Operation “Hibok-hibok”

Media

Part of The Cross

Title: Operation “Hibok-hibok”
Language: English
Year: 1958
Rights
Fulltext: 19 August, 1958 Report from Mamba jao Operation “Hibok-Hibok” About two months ago an unusual sight greeted the eyes of the townspeople of Mambajao, Camiguin Island- In a small school building under the shadows of famed Hibokhibok volcano, 65 sturdy men filed in and out of the classroom regularly for three weeks. Inside the room where at other times tiny children noisily attended their class, the adults held their own sessions ser iously. The group were farmers of the town and nearby villages. They had come to learn how to produce more out of their land. And the class was a joint project of the College of Agriculture. Xavier University of Caga yan de Oro City and the Columbian Farm ers Aid Association. The class was conducted by Democrito K. Talian, an instructor in the College of Agri culture of Xavier University. Out of 65 who had enrolled, 34 finished the course* to become definitely better farmers. In the classroom, the farmers were taught the modern trends of farming. They learn ed how to increase productivity through proper land preparation, seed selection, pro per weeding, fertilization, control of pests and diseases, proper storage of the harvest ed crop in the case of crop plants, control of diseases, scientific feeding and improve ment of native livestock, and many othersFrom time to time, the class went out Special Project Knights Shed Light On Rural Problems to visit model plantations and livestock farms. Field demonstrations were con ducted by the instructor. Besides the instruction, the class offer ed the following services to the students: (1) Free pamphlets on farming and other subjects were distributed, (2) An improved Poland-China x Duroc-Jersey boar Vas made available to service native sows, (3) Six Single Comb White Leghorn layers andone New Hampshire rooster were given free to the class to upgrade their native poultry stock. The project, conducted with the coopera tion of Lt. Gov. Jose P. Neri of the Subprov ince of Camiguin. Mambajao Mayor Sergio M. Lactao. and the local office of the Bu reau of Agricultural Extension headed by Mr. Democrito L. Sagrado, was a definite success. Instructor Talian reported that all the members of the class were serious and en thusiastic about the course. At gradua tion time, all 34 students who saw the course through had each started a new project in their farms from vegetable gar dening to poultry raising. But the greatest change came over the ways in which the farmer-students tilled their lands. In a survey conducted among the 34 members of the class, Mr- Talian (Continued on page 22) Replies thus far received from the differ ent Knights of Columbus Councils to the ap peal of Senator Oscar Ledesma are yielding helpful information about the rural needs of the country. A month ago, Senator Ledesma, as pres ident of the Columbian Farmers’ Aid As sociation, asked the various KC Councils to help the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, of which he is the chairman, to gather information that will help the Committee in its intensive study of agricultural conditions and needs of the people. Questionnaires were sent out and an encouraging number of replies have been, and continue to be received. The question posed by the circular was: . “What is the principal way or ways in which our Government — relying, of course, on the mutual support and cooperation of the people themselves — can help to relieve the (Continued on next page) THE CROSS 22 OPERATIONS.... (Continued from page 19) found that only four were using fertilizer for their crops, only one employed the “Masagana” and “Margate” systems of rice planting, only a few used ready-mixed feeds for their poultry, and some even had su perstitious beliefs and practices in their farming. Mr. Talian reports that now these farm ers are beginning to adopt the scientific techniques learned from his class. They are abandoning antiquated wavs of soil cultivation and livestock raising. The soil of Mambajao has been enriched by centuries of lava flow from towering Hibok-Hibok. With their newly learned me thods, these farmers are better equipped to bring out the greatest potential of the land. CHRIST CALLS.... (Continued from page 8) together, and went to Mass each Sunday together. We ate our meals together, and picnicked and clowned around and pillowfought together. In Tondo. there are not many happy homes because there are so many empty houses. If it’s not the parents, its the children who run away- I never thought of running away from home — even to a place called seminary. But it was at home where Christ began to call me- Be cause Christ was there. I heard the call again on a camping-hike. We were Boy Scouts. Eight in that band that day. It was a windy day. I saw one of my comrades run to chase his wind-blown cap. The next second, I saw him smashed under the heavy tires of a lumber truck. A screech, a shriek, and he was dead. It happened so quickly. I didn’t even find time to think. And when I recovered from the shock, I started to think. And I thought of becoming a priest. At first, I could not quite see the connection. I shrugged it off like a silly idea, and I picked up from where I left off. I re-joined my gang and tried to have a good time. I heard the call again in a dancing hall. Very bright and full of balloons, and plen ty to eat. It was our Freshmen-Sophomore Prom. I was Mr. Sophomore, and I was dancing with Miss Sophomore. It was a funny Dlace indeed for Mr. So phomore in his right mind to wish to be come a priest. But Mr. Sophomore in that ”a 1 did wish to become a priest. And he was in his right mind. This time, I decided to give what I FATHER FELIX. .. . (Continued from page 13) confusion in despotical governments. Hu miliation is good for the soul, Mr. Lopez.” “And so, when you and I go to Confes sion, provided only that we mention all of our mortal sins and are truly sorry for them, resolving to do our best net to sin again, through this humiliation, we can not only cleanse our souls of sin but we can also achieve peace and happiness. “We may dislike ill-tasting medicine. But we know that it is good for our body. We know that it will bring pulsating physical health back to our diseased organs and limbs. So we take it. Similarly, through the disagreeable ordeal of sacramental con fession. an ordeal instituted by Jesus Christ Himself according to the Holy Bible, we ’ can bring pulsating life to our souls. “Confession sometimes is disagree able,” Father Felix concluded, “but in its results, it is beautiful, it is heavenly.” thought was a silly thought a chance. I told it to my parish priest. He promised to pray over it with me. He urged me to start attending daily Mass. And I did. My folks were puzzled. And. of course. I felt awkward. I heard the call again and again; and I knew that Christ really wanted a Tondo boy. And I felt somehow that He wanted me. It was hard to believe. But I knew that this was the beginning of the end — end of all my silly ideas like smoking ci gars and drinking high-balls. For now I finally began to learn how to think sense . . . because I finally learned how to pray.. And I saw everything fall into place; the cigars and high-balls and Tarzans and jazz and noise — things to which I clung most vehemently like an urchin to his paper-toys. What if the wind had blown the wrong way the day my friend died, and drove me ins tead chasing my own Scout-cap to my own death? Or, what if Mr. Sophomore had dropped dead in the middle of a jazz? What if . . . ? Contrary to fact conditions of course! Perhaps, it was because God want ed me to live on, and become a priest. Cer tainly, Tondo needs another one. Perhaps, Tondo needs me. Not long ago, I met an old chum from Tondo. His name is Ben. He. too, wants to become a priest. He cannot believe it himself. “I feel too normal for that”, he chuckled. T chuckled with hijn. “I felt too normal too”. I said. “Perhaps that’s why Christ is calling vou as He has called me. Because if priests weren’t nor mal. He wouldn’t wish to call them in the first place. Because they won’t last.”