14TH AAP CARAVAN GOESONA FARM TOUR OF ILOILO AND GUIMARAS

On August 23 to 26, Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) Travel took 61 members and friends to the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras to experience farm tourism.

Participants of AAP Travel’s 14th caravan got to eat produce freshly harvested at farms, feed the farm animals, and learn all about the farm-to-table lifestyle in what is called the farm tourism experience.

During the caravan’s visit to Garin Farm, the participants feasted on the freshest of fruits and vegetables after feeding the native goats and cows and admiring the diorama on top of the Garin Farm Pilgrimage’s 480 steps.

At the Orchard Valley Farm, Supervisor Albert Achuela taught participants about sustainability whereby organic composts are used as fertilizers and flowering plants instead of chemical pesticides to prevent insects from damaging crops.

According to AAP trustee and Travel and Tourism chair Mina T. Gabor, farm tourism in Iloilo is bringing the younger generation back to agriculture by marrying farming traditions with new technology.

A good example is the Ephrathah Farms where General Manager Ed Cañuto demonstrated how crops are grown using rock and gravel, coconut shavings or organic compost in a hydroponics greenhouse.

“Our youngest farmers are in their fifties. Years from now, who will be sustaining and cultivating our soil so that we can have food on our tables?,” Gabor said. “This caravan is also about patronizing products that help our fellow Filipinos.”

Experience Western Visayas First

The caravan participants also visited beautiful colonial heritage sites such as Casa Mariquit, Molo Mansion, and Guimbal Watch Tower and ancient religious structures including the Jaro Cathedral, Parish of St. Anne and Miagao Church.

At Tatoy’s Seafood & Manokan, Tinukib Café, Punot Boardwalk Restaurant and Camina Balay Nga Bato, participants got to savor much-loved Ilonggo dishes. Mayor Macario N. Napulan of the Municipality of Miagao hosted a sumptuous welcome buffet lunch at the Miagao Cultural Hall.

In Guimaras, which is famous for its sweet mangoes, the participants explored Roca Encantadia, San Lorenzo Wind Farm, Naval Church, and the Trappist Monastery, and enjoyed a whole lot of mango dishes at Raymen Beach Resort and The Pitstop.

AAP Travel Caravans Promote Love of Country

“I appreciated every place and every experience. I initially hesitated because I was by myself but the group was very welcoming,” said Teresa Edeza, a long-time AAP member and first-time caravan joiner.

Joni Badong, another firsttime participant, noted how the caravan was a positive experience for her and her group of balikbayans and that it could be made better if the amenities were complete and working.

A returning caravan participant, Bobby Zapata, encouraged fellow participants to set an example for the youth: “Most of the younger generation nowa- days prioritize going out of the country. How can you be proud of your country if you do not know what you have? Tour the Philippines first then go out and spread the news.”

The AAP Iloilo-Guimaras Fly-Drive Caravan was supported by the Department of Tourism Region VI, Province of Iloilo, City of Iloilo, Municipality of Miagao, Philippine Airlines and Petron Corporation.

The 61 caravaneers in front of the intricately detailed façade of the Miagao Church.

AAP President Gus Lagman (5th from right, in pink polo shirt) with the participants of the IloiloGuimaras Fly-Drive Caravan of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) Travel held on August 23 to 26, 2018 with Petron Corp. as the major sponsor.

In the hydroponic greenhouse, caravaneers learned that crops can be grown without soil. Instead, shavings of coconut husks combined with compost or animal matter are used. Small amounts of water enough to sustain the plants are pumped throughout the day to make sure the PHlevel is balanced and the crops remain healthy.

The participants learned more about farm tourism and sustainable ways of organic farming from the farmers at the Orchard Valley Farm.

The Our Lady of Candles image is located on the balcony of the Jaro Cathedral because it was said that the statue kept growing over the centuries. In 2012, Jaro Cathedral was declared as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

AAP president Gus Lagman welcomes the 61 caravaneers, the largest Fly-Drive AAP Travel Caravan ever.