In today’s busy consumerist age, we take less notice where our food comes from.  Do kids today know where milk come from since the so called fresh milk is packaged in cartons and plastic bottles that are easily grabbed off grocery shelf, not a lot of children know how vegetable plants look like when salad greens are conveniently packed in re-sealable packages.

In the hidden lush green almost forest like landscape of Mendez is Paradizoo, a wildlife park that features farm animals from all over the world.  As you drive by the 5 hectare Farm owned by Mr. Robert Laurel Yupangco, it is impossible not to be at awe with its exquisite mountainous terrain and its Tagaytay-like climate which are both just the tip of the iceberg.  Paradizoo have numerous jungle inspired Golf Carts that are always available to tour guests around the area.

Farm animals walk around feeding on grass and other plants.  I was surprised seeing a four legged chicken roaming around with other chickens.  Gentle mini horses play around the area, I was lucky the crew brought out “Tango” one of the beautiful mini horses, it reminded me a childhood cartoon series called, My Little Pony and Friends.”  Tango doesn’t mind having people walking around him and petting him while he feeds on the grass, he is so gentle that even children can ride him or play with him.  Though I really wanted to ride Tango, I figured he is too small for a horse and I’m too big for a child.

  Tired of the today's modern and commercialized world?  Try to get away from it all!   In a quiet community in Tagaytay is a Spanish inspired bed and breakfast and restaurant called Casa de Carlo.  Upon entering the gates, you will be greeted with a drive way lined up with wall paintings stating picturesque Spanish Heritage (wall art) that are just impossible to miss.

Because of its original antique fixtures and furnishings, the hacienda gives you the feeling of being cradled in the Spanish era, even the background music.  A collection of family memorabilia feeds visitors’ hungry eyes.  From antique copper cookware, fishing paraphernalia along with original pirate pistols, hunting instruments and gadgets (even skeletons of the Callejo family’s prey) amaze diners.  The place is like a museum of family treasures and traditions. 

Last weekend, we drove by Tagaytay spotting for a perfect place to snack.  Amidst the usual chain of the bulalo-serving Filipino cuisine joints and expensive restaurants, a big statue of sausage on a bun caught our attention.  What a giant sausage it was!  The sign said Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages.

We already missed it by a few hundred meters when we decided to take a turn and check it out.  Mr. John Thompson, one of the owners said, “When we brought our first statue in here, a lot of passersby went down to have their pictures taken with the sausage and the place wasn’t even open yet!”   The place was indeed like a magnet pulling curious customers.  It was an advertisement in itself, even the building’s vibrant colors made me think about ordering a sausage.

Located at Aguinaldo Highway Tagaytay just next to the Shell Station, Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages had its soft opening sometime July of this year, and on their first day they were selling 17 kilos of their signature ultra-gigantic meatyliscious sausage Bambse, 22 kilos of All-Meat hotdogs, and 10 kilos of my personal favorite, Hungarian Sausage, even without advertisement.

Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages allows you to create your own meal according to your budget and taste.  They offer first class products to an affordable price.  From Bamse Surf and Turf, Bamse TNT (Hot), The MEGA’s: Hungarian, Cabanossi, Kielbasa, Pepperoni, Winerli, Lamb that can be served with either bread, fries, or real mashed potatoes, there’s just a sausage for everybody! They have plates offering Filipino favorites that range only from P58-P60 Tapsilog, Longsilog, Tosilog, Hotsilog to cater the most discriminating Pinoy palette.  Also in their menu are three Amazing Burgers, the Hungarian Burger, the Tapa Burger, and Longanisa Burger all can be served with either bread or rice.  Whether you plan to dine in or out of the building to enjoy the cool breeze, or have your orders to go for a picnic or as pasalubong for your loved one, you’ll get the same great taste and flavor.

Situated in Mendez Cavite is a 1.2 hectare coffee orchard owned by St. Scholastica’s College which they rehabilated in 1997 after twenty years being idle.  It has been transformed into what is now famously known as Women and Ecology Wholeness Farm which started its operations in 1998.
 
St. Scholastica’s Institute of Women’s study saw the basic similarity between women and the environment.  Both have been reduced to mere resources or objects and between the struggle for gender equity and the search for environmental integrity.
 
In our country most women especially in the marginalized areas have experienced abuse.  Nature on the other hand can be compared to mothers who unconditionally and tirelessly give in to their husbands’ and children’s needs.  Both women and nature are being exhausted by today’s society.
 
The Women and Ecology Wholeness Farm or Ecofarm demonstrates an alternative lifestyle that is environmental-friendly, junk-free and sustainable, the institute practices organic, bio-diverse farming and ecological, biogas waste management.  They also practice the use of solar panel heater.

DRAGON FRUIT IN UPLAND CAVITE

Mr. Silan together with former Governor Juanito Remulla, experimented on how to grow the Dragon Fruit themselves since they have no idea yet if the exotic fruit can manage their local planting resources.  The two must have green thumbs as they have grown the fruits successfully in the Cavite Uplands.

