GARDENING WITH IMAGINATION

Agriculturist David Balila and the few staff members of Gulayan and Bulaklakan Research and Training Center in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, make do with resourcefulness, creativity and any materials they could find to grow vegetables within their limited space in an urban area. The 75-year-old Balila (left photo) tends to a fish pen where eels are raised, with styrofoam crates once used to transport imported grapes now repurposed into floating beds, with compost-filled styro-cups planted with Chinese “kangkong” and gabi. Eggplants, chili and onions are grown in cement bags hung in a greenhouse (bottom left) where cabbages and other vegetables are also planted. Another greenhouse (bottom right) is reserved for cauliflowers, ampalaya or bitter gourd, pechay, cucumber, kangkong and the corn variety used for popcorn. Balila, who took prelaw classes at University of the East before studying farming at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, teaches organic farming on Fridays. He says many informal settlers in the community come here for the fresh produce which the staff gives for free.