Cocos nucifera, otherwise known as coconut, is native to the Pacific region and is believed to be first cultivated in Southeast Asia.2 As homage to the World Food Day,3 it is worth remembering that coconut plays an important part in the culinary terroir and overall agricultural economy of the Philippines. It is often a subject of Filipino artistic expressionism along with other tropical fruits, as exemplified by the Arts Décoratifs style in the Manila Metropolitan Theatre. Its influence also extends to architecture such as the famed Coconut Palace.4
(Ongoing Research)
REFERENCES (URL, Retrieved on October 16, 2022 – World Food Day)
Kumiko is a Japanese traditional woodworking technique that assembles small wooden pieces to create intricate patterns on things such as containers, ornaments, and partition screens. 1
Bambusa vulgaris, otherwise known as common bamboo, is native to Southeast Asia and is cultivated in the rest of the world.2 As homage to the World Maritime Day,3 it is noteworthy to remember that bamboo was used in the material dialectics of Filipino Culture such as the early use of balsa (raft) in the early yore of Philippine inhabitants. It is used as well in the metaphysical aspects of the Filipino National Pedagogy.4
Active carbon production is a more viable alternative to the disposal of carbonaceous materials (e.g. coconut shells, wood, etc.) as compared to traditional landfilling. 2 Philippines ranks as the second largest producer of coconuts in the world, which means that the country has a steady supply of coconut wastes. 3 These wastes can be processed into adsorbents, which include that of activated carbon for drinking water treatment. 4 Additionally, Biochar, which can be used for crop fields as soil amendment, can be produced from the same raw materials. 5 Future facilities for these carbon by-products are highly useful for an archipelagic country like the Philippines, which might experience salinity stresses in the future, as saltwater enterstraditional crop fields (e.g. rice, corn, etc.). 6 Locally and generally associated with the word “uling/uring,” charcoal-based products like activated carbon and biochar may be developed with other value-adding studies and facilities in the future. 7 These facilities are not only good for sustainable food systems with touchpoints on soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration; but, it is also great for other related industries like energy storage and research. 8
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) logo1
Lifelong learning is an evolving concept, as various institutions start to adapt to the influences of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). 2 Perhaps, an old local word can fairly capture the concept of lifelong learning – Kruhay. It means “long live.” 3 “Long live” to the skills development programs that upskill the human capital in the Philippines, especially to that of TESDA which upskills the grassroot human capital. 4 TESDA can still beef up on strenghtening its alumni network as it try to address: “Skills Training for Drug Dependents; Skills Training for Entrepreneurs and Family Enterprises; Skills Training for Inmates and their Families; OFW’s Reintegration; Special Skills Program for the Indigenous People; Expanded Training Program for Women and PWDs, etc.” 5 Future partnerships of the TESDA Alumni Office with Department of Trade and Industry’s MSMEs Global Academy can be a great boost for the TESDA Alumni Network, especially in the intersection of agro-industrial lifelong learning programs. 6 Additionally, enabling laws for Agricultural Pension Fund may be strengthened by the agro-industrial upskilling projects of the said agencies. 7 Inter-agency partnerships can aid in the eventual internationalization of Philippine human capital, especially for adult lifelong learners (e.g. TESDA Alumni). 8 Kruhay!
