The Sirao Flower Garden Tucked in Cebu's Mountains

We had a chance to see a growing attraction here
in Cebu this March --- the Sirao Flower Garden in Brgy. Sirao, one of the mountain barangays of Cebu City. By simply going over the internet, you would discover that the place is now known to be the Little Amsterdam of the Philippines. And the pictures can attest to that!

However, when our group went to take a peek, I must say we weren't really so mesmerized at the place, seeing a very small volume of flowers. There were even patches of land that showed newly transplanted celosia flowers that are yet to bloom for the next couple of weeks. Perhaps it was wrong timing. But then again, it pays to see what many people here in the province are talking about!

The Sirao Flower Farm was featured in Sun Star Cebu last October 2015. Brgy. Sirao is about 17 kilometers uphill from JY Center in Lahug. You will pass by Brgy. Busay going up until the avenue that will lead you further down the mountain slope where Brgy. Sirao is neatly tucked. The flowers you will see there are the flame-like celosia or "burlas" in Cebuano, the brain celosia, known as coxcomb or "tapay" as suggestive of a rooster's comb. There are also deep-hued daisies or gerberas, the solemn white chrysanthemum, and the playful aster or what one flower arranger calls "baby's breath."  

Well, even if it was a bit disappointing, we tried our best to enjoy what we could see and so took some pictures of the place that is Sirao --- a place where the sun is happily shining to bring in joy and nourishment for the equally happy flowers here in the beautiful island of Cebu! You may visit Sirao in May when the flowers are expected to bloom at their very best!


Note: Left photo courtesy of http://www.ourtraveldates.com/, from the Instagram of tonipino.

Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band: Preserving the Culture of Music in Loboc, Bohol

I was so happy to have visited a school that is committed to preserve the culture of music in Loboc, during a recent trip I was grateful to undertake in Bohol province here in Central Visayas. I was not planning to go some place else after being in Tagbilaran City, but special thanks to Dr. Myra Melisimo, one of our friends in Bohol, who insisted that I visit her father's project in their hometown which is famous for the beautiful Loboc River and home to the world-renowned Loboc Childen's Choir.

I did not know that there is another famous group of young boys and girls who sweat it out learning how to play brass instruments, in an effort to preserve their Lobocanon culture and tradition. They call themselves the Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band. I was not expecting to see a school that is much advanced in terms of resources, i.e. with a complete set of brass musical instruments like the trombone, clarinet, trumpet, french horn, tuba, cornet and bugle! It is unimaginable to discover this wonderful school quietly but effectively situated at the heart of Loboc!

The Loboc School of Music is the educational center where the Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band was born. It is a project of the Loboc Youth Education Association, Inc. headed by Mr. Argee Melisimo. I learned directly from Mr. Melisimo that they wanted to preserve the music, songs and dances of Loboc. To do this, they called on all interested children from Grades 3 to 4th year high school to be trained in reading notes and playing musical instruments, which are all provided for free! I am moved to know that there are still people like Mr. Melisimo who is passionate and committed to helping his fellow Lobocanons. To date, there are more than 600 students coming from 28 barangays of Loboc who are benefiting from the Loboc School of Music.

The Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band recently had a concert here in Mandaue City, Cebu, entitled "Rhythm of the Night," organized by Quota International Region 19. This event was a fundraising project for the benefit of various organizations like the Hard of Hearing Scholars of Lipata SPED School, Basak National High School for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing Athletes of Mandaue Central Integrated SPED School, Bantayan Central Elementary and Butuan City SPED Schools, to name a few.

May there be more and more people who could avail of the scholarships that the Loboc School of Music offers to the youth of their town. I also hope that many more groups and individuals can find their sense of fulfillment in supporting this noteworthy endeavor.

More power to the Loboc School of Music and the Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band!