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Romeo's Carabao
By Janeth Bago Labis and Satur L. Oro

Romeo de la Calsada Comahig, or Meo as his friends fondly call him, and his wife Evelyn have six children and live in the Philippine municipality of Damulog, Bukidnon. From the time Meo and Evelyn were married in the early 80s, farming has been their livelihood. Everything from food to clothing is taken from their farming income.

When Meo inherited 2.5 acres of land from his father, he manually cultivated the land with his bare hands. But he could only cultivate half of the land without the aid of tools or animals. His farm produce was not enough to sustain the family for the next harvest. He often helped harvest the corn in his neighbors' field where he would get a share of the harvest. He planted corn, vegetables and other root crops, yet food was still scarce. He had no extra money for medicine, clothing or his children's education. For Meo and his family, surviving was a full-time occupation.

In 1986, Meo joined a local farmer's co-op in their village, which is a program partner of Heifer International. Meo is now a very active member and has attended various training seminars on value formation, contour farming, and gender and development trainings. Later, Romeo was elected as president of the local co-op, and members have continued to elect him president annually. With the gift of a carabao (water buffalo) from Heifer International, Meo is now able to cultivate the 2.5 acres farm lot he inherited from his father. He planted it with maize, root crops and vegetables. With the help of fertilizer provided by the carabao, he was able to develop his vegetable garden, which has provided him with a bountiful harvest. From the income of his vegetable garden alone, he was able to buy a horse. Because their village is in a very remote area where there is no other means of transportation, buying a horse has given him a means for hauling his produce and marketing his crop.

The good life continued with the blessings of good harvests. Meo was able to pay his carabao loan before the loan even matured. He was soon able to acquire another 2.5 acres of land, with another 5 acres of land mortgaged to him. He was able to buy a new plow, and with the help of the carabao, was able to develop his farm by applying the things he learned from the Heifer trainings he attended. The carabao from the loan that he assumed gave a healthy calf after a year. He sold the calf and used the proceeds to buy a better home for his family. Meo also bought some piglets and chickens, which his wife and children raised. More importantly, Meo's children now go to school.

By contributing to, or establishing your own Philippines Endowment, many others will be able to experience the "bountiful harvest" Romeo and his family have come to know.