A certificate of appreciation is given to Naivette Galvan(2nd from left) by NOGC president Lope Nonoy Napao, and Damas Del Dia chairpersons Mary Lecias and Virgie Lopue (l-r).*
For gardeners in the Philippines, the rainy season can bring lush, vibrant growth – if they work with the weather rather than against it. Torrential rains, while nourishing, can also wash away the very nutrients plants depend on.
That’s why by June, enriching the soil becomes not just a smart move, but an absolute necessity.
That was the central message delivered by Naivette Galvan, soil expert and agriculturist, and guest speaker at the June general assembly of the Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC), held recently at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City.
Galvan, OIC section chief of the Agri-Fishery Laboratory of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, advised gardeners to prioritize improving drainage, incorporating organic matter and ensuring plants stay well-nourished throughout the wet months.
She also underscored a broader concern: soil erosion. Driven by deforestation, overgrazing, harmful farming practices, industrial expansion, mining and improper waste disposal, erosion remains a pressing environmental challenge across the country.
The Damas Del Dia group*
Following the talk, the atmosphere transformed. With a burst of color and rhythm, the Damas Del Dia – the assembly’s gracious June hosts – infused the room with energy through spirited song and dance. They also shared the legend of Mount Kanlaon – a haunting tale of forbidden love between Prince Laon and Princess Kang. With their fathers at war, the young lovers chose unity in death, their sacrifice birthing the mighty volcano.
It was an afternoon that nourished both mind and spirit – a celebration of gardening wisdom, cultural storytelling and joyful community.*