BUHAY-LINANG, only in Lopez!

BUHAY-LINANG, that would be our commodity. It is envisioned to uplift the living condition of the community engaged on HERITAGE and GREEN TOURISM. This would be one of the projects of Lopez Quezon International. 

"Everything created by God is useful," that was the opening statement of Sir Joe. When we have a place where there's a spring of water, the plants around it should not be removed. Agroclimatic condition of the place has to be preserved. It has to be a sanctuary of plants and animals. Life should be taken cared of. Even ethnic names of our flora and fauna should be used. There's got to be an attractive name for every product, and a monthly seminar on ecotourism. A directory of producers of local products should be kept, and supply chain should be organized. These were but some of the matters discussed during the first meeting of LQI volunteers attended by Drs. Virgilio Villancio, Jose Sargento, Crispulo Alarde, writer Julianito Villasanta, and the mother and daughter team of Gemma and Queen Sroges Rochelle Suguitan San Jose on 23 April 2013 in UPLB.  

Target site is Lalaguna. We are going to seek permission from the Veterans Federation of  Lopez whether they are willing to enter into an agreement that we are going to put up a site for heritage and green tourism in one  portion of the 3 has. that has yet to be developed for the Veterans Park and Guerrilla Shrine. Hoping that they would allow our group, the second option would be to look for willing family or families who would partner with us on this endeavor. 

Everything 'LINANG,' or barrio life will be showcased on this site. A bahay kubo that is authentically Lopez-made which would not be like the bahay kubos sold along the highways but those which look like real ones put up by Lopenzes in the old days. There will be activities where both the tourist and the local residents will benefit from. It would be an educational and satisfying experience for the traveler who would see customs and traditions practiced in Lopez, buri and anahaw weaving, coconut dehusking, lambanog sa irok-making (and tasting), fishing, cooking and savoring local food, trying to do things like pagyuyubak, stringing local beads like adlay, etc. Lopez is one of the towns with the most non-wood cottage industries. There will be demonstrations and selling.

Ka-may-ari and Ka-batch principles will be utilized. Lopenzes will be our co-owners and alumni of all schools will be encouraged to invest. Even willing individuals or families. This project will be done as soon as possible in order to start and encourage more barangays to use a portion of their respective places for ecotourism. It is hoped that Lalaguna would just be a pilot project which would later on become a model for other barangays to follow. 

HUNTAHAN para sa KAUNLARAN--- SIMULA ng ATAGAN! 

Name of organization would be reserved at the SEC, even to DTI. Then on October 7, 2013 there will be an organizational meeting. Those interested to be members should fill up the registration from and pay Php 50, those who would like to register as lifetime members should pay Php 2,000 or $ 50; and institutional members are supposed to pay one-time registration of Php 5,000 or $125.

Today, November 17, 2013 is the second meeting of LQI. More LQI concerns will be discussed, particularly the Gift-Giving Project for the Christmas Season. It will be held at Kainan sa Dalampasigan in Los Baños, Laguna.

BUHAY-LINANG is the long-term project, Gift-Giving is one of those which will be done annually, starting this year.