsung heroes. Meticulous planning and execution was done from designing the logo, content creation and development, setting of specific goals, art direction of campaign materials such as online posters, advertisements, teasers, blog posts, endorsements from different personalities and regular updates in the social networking sites. They also went to the farm demo site and worked with the farmers themselves under extreme weather conditions and poor classroom setting.



The scholars themselves underwent input sessions with social marketing experts in the region today.



They created a Facebook page with a custom designed landing page which can be accessed at http://fb.me/iluvfarmers where details of the program and how you can support the campaign and the farmers are placed. They also created a Twitter account http://twitter.com/iluvfarmers where conversations and interactions are done not only with netizens but as well as Agriculture and Farming organizations all over the world. To curate the beautiful life stories of the farmers and to regularly update the supporters with the latest developments of the project, Team CPMPC scholars also had created a blog site http://iluvfarmers.blogspot.com for better content and brand establishment.





The iluvfarmers Campaign is being spearheaded by Jaysee John R. Pingkian, Lorbe Catadman, Babykit Marie Nunez, Irish Nunez and John Rhecel Solon members of the Team CPMPC of the YMA Season 5.

Why you should help?

Farming is not as fun as you would experience through games like Farmville. It actually takes a lot of effort and life as we know it and some people have not only considered it as livelihood but life in itself.



The project needs to sustain because they have learned to pursue a reliable source of income with very little capital through the technologies and knowledge imparted to them.



They need not only awareness from people but as well as donations in money or in kind such as farming tools and fertilizers, vegetable and fruit seeds and seedlings because after the training they are expected to apply their knowledge unto their respective farm lands.



Keep in mind that they are also the providers of their families.



They also need social awareness because little attention and support is given to these people whose efforts are barely recognized and compensated for the amount of work they are doing.

How can you help?

4 Steps to Help Them!

1. LIKE and SHARE this page! COMMENT on photos and posts as well!
2. DONATE your Facebook or Twitter Status:

• They work hard to provide us food. We can help them do better. FOLLOW @iluvfarmers and LIKE http://fb.me/iluvfarmers 
• Somewhere in the mountains are heroes who work tirelessly to provide us and their families. FOLLOW @iluvfarmers and LIKE http://fb.me/iluvfarmers
• Facebook is not just for emo stuff. It could also be used to support our hero farmers! FOLLOW @iluvfarmers and LIKE http://fb.me/iluvfarmers
• Or you could CREATE YOUR CREATIVE STATUS and post it on the Facebook page so they could feature you!

1. FOLLOW us on Twitter http://twitter.com/iluvfarmers
2. DONATE or ask people to donate money, farm tools, farm supplies, seedlings or seeds.
• Contact iluvfarmers Campaign Ambassador Lorbe Catadman: 09299613737

Farmer's in Cultivating a Vital Role

"Farmworkers play a vital role in cultivating the food we eat every day". Even though 85 percent of our fruits and vegetables are harvested by hand, farmworkers remain largely invisible.

Agricultural labor includes planting, cultivating, harvesting and preparing crops for market or storage. Afarmer’s work can be very hard. Hours are long, often sunrise to sunset. During planting and harvesting seasons, crop farmers rarely have days off. The rest of the year, they sell their crops, fix machinery, and plan for the next year.

The Philippines is still primarily an agricultural country despite the plan to make it an industrialized economy by 2000. Most citizens still live in rural areas and support themselves through agriculture. The country’s agriculture sector is made up of 4 sub-sectors: farming, fisheries, livestock, and forestry.

The country’s main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco, and abaca. Secondary crops include peanut, cassava, camote(a type of rootcrop), garlic, onion, cabbage, eggplant, calamansi(a variety of lemon), rubber, and cotton. The year 1998 was a bad day year for ariculture because of adverse weather conditions. The Philippines exports its agricultural products around the world, including the United States, Japan, Europe, and ASEAN countries.

