A FAMOUS LITTLE big doctor once advised Novo Ecijanos to eat a lot of malunggay (and onions).
That doctor went on to become a senator while the lowly malunggay tree has evolved into Model Lodge 373’s Project Moringa.
Project Moringa took-off with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Model Lodge 373 represented by WB Anacleto Fernandez, and the Manuel L. Quezon (MLQ) Memorial Lodge 262 represented by then its incoming Worshipful Master WB Noel Vedad. The signing ceremony was conducted during this year’s public installation of Model Lodge 373’s officers and was witnessed by Gov. WB Aurelio Umali and then District Deputy Grand Master Usec. VW Narciso Nieto.
Central Luzon’s Regional Executive Director Bro. Redentor Gatuz of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also later signed-in in a separate Memorandum of Agreement his agency’s commitment to provide technical support to Project Moringa including the initial seedlings for production.
And just recently, Model Lodge 373 and MLQ Memorial Lodge 262 along with brethren from the Kooperatibang Likas ng Nueva Ecija, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and the Asian Fisheries Academy of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute who are assisting the project discussed Project Moringa with a very receptive Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the province’s Provincial Agriculturist.
Project Moringa pertains to a malunggay production project in Baler, Aurora and a collateral community development outreach program in Diarabasin, Dipaculao, Aurora that will be jointly undertaken by Model Lodge 373 and MLQ Memorial Lodge 262.
But why malunggay? What’s so special about it?
Research showed that Moringa oleifera or horse radish, commonly known in the Philippines as malunggay, is the next best tree to the coconut in terms of beneficial use.
Now called as the Golden Green, the flexible malunggay tree is more than the usual backyard vegetable and border plant it has come to be known. Essences from its leaves, fruits, roots, barks, seeds and flowers can cure a variety of afflictions. Its leaves are not only good sources of calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins but are also effective natural pesticides when fermented, and nutrient-rich green manure when incorporated into the soil. Malunggay derivatives have also been used as a domestic cleaning agent, water purifier, animal fodder, and so on.
But the most valuable product is the oil extracted from the malunggay flowers which can be used for cooking, cosmetics and personal care products, and industrial materials such as lubricants.
With these boundless possibilities, Model Lodge 373 and MLQ Memorial Lodge 262 intends Project Moringa to become a feasible income generating social enterprise that will not only support the organizational activities of both Lodges but also a viable community development outreach for both.
So far, more than 30,000 malunggay seedlings are growing in a nursery in Baler, Aurora. Another 50,000 seeds was just recently provided by Director Alice Ilaga of the DA’s bio-technology bureau. Meanwhile in Nueva Ecija, Project Moringa’s business plan takes shape over cups of malunggay juice, plates of malunggay canton, and slices of malunggay puto pao.
FOOTNOTE: This article by Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia first appeared in the July 2009 issue of “The Craftsman” --- the official newsletter of District RIII-D under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. The photo above shows WM Anacleto Fernandez (right) and JW Marionito Guerrero (foreground) discussing Project Moringa with Aurora governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (left).
That doctor went on to become a senator while the lowly malunggay tree has evolved into Model Lodge 373’s Project Moringa.
Project Moringa took-off with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Model Lodge 373 represented by WB Anacleto Fernandez, and the Manuel L. Quezon (MLQ) Memorial Lodge 262 represented by then its incoming Worshipful Master WB Noel Vedad. The signing ceremony was conducted during this year’s public installation of Model Lodge 373’s officers and was witnessed by Gov. WB Aurelio Umali and then District Deputy Grand Master Usec. VW Narciso Nieto.
Central Luzon’s Regional Executive Director Bro. Redentor Gatuz of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also later signed-in in a separate Memorandum of Agreement his agency’s commitment to provide technical support to Project Moringa including the initial seedlings for production.
And just recently, Model Lodge 373 and MLQ Memorial Lodge 262 along with brethren from the Kooperatibang Likas ng Nueva Ecija, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and the Asian Fisheries Academy of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute who are assisting the project discussed Project Moringa with a very receptive Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the province’s Provincial Agriculturist.
Project Moringa pertains to a malunggay production project in Baler, Aurora and a collateral community development outreach program in Diarabasin, Dipaculao, Aurora that will be jointly undertaken by Model Lodge 373 and MLQ Memorial Lodge 262.
But why malunggay? What’s so special about it?
Research showed that Moringa oleifera or horse radish, commonly known in the Philippines as malunggay, is the next best tree to the coconut in terms of beneficial use.
Now called as the Golden Green, the flexible malunggay tree is more than the usual backyard vegetable and border plant it has come to be known. Essences from its leaves, fruits, roots, barks, seeds and flowers can cure a variety of afflictions. Its leaves are not only good sources of calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins but are also effective natural pesticides when fermented, and nutrient-rich green manure when incorporated into the soil. Malunggay derivatives have also been used as a domestic cleaning agent, water purifier, animal fodder, and so on.
But the most valuable product is the oil extracted from the malunggay flowers which can be used for cooking, cosmetics and personal care products, and industrial materials such as lubricants.
With these boundless possibilities, Model Lodge 373 and MLQ Memorial Lodge 262 intends Project Moringa to become a feasible income generating social enterprise that will not only support the organizational activities of both Lodges but also a viable community development outreach for both.
So far, more than 30,000 malunggay seedlings are growing in a nursery in Baler, Aurora. Another 50,000 seeds was just recently provided by Director Alice Ilaga of the DA’s bio-technology bureau. Meanwhile in Nueva Ecija, Project Moringa’s business plan takes shape over cups of malunggay juice, plates of malunggay canton, and slices of malunggay puto pao.
FOOTNOTE: This article by Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia first appeared in the July 2009 issue of “The Craftsman” --- the official newsletter of District RIII-D under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. The photo above shows WM Anacleto Fernandez (right) and JW Marionito Guerrero (foreground) discussing Project Moringa with Aurora governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (left).
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