Sikyop Coop Farm Tour 2017 entice Iliganons, calls for a rerun

The month of October is declared throughout the country as the Cooperative Month.  Various activities are lined up by the participating coops in Iligan City which are members of the Iligan City Cooperative Development Council headed by Edwin Quisido.

One of these activities is the SIKYOP COOP FARM TOUR scheduled on the 24th of the month.

The SIKYOP AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE is just a 9-month old cooperative, composed of some 65 members from the upland tribe of Barangay Rogongon, the lowland investors, and some farm enthusiasts within the City of Iligan. 
Meet the Tour Participants

Enticed to this maiden tour of the cooperative come mostly from the lowland residents of Iligan.  Meet some of the faces of the SIKYOP FARM TOUR 2017 on Tuesday, 24 October 2017, in Sitio Lawlawon, of Barangay Rogongon.  

Sponsored by the Iligan City Cooperative Development Council (ICCDC) in the coordination of the Cooperative Development and Livelihood Office (CDLO).  The event is supported by the Office of City Mayor Celso Gomera Regencia, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Iligan (15th Council) led by Councilor Sorilie Christine R. Bacsarpa, and Councilor Jake Balanay.  

The Warmest Welcome.  Upon arrival at Sitio Lawlawon in Brgy. Rogongon, the tour participants were greeted warmly by the welcoming committee of the SIKYOP COOP FARM TOUR which includes Sikyop Agriculture Cooperative chairman, Mr. Flaviano "Ombay" Cabasa and his wife, Anabelle Segovia Cabasa, the Sikyop Coop Vice Chairperson, Lorna Pagara, and all the officers, the youth drummers and dancers featuring their native dance and tunes.

Sumptuous Breakfast of Native Food. 
During the briefing after breakfast of sumptuous native food and flowing coffee of Kape Diasanta, the personalities behind the Farm Tour were introduced.  Each participant is provided with a rattan rod on which to prod its bearer during the trip, and this is his/her souvenir.  Each one is provided with water, and reminded to keep their respective cellphones from being wet.

Everybody was expected to be back at around 11:30 a.m. for lunch.  Snacks shall be distributed at Arturo Diasanta's farmhouse near the river.

Dance Showdown from Higaonon Youngsters 

Higaonon youngsters, in their colorful red costumes, show off their dancing prowess to the rhythm of the drums, as part of the welcoming committee, impressing their lowland visitors with their feeble steps.  

Iligan City Cooperative Development Council (ICCDC) chairman, Edwin Quisido, couldn't resist the feverish beating of the drums, but to sway some child-like steps, which Iligan Agri-Rainbow Producers Cooperative chairman, Arturo R. Diasanta, himself obligingly execute his dance steps, too.

[to be continued]