FERDINAND EMMANUEL Y. GAYOLES: YASAY SABLE MASTER & NAT’L OUTSTANDING FARMER

Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Yasay Gayoles, recipient of the Gawad Saka Award for 2004-2005 and the Parangal ng Pangulo sa Natatanging Magsasaka ng Tubo 2004-2005 (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer).

This article was reprinetd from the Negros Daily Bulletin June 22 and 23, 2006 issues with the permission of the writer, James U. Sy Jr.

Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles of Bacolod City had been the recipient of two prestigious awards during the Gawad Saka Para sa Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda awarding ceremony last May 31, 2006 at the Bureao of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall, Quezon City.

The first recognition was the Gawad Saka Award for 2004-2005 given by the Department of Agriculture symbolized by a trophy. The other award was the Parangal ng Pangulo sa Natatanging Magsasaka ng Tubo 2004-2005 (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer) personally awarded by the President of the Republic of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with a framed citation.

The Gawad Saka Para sa Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda is a nationwide award given to 25 farmers and fishermen in different categories such as sugarcane, rice, corn, etc. Gayoles is the 3rd Negrense to be given such award and the only one coming from Region 6 (Western Visayas) at this awarding

Gayoles was previously honored with the Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer Award for Region 6 for 2004-2005 by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit No. 6 during the 2005 Western Visayas Agri Fair last October 22, 2005 at Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Iloilo City. The award was documented with a certificate of recognition duly signed by Department of Agriculture Regional Executive director Jinthra Demetrio.

The national and regional level awards were given after an intensive review of a candidate’s farmland, farming methods, production output, and a personal interview. Criteria for selection include having the attributes of a model farmer, the use of scientific methods to produce a good yield, social agenda (assistance to the poor and teaching them good farming methods, etc.), engaged in organic farming and eco friendly, and sustainable agricultural practices. Gayoles had a produce of 92 tons at 2.2 LKG/ha. To bag the regional and national awards.

Gayoles is the National President of the Outreach Project for the Sugar Industry (OPSI) and will be presiding over the 2006 OPSI National Convention this coming June 22-23, 2006 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Bacolod City. He is the Farm Manager of the Ma-ao Mill District Development Committee in Ma-ao, Bago City. He is also a member of AALPI in La Carlota City and the Negros Consolidated Farmer’s Association.

He is a professional teacher, having taken the licensure examinations last 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), took his Educational Supplemental at the West Negros College (WNC), and currently pursuing his Master of Arts in English at the University of St. Agustin, Iloilo City (offshore program).

Gayoles is also active in the field of martial arts, being one of the Vice Presidents of the Bacolod Taekwondo Association (BTA), the Secretary of the Bacolod Oido de Caburata Arnis Society (BAODCAS), an Examiner in the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA), and an Adviser to the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS). He is also a member of Vasquez Modified Martial Arts International (VMMAI) and the Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF).

Gayoles is graded Master in his family art of Yasay Sable, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, and Oido de Caburata Arnis Aguilar Style, a Senior Instructor in Vasquez Modified Tapado, and a 3rd degree black belt in World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) style Taekwondo.