TABUK CITY, Kalinga – When we hear “bahay kubo”, it is safe to say that it is about the famous Filipino folk song about a mini hut surrounded by numerous varieties of vegetables. It is a lifestyle that we seldom see unless it is in the most rural part of the country.
The “Gulayan sa Bakuran” was organized by the City Nutrition Council (CNC) and the Office of the City Agricultural Services (OfCAS) in conjunction with Nutrition Month to inspire Tabukenos to creatively begin gardening as one form of self-sustenance and resiliency. Whether there is a pandemic or not, it is imperative that we resume such a traditional way of life.
The greenest “bakuran” in Cabaruan, which is owned and maintained by Juliet Pantuloc, was chosen as the contest winner out of the 20 submissions in the city and received a P5,000.00 cash prize. Her “bakuran” includes fruits and vegetables that, among other things, complete recipes for salad, pinakbet, and sinigang.
The garden also includes several medicinal plants, fruit-bearing trees, including avocado, banana, and star gooseberry, as well as Italian herbs like basil. In the Pantulocs’ garden, you can find crops that are less likely to be grown in a place with a warm environment like Tabuk, demonstrating that a diligent farmer can grow anything.
Not to mention, she cultivates fishponds and poultry to meet the three requirements of nutrition: grow, glow, and go.
“Consequently,” said Assistant City Agriculturist Lim Ducyogen, “the ‘bakuran’ of Pantuloc is the most qualified in terms of nutrition. Adda garden na, adda palayan na, adda pay poultry ken fishpond na, isu ket talaga nga model para kadagiti kakadwa na.”
The “Gulayan sa Bakuran” of Pantuloc commenced during the pre-pandemic when she decided not to return abroad. She ceased her 12-year work overseas and began to explore her “bakuran” which helped them lessen the expenses at home by retailing vegetables, fish, and eggs from the poultry to her neighbours and friends.
According to Pantuloc, the city government played a big role in pushing her to start such a path because of its different programs that cater to farmers and women like her, such as the KALIPI, RIC, and more. “Awisek dakayu nga ag-garden tapnu iti kasta ket makatulong ken makatipid iti gastos ken adda ti imbag lang nga pangalaan iti masida nga ammum nga safe ken healthy iti pamilya.”
The expanded bahay kubo of the winner will be the entry of the city in the approaching region-wide “Gulayan sa Bakuran” Contest.
By Rio Dongcayan Bassong