This green town named Bansalan

Some few years back, friends of Leila Rispens-Noel wanted to visit her hometown. But they had difficulty in finding the town on the Philippine map. “I have to describe to my friends where the town is geographically located and told them that one day, Bansalan will be placed on the map of the Philippines,” said the native of Bansalan, Davao del Sur who left for the Netherlands in 1979.

Bansalan is a small town, with a total land area of only 20,770 hectares. It is subdivided into 25 barangays and is  located at the boundary between the provinces of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. It is about 72 kilometers south of Davao City and is very accessible by land transport. The town is sandwiched by two cities: Kidapawan and Digos.

“This is probably the reason why progress in my former town is so slow,” wrote Rispens-Noel in her column, ‘Roundtrip: Bansalan-Holland.’ “Vehicles do not linger long in Bansalan. Passengers from North Cotabato are eager to reach Digos or Davao City, while passengers bound for North Cotabato are raring to reach Kidapawan City and farther to Cotabato City. It has never been a place where passengers stay longer for one reason or the other. Business activities remain in the hands of the local enterprising people. And so, the town remains largely rural and agricultural and still waiting for a miracle for the local economy to pick up.”

There are always two sides to a coin. In a way, being a laggard in development can also be a blessing in disguise. As a matter of fact, Bansalan has been touted as a “green town” for being “environment-friendly.”

For one, it is the birthplace of the internationally-known Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT). “The system is a simple, low-cost, and timely method of tilling the fragile uplands, which comprise about 60 percent of the country’s total land area,” explains Roy C. Alimoane, the current director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. “SALT helps protect the soil from erosion and leaves of nitrogen-fixing trees and shrubs are used as fertilizer for crops and feeds for livestock.”

The MBRLC is located in barangay Kinuskusan, just 10 kilometers away from the town proper. Actually, it’s a training center for various sustainable farming systems. Considered the “Disneyland of agricultural lovers,” people from all over the country travel to this place just to learn the modern technologies it offers.

At MBRLC, you can learn how to make FAITH (Food Always In The Home) garden and to sustain your farm by adopting the SALT system and its three other modifications: Simple Agro-Livestock Technology (SALT 2), Sustainable Agroforest Land Technology (SALT 3), and Small Agro-Livelihood Technology (SALT 3). You can also learn how to milk dairy goats, harvest tilapia, and graft fruit trees, among others.

For developing these technologies, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) awarded the center “in the area of agricultural production” in 1987. In 1991, the regional office of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized MBRLC with a World Food Day Silver Medal for its contribution in “mobilizing people’s participation in tree planting and sustainable forest resources management.” Earlier, in 1985, its former director, Harold R. Watson, was given the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for peace and international understanding for promoting the technologies in various parts of Asia.

Speaking of Asia, the center houses its affiliate, the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation (ARLDF). “Our main purpose is to help develop and uplift the standard of living of the poorest of the poor in Asia,” explains Alimoane, of the foundation which was launched in 1988.

Through the foundation, the staff has trained more than 10,000 people from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and South America. Trainees have included farmers and high-level officials, Christians and Hindus. “Aside from training, they also learned more about our country and our culture,” says Alimoane.

A few distance walk from MBRLC is the Mount Carmel International Convention Center. Every year, thousands of students from nearby provinces flock to this convention center for any of the following activities: camping, learning, wedding, and parties. “The place is quiet, far from the madding crowd, and is conducive to learning,” says Tito Felongco, the center’s manager.

Here are some advantages of staying at the convention center: There’s fresh air. You can do your jogging early in the morning without people staring at you. Or, you can enjoy walking under the mango trees.

Just near these sites is the Lao Integrated Farm in the adjacent barangay of Eman. If you love durian (described by a Westerner as a fruit that “smells like hell but tastes like heaven”), then you should not miss visiting this place. It is owned by Attorney Benjamin Lao, who planted 700 durians in his five-hectare farm. Other fruits you can find in the farm include mangosteen, rambutan, and lanzones. He also raises goats (purebred and upgraded). His fruits are grown organically as he uses goat manure as fertilizer for his fruit-bearing trees.

A few years back, Lao’s farm has become a model and earned for its owner the Outstanding Coconut Farmer award given by the Department of Agriculture.  “What I want to convey here is that government service is never a hindrance to engage in other income-generating activities like farming,” said Lao, who was with the Bureau of Immigration in Davao City at that time he was bestowed the honor. During weekends, he comes to the farm.

Other areas to visit while in Bansalan are the Mainit Hot Springs in barangay Managa, Balutakay (where vegetables like cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, and onions are grown), and Tinago and Angel Falls (which can be visited while on the way to Balutakay).