"Farmworkers play a vital role in cultivating the food we eat every day"

"Helps the Surrounding Clean and Green"

"Our Contemporary"

MAJOR EXPORT PRODUCTS

● Coconut Oil & other coconut products

● Fruits

● Vegetables

● Bananas

● Prawns(a type of shrimp)

● Cavendish banana

● Cayenne pineapple

● Tuna

● Seaweed

● Carrageen

One of the most pressing concerns of the agricultural sector is the rampant conversation of agricultural land into golf courses, residential subdivisions, and industrial parks of resorts.

 "source of income"

Small land-holders find it more profitable to sell their land to developers in exchange for cash specially since they lack capital for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and wages for hiring workers to plant and harvest the crops.

"Hardworking"

Another concern is farmer’s continued reliance on chemical-based fertilizers or pesticides that have destroyed soil productivity over time. In recent years however, farmers have been slowly tuning to organic fertilizer, or at least to a combination of chemical and organic inputs in addition, environmental damage is another major concern.

http://iluvfarmers.blogspot.com/

Farming is not as fun as Farmville. Somewhere in the mountains are unsung heroes who work so hard without complaining so they could provide us with food basic needs for their families at home.

ILUVfarmers is a fundraising and awareness campaign spearheaded by the Team CPMPC scholars of the Ramon Aboitiz Inc. for the “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan” program of the Municipality of Consolacion.

What is Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan?

Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan is a farmer empowerment program in the Philippines that aims to give local farmers proper trining to yield abundant and qualify fruits and veggies.

It is currently being done in the Municipality of Consolacion with over 180 farmers. Every Friday, Farmers gather at the farm demo site in a 5,000 square meter agricultural land in Baragay Danglang, Consolacion to take part in the training given by Harbest Agribusiness Corporation. 

The program has graduated more than 2,000 farmers nationwide in different farm sites. Because of it, farmers have learned about intensitive dual-tech hands-on traiing on commercial production technology for different vegetables and short-term fruits such as melon, watermelon, cucumber, eggplant, squash, ampalaya, sweet corn and papaya.

Iluvfarmers is another project of the Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season5 Scholars of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). Team4 Generation A Team CPMPC members are Jaysee John R. Pingkian, Lorbe Catadman, Babykit Marie R. Nuñez, Irish L. Nuñez and John Rhecel V. Solon.

For more info:

FACEBOOKhttp://facebook.com/iluvfarmers

TWITTERhttp://twitter.com/iluvfarmers

 BLOGhttp://iluvfarmers.blogspot.com

Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino Museum Cebu City

 Aimed to preserve the Catholic Heritage, the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino museum was created inside the Basilica which is known 

to be the oldest church in the Philippines.

The place that usually attracts tourists, foreigner or native alike, reflects and showcases the history of Christianity in Cebu. The museum was formerly housed in one of the rooms on the first storey of the church but was relocated under the pilgrim’s center. It was opened for public showing since 1965 and has been a major sightseer attraction for being related to the reverence of the image of the holy child, the Santo Nino.

Another reason for its establishment is the preservation of artifacts owned by the Augustinian friars such as the century-old furniture, and other antique objects , vestments worn by the icon of the holy child that had been contributed by various devotees over the centuries. On display also re religious statues and relics; several playing objects said to be gifts to Baby Jesus, various images of the Santo Nino from other parts of the country and the world, ecclesiastical books, also religious artworks, liturgical vessels, jewelry and large Santo Nino rosary of 15 beads.

Interested viewers could easily reached the place through public utility jeepneys, a taxi or can even take a hike from historic Colon street and find the area in less than 30 minutes. The museum is open from 8 am to 5 pm and closed during Wednesdays. An entrance fee of P10 for adult and P5 for children is required to have a glance inside.

What size of your SMILE say’s about you?

 A pair upturned lips, the smile is the most scientifically studied human facial expression. The latest reaserch  of professor Marianne Lafrance, PhD, in fields from biology to anthropology to computer science in an effort to shed some light on the happy face.

People with big grins live longer.

 In a study They found that on average, the guys with bright, bigmouthed beams lived 4.9 years longer than the players with partial smiles, and 7 years longer than the players who showed no grin at all. We can't credit wide smiles for long life spans, of course, but smiles reveal positive feelings, and positive feelings are linked to well-being.

