COCOONED!
December 28, 2003 | 12:00am
Every time a new year begins, people vow to change or improve their lives. Many make a list of resolutions, the do’s and don’ts for survival. Others simply take life in stride, unmindful of what the year ahead can offer them. For some, however, they are certain of what they will do and achieve in the days to come.
I couldn’t help but ponder on these thoughts as I watched the silkworms spin their cocoons at a sericulture project site of OISCA Bago Training Center (OBTC) in Bago, Negros Occidental. OISCA stands for Organization for Industrial and Cultural Advancement, a Japanese non-government organization geared toward helping the agricultural sector of developing countries. Through the invitation of Congressman Alfredo Maranon to visit the center, I was privy to how silk yarns were made.
The silkworms are a sight to behold as they weave their future after days of feeding on mulberry leaves on a bed of old newspapers. Day in and day out, they untiringly spin what they would become: cocoons. They stop in that life cycle unlike ordinary caterpillars that metamorphose into bright and beautiful butterflies.
All it takes is five days for the silkworms to turn into cocoons and give birth to another hope, another life. This time, as cocoons, they give another meaning to their existence in the form of a livelihood to 180 sericulture farmers, the direct benefactors of the OISCA-Philippines, who eventually reel the cocoons into silk yarns. The local OISCA chapter was organized 35 years ago with sub-chapters all over the country.
In 1989, said Rep. Maranon, Tadama Tsuji and Fumio Mizuno of OISCA-International started a sericulture project in Bago City primarily designed to augment the family income of small-scale farmers. Of course, included in the project is the establishment of a two-hectare mulberry plantation in the municipality of Murcia, Negros Occidental. Three years after the project was set up, it halted operations because of some technical problems. In 1992, however, the project resumed under Shigemi Watanabe. After many years of trial rearing, the farmers were able to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to produce quality cocoons. By this time, more than 20 hectares of land were planted to mulberry, from whose young leaves the silkworms derive their staple food.
In 1996, samples of harvested silk cocoons were brought to Japan for quality testing and yielded very encouraging results. In November of the same year, 1.3 tons of dried cocoons were shipped to Japan.
"This paved the way for the industry to be spread to other farmers in neighboring places and consequently, the establishment of a silk reeling center at the OISCA-Bago Training Center in barangay Tabunan in 1998," said Jo Melocoton, COCAFM staff. To date, a total of 120 hectares is devoted to mulberry plantation in Negros and Panay islands.
Since the inauguration of the silk reeling center in 1999, the OBTC has been producing quality silk yarns and enjoying good market value among traditional weavers in Manila, Iloilo, in Kalibo, Aklan, and Panay. Hand-woven and hand-embroidered, these silk cloths are ideal for barongs and formal dresses.
"The weavers claim that Negros silk is of much better quality than any that they had been using in the past. They also feel that they can proudly and honestly tell their clients in the world fashion capitals of Paris, New York, Milan that truly, it is Philippine silk that is selling," beamed Thelma Watanabe, operations officer, who toured us around the sericulture farm.
JICA representative Kiyoshi Masumoto credited Rep. Maranon for the realization of the JICA-OISCA partnership which has encouraged more farmers. The OBTC has become a popular venue for educational trips of students and farmers alike all over the country because of silk yarn production.
After viewing the colorful and exquisitely woven barong tagalogs and dresses made from silk, it was time to visit a garden paradise where the architecture and interior decorations epitomize the creativity that Negrenses are world famous for. The Nature’s Village Resort is another attraction in Negros Occidental strategically located on Talisay Hi-way, Talisay City, about 3.5 kilometers from central Bacolod, capital of Negros Occidental. With Mt. Mandalagan as the backdrop, a visitor is assured of a blissful and peaceful respite at the resort as it offers complete vacation facilities where nature lovers can bask in unspoiled beauty while remaining close to the city.
The resort’s 16-bay driving range, 25-meter mini Olympic swimming pool and separate kiddie pool are perfect for those who ache for leisure and pleasure. Here, rooms are air-conditioned, comfortable and well-appointed to ensure maximum satisfaction of guests. Wood, wrought iron furnishings and other ingenuous interiors add old world charm and elegance to this haven. The function rooms (Alfredo Hall, Mariana’s Room, Isabel’s Room and Regina’s Room) are a perfect venue for symposiums and seminars.
Also, the food here is delightful. Recreation is excellent what with horseback riding, fishing or biking being offered. In fact, one can do nothing but bask in the glory of nature as one breathes in the freshest air.
The development of Nature’s Village Resort sprouted when couple Edgar and Sonia (whom we fondly call Tita Bebing) Sarrosa came home after visiting Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore in the early ‘90s. "We were so inspired by the development taking place in those Asian countries that my husband and I were prompted to do the same to help the tourism industry of the country. Toying with the idea, their son GJ suggested to put up a golf driving range in their three-hectare land in Talisay. Since it was the first driving range in the city, people swarmed to it like bees to a flower. Sans a master plan, amenities like a tiny restaurant and toilets were added. Soon, the restaurant had to be expanded because many people trooped to the place.
As days went by, the resort’s children’s park with a mini zoo and a small fishing ground – all conceptualized byTita Bebing – became a hit. Soon, school excursions were being held at the place. It was when busloads of visitors began trooping to the area that Tita Bebing decided to add a mini Olympic size swimming pool and kiddie pool. Later on, requests from people for a seminar venue paved the way for the erection of function rooms and sleeping quarters.
Nature’s Village Resort has since then been known as an ideal getaway place for family and corporate gatherings. Early this year, Tita Bebing’s second son Dave pushed for the construction of a new hotel with a ballroom. With this facility, the resort has become a home away from home for many a visitor of Negros Occidental as well as an oasis for the modern businessman.
The treasures of Negros Occidental are waiting to be discovered. Take it from me, I enjoyed watching the silkworms at OBTC turn into cocoons as much as I relished my stay at the Nature’s Village Resort. Trust that I will report to you more new treasures and discoveries this coming year.
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