Cultures have various perceptions and associations with regards to color. But it was Newton who scientifically established the concept of “color spectrum.” 2 Spectrum is defined as “a continuous sequence or range.” 3 Studies have shown that psychological associations of people to colors influence their behavior. 4 Thus, it is our task to examine these psychological associations, and manage certain behaviors especially as it relates to the demand of the market. 5 Textiles, such as clothes, have immense influence in culture. This is one of the reasons why dyeing must also become sustainable alongside the processing of sustainable fabric. 6 Natural dye such as processed canistel fruit can be utilized. 7 With future innovations, this $3 trillion industry might become more sustainable in the future. 8
A superfood is defined as a food that has high levels of nutrients, although it has no official scientific definition. 2 Superfoods can power-pack the ordinary meals and snacks with nutrients. 3 One traditional crop that is considered as nutrient rich is Moringa.4 Moringa, also known locally as malunggay, is a common ingredient of some national dishes and traditional medicine. 5 Additionally, it can be added to value-adding products, like noodles or pasta since grains are abundant in the country. A recent study entitled “Market Intelligence EFTA for the Philippines” identified some products that Philippines can trade with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Moringa is allowed for food applications in Europe. 6 Aside from EFTA, Japan imports moringa powder from the Philippines. 7 The development of superfoods industries will not only benefit the industries related to traditional dishes and medicine, but also those that have trajectory towards value-adding products. 8
Photo of Moringa oleifera being cultivated in Lomonay
Livestock industry contributes to 80% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. 2 Ruminant production systems, although one of the biggest contributors to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, still help in alleviating poverty and in securing food security in developing nations. 3 It’s not a good strategy to stifle such livestock industries, but some parts of its resource-intensive supply chain can be improved. One of the ancillary industries that is linked to ruminant production is the feed production, which needs optimization techniques.4Silage, which is a product made from chopped forage, is produced by preserving or by “tipig” of agricultural by-products for future use in feed production. 5 Tipig in the local nomenclature is synonymous to “preservation,” which is still to be introduced to an ageing farmers demographic in the outskirts. 6 Local industries are already producing corn, 7 which can be a great source of silage and animal feed. 8
Desmodium rensonii being cultivated for forage in Lomonay
Daisugi is a Japanese forestry technique that was developed during the Muromachiperiod. 2 It utilizes the sugi3 or cedar to produce timber for construction. Additionally, daisugi means “platform cedar” or “table cedar.” This technique is similar to coppicing, which is used to produce more biomass from wood. 4 Biomass from wood is used not just in the construction industry but also in energy generation, especially in societies that have an ingrained cultural connection with nature. 5Toyota, for example, has a 70-hectare smart city project that aims to utilize mainly wooden materials. 6 This is one of the many Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)projects 7 that the government needs to quantify and incentivize, as societies aim for sustainability. 8
There are already many materials that are utilized by the furniture industry worldwide, both natural and synthesized. This industry, which is estimated to be a 600-million dollar industry by 2027, 2 if trends are favorable, remains lucrative under the creative economy 3. Philippines is aiming to become a global innovator4 in furniture production using sustainable materials. 5 Some of the materials available locally are hardwood, buri, rattan.6 And while the country strives to keep its foothold as “Milan of Asia” 7 in terms of furniture production, it still has more local materials to develop. One material that is still to be utilized more is the “bagtok” – Climbing Bamboo. 8
Oasis is defined as an area in a desert or an arid land that is made fertile by freshwater. 2 It bears both some ancient religious meanings in many religions, and as well as some contemporary scientific uses. 3 Recently, the Paschal Triduum has been celebrated by various religious traditions in the world. 4 It celebrates the concept of “resurrection,” which is a concept that is reflected in many epics and written literatures around the world. This “oasis” is one of the concepts that people can build on as climate change expands the problem of desertification5 and saltwater intrusion. 6
Oases are one of the many examples of integrated agriculture,7 as it involves a3-strata system: (1) Oases are often associated with palms8 , which serve as its primary and highest stratum; (2) What follows is the intermediate stratum that is composed of fruit trees9 and the like; (3) Third stratum is composed of shade-tolerant plants, such as herbs. 10 Oases can help in the conservation of freshwater reserves, 11 especially through the aid of commercially-viable palm species 12 as a primary stratum.
There are already many palm species locally, which include coconuts13 and oil palm. 14 Some inland species that can still be tapped include the Nipa Palm, which can be a source of weaving raw materials, sugar, tubá, and bioethanol. 15 bAlthough it normally thrives around brackish16 waters, some of Nipa palm can tolerate17 freshwater environments. “Oasis” concept can be a foundational concept of “resurrecting” the lands affected by desertification and saltwater intrusion, with associated studies on the evolutionary transition18 of seawater and brackish-water species to freshwater environments, and vice versa.
Vincent Carlo Duran Cuzon 