Farmer Ernesto Alivio of Consolacion with his award as one of the 10 Outstanding Farmers in Cebu.
(CDN Photo/Victor Anthony V. Silva)
“MuraA gyud ko og hilantan og di ko kauma (I feel like I’m sick if I don’t get to farm),” said Ernesto Alivio, one of the 10 Outstanding Farmers cited by the Cebu provincial government in its Farmers’ Day celebration last Wednesday.
A resident of barangay Garing in Consolacion town, the 71-year-old Alivio received a plaque and a P5,000 cash prize for notable agricultural practices.
The second of Alivio’s three children, who sells religious icons, asked him to stay at their home-and-shop along Manalili street in Cebu City.
“Ang iyang tuyo, dili na ko manguma tungod sa akong edad. Adto na lang ko sa iyang tindahan. Og adto ko ibutang, mura man ko og mamatay (His intention was that I would no longer farm because of my age. I would go to his store. But if he would place me there, it’s like I’m going to die),” Alivio said.
The farmer was recognized, among others, for using organic fertilizer, crop rotation and inter-cropping.
Recognition
Alivio said that in all his life he has never been given recognition for his work.
Alivio started farming when he was 15 years old. He stopped attending school after grade 2.
He said both of his parents were unable to finish elementary school as well. He got married when he turned 20.
“Even so, I thank God because my children were able to finish college,” said Alivio.
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He supported two children through college. Alivio said his other child was not that interested in school.
Produce
His children saw how passionate he was with his work and helped him in the farm.
Alivio tills a 1.25-hectare parcel of land inherited from his parents where he grows eggplant, bitter gourd (ampalaya), string beans and cayenne pepper.
Since 2008, he has been selling his produce at the Carbon market in Cebu City, earning P3,000 a week.
Alivio’s buyers come from nearby towns and visit his fields to buy his produce.
No gray hair
Some of his clients are from Leyte, but based in Mandaue City.
With his wife, Alivio now owns and manages a piggery.
He also built a house of their own and bought a small car.
At his age, Alivio has no gray hair on his head.
“Tungod ni kay padayon gihapon og panguma (That’s because I continue farming),” he said.
The farmer said farming invigorates him. He said he won’t stop tilling his field for as long as he is strong enough to do so.