Most promdis love their home provinces and hometowns. They keep on longing to go back to their lupang tinubuan. Memories of childhood and early youth grow more beautiful and precious with the years.

My children teasingly refer to Negros Oriental—its capital city of Dumaguete and its towns, especially Guihulngan and Valencia—as the “Holy Land.” They grew up hearing stories about the beauty of its beaches, mountains and lakes, the wonderful food, interesting people and, of course, Silliman University.

They learned early enough that when their mother was irritable, they only had to mention “Holy Land” and she would smile immediately and start telling stories. Her eyes would light up with a special glow for the island which is the source of her faith, her basic values and her love for music and nature.

Valencia: reading Stardust by candlelight

I love stormy weather in Valencia, a beautiful town at the foot of the highest mountain peak, Cuernos de Negros (The Horns of Negros). At dusk, I would sit on the porch of our house and listen to the wind sweeping through the swaying and dancing trees. Light would filter in through leaves wet with rain from a serene moon glimmering through rain clouds. The roar of the river tumbling down huge rocks would fill my ears and drown out all sounds, especially the incessant ringing of the cell phone.

Critics have written that Neil Gaiman’s magical novel Stardust, should be read by candlelight. This is his much-loved story about a young man who ventured to Faerie to find a Fallen Star and gain his Heart’s Desire. Stormy weather in Valencia, with the dark mountain peak brooding over wild woodland, stars glittering with the pale moon in the purple sky, cold wind soughing through trembling trees and the river thundering its mighty power—indeed, it is the perfect place to read Stardust by candlelight!

The other night, there was a brownout in Valencia and I read Gaiman by the light of three candles, with sound effects provided by rain, river and wind. Faerie became real and, for one magical stormy night, the rice crisis, hunger and corruption were forgotten.

Agriculture is sexy, food production is profitable!

Last week I returned to my personal “Holy Land” and found it bustling with activity. Silliman University formally launched its scholarship program in agriculture in partnership with AgriNurture, a leading producer, distributor and exporter of vegetables and fruits. Headed by young visionary Antonio Tiu, AgriNurture is sponsoring 20 scholarships in agriculture and agribusiness.

According to Silliman president Ben Malayang III, declining interest in agriculture as a profession has exacerbated threats to national food security. “Severe shortage of professionals in agriculture has contributed to its weakening agricultural backbone,” he said.

“As the Philippines loses its agricultural land area through industrial- and residential-land conversion,” Malayang said, “it needs to develop more practical and competent professionals in agriculture.”

“We need to have more professionals in agriculture who are creative enough to produce more food with less land, and who are able to make use of our vast sea area to support the protein and food requirements of the people,” he said.

Farming is considered fit only for the poor. “Not so,” insists Antonio Tiu. One can earn well from farming, he says. He points out that in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and even in the United States, farmers are very wealthy.

Dean Santiago Utzurrum of the university’s College of Agriculture agrees, and points out to the sad situation in the country where there are not enough technically trained professionals to help farmers increase their productivity and profitability.

Last Saturday a second launch was held in Manila. This time, the entire Board of Trustees of Silliman University was in full attendance, led by its chairman emeritus Roman Yap, venerated trustee Julio Sy, Monetary Board member Juanita Amatong, Philippine Veterans Bank president Ricardo Balbido, vice chairman Noel Tan, academicians Rebecca Torres and Rose Fundador, business persons Madison Villavito and Roselyn Delloso, theologian Edna Orteza, lawyer Reinaldo Nolledo, former mayor Felipe Remollo and board secretary Fema Sayson.

“We will not starve if all of us work together,” says Gov. Emilio Macias III, who has launched the provincewide Agriculture 104 program. He jokes, “Anyone who gets hungry in Negros Oriental should be hanged!”

After all, this is my Holy Land!

If the news reports are accurate, President Arroyo will meet with Manuel Lopez, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) chairman and CEO, tomorrow in Bohol amid the raging controversy over high electricity rates.

Each of us would have a unique plan that would be aligned with our own personal financial goals.

Determine the reason why you want these goals. For whom do you intend to do this goal? Doing your financial goal is a responsibility and obligation that you owe to yourself and your family.

Most promdis love their home provinces and hometowns. They keep on longing to go back to their lupang tinubuan. Memories of childhood and early youth grow more beautiful and precious with the years.

Through the Looking Glass: Sideshows and spurned solutions

This sideshow starring a state pension fund and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is not about lowering rates and instilling competent management. At least not if the standards imposed on Caesar’s wife were applied.

Coast-to-Coast: Power and rice; why Bello?

That reduced power rates, stable rice prices and, yes, increased government revenues are on top of the Arroyo administration’s agenda serves to underscore the fact that it is bent on resolving the real, hard issues affecting our people, unlike some legislators and their self-styled “pro-people” cohorts who cannot seem to accept that the nation has moved on and has had enough of their contrived “search for truth” crusade centered on the NBN-ZTE inquiry.

The Entrepreneur: Beating the oil crisis

I DISCUSSED in two previous columns the opportunities arising from the food crisis, particularly in developing agriculture as an engine of economic growth. I don’t know how many people have noticed it, but there’s a pleasant change going on in the culture of doing business.

Reflections from the Mirror: ‘Pari delicto’?

Before, it was a bold, “If you like it, you buy it!” Now it’s an entirely different tune, like they won’t give up the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) without a fight.