A Drop of Water Makes Ripples

The recent typhoon Gener-fueled Habagat that placed most of the National Capital Region and the neighboring provinces underwater has also ignited the start of the bayanihan spirit that runs in the veins of every Filipino both here and abroad.  The rushing floodwater that forced our kababayans to seek refuge in the rooftops of their homes is met with a tsunami of relief operations that gave much needed help for the survival of Habagat victims.

Tie the knot, serve a lot!

Bagfuls of hope and love!

Malay Resorts, Inc., a BOI sanctioned operator of Boracay Sands Hotel, is one of those companies that reached out to help the needy specially those living in Cainta, Rizal, one of the worst hit areas near Metro Manila.  Thru the initiative of Happy Famero, Malay Resorts and its officers and employees started collecting relief goods for Habagat victims.  Soon other employees from the building also shared what they have.  The repacking activity, as I write this blog is still on going.  I commend the group for sharing their time and energy for this truly worthwhile outreach activity.  Special thanks to Liza, Glenn, Thelma, Macon, Pau, Mon, Frederick and Abel for their selfless effort of repacking the basic goods of rice, noodles and canned fish.

A kilo of rice to fill a hungry stomach.

We commend the other officers, whose names although I chose to withhold, would surely be blessed by the heavens for their recommendations and approvals for shelling out a significant amount.  Rod redesigned the tarpaulin while Mon will make sure that it will be printed in due time for the scheduled relief distribution on Friday, August 17, 2012 on a selected evacuation center.

Yes, we CAN!

This may have come a little late when the floodwater has already subsided to manageable levels but surely poor souls and heavily affected brothers and sisters are still legions and are still waiting for help.  Our contributions may pale in comparison with that of the giant corporations and foundations, but a drop of water can pierce even the hardest stone.

A Rare Ginger Plant In My Garden

My curcuma sulee rainbow - a rare ginger variety.

He stood a full head taller than me but Richard O'Brien's humble demeanor makes me his equal in a field totally new to me - ginger propagation. His depth of knowledge about gingers is evident on how he explained to me the different varieties that thrive in different parts of the world.  It is quite amazing and interesting to be introduced in a world where not too many care about a plant that brings forth not just rhizomes but also maddeningly beautiful flowers that can rival even the most exotic of orchids in the wild.

Twice I read a simple ad posted inside the shuttle service of our village which read, "Rare Ginger for Sale".  Not very long and I saw myself ringing the bell at No. 26 Kasoy Street.  It was my first time to meet Richard, who  was all too happy to explain how he hauled his ginger plants from Florida, USA all the way to his Filipina wife's hometown in Pangasinan.  It was no surprise to hear from Richard that not too many Filipinos are into rare ginger propagation.  He searched the internet and visited commercial gardens in the country and found only a handful of ginger enthusiasts.  I told him that most Filipinos propagate ginger only for purposes we know best - in the kitchen.  Richard acknowledged the great medicinal value of ginger confirming it is both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.  Turmeric or "dilaw na luya" in the local language is widely used as coloring for curry dishes.

Our first meeting was the usual "getting-to-know-your-neighbor" stage.  The second meeting produced my first ever curcuma sulee rainbow.  I just asked him, "What can you give me for P200.00?"  He smiled, took one of the healthy banana-looking plant and said, "This sulee rainbow sells for twenty US dollars, but I will give you this on your budget."

My curcuma sulee rainbow is the newest plant in our garden.

According to davesgarden.com, curcuma sulee rainbow is a tropical and tender perennial plant belonging to the ginger family.  It is a hybrid between curcuma cordata and an unknown specie from Thailand.  This deciduous veined plant often blooms once only every year between mid-summer to early fall.  The color of its flower ranges from Magenta to Gold to Pale Yellow to Light Blue.  This variety is known to thrive in Florida and North and South Carolina.  Interestingly, Richard hails from Florida.  This gives a bit of an assurance that my ginger plant is genuinely rare.

Five days ago, I transplanted my sulee rainbow from the pot to the ground in our garden near the water fountain.  Today, it stands firm and healthy and brings hope of a beautiful bloom just like a rainbow which is said to be the Lord's promise of love and salvation to all mankind.  Our family waits in great anticipation.