Every September, the town also celebrates its Bansaulog (the word “Bansa” is taken from Bansalan while “saulog” is the Visayan term for celebration). A week-long celebration is observed and it culminates with street dancing. Participants come from various schools, both elementary and high school.

The good thing about Bansalan is that its mayor, Edwin G. Reyes, is very supportive of the plan of making the town as a tourist destination. In fact, he has just appointed a tourism official and created a tourism council. “We have the potential of being one of the tourist destinations in the country,” he said.

The mayor’s other development plans also include: Agro-industrialization, infrastructure development, economic development program, agricultural development, social services program, peace and order and political stability, fiscal management and human resource development, responsive and participative governance, investment and marketing promotion, and environmental protection program.

According to legend, Bansalan got its name from a Bagobo chieftain (datu) named “Dansalan” whose tribal folks were the original inhabitants of what is now the town of Bansalan. A so-called reporting error by the early surveyors transposed the name to Bansalan and somehow became the official name. Bansalan is also previously called “Miral” – named after a river – and some local folks still refer to this former name.

Bansalan was once a barrio of the town of Santa Cruz. In 1949, it became a barrio under Digos. In 1952, Bansalan was separated from Digos and became a municipality under Executive Order No. 506 signed by then President Elpidio Quirino.

The Beautiful Bansaulog Festival

Lively, educational, colorful, and awesome. These were the words used to describe the 58th anniversary of the municipality of Bansalan by those who came to witness the four-day event.
The celebration kicked off last September 15 and culminated on the day Bansalan was declared as a town 57 years ago on September 18. This year’s theme was: “Panaghiusa: Tuburan sa Pag-uswag” (Unity: Source of Progress).
The celebration is called Bansaulog (a combination of the town’s name, Bansalan, and saulog, the Visayan term for celebration). Several programs and activities were prepared by the local government and the private sector.
On the first day, people trooped to the municipal hall for the colorful and rousing opening and a jobs fair that was initiated by the local government in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment.
The afternoon was slated for farmers and those engaged in agribusiness. Benjamin Lao, named by the Department of Agricultural as one of the outstanding farmers for his coconut production, talked about organic farming. “We are committed to help preserve our environment,” he said. “We want to teach Filipino farmers the right way of farming through natural methods, one of which is by not using commercial fertilizer or pesticides.”
The following day, September 16, all roads led to Bansalan Central Elementary School for the drum and lyre presentation which the town is famous for. Five contingents from the elementary level and three groups from the high school level joined in the presentation. In the afternoon, students and bystanders witnessed the cheer dance presentation from five different schools - Marber National High School, Nazareth High School, Holy Cross of Bansalan College, Knowledge and Skills Institute of Technology, and Global Systems Institute of Technology - which was held at the municipal ABC Gym.
On the third day, the most anticipated event took place– the street dancing. Thousands of people – including foreigners – flocked to see the participants as they ramped, danced, shouted, sang, and performed in the town’s main street. Despite the fact that the temperature was soaring, it did not deter the people from watching the 12 contingents try to outdo each other.
But there was no competition among them. “We decided to get away with the competition,” explained Geraldine E. Batal, the town’s tourism officer. “Instead, each group is given cash incentive for its presentation.”
The following elementary schools participated in the street dancing: Bansalan Central, Villa Doneza Central, the elementary department of Holy Cross of Bansalan, as well as the elementary schools in barangays Kinuskusan, Mabuhay, Marber, New Clarin, and Rizal. The four high schools that participated were the Holy Cross of Bansalan College, Nazareth High School, Marber National High School, and Pedro Arches National High School.
Aside from Bansaulog, Bansalan also celebrates two other festivals every year: The town fiesta on the 8th of December, and the Sinulog of Bansalan every 15th day of January.
Bansalan used to be a barangay of the municipality of Santa Cruz. When Digos (now the province’s capital) became a town itself, Bansalan was part of it. On June 6, 1952, Bansalan was separated from Digos and under Executive Order No. 506, became a town itself. (In 1957, Matan-ao was created out of the territory of Bansalan. Ten years later, Magsaysay followed suit.)
Today, Bansalan has a total land area of only 20,770 hectares and is subdivided into 25 barangays. Sitting 72 kilometers south of Davao City, Bansalan is very accessible by land. The town is sandwiched between two cities: Kidapawan and Digos.
How Bansalan got its name is an interesting story in itself. The Provincial Tourism Development Plan shares this information: “Bansalan got its name from the one simple farmer named Bansalan who one day dug the earth in search of potable water to quench his thirst. Fortunately, he dug a spring which didn’t satisfy his thirst but also of his other companions. Rain widened the spring and the constant erosion of soil led to its formation into a creek, and later into a river. Bansalan did not live long. His companions, who were recipients of Bansalan’s labor named the river after him.”
The author, however, cannot corroborate the above information. However, some sources said that the name of the town was in honor of a Bagobo chieftain who used to own most of the land in the municipality.
Bansalan is the hometown of broadcast journalist Jay Sonza, bonsai expert Serapion Metilla, international singer Jojo Adlawan, national artist Salinta Monon, and Dr. Teofredo T. Esguerra (doctor of the climbers who made the historic Mount Everest expedition).
American Harold Ray Watson, a 1985 Ramon Magsaysay winner for peace and international understanding, used to work at the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, which is located in barangay Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Bansalan Parish Church

