“Bako man sako importante an manggana. Para sako, an mga pictures ko kan sakuyang mga tanom nagtatao sako nin kaogmahan asin inspirasyon sa sakuyang mga estudyante na magtanom. Blessed lang ako ta pati mga netizens, naaprisyar an mga posts ko sa Facebook account ko,” said Jonald Belisano, 30 years old, public senior high school teacher teaching Filipino in San Lorenzo National High School, Tabaco City.

Belisano placed third in the Plant and Flaunt online photo contest of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Board.

His photos also received a special award for good practices achieved from the Department of Agriculture Bicol High Value Crops Development Program. HVCDP Agriculturist Renato Acacio personally awarded sets of assorted vegetable seeds, seedling trays, garden tools, plastic crates, organic fertilizers, two plastic drums and a garden hose to Belisano recently in his residence in Barangay San Isidro, Sto. Domingo, Albay.

Acacio urged Belisano to continue doing his farming activity and assured him that DA Bicol will always be supportive to him and  other individuals who are engaged in farming and other agricultural activities.

According to Acacio, the agricultural sector needs young people like Belisano—dynamic and purpose-driven.

Belisano’s posts were timely because it inspired netizens to plant vegetables especially this time when food security and availability are being challenged by the pandemic.

The prizes given to Belisano is but one of the  incentives being given by the HVDCP in aggressively promoting and implementing the  Plant, Plant Program” or “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa Covid-19” program which will provide adequate, accessible and affordable food for every Filipino family.

Belisano’s sister Jhona related that the vegetables planted by her Kuya sustained their family and relatives nearby during the Enhanced Community Quarantine of the government. 

“Gusto ko man maging teacher arog ni Kuya para maginspire din sa sakuyang mga estudyante na magtanom asin makatabang sa pamilya,” Jhona shared.

His mom Fe also said that Jonald’s produce were processed into native snack food and sold nearby. She added that the 108.3 sq-meter-lot was maximized by Belisario and was turned into a garden of vegetables, fruit trees and ornamental plants.

Jonald is well-loved by his four siblings.

“Padabaon yan si Jonald kan saiyang apat na tugang dahil maboot, matinabang asin matinao yan. Parehas kan saiyang mga pananom,” his mom said.

Belisano said that his FB posts paved the way to his dream designation. He was appointed as this year’s Gulayan sa Paaralan Coordinator.

Even his barangay captain, Boogie Balila said that “matinanumon man nanggad yan si Jonald.”

In a recent text message to this writer, he said that the vegetable seeds he got from DA Bicol made him extend his vegetable garden plot.

“Yung sobra na seeds, pinanao ko sa mga kataraid ko.”