Isa munang patalastas HEALTH FOOD ADVOCACY: MARKETING LONGER LIFE

By Manny Piñol

Many years ago, a fellow golfer Dr. Peping Hernandez was diagnosed to be suffering from prostate cancer, a news which saddened his friends and golfing buddies at the Davao City Golf Club.

Even when he was pale and weak, Doc Peping who was well-loved in the Bankerohan District of the city because he only charged P50 for consultations, kept coming to the club house.

One day, however, I was surprised to see a dramatic change in him. His skin color improved and he started pitching the balls in the practice green.

Then, he played golf again and had a good laugh when he beat his playing buddies in a money game.

“Anong klaseng golfer kayo? Tinatalo kayo ng may cancer,” he teased his golfing buddies.

That was when Doc Peping shared with me and his friends the secret to his almost miraculous recovery – Guyabano.

Following the advise of traditional health doctors, Doc Peping said he devoured huge amounts of Guyabano fruits and boiled the leaves to make his own health tea.

A doctor himself, Doc Peping said his cancer cells dramatically reduced when he started taking Guyabano.

I shared this information, even if it was just an anecdotal testimony, with the people of North Cotabato because at that time, I was still Governor of the province.

Among those who heard the testimony was my own neighbour in Barangay Paco, Kidapawan City, Marcos Sarda, who was suffering from prostate cancer.

Manong Marcos’ case was even more serious because he had to be operated on so a tube could be inserted to allow urination.

Today, Manong Marcos is alive and well and back to farming, thanks to the Guyabano.

Doc Peping died a few years ago reportedly because of depression but the fact that he was able to extend his life span for a good six years because of Guyabano is a testimony to how indigenous herbs, fruits and plants could be effective in improving the health condition of people.

I have long been an advocate of natural and indigenous health plants.

In my farm in Kidapawan City, I have planted Guyabano, Mangosteen, Papaya, Okra and Malunggay and now I am propagating Ginger, Turmeric and Mayana.

I am propagating the Indian and Mexican Moringa (Malunggay) in my nursery because these varieties are more prolific in leaf and fruit production.

This is the reason why I have linked up with an old acquaintance, former immigration officer Ben Lao, who owns an organic farm in Bansalan, Davao del Sur and who has pioneered the production of coco sugar and coco syrup, and is now involved in the production of turmeric and moringa (malunggay) tea.

I and Ben’s daughter, Donnabelle, have agreed to an arrangement where I would help in the promotions and marketing of their products.

In return, Lao Farms would buy raw materials of turmeric and moringa (malunggay) from me and the farmers of North Cotabato.

This is a set up where not only the farmers would benefit but also those who are living in the city who are either unemployed or underemployed.

I need initially about 20 young men and women who would like to make a living by promoting healthy living, initially in Davao City.

They will be involved in the direct selling of coco sugar, coco syrup, turmeric tea and moringa tea which are all processed and packed by the Lao Integrated Farms.

In return, they will receive a daily allowance and make unimaginable earnings by marketing these products which are in demand in a world where people are now becoming very health conscious.

Those who are interested may send me a private message or could reach me through my farm manager Joyce Tupas at 0920 404 4171.

Those who will qualify will still have to undergo a training and orientation on the health products which they will market to be conducted by the organic man himself, Ben Lao.

(Photos show: the products of Lao Integrated Farms ready for marketing; organic farmer Ben Lao; Lao’s farm in Bansalan; my son, Imman, grandson Duane and I pose beside a 4-month old malunggay of the Indian variety; and my Indian and Mexican Malunggay nursery in Kidapawan City.)