A Day at May’s Organic Garden

I was fortunate to be part of a tour conducted at the Ramon Uy Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC) and May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant located in Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City this July. I have been reporting and doing work familiarization in this part of the city for two weeks now and I must say, I am really enjoying every bit of it.

My young friends Camille and Meawyn, both from the University of St. La Salle, came along to join the tour along with our guests from the agriculture office of Oton, Iloilo’s local government unit. They actually came to meet Mr. Ramon Uy himself, or Sir RU as he is called, to be interviewed by him to possibly do part-time work here at RU.

David, RU’s scholar who finished with the highest honors from the Negros State College of Agriculture (NSCA) in Kabankalan City here in Negros Occidental, was our tour guide for the half day organic agriculture and farming technology tour. He is now employed by Eco-Agri, a development foundation founded by RU which is committed to promote the advancement of the small farmers’ quality of life in the province. Ms. Jessica, our Administrative Manager at May’s Organic Garden, gave a brief introduction before the tour and orientation.

We were served Artisan piaya and fresh calamansi juice during the orientation. In between, I had to leave the orientation to meet up with Sir Chin-Chin Uy, Sir RU’s only son, in order to be introduced to Fresh Start’s guest, Mr. Heru Katwy, a New Yorker who’s now based in La Paz, Iloilo where he’s settled with his wife, Fe, who was also with him that day. Mr. Katwy is interested to bring in expats like himself to the Philippines, specifically here in Negros Occidental, to learn organic farming technology and bring the learned technology back to the United States. Sir Chin-Chin then brought us on a quick tour of the organic garden aboard RU’s golf cart and went around the property all the way to the organic restaurant where we had a hearty organic lunch.

After lunch, we had another round of photo opps at the organic garden, the bigger one located along the highway. Earlier, we went to the manmade lake of the smaller organic garden where the swan paddle boat is stationed, enjoyed the upright hammock or ‘duyan’ and saw the cozy and pleasant swimming pools shaded by Mahogany trees. Plus, we passed by the tree house by the big pool! We also saw several bamboo gazebos and nipa cottages, perfect for our next group activities that can be organized outside the center. At the organic restaurant, an organic lettuce garden can be seen from the dining area, while a few steps away is a stationary calesa with a beautiful wooden horse! Of course, we didn’t miss the chance of having some shots taken there as well. Along the way, you could see covered benches tucked elegantly amid lovely landscapes of flowering plants which, by the way, are all powered by RU’s organic vermicompost.

All in all, we had a wonderful time going around the RU property and May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant, the sprawling garden of which is yet to be completed. Soon, there will be a mini-zoo in the area, another building for function rooms and accommodations, model rice and vegetable farms and a small processing plant for our cheeses, organic coffee and natural sweeteners like muscovado and coco sugar.

It surely pays to live and breathe organic … most specially when you are in the organic island of Negros! Needless to say, never miss dropping by May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant if you suddenly find yourself here in Negros Occidental.