A Different Kind of Derby
Most of the time when the word “derby” is mentioned, it usually pertains to cockfighting. There’s however another kind of derby that was held recently in the 13-hectare farm of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in Brgy. Banahaw, Malungon, Sarangani province.
This was the Vegetable Derby which was the highlight of the recent Vegetable Congress that was participated in by the major vegetable seed producers and distributors in the country. In the derby, the leading seed companies in the country were allocated spaces where they planted their favorite hybrids for the visitors to see and to judge for themselves which varieties excel under the growing conditions in the Pacman Farm.
Among the companies that showcased their latest varieties were Allied Botanical Corporation owned by Willy Co, Kaneko, Syngenta which is a multinational company, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation headed by Toto Barcelona, and East-West Seed Company with Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc as general manager.