Mr Ortiz is a very persistent man. He is also a very generous man.
When Typhoon Habagat flooded the area around Laguna bay in Aug 2012, Goducate tried to rehabilitate some of the families by training the men in agricultural skills and helping them set up a community farm in Tagumpay. It turned out to be very productive (see blogs Apr 19, 2013, Feb 14, 2014, Feb 21, 2014, and Mar 28, 2014). Unfortunately, the area is very flood prone during the rainy season, and the farm is unusable for many months of the year, so last year the other farmers gave up working the farm. Only Mr Ortiz persisted.
He is able to use the farm only from November to May. He starts with planting leafy vegetables, then tomatoes and eggplants. Only a couple of weeks ago he was able to harvest his “Black Behi” Pechay. When he had harvested enough for himself to sell at various markets, he allowed the other villagers to collect what they wanted—at no charge. There was enough for them to sell.
Mr Ortiz sells vegetables at various markets. When the farm at Tagumpay is not usable, he grows vegetables in containers, or buys them from other farmers to sell on.