There are three degrees of happiness...   it is indeed possible to spread the love: Within social networks, when one person is happy, the feeling migrates to two people beyond her. So if you smile, a friend of a friend is more likely to smile, too.

and two types of smiles. Genuine smiles and fake smiles are governed by two separate neural pathways. 

We know this is true because people with damage to a certain part of the brain can still break into a spontaneous grin even though they're unable to smile at will. Scientists speculate that our ancestors evolved the neural circuitry to force smiles because it was evolutionarily advantageous to mask their fear and fury.

"Karansa" sa DANAO

A celebration of the 338th fiesta of the town, Danao City Cebu - Karansa Festival 2011 this coming September 20. The festival is honor to St. Sto. Thomas de Villanueva, the patron saint of Danao City.

Karansa is a dance festival that shows the joy and happiness through performing the four basic steps, the kikay, karag, kurug and kurahay. In a little way, its a dance to be merry and to celebrates - a word from Councilor Carmen "Ivy" Durano-Meca, committee on Tourism Chairperson. 

Karansa sa DANAO

It was called Karansa because the people of Brgy. Suba in Danao City, a known for Potters will gather and celebrates for a successful day of work through performing a dance. This the proud of Danawanons which remains its cultures and heritage of Danao City.

Contingents from the city elementary and high school of Danao City will show the highlights of the festival street dancing, showdown competitions and Karansa Festival Queen 2011.

Why not exploring it now? Visit the Municipality of DANAO CITY & be a part of "Karansa sa Danao 2011"

Bantayan Island Cebu

BANTAYAN - Origin of a name. BANTAYAN as the name implies has a very interesting history as an island group.

 During the time of Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera ( 1635 - 1644), the Visayas were continually harassed by the Moros. Consequently, tall stone walls and watchtowers wer built in the different parts of the archipelago, for refuge and protection of the people from the moro aggression. The tall walls surround the convent and the church including half of the area where the Public Plaza now is. 

These watchtowers were loacally known as "BANTAYAN SA HARI " , meaning, " WATCHTOWERS OF THE KING" "KING OF SPAIN". The watchtowers served as look-outs for the incoming moro pirate vessels. In the course of their vigil after the moros, it became the common expression for them to say, BANTAYAN! BANTAYAN!, meaning, "KEEP WATCH! KEEP WATCH! , and that was how this island-group got its name. The presence of the relics of those watchtowers till today, attest to the well-fitting name BANTAYAN. 

Bantayan Island is located in the northern tip of Cebu. It is well know for its fine white sands and crystal clear waters. Considered as one of the most attractive tourist destination in the Philippines, its wide sandy beaches stretches long enough for a morning jog or a romantic walk as the sun sets. The island is a mixture of many things. It’s an ideal place for relaxation and self-exploration. It’s a favorite hiding place to those who need a break on the busy and fast changing world. Whether snorkeling, windsurfing or playing in the sand. Bantayan has all the ingredients mixed with fun, sun and silicon to be a shining tropical paradise in Asia.

Bantayan Island is essentially a fishing island group. It is reported to be within the migration route of fish coming from the equatorial belt of China Sea. Bantayan is blessed with abundant fish because of its strategic location.

Cebu's Best Quality Guitar

Mactan island might be famous for its white sandy beaches, its world class beach resorts and its mactan stone, but it is also the home of the Filipino guitar. Famous Filipino singer Freddie Aguilar, who hit the top of the music charts with songs like "Anak" and "Magdalena" uses a Mactan guitar.

The province of Cebu is especially well known because of the production of locally handmade acoustic guitars,  bandurrias (Filipino mandolins), banjos and ukuleles. Already for generations the Cebuanos have been making quality guitars. 

The guitar makers are considered to be among the world's finest craftsmen. Maribago on Mactan island, is the center of Cebu's guitar-making industry. Here you can watch the craftsmen at work. 

One craftsman is responsible for the entire  production process of a guitar.  This way of production process is the best guarantee for the utmost perfection and quality of the guitars. Approximately one month is needed to complete one guitar.  


