Central Luzon Organic Market: Health is Wealth!

ABREATH of fresh air indeed! The Central Luzon Organic Market (CLOM) launched its initial market day at the Robinsons Starmills in San Fernando (Pampanga), just in time when the world needs a break from the latest technology and modernization.

Apart from promoting and introducing to consumers the use of organic and natural products, sans harmful pesticides and offensive preservatives, the CLOM aims to help our smaller entrepreneurs and organic farmers from Central Luzon create a market for their products and gain sales from their organic farming

ed by Edna de Jesus-Eufemio, CLOM’s organizer, the group’s initiative is highly supported by re- gion III offices of these government agencies: the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) which helped in its marketing and promotions; Dept. of Agriculture for assisting the group in bringing the farm produce to market process, its development and growth through trainings and seminars and farming interventions; and Dept. of Tourism led by Dir. Ronnie Tiotuico for echoing the farm tourism conference in Subic, and assisting the CLOM to be equipped with knowledge and expertise in their farmlands through tourism and travel and build their competitiveness to make their products and production process be part of tourists’ destination locally and abroad.

I really cannot explain but I got a natural high surrounded by the CLOM group, especially during the first day. Having interest in the sciences and ag- riculture rolled into one, I missed seeing a mix of products, bright-colored plants, not-so-usual fruits turned into preserves, bottled organic sauces, that kind of stuff. My chemist mind seemed to have gotten so excited that day.

I got in close contact with these entrepreneurs during the market opening day. Ms. Jena Zabala, owner of Zabala’s Home Garden from Mexico, Pampanga has brought with her produce ranging from culinary, medicinal herbs to composts and garden needs. She has prepared some of her products in bottles, packets and the culinary and medicinal herbs in their simplest forms—in pots. In fact I myself bought Gynura, a plant known to help lower blood cholesterol levels and minimize arthritic attacks. It is advised to wash the leaves before munch- ing them (actually I have been eating them since the day I had them!). And so is Mills Enterprises from Lubao which offered medicinal herbs, organic fruits and vegetables. I also noticed their display of fresh and powdered chilis and bottled shrimp paste.

I got to sample delicious lemongrass juice from Good Earth Farms from Tarlac, which also carried kitchen musthaves: spicy papaya vinegar, pasta sauces like malunggay pesto, gourmet tuyo and tomato sauces. It also offered herbal plants like oregano, basil, thyme and “luyang dilaw” and organic fertilizer.

JSJ Goat Farm of Gerona, Tarlac offered milk pastillas from fresh goat’s milk. Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija showcased their rice coffee, naturally preserved fruits (santol, guyabano, guava), ginger tea and pre- cooked boneless crispy small tilapia called tilanggit! There are a couple of soya beansbased stalls selling soymilk, tofu, tokwa and chilled taho like Nutrisoy Food Products of Arayat, Pampanga and Cabel Enterprises from nearby Mabalacat City.

And there was only one stall carrying home, beauty and baby care products called Human Nature who joined the CLOM. I first thought of this company as an environmental organization because of its tagline: pro- Philippines, pro- poor, and pro- environment, as I have seen in its office along Dolores, San Fernando. Actually, it is a fast-growing natural and organic consumer goods company selling 100% Philippinemade and 100% Philippine-sourced natural & organic products that promote love for wellness, love for the environment, and love for the Philippines.

Nutri Delight of Angeles City boasted of its native cookies, mushroom chicharon, fruit and vegetable puto while Better Country Community Corp. of Nueva Ecija offered their unpolished organic rice and “high in fiber” brown/red/black rice varieties. Essential herbal oils (San Sierra Oil) and teas came from Jegen SWE Enterprises of San Luis, Pampanga while Tiens International of Angeles City delivered beneficial massage to clients in the mall while the organic vegetables of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Alliance Farmers Org. of Pampanga from Sta. Rita, Pampanga sold much of their produce during the market open- ing. Finally, Lambac’s Pride of Guagua offered ginger and turmeric powder . packs which is a natural liver detoxifier, and has antibacterial properties.

Honestly I am amazed and thankful that these people are into the “organic” stuff. Actually, I can see a deeper meaning of what they do. I know that members of the Central Luzon Organic Market will be able to sell their products, and gain market. And, in doing so, they are also able to express their passion, advocacy and talent in regards to bringing back what is basic and natural, unconsiously! It is about the creation of an organic product, presenting it to the consumers, and its good effect on people and the environment, is what really matters most.

Can’t get enough of the Central Luzon Organic Market? You can still catch them at the following schedules and venues: Aug 2- 4 Robinsons Abacan, Aug. 16- 18 Robinsons Starmills and Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 - Robinsons Abacan.