Last June 12, I attended one of the greatest historical celebrations of the country. The 110^th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence held at the Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit. It was a commemoration that I wish everybody was able to witness because it truly made me realize how fortunate we are that we have our freedom. It made me realize how wonderful it is to be a Filipino despite all the not-so pretty things our country has been facing for ages. (Left Photo) "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!" Imus Councilor Emilio "Miong" Aguinaldo V played as his great great great grandfather, General Emilio Aguinaldo.

The invitation to the event served as a ticket that enabled guests to pass by the restricted streets of Kawit with a good parking space within the Aguinaldo Shrine grounds as a bonus. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to take photos of the VIPs and participants including the Aguinaldo family inside the Shrine early that day which was attended by nonetheless Vice President Noli de Castro before he headed to the Gawad Kalinga housing program in Trece Martires.

Indang Police Station was infamously featured in XXX, this article tackles about the truth behind it.

Last Saturday, April 26, 2008 Indang was once again infamously featured on TV. For the sake of those who were not able to watch it, here is a short summary of one of the show's segment. The segment basically showcased spy camera footages that were taken across the street of the Police Headquarters with the following situations:

1. Indang Police Station 's accordion gate being closed

2. Lights in the Police Station were shut off.

3. The show captured a cat fight on the street and said that there weren't any police to pacify it.

4. A Police took of his shirt and slept in the Police Station

At the latter part of the segment Indang's Chief of Police; Police Senior Inspector Jonathan Canonigo Genetiano was given the opportunity to air out his explanation regarding the situations above. He said that the accordion gate (accordion is the term they use for the steel gate) is their first line of defense against terrorists. And the show followed up his statement with: “Ang galing ng palusot!” Well, no one in Indang would think that our Hepe's explanation was a “palusot” I personally think that it is a reasonable answer because people from Upland Cavite are used to Police having all the necessary precautions because of local terrorists. I even remember a few years ago, Indang Police Station was even surrounded by sand bags (to serve as shield), nets (to bounce off bombs or any material possible to be thrown at the police station), and even barbwire barricades as their first line of defense in case of any attacks.

Gregory Raymond R. Halili, an international artist whose roots are from Cavite paints his art at 1x1 to 3x3 inches using watercolor on paper and watercolor on ivory.

Left-Photo: Gregory Raymond Halili with daughter Gabby and wife Monique

According to the Miniature Art society of Florida, Miniature art is a specialty art, not a novelty art. Through the ages it has been considered an art form. Miniature art is most often extremely detailed work, exquisite in color with a strength of composition which can more than compete with larger paintings. It usually takes as long or longer to produce as a large piece of art. Most artists can work large, but few have the skill and discipline to work miniature.Raymond son of Edmund Halili and Olga Resquites paints his miniature art at 1 x 1 to around 3 x 3 inches. To fully enjoy the details of his work, it is best to use a magnifying glass.

Gregory Raymond Resquites Halili who was named after the parish church and patron saint of Indang San Gregorio was born in Manila on January 2, 1975. He attended school in Holy Trinity Academy in Sampaloc Manila until his family migrated in the United States on June 1, 1988. He started drawing at a very young age and he still have a surviving crayon drawing of a helicopter at an early age of two. As a child, he would often join art contests in school, competing along side his friends.

Inspite of the “The Rock” look most soldiers have on their faces that gives them a tough image, I was amazed how General Luini or “CG” (Commanding General) and the rest of his G-team can be witty and hospitable when The Rising South Tribune visited their camp. General Luini C.Mirar is the Commanding General of the headquarters of the Army Reserve Command at Camp Riego de Dios in Tanza, Cavite. He was born in 26th of May 1952 in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. At an early age, he witnessed his family go through hard financial problems.

After his first semester in first year college in Liceo de Cagayan, he had to drop out from school. Young Luini, who was the eldest of five children was determined to finish his studies by all means. While lighting up his only vice which is cigarettes General Mirar recalls, “Talagang desidido ako makapag tapos noon, kaya alam nyo ba, pumasok akong conductor ng bus para makapag enroll ako ulit.” True enough, he was able to save up for another semester. As soon as he was able to go back to college, he applied for work at his school to sustain his scholastic expenses.

A typist, clerk, and an armorer, he was all of this and at the same time a student who consistently maintained high marks in all his subjects. Right after he finished his AB Political Science course, he entered the Summer Camp ROTC Training, and 2nd Lieutenant Training course where in both he ranked Top One and Top two.

As some of his colleagues would say, “It seems that destiny has crowded him without pause.” Ever since he became a working student, doors of opportunity appeared before him and he never stopped opening the doors. General Mirar added, “I don’t believe that a leader is born a leader, a leader is groomed to be a leader, leadership is something acquired, and anybody can become a good leader if they strive.” The various courses and trainings he took up in the country and abroad including his hard work and determination molded him and directed him where he is and who he has become today.