A Collab on Training in Food Processing and Preservation
Mother-Leaders from the four communities of Lobo, Batangas and two staff members of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. held their training in Food Processing and Preservation from May 28-30, 2025 at the hot kitchen of Mountain Maid Training and Development Foundation, Inc (MMTDFI), Good Shepherd Compound, Baguio City. The mother participants were: Darlita Macatangay, Marita Mendoza, Irene Chavez and Marissa Magtibay. The ABS-CBN staff were Rolan Lago and Melvic Cabasag.
The purpose of the training was to improve the participants’ food catering livelihood and expand their income generating projects. Lobo, Batangas is a coastal town along the world-famous Verde Island Passage threatened by rising sea levels, pollution from oil and cargo ships and destruction of scuba diving sites.
Gina Lopez, when she was Department of Energy and Natural Resources’(DENR) secretary trained the communities along the coast to protect the mountains from mining and introduced sustainable eco-tourism in the area.
Bernadette Panganiban and Jose Sabado of MMTDFI were instructors in making sayote, radish, kangkong, carrot pickles and tuyo gourmet. Michael Amagod and Patricio Bulanay were trainors in making sesame brittle. The teachers taught the science and art of pickling vegetables in season, proper food handling, labeling, sterilizing, sealing.
The brand name of their enterprise is “RIDGE 2 REEF Lobo Food Products”, to honor the mountains and the sea of Lobo. The label says: Your purchase helps our Earth Warriors’ Livelihood and their mission of protecting the Verde Island Passage.
At the “graduation” and awarding of certificates of the participants on May 30, 2025, they were joined by the ube farmers of La Union who delivered a truck load of ube (5.5 tons) to MMTDFI. The Lobo mothers and ube farmers had a lively exchange of experiences that was mutually beneficial.
The Good Shepherd sisters and lay partners-in-mission were happy to share their blessings and knowledge in food processing and preservation. May the mother-leaders share their new found skill and knowledge with their families and communities in Lobo, Batangas.
Submitted by: Sr. Mary Guadalupe Bautista, rgs | Baguio City
