BUSY AS BEE

His shirt is wet with sweat, wiping it with his own palm, so agitated that he can hardly take his seat as we request for him to have a short interview to share with us his life’s success as a famer. He was so worried of his absence from the farm since at that very moment he was supervising the harvest of his hybrid rice. It is how PABLO V. BORJA, most popularly known as “PAUL” to most of his associates and friends. A dedicated, responsible, loyal, husband and father, a good leader and a very industrious and successful farmer. His sense of humility is legendary for at first he was so hesitant to divulge all his assets and all his other achievement in life since he thinks it’s a way of boasting. However trough the undersigned’s convincing words that by complying with the interview he can be inspiration and a model to those farmers we are enslaved by the idea that poverty is a hindrance to successful farming.

BELIEVES IN DESTINY

Way back in 1970, never in his wildest dream did Paul envisioned himself as a farmer and settled his permanent residence in far island of Mindanao. Born in December 22, 1950 in Biliran Leyte, his parent sent him to Cebu city to pursue his college education at University of Visayas taking up Bachelor of Science in Criminology. It was in conformity with his vision of becoming good law enforcer in the future.

As a human being we dreamed. But in ultimate fulfillment of our destiny it’s God’s will that will guide us to the right path. It is in the portals of University of the Visayas that his destiny was sealed when he meet his lifetime love and happiness in the person of Alicia Dultra, a woman from the Education Department and a native of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte. They decided to quit college and get married in 1972. After the wedding they decided to move and settle in his wife hoetown Tolosa, Cababdbaran, Paul decided to work at Lepanto Mining situated in Cabadbaran in order to support his family needs, his wife Alicia decided to finish her course at Northern Mindanao College in Cabadbaran and finish her degree in Education. She practice practiced her profession as an elementary teacher at the same place.

START WITH A VERY LITTLE

Like any ordinary couple starting a family is not as easy as 1 2 3, after working at Lepanto Mining for two and a half (2 ½) years he realized that they can hardly meet both ends met specially with the growing number of siblings. He decided to try his luck in the field of farming with a half hectare Riceland he leased from his father- in- law’s land. He found out that farming is a very challenging and demanding job specially in controlling pests. He found out that adopting half measures and nonchalant attitude in farming will result in failure on farm productions. Due to this, decided to quit his employment concentrate his time and effort tending his own farm. Her lease area increase until such time that he was identified as farmer beneficiary a CLOA holder of a certain parcel of Land.

As early as 4 am when everyone is still enjoying the soft mattress of their bed and joyously dreaming of the purple horizon Paul is already at his checking and organizing his scheduled activity of the day. He went home as early as 7 pm to take his rest and to be able to be with the comfort of his loving family. But even if so busy with his farm he always find time to learn and share his knowledge on farming. He attended seminars and trainings to make his land more productive. As a result his yield is more that the usual harvest in the locality.

His average yield has reach up to 100-110 hectares. Due to his more landowners offered to let him tiled their lands for lease, some offered for leasehold and as a result he was able to expand his area of cultivation. With the learned technology and the able assistance of Philrice. He was able to produce quality certified seeds. He concentrated his product to certified seeds which was sold at 1,000- 1,200 pesos per bags at 40 kilos. He is one of the main producer and supplier of certified seeds in the region. He is always offers portion of his farms for government demonstration for his benefit and also to share this technology to all interested farmers in the locality. He employed several farm workers to help him in his farm activities.

FRUIT OF HIS LABOR AND GODS BLESSINGS

For all we have gone through Paul is so thankful to God, for he had received from God. His wife Alice had been very understanding and very supportive in his endeavor. His Children Joseph (38), Victor (36), Jessy Chris (25), and Love Joy (18) are all loving and very respectful and obedient children, Joseph had finish five in college and is now contemplating to become a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Victor is a licensed architect and now helping him in his farm management, and Love Joy is still in college in Cebu City taking up Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As a good husband and father he have successfully provided his family with economic, moral and emotional support.

As a result he was able to provide them with a good and quality education. He was able to build two (2) residential houses complete with amenities. He was able to buy agricultural land, which was named and titled to his respective children. He was able to buy a Starex luxury vehicle, 1 double door pick up, two hauling trucks, and mini dump trucks. He was able to build three farmhouses with pre and post harvest facilities. He raised 22 cows and 6 carabaos and build piggery on his farm for additional income.

Together with his family, they always represent a front in saddest and happiest moments in their lives. At a glance you can easily see how strong their family solidarity.

RELIGIOUS AND POLITITICAL MOTIVATIONS

With all the hard works and busy activities in the farm Paul was able to strike a balance in his economic, religious and political life. He is an active parishioner of the Candelaria Parish in Cabadbaran being a member of the Knights of Columbus and Couples for Christ, he also a cheerful giver in the parish works both economic and personal aspects. He never hesitates to offer his services in times when anyone needs it.

In the Barangay level he also served as Barangay Agrarian reform Committee (BARC) Chairman since 1990. His outstanding performance as BARC Chairman of the place is remarkable. He assisted DAR personnel in the Claim Folder documentations, meditations of Cases and even let the farmers used his vehicles on special DAR activities like CARP week anniversaries and always encourage farmers to be a part in any DAR activities.

Further, he is an officer of several groups, to mention some, he was the chairman of the Agusan del Norte Seed Producers Cooperative, Chairman of Irrigators Association for Basilisa, Panaytayon, Homilog and a member of the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council in the Municipality.

CITATIONS

Seek ye First the Kingdom of God, is Paul’s guiding principle to him public recognition takes back a sit in the natural order of things. Good deeds to your countrymen take precedence in his second motto. From this principle one can gain many true friends that are something you will treasure as time pass by. It is not so important as long as you have done well to yourself to God and to your people. But in spite of this he was greatly honored when the Department of Agriculture have awarded him as Outstanding Farmer in 1984 in the Municipal, Provincial and Regional Levels. Philrice also hailed him as outstanding seed producer in 2004 and outstanding farmer leader from NIA.

LIFE OF A FARMER

To Paul through God’s guidance he thinks that he was never mistaken in choosing his field of profession. The catalyst that triggered his decision to choose farming is through his marital union with Alicia Dultra. Hard work and determination must be in the tandem in order to attain one’s aim in life. From this chain of reactions followed, he is a good provider to his family, a good leader and friend of the community and the contentment and fulfillment of his life as a whole. Farming is the most rewarding job he ever had.