Saturated with ads to consume and swallow products without any inhibition, the trend of going green is quite appealing to consumers with high purchasing power. Being eco-friendly is something fresh and innovative, but owning the label of “environmentalist” is a bold statement that many can claim but few can earnestly put into practice. 

The reality is those who are privileged have difficulty doing when they know that there are other options, but what happens when there are no other alternatives or options are scarce? When people have limited resources, you might be surprised at how innovative we can be. 

In a magical parcel of farmland in Angat Bulacan, there is a Gawad Kalinga Village that is full of creative dwellers. From young to old, organic farmer to rain harvest collector, people are living simply but happily. 

(Tips on health and wellness: Livewell.EYP.ph.)


1. Bing Lopez “Tita Bing,” Rain Harvest Collector


What is the process of rain harvesting? 
Pagkapatak ng ulan sa bubong, lalabas yung tubig galing sa tubo, tapos nilalagay namin sa drum.
What are the benefits of rain harvesting? Mas malinis ang tubig sa rain harvest…imbis na sa pozo… kasi madilaw minsan yung tubig… 

What do you use the water for? 
Panlaba, pang ligo, pang hugas ng pinggan, tsaka pwede din pang-inom matapos pakuluan ito ng 30 minuto.


2. Danny Maningas “Tito Danny,” Organic Farmer


What type of fertilizer do you use?
Dumi ng manok at ng kalabaw.

Why do you practice organic farming? 
Maski mas mahirap magpatubo ng mga halaman na hindi gumagamit ng mga chemical, mas marami naman itong magandang naidudulot sa ating mga katawan. Sa totoo lang, tao talaga ang may kasalanan sa kalikasan. Kung tayo naman ang nagpapasok ng chemical na nakakasama sa atin, tayo din ang pwede mag ayos nito. 


3. Alfredo Tatel Jr. “Tito Jun,” Garbage Collector 


Why do you collect garbage?
Ang anak ko ay isang iskolar sa MEDFAMDEV.Mayroon silang bisikletang naipapahiram sa amin para sa kanilang programang pangkabuhayan.

What kind of items do you collect? 
Bakal, bote, baso, diyaryo, karton…

How much do you earn a day? 
Mga dalawang daan madalas pero pag kalakasan, abot hanggang mga limang daan kada araw.

What items do you look for the most? 
Mas mabili ang mga gawa sa plastik o bakal.


4. Jake De Cendario, “Jakey,” Avid Pagulong Player 


Who is the best pagulong player in the village? 
Hindi ko po alam.

Is it you? 
Hindi po. 


5. Michael Vargas, “Kuya Kael,” “All-Natural” Basketball Player  


What is the basketball stand made out of? 
Firewood, plywood, and kawayan. 

Why do you play basketball? 
Naglalaro ako para mag-relax, para pansamantalang iwanan ang stress ng buhay. Kailangan talaga ng hobby para balance ang buhay. Hindi puwedeng puro problema, dapat i-refresh ang sarili! Diba ang cellphone kapag puno na ang memory ay nag ha-hang?


6. Kathy Laron, “Ate Kathy,” Kalan Innovator 


What is this kalan made of?
Bakal, kahoy, semento, lata ng biskwit. 

Where do you get your wood? 
Nangongolekta kami mula sa gubat na katabi ng balon.

Is it far? 
Hindi malayo kapag may sasakyan. Kaso, naglalakad lang kami. Mga 30-40 minutes bago makarating doon.


7. Celly Binarao, “Tita Celly,” Simple Homemaker 


Who made the dust pan? 
Mister ko ang gumawa. Karpentero siya. Natutuwa ako na natutulungan ko siya sa trabaho at mga gawaing bahay. Nagka-stroke ako last year, at di ko magamit ang aking kaliwang braso. Pero ngayon, okay na. Dati-rati, mister ko lang talaga yung nagtatrabaho, pero ngayon, nakakatulong na ako. Mabait talaga ang Diyos.

(More homemaking ideas: Homes.EYP.ph.)


8. Lindon Celis, Cycling Mechanic 


What items do you carry on your bike? 
Pipe knobs, change, lighters, pins, a blow horn, and parts from electric fans. 

What do you do? Nagrerepair ako. Nagre-repair ako ng gamit gaya ng mga bentilador at refill lighter. At lahat ng parte ay nanggagaling sa junkshop.

What are the wires on your bike for? 
Kapag pindutin mo ang wire sa bakal ng bisikleta, may tunog na lumalabas. Ginagamit ko ito para marinig ng mga tao na nakarating na ako.



Whether it is farmers playing basketball on a stand made of bark or mechanics mobilizing their shops on gnarly junkyard bikes, this is a snippet of the life being lived on our farm. A simple but innovative place full of people that hope to make a difference. Instead of imitating the mistakes of past generations, let’s learn from the living!


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