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church

The Parish church is not only a House of Prayer but also a community landmark. 50 years after its original construction, the Parish Priest in the person of Rev. Cristito Carmona , DCD, had initiated its renovation. Several projects are also added and constructed to include; replacement and painting of the ceiling; provision of painted glasses of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and scenes of the Old Testament; Painting of the Bellfry; renovation of the candle booth; putting up of the replica of the Last Supper, Ascension , Calvary Scene and Ten Commandments and the like.

The recent on-going project is the construction of the main gate. (Pictures will be uploaded soon). Indeed, God's generosity is manifested by the people around. All projects were made possible through the support of the parishioners and benefactors both local and abroad. Fr. Tito and Fr Ardianne had made a great contribution to success of these projects.

One Town One Product (OTOP)

What is OTOP?

One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.

OTOP Philippines supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.

Coconut: Bansalan's OTOP

Coconut has been identified as Bansalan's OTOP. Others tagged coconut as the "tree of life". Nearly all parts of the coconut palm are useful, and the palms have a comparatively high yield, up to 75 fruits per year; it therefore has significant economic value. The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations.

In support to the growing coconut industry in Bansalan, the Local Government Unit (LGU) had integrated an Agri-Trade Fair in the week-long 56th Town Anniversary celebration. The event which will be done this coming September 14-16, 2008 will be participated by the various exhibitors coming from the different business entities such as cooperatives, farmers associations, private farm owners and the like. Displays of coconut by- products will be situated in the booths along the side of the ABC Gym.

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BANSALAN TO SHOWCASE COCONUT PRODUCTS

By Henrylito D. Tacio
BANSALAN, Davao del Sur -- If you happen to come to Bansalan, Davao del Sur, this week, don't be surprised. The town is celebrating its 56th anniversary on September 18 (but celebration will start this coming Monday, September 15).

Part of its celebration is the launching of its "one barangay, one product." And the town has chosen coconut as its pride.

"Coconut has several uses and we found out that we can make several products out of it," said Julian Albores, the municipal agricultural officer. "Different cooperatives of the town will display their various coconut products. On the last day of celebration, we will honor those cooperatives which have done the best out of coconut."

Known as the "tree of life," the coconut is one of the most important agricultural crops of the Philippines. It yields timber; food; fermented and unfermented drink; alcohol; vinegar; thatching material; splints; strips and fiber for making baskets, mates, rope, hats, brushes, brooms, and other articles; fuel; caulking material; utensils for household use, such as cups, bowls, spoons, and the like; oil for food, cooking, illumination, for making soap, substitutes for butter and lard, ointments; and oil for cake for feeding domestic animals and for fertilizer. -- ***

Elephant shaped house attracting passersby in Davao Town

BANSALAN, DAVAO DEL SUR—People passing along Rosal Street in Barangay Poblacion Uno here could not resist taking a pause and being amazed at a house that is being built from concrete, wood and steel.“A motorist once nearly met an accident when he glanced at the building while driving,” a resident of Rosal Street told the Inquirer.Oracion said the pachyderm-shaped house was designed by his cousin, Faustino Oracion, the one who sculpted the “Statue oF Davidin Times Beach in Davao City.

That statue became controversial for a time because of its depiction of male nudity. Oracion said since his childhood, he has liked elephants so much although he has never seen one in his life. That drove him to dream of having a house shaped like an elephant one day. When he became a seaman, he set aside some amount from his earnings for his dream house. Oracion said his dream is slowly becoming a reality now that construction has started. The house would cost around P3 million when finished. Asked if his family would live with him inside the unique structure, Oracion said it depends on them but added they had always supported his decision. “But if they won’t, I will develop a resort here,” he said. Oracion said aside from the elephant house, he was also planning to build other structures modeled from other animals. “It’s like living in the middle of a safari,” he said. He said the construction of other structures could start middle of this year after the completion of the elephant-shaped house in May.

Bansalenos @ ABS-CBN Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3

                         Pilipinas Got Talent Jefferson and Kurt Bringas, from Bansalan Davao del Sur

Admiring the Donas

The Philippines is proud to have notable ladies who have considerably contributed to the task of nation building.  Among them are President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President Corazon C. Aquino, First Ladies Amelita Ramos and Imelda R. Marcos.  Today, such names are not only synonymous with political prestige but are now Hybrid names for indigenous species, Mussaenda.

