WOFEX 2014 : The Slow Food Movement

Slow Food Philippines booth at the WOFEX 2014 (World Food Expo)

Many Filipino nowadays are clamoring for a safe and honest food, due to widespread unhealthy choices, and I am one of them. Vegetables and fruits are good for us and we needed that in our diet BUT we have know and make sure it is safe and not toxic. What are the agricultural conditions of the source, farming practices, etc. those are some many issues we have to look at today, being healthy is not just about eating fruits and vegetables but we have to make sure that they are safe, non-GMO (genetically modified) and organically grown to ensure safety standards.

Ms. Pacita "Chit" Juan, founder of ECHOSTORE and Slow Food Movement

I am just glad to know about the slow food movement in the Philippines, I advocate Organic farming and Locavore movement in the past. This Slow Food Movement is the best general healthy options, since we cannot encourage everyone to be a vegan or vegetarian or follow a macrobiotic diet, this one is quite sustainable and works for many in general. 

Being healthy is not all about vegetarianism, it is based on the principle of  making natural food, eat as natural as possible, back to nature. If you are into meat, choose a grass-fed beef, a native, organic pig, or farm raised free-range chicken with lots of sunshine. Grow your own food, make your own herbal garden, if you can not buy from your local farmers within your area and encourage them to go organic farming, that way you establish a bond with your local farmers and support them economically and at the same time lessen the carbon impact that contributes to climate change. I usually go to my local market, food fair to buy vegetables and fruits than go to  big producers. The shipment of this food will cause the food rot easily due to "lamog" (spoilage), and the increase carbon footprints in the air because of the vehicles used to transport them.

Sample of heirloom and indigenous crops in the exhibit:

Kamatis Ligaw ( Indigenous Tomatoes)

Native Cherry Tomatoes

Native cacao

Highland Coffee

Who said you can't grow food if you are living in a condo or without a land? there many ways and possibilities like this one,  heirlomm seeds and herbs  grown in a crates.

Let's preserve our heirloom and indigenous seeds, let's go organic, buy and go local, use locally available materials, plant and grow your own food if you can, support the local farmers in your area and encourage potluck, that way we do our little way of saving the environment. 

To know more about Slow Food visit or contact:

ECHOSTORE
116 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
+632 519.1216
E-mail: puj@echostore.ph
Website: www.echostore.ph

Healing Camp in San Mateo, Rizal PH

By: Fleets Errasquin and Ronnie Bernardo

"The Healing Village " last November 17, 2012  held at Symbios Holistic and Wellness Sanctuary was indeed a success, participants were all happy and satisfied with the food which is Locavore , the lectures, encompassing the body mind and spirit topics, the indigenous rituals appreciating the environment, which includes the Babaylan and prayer for the nature spirit and the place itself, the Symbios a place of serenity and peace. 

Guests are welcomed by lush, green shrubs, towering bamboo trees, to fill the the sanctuary with lots of fresh oxygen, free sun therapy (natural vitamin D). Going down the healing village involves a lot of footwork  a meditative walk down the wellness sanctuary.

Ms. Fleets Errasquin 

of Healing Partners and The I Can Serve Foundations (Cancer support groups), a Wellness advocate, Cancer survivor without Chemo and the inventor of the "Fleeting Boobs", an artificial prosthesis for patients with mastectomy, experiencing the "VORTEX" (center of healing energy )at Symbios.

Attendees composed of holistic health buffs, Biovitale holistic clinic staffs, GINHAWA (Growth in wholeness and well-being associates), Healing partners ( cancer support group) and AMAC (Alternative medicine practitioners). These souls gather together in oneness at the pavilion amidst swaying leaves of towering trees and bamboos, tweeting happy birds, affirming croaking "butikis", dancing flickering "alitaptap" (fireflies at night) and the whistling abundant brooks.

Lecture on natural medicine by Dr. Sonny Viloria, a pioneer in Natural, Holistic and Complimentary Medicine always emphasize: cleansing, detox, nourishing and balance of energy in his treatment model. To "treat the cause of the disease NOT the symptoms" says Dr. Viloria.

Leah Tolentino, artist, healer, spiritual teacher, facilitator of wholeness and well-being, active proponent of GINHAWA prepared the guest for grounding. She also teaches healing movements, gratitude, liberating the dance of life- the lows and highs, twists and turns of our sacred path, stretching bodies and soul, dancing our body-soul stories.

