By Manny Piñol
On Monday, Aug. 10, I was thrust into an uncomfortable situation when I was asked to represent Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte in a forum organised by the Israeli Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines in the Marriot Hotel in Pasay City.
To say that I was unprepared was an understatement.
I actually flew to Manila early Monday morning because I wanted to listen to Mayor Duterte talk about his agriculture advocacies before the Israeli businessmen.
Agriculture, as we all know, is a subject matter that is very close to the heart of the Israelis as it is considered as the life blood of the tiny nation in the middle of a wide desert in the Middle East.
But I have long been trained for this kind of situation and I believe that as supporter of Duterte, I had to do my best to contribute whatever I could to the effort to make people understand that he is the country’s best chance for change.
The talking points were not much of a problem because I have memorised by heart Duterte’s policies and vision on Philippine agriculture.
It took me and Mayor Duterte’s staff, Romirose Padin, a little over two hours to prepare the power point presentation.
My biggest problem was I came to Manila in casual clothes, as always, T-shirt and slacks.
I immediately called up my staff in Davao City to send me through air cargo a black suit with matching tie for the event.
It was sent alright but the flight was delayed so at the last minute, I and my friend, Rene Concordia, had to rush to Landmark in Makati to buy a ready made black coat, a polo shirt and a P380-necktie.
The Israeli businessmen laughed and applauded when I told them later of my last-minute shopping spree just to look presentable in the company of foreign dignitaries and businessmen in suit and tie.
The Israeli businessmen and agriculture experts, including Ambassador Ben Ari Matityau were so excited when I presented Rody Duterte’s thoughts especially on agriculture.
Israel Chamber President Eyal Ben Ari, a businessman involved in the establishment of Green Houses to produce outstanding quality and low cost vegetables, showed the most interest.
It was Eyal Ben Ari who said that the Philippines is in the best position to supply the food requirements not only of its people but also of other countries in the region like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and even China.
Ambassador Ben Ari Matityau also said that the Philippines is blessed with industrious people who could contribute to the development of agriculture in the country.
In my speech, I emphasised that the failure of government to focus on agriculture has actually squandered the many blessings that God has bestowed on the Philippines.
These are the blessings of a rich and fertile soil, the blessings of water and the blessings of a climate favourable to agriculture.
After my speech, Eyal informed me that he and his company partners involved in the Green House technology in vegetable farming will visit Davao City over the weekend to study the prospect of establishing a model vegetable Green House in the City.
The idea has dazzled me no end because this could be the start of an agricultural revolution in Davao City.
The Israeli Green House technology is so successful because it increases production by 10-fold and also reduces the cost of vegetables.
This experience has again proven that in every crisis there is an opportunity.
Rody Duterte was not able to make it to the Israel Chamber of Commerce meeting but with a black suit from Landmark and a P380-necktie, the crisis generated positive results.
Indeed, when God closes doors, He opens windows.
(Photos: Duterte’s image looms large in the background; in a table with the Israeli Ambassador and Embassy officials; Ambassador Matityau delivering a speech. Photos by Romirose Padin)
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