My Pope Magazine’s August Issue Brings Families Closer Together

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Learn how to heal hurts and celebrate the ties that bind with this month’s issue!

As Pope Francis once said, “In families, there are difficulties, but these difficulties are overcome with love. Hate doesn’t overcome any difficulty. Division of hearts doesn’t overcome any difficulty. Only love is capable of overcoming difficulties. Love is a festival. Love is joy. Love is to keep moving forward.” In line with this spirit, My Pope Philippines, your feel-good lifestyle magazine, launches its August 2019 family-themed issue. Readers will be inspired by the wise words Lolo Kiko has to say on family, along with the moving insights and stories that illustrate these words from personalities such as Armand del Rosario, RJ Ledesma, and more. We also put a spotlight on why Pope Francis values grandparents—and why he believes that parents should receive the Nobel Peace Prize! We even give you a glimpse into what made the Pope’s childhood a happy one—despite the fact that his family was simple and far from wealthy.

Aside from these heartwarming stories, the magazine also includes features that will encourage more harmonious relationships, and celebrate what makes families so loving and special. Readers will find helpful tips on the right way to say—and show—that you are sorry, a roadmap for dealing with the angsty teens in your life, and even the secret weapon for having a happy and blessed home. Not one to shy away from tricky situations, My Pope likewise tackles reader’s problems in our Q&A section, including how to cope when your family is being torn apart as they fight over inheritance. Furthermore, My Pope clues you in on the better way to have those all-important conversations you should be having with your adult siblings.

With articles on a public school teacher turned second mom, an architect whose affordable housing project has allowed former slum dwellers to dream big, and the wonder twins St. Benedict and his sister St Scholastica, this month’s My Pope is sure to be a source of inspiration, joy, and enlightenment for every member of the family.

Knock-Out Stays for Pacquiao vs Thurman Fight at Pan Pacific Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Pacquiao vs. Thurman boxing bout on Sunday, July 21, 2019, will be shown live on HD at Pan Pacific Manila’s Pacific Lounge from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Admission is priced at Php 1,250 net per person inclusive of a hearty international breakfast buffet and free-flowing fresh juice, iced tea, coffee, and tea.

A special fight package for local residents valid July 20 to 21 is available starting at Php 5,550++ per night for Superior room accommodations inclusive of admission for two persons to the live fight coverage at the Pacific Lounge plus breakfast buffet fresh juice, iced tea, coffee, and tea.

Pacific Lounge is located on the 21st floor, Pan Pacific Manila, M. Adriatico cor. Gen Malvar Sts. Malate. For reservations, please contact (02) 318 0788 or email dining.ppmnl@panpacific.com. Price is subject to change without prior notice.

For more information on Pan Pacific Manila, please visit:
https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-resorts/philippines/manila

The Light That LAMPCO Brings to Farmers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As a liaison officer in San Isidro municipal hall, Loreto Davis, 57, hopes to retire early so he can focus on managing his 1.7-hectare farm with trees of cacao and coconut.

With the falling prices of copra, Davis, a member of Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO) in San Isidro, Davao del Norte has been planting other crops such as cardava banana to cope up with this challenge.

For Davis, the support of cooperatives such as Laak Multipurpose Cooperative (LAMPCO) has been essential in increasing his income.

"Malaki ang tulong nila (LAMPCO). Ang produkto namin, sa kanila namin binebenta. Yung mga fertilizer pati ibang mga ginagamit namin (sa pagsasaka) doon kami kumukuha," he said.

LAMPCO is one of the leading agri-business cooperatives in Davao del Norte that buys coconuts and cacao from farmers, then sells them to institutional buyers like Davao Bay Coconut Oil Mills, Inc., Franklin Baker, and Kennemer Foods International, Inc.


LAMPCO’s beginnings

According to LAMPCO Chairman Mario Tipan, the cooperative started in 1986 in Brgy. Mangloy, Laak, Compostela Valley with 15 members aspiring for a simple yet noble objective.

"Walang mabilhan ang mga tao doon. Malayo. (Kaya) naisip nila na gumawa ng maliit na tindahan," he said.

The members were able to collect PHP 700 as a seed capital but unfortunately, their store went bankrupt before it even grew further.

"Kasi hindi nila alam kung paano patakbuhin. Dahil owner sila, nagtitinda sila, wala pang bayad," he added.

Realizing that sound fiscal management is essential in maintaining their store, LAMPCO began fixing their old practices. It eventually caught the attention of the local government, knowing that all their members were local farmers.

“Nagbigay ang local government ng post-harvest facility. Humiram din kami (ng capital) sa DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). Nakita nila na desidido kami mag-grow kasi binayaran din namin ang hiniram namin,” Tipan said.

As their membership increased, LAMPCO opened more branches and merged with other cooperatives in the areas where they operate. They also expanded their services to include granting loans to their members.


More work ahead

At present, LAMPCO now has five major branches and three other satellite branches in Laak and San Isidro Davao del Norte, with consumers, savings & credit and marketing as their main services.

The cooperative is actively participating in the value chain approach for area development of San Isidro with partners, Peace and Equity Foundation, Cocolink, and the local government of the municipality.

To Henry Mayormito, production coordinator of LAMPCO, the cooperative is now focusing on reintroducing their mission to their other members and training a new generation of leaders.

“Magkakakaroon ng capacity building and values formation para sa mga members para maintindihan ang role ng kooperatiba,” he said. We will also develop second-liners in the organization.” he added.

These goals are intended to continue LAMPCO's mission of developing a coop-oriented community and broaden their socio-economic opportunities while caring for the environment.


Read the story here: http://pef.ph/index.php/2019/07/08/the-light-that-lampco-brings-to-farmers/