The guitar has been a favorite musical instrument of all races of mankind for many decades now. The stringed instrument is being manufactured in different countries. But the best is still found in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. Many foreign and local tourists, who flock the usland, do not go home without a Mactan guitar.

One of the production making of cebu guitar

Customers buy guitars for diffeent reasons. Some go by the looks, others are really experts and go only by the sound. A good quality guitar can only be spotted by an expert. 

cebu guitars

Some people spend hours looking for a good one.But good quality are not cheap. Cheap guitars are usually made of lawaan wood, top instruments from kamagong or calantas. A good guitar is chosen for its finish and its body design.

Tuburan Cebu Industry

Marmol Cliff in Tuburan, Cebu  

Founded in the 1851 by Don Mariano Montebon who hailed from the town of Sogod, Cebu. The townsite was first located at Daan Lungsod which is just acroos the Adela River, north of the present Poblacion, Tuburan got its name from the prevalence of springs, which are the sources of potable water for household use of the early settlers. "Tuburan" it is averred, evolved from the Cebuano- Visayan dialect "Tubod" meaning spring.

Church in Tuburan

Tuburan is the hometown of the revolutionary leader Arcadio Maxilom. The Arcadio Maxilom Memorial Library in the Tuburan Museum is named after him.  Tuburan is a haven of Cebuano heritage and exciting natural sights. Founded in 1851, it rests in the northwestern coast of Cebu Province and dates back pre-Spanish times with natives already enjoying commerce with Asian traders. During Spanish period, it is one of Visayas’ highly-organized towns that enjoy the good life.

Tubod Festival in Tuburan, Cebu

Because of the abundance of springs, Tuburan got its name after the Cebuano word tubod meaning “spring” which has been the main water source of early settlers. And through the years, Tuburan has been known for such crystal-clear springs, beaches, creeks, rivers, mysterious caves and natural splendours that enthrall adventure-seekers and nature-lovers. Among the scenic spots are the springs of Molobolo, Mantawihan, Little Baguio, the Marmol Cliff & Cave, Lantawan Lookout, and the Friendship, Daan Lungsod and Apalan white beaches.

White Beach in Tuburan, Cebu

Marmol Cliff in Tuburan, Cebu

Tubod Festival in Tuburan, Cebu

Tuburan Terminal

Tuburan Public Market

Tuburan Transportation

Industrial and domestic products include decorative apparels and fashion accessories made of sea and coconut shells, wood and other indigenous products. Tuburan is likewise indulged in civic and socio-cultural activities and religious events. Launched three years ago, the colorful festivity billed Tubod Festival is held in honor of the Parish’ patron, Saint Anthony of Padua. This great activity demonstrates the Tuburanon temperament, culture and religious devotion.

Tuburan Beach

Mountain Areas of Tuburan, Cebu

Tuburan National High School

The Local Government of Tuburan embarks on an economic development program that centers on industry, tourism and heritage. It is on its way towards strengthening linkages with and encouraging private and government groups and individuals to invest in this very promising town and its people.

Barangays

Tuburan is politically into 54 barangays.

●Alegria               ●Amatugan                       ●Apalan               ●Bagaswe            ●Bakyawan          ●Bangkito             ●Bulwang              ●Kabangkalan       ●Kamansi              ●Kan-an    ●Kalunsing ●Kansi ●Antipolo ●Caridad

●Carmelo ●Cogon ●Marmol ●Mangga ●Daan Lungsod ●Fortaliza ●Ga-ang ●Gimama-a ●Jagbuaya ●Kabkaban ●Kagba-o ●Kampoot ●Kaorasan

●Libo ●Lusong ●Macupa ●Mag-alwa ●Mag-antoy ●Mag-atubang ●Maghan-ay ●Malobolo ●Montealegre ●Putat ●San Juan ●Sandayong ●Santo Niño

●Siotes ●Sumon ●Tominjao ●Tomugpa ●1 ●2 ●3 ●4 ●5 ●6 ●7 ●8