Bohol honors ubi growers, retailers
INQUIRER FILES
TAGBILARAN CITY – There is more to explore in Bohol than just its Chocolate Hills and other tourist destinations.
Unknown to many, it is also home to different varieties of in other parts of the country, a root crop that grows abundantly in the province.
From varieties called kinampay, tam-isan, baligonhon, apali, iniling, and kabus-ok, Bohol has emerged as one of the top producers of yam in the country.
The Bohol provincial government on Dec. 18, honored yam growers across the province–an annual celebration started 24 years ago to recognize the efforts of those who plant and sell the root crop.
According to Larry Pamugas, assistant provincial agriculturist, Bohol’s enduring connection to yam is deeply intertwined with the province’s identity, history, and culture.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Ubi Festival, he said, was an avenue to share ideas on farming and investment avenues for their product, exhibit their produce, and sell it at a much lower price.
Article continues after this advertisementFeatured during the festival were delicacies made of yam such as ubi jam (halaya), polvoron, bibingka, kalamay, ubi flavored milk and ubi flavored ice cream.
Yam mainly thrives in the towns of Alburquerque, Antequera, Baclayon, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Dimiao, Garcia-Hernandez, Lila, Loay, Loon, Mabini, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sikatuna, and Ubay.
Boholanos refer to ube as “ubi” for distinction and is the only crop mentioned in the province’s official hymn.
The local reverence for yam traces its roots to stories about how the crop saved them from drought.
Known as the “savior crop,” its discovery during pre-Hispanic times provided sustenance and alleviated hunger among Boholanos.
Today, yam remains a staple food in Bohol, prized for its distinct taste, versatility, and long shelf life, while also inspiring diverse culinary creations.
Yam is the main ingredient of ube jam, a Filipino dessert commonly served during the Christmas season.
Despite the drought in the first half of this year, Pamugas said farmers, who had to wait for at least eight months for harvest time, were able to sell 9,268 kilograms of yam during the festival.
He credited the effort of the provincial government to help yam growers and plant ubi in lowland areas rather than in hilly portions of Bohol.
Estrella Curimatmat-Putong brought 1,000 kilograms of yam to the 24th Ubi Festival 2024 held in Tagbilaran on Wednesday and sold it from P70 to P90 per kilo.
Putong, 65, an ubi farmer in Barangay Buenasuerte in Pilar town, said yams are planted in April or May and harvested in December.
While the root crop can tolerate dry weather and poor soils, she said the extreme weather conditions due to the El Nino phenomenon damaged many crops and reduced their harvest.
Bohol declared a state of calamity on May 21, 2024 due to the severe agricultural damage caused by the El Niño.
The province reported an estimated P420.8 million in agricultural damage from April to May 2024.
This includes P419.7 million in crop damage, P756,900 in fisheries, and P433,294 in livestock.
Fortunately, Putong was able to harvest 1,000 kilos of yam this year, much less than last year’s 2,000 kilos.
“Ubi has really helped our family sustain our needs. We thank the Lord for having survived the drought,” she said.
