Renato Catiempo's Organic Farm at Bago City, Negros Occidental - Rice Farming, Plant Container Ideas, Cute Piggy and the Best Merienda Ever! Corn with Coconut, Homemade Cassava Cake and Purple Kamote Brew, Anyone?

Here we were during our last day in Negros - looking out into the sunset. This first trip to Bacolod was very unusual because I went with ATI (the Agricultural Training Institute of the Philippine Department of Agriculture). Who knew that I would get to experience Negros Occidental (not just Bacolod) as a thriving province when it comes to organic agriculture? My previous thoughts of Bacolod (if I were to plan on my own) only consisted of food trips involving chicken inasals and pastries, as well as a shattered image of The Ruins. Who knew that I would get as far as Bago City (different from Baguio City)? I first heard of Bago City from a missionary friend while we were working on a project on water treatment several years ago... This daytrip to Bago City was one of my favorite parts - being welcomed into Mr. Catiempo's small organic farm, eating an unforgettable slice of homemade organic cassava cake and drinking their own brew of purple kamote juice. We have to make time for moments like this - embracing simple joys, slowing down and marvelling at how wonderful things unexpectedly turn out. 

Organic Detox Recipe Suited to Philippines from Dr. Albert Jo of Negros Occidental - Some Realizations and Lessons I Learned

As I may have hinted on my Facebook page, I am now on an Organic Detox Journey following my most recent trip with the Agricultural Training Institute of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (the same agency who showed me the way to organic agriculture in Costales Farms, La Trinidad and Sagada). The years of traveling and blogging has taken a toll me, physically and emotionally on some days, and going on food trips, events, binging moments & having junk food readily available naturally took me to an alarming weight gain. Just compare my old blog photos and the newest ones haha. Well, Today is my last day of the detox and I'd like to share with you some of my experiences and thoughts about the past 4 days.