Collectively known as the Doñas, Philippine Mussaendas were named after the First Ladies of the Philippines.  This is considered as the country’s most important contribution to the ornamental industry.  They are likewise regarded as the “centennial” breakthrough in Philippine Horticulture.  In fact, they have became popular not only in the Philippines but are also now gaining recognition abroad.
Characteristic of Mussaendas
The first Mussaenda, M. philippica var. aurorae Sulit, was named in honor of the wife of President Manuel L. Quezon,.  In 1915, Hugh Curran and Mamerto Sulit discovered it in Mt. Makiling in UP Los Baños.  Recent hybrids were now coined on Filipino synonyms of the word “muse” such as ‘Diwata’, ‘Mutya’, ‘Lakambini’, and ‘Diyosa’.
The “Doñas” are admired for their colorful sepals or modified leaves either in red, white, or pink.  Also, the hybrid possesses continuous blooming habit, almost throughout the year.  They are less floriferous from months of January to March.  They are commonly used for landscape.
Potted Mussaendas
With the idea of coming-up with a substitute or compliment to the poinsettias which grow only during the Christmas season, the Institute of Plant Breeding of the College of Agriculture (IPB-CA), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), developed a technology for potted Mussaendas and propagating varieties that are short-stemmed, proliferous, and easy-to-root.
The study on the Development of Colored Multi-Petaloid Mussaendas Suited for Potted Ornamentals, conducted by Dr. Simeona V. Siar of IPB, aimed to develop indigenous ornamentals such as Mussaenda as substitute and alternative to the traditional and introduced potted ornamentals such as poinsettias and chrysanthemum.  This included the: (1) hybridization and development of outstanding plants; and (2) evaluation and mass propagation of outstanding plants.
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), a coordinating and funding agency supporting R&D breakthroughs in agriculture and fisheries, supported the study from October 2001 to September 2002 and from February to December 2006 under its High-impact projects.
Mussaenda cultivars used in the hybridization stage include varieties of red (‘Doña Eva’, ‘Doña Trining’, ‘Lakambini’, and ‘Florida’), white (‘Mutya’, ‘Doña Aurora’, ‘Diwata’ and ‘Maria Makiling’), and the colored varieties (‘Baby Aurora’, ‘Doña Pacencia’, ‘Queen Sirikit’, and ‘Doña Esperanza’).
Protocol in producing potted flowering Mussaenda
1. Harvest flower initials from 6 to 7 am or late afternoon.  Healthy shoot tips should be 4-5 inches long and with 3-5 nodes.
2. Put the harvested shoots in clear plastic bag to avoid desiccation.
3. Remove older leaves and leave two to three pairs of nodal leaves.
4. Cut the basal end of the cuttings diagonally with a sharp pruning shear.
5. Dip the basal end portion of cuttings in a rooting hormone, Quick Root powder.
6. Plant two to three cuttings in four-inch pots with a mixture of part coir dust and one-half part sand.
7. Apply one tablespoon Osmocote (a slow release fertilizer).
Promising hybrid varieties
A total of 1,225 crosses were conducted from October to December 2001.  Doña Aurora was mostly involved.  To date, 513 seedlings have been generated from hybrids and open-pollinated cultivars.  The majority (104) of seedlings resulted from ‘Maria Makiling’ x ‘Doña Trining” with 104 seedlings.  Next in rank were ‘Florida’ x ‘Doña Trining’ and OP-(DE x DT) Hybrid2 with 92 and 78 seedlings, respectively.
From the hybrid seedlings generated, six varieties were added to the initially selected 10 outstanding hybrids.  Four of these were white petaloid and the other two were red ones.  The outstanding varieties are now being mass-propagated for varietal release and registration and eventual distribution to ornamental growers and enthusiasts.
Germination of Mussaenda seeds is one critical factor in generating hybrid seedlings.  The soaked seeds were then planted in plastic cups containing an equal mixture of sand and coir dust.  After spraying water, the cups were sealed with the use of polypropylene plastic.  Trays of sowed seeds were stored for a month at 14°C for stratification or cold treatment.  At their four-leaf stage, seedlings were ready for transplanting.
Based on the results generated, 60 rooted potted plants were acceptable and evaluated for postproduction as potted flowering mussaendas.  White mussaendas from both ambient (32 °C) and air-conditioned (28 °C) environments showed the longest longevity/interior keeping quality as potted ornamental compared to red mussaendas.  To date, 84 rooted cuttings have been produced through marcotting, 23 by shoot tip cuttings.

Now ornamental enthusiasts and gardeners can have at hand quality planting materials of Doñas with added factor of Mussaendas growing any time of the year.