FRANCISCO IGNACIO
My story began 5 years ago during a bicycle tour in the Cordilleras. It was late and cold at night in Mt. Data Bauko Mountain Province, when a good Samaritan by the name of Dionisio Abibico, welcomed us to his home. This man gave our food and shelter for the night. I have been going back to their home at least once a year and Dionisio and I have become good friends ever since.
Five years later on June 25, 2020, I received a message from a friend that a group of farmers from Bauko Mountain Province needed help to dispose their produce. A government agency had ordered two truckloads of vegetables that were not picked up. So the farmers decided to hire trucks, bring the vegetables down to Manila, and sell the produce themselves.
I quickly went to the specified pick up point to get the vegetables for my restaurants. I remember having picked up 80 kilos of assorted vegetables from them. I mentioned to the farmers that I have been to Bauko and I found out later that, they were relatives of the good Samaritans who took us in that cold late night in the middle of nowhere. I immediately had a connection with them.
I began getting the weekly needs of my restaurants from them as a way of paying back the family who would give us food and shelter every time we visited Bauko. The farmers were very grateful for this. However, I felt that I could do better for them. I initially offered their produce to my family. The 50-80 kilos a week became 100 kilos. Eventually, I offered the vegetables to some of my neighbors and friends until my order was 150 kilos reaching to 200 kilos a week. This kept growing so I had to learn more about the situation and what the farmers were doing. I discovered that the traders were taking advantage of them and they were poorly treated. I felt bad for them, and it made me want to help, make a difference, and assist them in whatever way I could. I decided to do my part even if I knew my contribution would be limited with this small group of farmers.
We came to a mutual agreement on how it would run. The farmers would bypass the traders who usually buy the produce from them at a ridiculously low price and instead, sell it directly to me. I would buy the vegetables at a price similar to what the traders would sell in Baguio, thus, the profit would go directly them. I would then sell the produce here in Manila at the same price as those at the local wet market.
Aside from getting vegetables from the farmers, I felt like there was still something more I could offer them. I noticed that the truck that would bring down the vegetables from the province were always empty on the way back. I wanted to teach the farmers how to be better businessmen. We did some studies and identified some items that were easily available to them. So on the way back I suggested for them to bring back fish and eggs to the mountains to sell or barter with the farmers. I was able to find friends who were into poultry and fish farming and obtained really good prices for them. This way the farmers would have business both on the way down to Manila and on the way back to Bauko.
After learning further about the situation of the farmers, I felt the urge to do even more. I started recruiting friends and family to be resellers as well so the farmers would not need to sell any longer to the traders. From my initial 80 kilos a week, I now get 3000 to 4000 kilos of assorted vegetables from various farmers.
My work with the farmers felt good. I was happy knowing I was helping them. I had contented customers and gave me a sense of self-fulfillment because I was able to build all these from scratch.
All this time, I thought I was on the giving end. But the pandemic has stayed indefinitely and many people have suffered from it including my restaurant business. I had to close some stores since the sales went down. Little did I know that the farmers from Bauko were also helping me. I came to realize that what had started out as an advocacy to help them was God’s grace and blessing for me as well. The Bauko farmers helped my business survive in the process. I was able to offset a little bit of what was lost in the restaurants. It helped me get by with our daily needs at home and put food on the table for my family.
Indeed God works in mysterious ways. I was not expecting anything in return for what I was doing, but somehow, I ended up benefiting from it as well!
God dwells in our heart. When we heed His call, we can only be in the path of grace!
God has blessed you, Francisco!
beautiful story, Cocoy. whatever crosses one’s path surely comes for a reason. you are so blessed for fulfilling your purpose.
This is such an inspiring story. Whenever our farmers and agricultural system can receive extra support, it is always a GOOD thing.
What a wonderful outcome for Francisco as well, whose efforts in turn, blessed him as well. Bravo!
When we do good, it comes right back to us.❤️ May God bless You more Coy👍
Cheers, brother! God bless!
Beautiful story, Cocoy. God bless your advocacy that has become mutually beneficial to the farmers of Bauko and yourself. Perhaps, you can organize them as a cooperative. Cheers!
It is a manifestation that God is at work through Cocoy. He truly has a generous and kind heart. Always thinking how to help others. You truly are a blessing!
Beautiful and inspiring story. So proud of you! ❤️
God bless you and your welcoming hosts of Bauko. You were inspired by the Holy Spirit to take the next steps. And you gave dignity, hope and livelihood to the farmers! Sana, others will follow your example.
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