Saturday, September 17, 2011

Malagos Farm Fair 2011


























“Malagos Farm Fair 2011”
Sun.Star Davao, Sept. 17, 2011

For two spectacular days last month, Dabawenyos were treated to a wholesome and fun-filled event during the most anticipated 2nd Malagos Farm Fair.

Held at one of Davao’s premier tourist destinations, Malagos Garden Resort, the well-attended affair was conceptualized by the dynamic Puentespina family as an occasion for their different farms to showcase crops as well as highlight the menagerie of farm animals that their family grows.

With the theme, “Responsible and Efficient Farming Systems”, city folks of all ages trooped to the farm fair to enjoy delightful farm games, exhibitions, crops and livestock seminars, food tasting and entertainment.

That wonderful weekend, Malagos Garden Resort became an “open house” where guests marveled at the resort’s vast farms and breathtaking gardens. The visitors also learned the ways and techniques of various farm operations such as cacao growing, dairy goat and cow operation, organic fertilizer and vermi-culture projects, environmental stewardship, among others.

The Puentespina family takes pride in being a strict observer of sustainable farm management. They are strong advocates of zero waste in the farm. This has gained the family’s farm the reputation of being an agri-tourism destination for best practices.

Mimicking traditional practices of rural farmers, the farm fair featured an auction sale of farm animals. During the wacky farm games, some guests also got the rare opportunity to win their very own farm animals including dairy goats, cows, ostriches, pheasants, birds, chickens, ducks and even horses!

Exhibit booths for animal sale, Agri-Vet, Agro-Chem and Agro-Tech, souvenirs, crafts, plants, food and fresh produce were likewise a hit with the guests.

One of the newest activities of the farm fair was the exciting Malagos Pet Parade where animal lovers proudly brought their darling pets to join in the parade. Pet lovers happily spent the day with their beloved pets in a farm fair atmosphere.

Philippine-made cheese advocate Olive Puentespina together with one of the country’s leading chefs, Jill Sandique, and other agriculture experts were among the resource speakers who gave impressive lectures on diverse topics.

Olive, the woman behind Malagos Cheese, is the country’s first artisan cheese maker. She gave an interesting talk on “Appreciating Local Cheese with New World Wines”. The engaging food tasting event included a sampling of Malagos Farmhouse’s delectable cheese paired with wine made from home-grown berries or beer.

The guests’ visit to the farm fair was even made more memorable and complete after they witnessed the highly acclaimed and world class Malagos Interactive Bird Show.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Guhit ČESko



























“Guhit ČESko”
Sun.Star Davao, Sept. 3, 2011

Five young budding artists from Davao recently joined the Czech Embassy Manila’s art competition dubbed as “Guhit ČESko: the Czech Republic Through my Eyes”.

Twenty-two official entries from Manila, Cebu and Davao were featured during the art exhibit held at the Philippines’ premier children’s museum--Museo Pambata along Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The children’s art exhibit, which was the first in a series of art competitions being hosted by the Czech Embassy Manila’s Cultural Section, aimed to “provide a glimpse of the Czech Republic’s sights, traditions and culture through the eyes of Philippine child artists aged 10-14”.

A cornucopia of breathtaking children’s artworks was on display during the two-week exhibit, which included paintings, drawings, a divadlo (Czech theatre) model and a wooden replica of the world-renowned Charles Bridge.

Mary Anne Tan-Guinoo, a Davao-based contemporary artist and sought-after art teacher, was the supportive mentor of the Dabawenyo junior artists, namely: Abegail Denise Louh, Kristen Marie Suarez, Denise Marie Suarez, Arian Melina Guinoo and Caye Alessandro Francisco.

Two of the Davao entries were chosen as among the ten finalists.

Kristen Marie Suarez, a Grade 5 student of St. Paul College Pasig Davao’s acrylic on canvas entry was entitled “A Czech Lady Selling Knedliky Pastries”.

“Kristen wanted to come up with fashion and Czechs all together so she decided to make a portrait of a Czech woman dressed in the country’s national costume while carrying some delicious goodies for sale”, explains Mary Anne.

In addition, Davao Christian High School third year high school student Abegail Denise Louh’s masterpiece, “Heavenly Lights”, almost came in the top five.

Abegail played with warm hues using orange, red, brown and yellow tones. It is oil on canvas but has a water color effect. She artistically showed the historical structure of the Czech Republic—an awesome vision which encourages us to go visit the place”, describes the proud art instructor.

During the opening ceremonies held last month, the participants were given certificates of recognition by Monika Kazdova, Third Secretary and Consul and Head of the Cultural Section of the Czech Embassy Manila and Maricel Montero, Executive Director of Museo Pambata.

The awarding of winners followed shortly with De La Salle Zobel’s Trina Francesca Pagtakhan bagging the first prize. Her brilliant artwork, “Czech’s Republic’s Culture in the Eyes of the World”, represented the richness of the Czech Republic’s culture. It portrayed a small town in Czech Republic with the residents donning traditional costumes while dancing and playing music.

Meanwhile, Philippine High School for the Arts student Ron Emilio Limos’ artwork, “Puzzled”, was adjudged second place. On the other hand, Vanessa Gayle Tangcueco of St. Jude Catholic School’s “Window of Czech Republic” was chosen as the third place winner.
The winners received trophies, cash prizes, Czech commemorative coins and art supplies.

The Czech Embassy Manila will be hosting another painting contest this September.
“Sining ČESko” (literally translated as “My Czech Art”) is open to college and university level artists aged 16-21 from all over the Philippines.

With the theme, “The Czech Republic Through my Eyes”, the contest’s objective is to showcase the Filipino artist’s talents in the visual arts by combining the use of common art media with indigenous Philippine materials. Submission of entries is from September 1-30, 2011.

Kudos to the Czech Embassy Manila for honing the talents of our young Filipino artists and fostering closer ties between the two countries!

Special thanks to Jorem and Sheila Catilo Photography for the event’s photos.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.