Tibetan meditation gong (bowl) prepare guest for meditation and inward work

The food is Locavore style (local and organic), organic, non-GMO, root crops, corn, sweet camote, fresh ampalaya salad, banana heart salad, organic free-range native chicken tinola, Laing, fresh bangus, organic rice, watermelon, pineapples, fresh tanglad (lemongrass)-camote tops-mint juice.

Banana heart salad

Fresh watermelons and boiled camote

fresh lemongrass-camote tops-mint tea (so healthy and refreshing)

Lugaw totong or "lilot balatong" in Ilocano

Vegetarian pancit canton

The Babaylan, represented by Ms. Jenny,  an Indigenous people of Cordillera shared many things about the culture, tradition, long lost healing arts of their ancestors. She strongly defends her indigenous heritage and Igorot legacy with pride and respect for her ancestors' traditional way of healing. 

An Indigenous cordillera salutations, a very old tradition of mind, heart and hand greetings was also the teachings of Hindu Shiv Shakti hand, head and heart mudra according to our Hindu guest and healer Kanchan.

Kanchan Sadhwani , also a spiritual healer, shared some personal experiences on healing, wrap up spiritual-emotional issues beautifully

Speaker Emmylou Fillamor, shared her astral travels, spirit encounter and spiritual healing.

The Babaylan dance therapy uses gongs, bamboo sticks, flutes sounds in unison for wholeness. The uses , the purposes of indigenous musical instruments explained.

GINHAWA group: What kind of cup would you like to be? cracked, broken, defective, empty, smooth and whole ready for refill? the choice is yours.

The HILOM group blessing and enjoying the freshness of spring water (bukal), natural mountain water cleanses the aura!

The program ends well with final tuning up with the divine power conducted by Leah Tolentino.

LOCAVORE (Natural Living)

Go Local, Go Locavore! grow your own food as much as you can and possible. Many foods available are not produced organically, some are GMO's, and highly processed. Basically this idea of Localvore is also one of the foundation of the Macrobiotic teachings. I have written in this blog many articles why you should grow and cook you own food or support your local farmers that way, support local economy, also it will lessen the carbon impact ( good for the environment) by lessening use of transportation system and keeping food  fresh and longer life span( iwas lamog) here are some reason why we should grow our own food:

Supermarket shelf poisons:

Secret Ingredients found in your food:

Meriam and Webster define Locavore as : one who eats foods grown locally whenever possible, origin: local+-vore (as in carnivore), first known use in 2005.

Wiki describe it as: a person interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market. The Locavore movement in the United States and elsewhere was spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness became more prevalent.

here are example of Locavore food in the Philippines, utilizing homegrown vegetables, fresh as it can be, not necessarily vegetarian, just make sure your fish, chickens, meats are organic and naturally raised and fed:

Steamed Okra

Banana hearts salad

"Laing", Taro leaves cooked with coconut milk

Free-range, native, organic Chicken Adobo

Tanglad (lemongrass) and Camote tops (sweet yam) Juice

I love the Idea of Locavore for its practical and economic reasons, eco-friendly and people learn to cultivate plants which is also very therapeutic, for those who do not have vast land or space and no time may buy the locally produced crops and organic markets that is a fad today even in the Philippines, were home-made and home-grown still exist. This way food spoilage is minimize, developed sense of bonding and community  and lessen the carbon impact which is good for the environment and climate change.

In the Philippines, Nipa Hut is a common example of a house made of  indigenous materials (Locavore house)

I am actually a fan of Locavore and trying to start a movement in the Philippines. It is the natural living way for Filipinos in the provinces which is beginning to fade due to changing times, fast-paced lifestyle and development happening, but I wish people try to bring back this old lifestyle and still embrace it and be more appreciative of our local culture. Before the West discover Locavore that is our lifestyle already and Filipino folks during those times and in the provinces are healthier and live longer.   

Natural fish pond with free- flowing water from a trail way spring, the fishes are fed with azola (mosquito fern) and duck weeds.

Photo Credits: All pictures used are from the author

To know more about the Locavore I just found this links: 

10 steps to be a Locavore by Jennifer Maiser

10 Reasons to Eat Local Food by Jennifer Maiser

Locavore in local news ( GMA Network)

What is Locavore?