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.

Dr. 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 pose for a group photo, prior to the tree planting. (Left to right: Embassy of Mexico Economic & Cultural Affairs Marcos Octavio Vara Jacobo, Embassy of Malaysia Trade Attaché Intan Zalani, Leonarda R. Tulao, Melvin Joves of DTI-BSMED, MSF and PACPI President Clara R.Lapus,, VCOP- ED & PACPI-VP Agnes Cristobal, and extreme right-DOT-Promotion Rep.Haneef Arsad )

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.

Participants plant seedlings in the Mama Sita’s Experimental Farms in Purok 3, Brgy. Suclaban,

Mexico, Pampanga. Over 300 seedlings were planted last October 8, 2024.

Chef Sau del Rosario provided refreshments and snacks to guests at the event. Food included Calabantian Tamales, Bringhe, Chicken Tocino Pandesal, and Shrimp and Vegetable Okoy.