F.A.R.M.: October 2009

October 28, 2009

The Button Hole at your Service

The Button Hole, the training facility at La Huerta that was built from F.A.R.M. earnings, is now an agricultural tourist spot in Camarines Sur.

It houses trainings and seminars for farmers and agriculture practitioners from all over the country.

Visiting agri tourists from CARAGA

Come and visit our beautiful town, Baao. Come to La Huerta and see the Button Hole.

October 27, 2009

F.A.R.M. Angels in Manila!

In the previous posts, we thanked the F.A.R.M.ers and all the guests who showed support to F.A.R.M. during the 4-day OK Bikol trade fair. It was a really successful event and F.A.R.M. made good business!

But we can't fail to thank our two F.A.R.M. angels Jam Navarro and Christian Sanchez for doing a really good job during the fair.

To them, being in Manila for a few days and manning the famous F.A.R.M. booth were worth the experience.

So we let them enjoy themselves during the rest of their stay in the city....

Dining....

Getting a taste of Manila....

Shopping for their families....

And shopping for themselves....

Jam and Christian are high-school graduates who are working for F.A.R.M. full time. Yes, they are one of those who are threading our beautiful F.A.R.M. buttons together. And they are making good livelihood because of your support.

Thank you Jam and Christian from all of us!

Music genius a F.A.R.M.er, too!

We are overly glad that Baao's top music genius and artist, the famous Virgilio Briones....

is a certified F.A.R.M.er, too!

Thanks Sir Botchog for loving F.A.R.M.! We lovett!

Buttons to Hope Hall of Fame (2)

The interest and commitment of more and more F.A.R.M.ers to support Buttons to Hope are just overwhelming. As a way of gratitude, we will be posting those who have contributed their share in making this project a success.

As of today, we recognize these F.A.R.M.ers for shelling out funds for our noble project, which will send Baao scholars to college:

1.) Bernadette de los Santos, Baao, Philippines (37.5%)

2) Teresa de los Santos-Salah, USA (16.7%)

3) Mariflor Llorens-Taduran, USA (10.9%)

4) Gladys Barrameda-Sadang, Ireland (7.6%)

5) Jezrille Arroyo-Cariaga, Manila, Philippines (6.9%)

6) Jane Barcenas-Bisuna, Manila, Philippines (5.6%)

7) Jocelie Britanico, UAE; Perlie Botardo-de los Santos, USA; and Charina Imperial-Francisco, Manila, Philippines (2.7% each)

8) Pure Panambo, USA (2.6%)

9) Jo Badong-Davis, USA (2.2%)

10) Perfecto Taduran, Manila, Philippines (1.9%)

Read last month's hall of fame.

It's cool to be of service to others. Contribute. Have fun. And post really nice F.A.R.M. photos :=) Thank you, thank you from the button of our hearts!

F.A.R.M. @ OK Bikol Fair (3)

F.A.R.M. continued to receive F.A.R.M.ers, kababayans and fans at its fabulously-designed booth during the fourth and last day of the OK Bikol trade fair.

Doyi Almeida-Marfa enjoys her day F.A.R.M.ing

A group of fashionistas from UP indulging on the pretty bracelets

Bayos family from Baao came by to show support

Lyca, a doctor from UST, taking her pick

Pretty Kristine Servando from ABS-CBN came to interview Bidibidi and shop some arm candies

Watch out for future F.A.R.M. activities and see it more on the headlines! Cliche as it may seem, thank you from the button of our hearts!

October 26, 2009

F.A.R.M. and Buttons to Hope in Greater Heights!

The fifth monthly meet for Buttons to Hope was held on 24 October 2009 at Secret Recipe and Seattle's Best, SM Megamall. It coincided with the OK Bikol trade fair, where F.A.R.M. was an exhibitor. Gladys Barrameda-Sadang who is based in Dublin, Ireland, hosted this month's meeting.

The F.A.R.M.ers recalled F.A.R.M.'s recent activities - training for BJMP inmates, Bernadette de los Santos' guesting at Shop Talk, the OK Bikol trade fair, as well as upcoming activities.

Jane Barcenas-Bisuna, Buttons to Hope team leader, reported the financial status of the project. As of October 24 2009, Buttons to Hope has raised P189,887.75 ($4,040.oo) worth of cash and pledges from F.A.R.M.ers in the Philippines and overseas. That is 19% of the target amount of P1 million pesos.

The group agreed to focus on minor activities to raise funds, as major ones would be unrealistic considering that it would take plenty of time and logistics to prepare for big activities. Future funds would come mostly from donations and monthly contributions.

The anticipated amount up to June 2010 would hopefully cover 7-8 scholars. It was agreed that scholars would come from each barangay in Baao and would undergo a competitive process of selection. The guidelines will be discussed in the next meeting.

More F.A.R.M.ers indicated interest to support Buttons to Hope. In December, Bernadette de los Santos will be attending a charity dinner for Buttons to Hope in the US, to be organized by her Atenean classmate Ada Glucksman.

After the meeting, Buttons to Hope got a total of P217,887.75 ($4,636.00) worth of cash and pledges. It can already support the 2-year college education of 4-5 Baao scholars.

We might be moving slowly, but what is important is that the level of enthusiasm and commitment from F.A.R.M.ers are just getting higher. We are looking forward to super fun and productive meetings like this. Thank you F.A.R.M.ers from the button of our hearts.

F.A.R.M.ers who came to the meeting: Bernadette de los Santos, Jane Barcenas-Bisuna, Gladys Barrameda-Sadang, Sarah Barrameda-Balares, Iris Barrameda, Perfecto Taduran, Adrian Luzentales, Simonette Brigola-Feria, Rommel Bulalacao, Mia Barandon-Bulalacao, Charina Imperial-Francisco, Jonathan Sumayao, Atty. Tom Ballesteros and Louella Barrameda-Ballesteros, and Jezrille Arroyo-Cariaga.

October 25, 2009

F.A.R.M. @ OK Bikol Fair (2)

F.A.R.M. wasn't just the best-dressed booth, it was also undeniably the most-visited and most- photographed booth at the OK Bikol trade fair! Here are more photos during the 2nd and third day: