A Picnic at the Farm (Mr. & Mrs. Willi Chen) & Hand-over of Bazaar Proceeds

At the Farm: A Picnic and Hand-Over of the Food Fair & Bazaar Proceeds for Typhoon Victims

The farm is just close by. In Keffi, Nasarawa State. You’ll have to pass Dantata & Sawoe AYA Project, Sherwin’s site.

A group of friends decided to visit this farm. Meeting point is the Philippine Embassy. The proprietors of the farm – Mr. & Mrs. Willi Chen kindly invited us although the truth is ‘we invited ourselves’ after a first group visited this particular farm and brought to every friend’s ear of such a wonderful place. With the 4-day holiday (Eid-il-Kabir) we decided to go on a Friday at exactly 8:00 am. Of course, we left by 9.

So, we proceeded and promptly missed the short cut road.

Near and yet good enough for a picnic. Away from the hectic work schedule – a big relief, just say ‘getting away from it all.’ Nov. 27 Friday - It was Eid-il-Kabir celebration. The traffic was heavy. The Muslims were in a very festive mood. Women chattering in their colorful gelee, children prancing, gleefully crossing the street in batches. ‘Pyyyuuu watah, pyuuu watah’ reverberating in our ears.

As early as 9:00 am, the aroma of roasted beef ‘suya’ mixed with Harmattan wind crisscrossed my nostrils. The bus lent to me by the company, yeah you guessed right, does not have an a/c. Anyway, James, Sherwin, Efren and Angie braved this condition. I know. Doughnuts, cheese bread and packs of fruit juice and water were there. Courtesy of Rosa. After all, it’s still early morning.

Closely following the bus – the follow the leader bus – knowing that I have been there before, was CDA Alex Lamadrid. Rose Akah and kids, Fely Ramos joined him. Wayo pipol. CDA car A/C ey de. Benjie with Nonits, Otie, Nino in tow. Noel was joined by Lito sporting a brand new ‘tungkod’ as new as the tree he picked it from. Noel giggles when he looks at Lito struggling with his ‘signature cane’ ‘cuz he knows the ‘back story.’

Actually Geography subject missed me by just a fraction of a point to repeat the whole term. Na wa o for me.

Our entourage was closely following behind. Rose must have realized that no other car is behind us which should have been the case. No way. Actually ‘no way’ – there was a detour – construction going on. I assured her that we’re definitely at the right track. And ‘boasted’ that the rest will soon follow us –
Reasons: the food in our bus AND I KNOW THE WAY!

We cruised slowly – the road was filling up with Friday worshippers. Loudspeakers booming attracting more faithfuls; Fathers with children (boys) scampering along; Group of teenagers probably classmates converging in one corner; Budding girls chicly dressed; Vendors with all types of wares competing for customers’ attention. Doesn’t look any different from any village in any country during festivities.

And there we were! Ha ha ha – Lito & Benjie by the roadside flagging us and the rest of the revelers already waiting for us at Keffi Hotel! But I was correct – they’re waiting for the food. And so doughnuts disappeared fast. Mabelle sent somebody to lead us to the house.

We used every will power to steel ourselves from the lure of food and cooler environment. Off we went to THE FARM.

Mr. Willi Chen patiently explained to us the rudimentary of farming in such a hostile farm environment. Harmattan dries easily, so he has to be vigilant in watering them. His farm hands are from the area – a very logical move as the whole family can work together. It’s a vast farmland. He showed us the concentration of his vegetables – our target actually. There’s still the creek he is developing. And many other things he would like to install here.

Mr. Chen’s family treated the workers with a nice meal as Ed-il-kabir celebration.

And getting the background, PPA officers grabbed this chance to hand-over to CDA Alex V. Lamadrid the fund raised during the Food Bazaar for the Ondoy-Pepeng typhoons.

When the group went back to the house, a sumptuous meal was already waiting. Justice was meted immediately to the food. To cap this late lunch, Mr. Chen brought out a special concoction – for the boys: Johnnie Walker with herbs and spices told to make a man ‘alive’ and who do you think will want to try this first? NONITS! He ask Mabelle if THIS IS REALLY GOOD. Mabelle promptly smiled and said NO COMMENT! By then, they all grabbed a glass and gulped the concoction!

Mr. & Mrs. Chen allowed us to get some souvenirs: semi –precious stones from their quarry. Each pile has a story.

And there we were – with heavy tummies and heavy load (stones and vegetables) we bade the family goodbye to go back there anytime soon!

~vangie

THE MIGRANTS

In May 2010, the Philippines is installing leaders to lead and govern its inhabitants. To ordinary mortals like you and me, the electioneering campaigns seem farcical in their blatant commercialism. Naturally, each candidate will enter into marriage with anybody who will have a strong followings.

Politicians no longer live in only glass houses – they live in ‘heavily fortified pyrex glasses’ where ‘stones nor rocks’ can shake the foundation. Moral pygmies will always try to look like historical giants.

Why has it become a do or die affair in our native Philippines? Fringe benefits, of course. ‘Serving the people’ battle cry is only during the battle. After the election, this ‘battle cry’ is relegated to a dusty, musty grave to be exhumed after six years. Very much like the Christmas ornaments – dusted, cleaned, polished and put on display during the season.

We have witnessed the worst and the best for our native land.

For OFWs here in Nigeria, the travel/deployment ban caused us untold anxiety, frustrations and anger toward the government.

And yet, the saving factor in the person of CMA Director Ellene Sana came along.

Philippines' Cory Aquino died;
the outpouring is unprecedented.

The back-to-back typhoons devastated many areas; And yet, donations flooded and tales of inherent heroism and generosity surfaced, too.

Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, the undisputed pound-for-pound fighter won 7 titles in 7 divisions which no other boxer had achieved. CNN Hero of the year is Efren Penaflorida.

Let’s just say, the equation somehow balances the pros and cons.

Disasters come and go; but the worst ‘human disaster’ is the Arroyo administration.

It is often circulated in emails: ‘People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.’
The chance is ours come election time. Or will we allow these people to come/stay into our life for a lifetime?

Transition dominates this issue of The Migrants. From the posting of our revered friend and spiritual father, Msgr. Fratini (to Spain) and spiritual friends and sisters, Sr. Resurreccion and Sr. Ortencia (to MCST homebase) to the final curtain for our beloved Philippines’ Queen of Hearts, Cory Aquino and very dear friend, Ana Dador.

But the best ‘transition’ we got is this: OFWs in Nigeria got their freedom to travel home and back to their working places.

~ vangienovio