Brown Rice, the healthy rice!

You've probably heard that brown rice is "healthy" kind of rice. It is even recommended to those who have diabetes. 

But what is Brown Rice? And why is it healthy? Let the pictures below explain:

  

Be RicePonsible: #BROWN4good #Region11

Be RicePonsible is an advocacy campaign of the Department of Agriculture since 2013 challenging people to value the importance of saving and consuming rice responsibly, rice being the Filipino's staple.   

Recently, the campaign presents one solution: Brown Rice. 

Join the Brown Rice Campaign #BROWN4good #Region11

The Department of Agriculture recently launched its Brown Rice Campaign to promote a healthier lifestyle, address rice sufficiency issues and hopefully raise income of rice farmers. 

In its social media challenge, the campaign uses hashtags #BROWN4good and #Region11 . The goal for each region is to reach 50,000 mentions in social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Once reached, DA will donate 5,000kg of Brown Rice to a chosen charity. 

Let's learn some more details and join the Brown Rice Campaign. 

Visit Cicada Hills: Recreation, Events and Solitude

Davao City - The smooth 3-hour ride from the downtown area via Buda Highway could easily bring you to Cicada Hills located in the boundary between Davao City and Bukidnon Province. Cicada Hills is part of Brgy. Lorega, Kitaotao, Bukidnon. 

Cicada Hills Entrance. Photo by Br. Jeff U. Pioquinto, SJ 

I didn't notice a signage of its name along the highway but it was easy to locate because its entrance way is directly fronting Seagull Mountain Resort (the more popular rest and recreation spot in the area). 


After we alighted our van, we were warmly greeted by the cool weather and the smiling staff already expecting our arrival. 

Our team was there for a Planning Workshop, wanting to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city as we do the daunting workshop. It was a great decision to conduct the activity at Cicada hills because it provided a light and cool ambiance for the discussions of serious issues of the office's operation. 

Roaming around the resort, one could easily envisage bringing a family for short vacation or some sort of rest and recreation. Aside from it being like a little Baguio in this part of the city, Cicada Hills also have a swimming pool. According to its manager Liza, the best time to swim is noontime up to the rest of the afternoon as the water gets very cold in the evening or early in morning.  

Cicada hills also offers a good venue for personal solitude. It is so serene and calm. A good place to reflect and soul-search, if you may. At times the silence of the place is broken by the sound of the bees and the birds in the protected forest which is the backdrop of the whole resort. 

Since they don't have their own resto yet, you may bring in and cook your own food. They have a spacious kitchen, and dining sets are ready for the use of guests. 

If you plan for a getaway that is truly restful and fun, visit Cicada Hills. 

For reservation, you may contact Liza @09177962202 and 092558-CICADA (242232).

This Swan welcomes you at the gate. 

Giant pine trees line up just outside the gate of Cicada Hills. 

The Main door of the cottage we stayed.

There are a number of cottages you can choose from depending on the size of your group. 

Cicada Hills features some of the works of local renowned artist Victor Secuya. This one is dedicated to the place. 

This fire place located in the main function/dining could be a piece of conversation. 

Another Secuya piece. 

A special nook just for anything: drinking coffee or tea, reading a good book or just getting some sun.  

Cicada Hills offers a panoramic view of Brgy. Lorega in Kitaotao, Bukidnon. 

The Living area of our cottage features another Secuya artwork, a wooden center table with carving depicting Philippine rural lifestyle topped with glass and a furniture where you can easily    

Dining space turned working space with the protected forest. 

Opps! picked some colorful petals to add to the ambiance of our working table. 

Something for the kids and kids-at-heart. 

At night you can enjoy a bonfire.