In one of the learning program and study tours sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board (#TPBgovPH) about #SustainableTourism practices in the Philippines, I was able to visit the Milea Bee Farm for the second time.
And because of that, I became more interested about the role of bees in our biodiversity and sustainable lifestyle.
Overall, bees, together with other pollinators can help increase our yields, not only the tourism industry through farm and ecotourism products but the way we address the food supply challenges in the Philippines too.
And yes, there are still a lot to learn about the local bees but I hope this post sparks your interest to discover why BEEs matter.
And because of that, I became more interested about the role of bees in our biodiversity and sustainable lifestyle.
Overall, bees, together with other pollinators can help increase our yields, not only the tourism industry through farm and ecotourism products but the way we address the food supply challenges in the Philippines too.
And yes, there are still a lot to learn about the local bees but I hope this post sparks your interest to discover why BEEs matter.
| MAY 20 is declared as the World Bee Day! The year’s theme is “Bee Engaged” is very timely as the world got hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and this had undeniable impact on the beekeeping sector even in the Philippines. United Nations have been celebrating this day since 2018 with a specific focus on bee production and good practices adopted by beekeepers to support their livelihoods and deliver good quality products. |  |
BEE ENGAGED! The 2020 theme explores the role of beekeeping in supporting rural communities and improving food and nutrition security in this challenging situation.
My childhood memories will never be complete without my bittersweet experiences with native bees. There used to be a beehive in my grandparents house and I always end up getting sting, almost every day!
My childhood memories will never be complete without my bittersweet experiences with native bees. There used to be a beehive in my grandparents house and I always end up getting sting, almost every day!
But today bees, among other pollinators like my favorite butterflies, and many other insects are declining in abundance. I rarely see bees nowadays. I even had to visit bee farms to see them.
This day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.
This day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.
#Beekeeping can be considered as an #Act4SDGs. The way it is being responsibly operated is an example on how we can put #SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production into concrete action at our respective communities.
WORKING WITH NATURE
Milea Bee Farm is an organic farm, DOT accredited farm tourism site and a DA-ATI Learning Site that manages different species of bees. They are located in San Jose, Batangas and one of the stakeholders that promotes the best practices in beekeeping.
Milea Bee Farm is an organic farm, DOT accredited farm tourism site and a DA-ATI Learning Site that manages different species of bees. They are located in San Jose, Batangas and one of the stakeholders that promotes the best practices in beekeeping.
Sustainable Development Goals 2030 in action
| As I listened during the #MileaBeeFarm sharing and business model discussion, it made me realize that through their beekeeping training and support to other communities and farmers, they are also actually contributing to #SDG4 Quality Education and #SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. |  With Mrs.Edilee Omoyon, apiary owner and a Pinoy business owner with a passion for creating skin-friendly products using all-natural ingredients |
BEE a sustainable advocate, nurture the bees!
Bees, the ambassadors of pollinators
Most of the 25,000 to 30,000 species of bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are effective pollinators, and together with moths, flies, wasps, beetles, and butterflies, they make up the majority of pollinating species. But the diversity of pollinators and pollination systems is striking.
Indeed, there are also vertebrate pollinators, including bats, non-flying mammals (such as several species of monkey, rodents, lemur, tree squirrels, olingo, and kinkajou) and birds (hummingbirds, sunbirds, honeycreepers and some parrot species).
Current understanding of the pollination process shows that, while specific relationships exist between plants and their pollinators, healthy pollination services are best ensured by an abundance and diversity of pollinators. Source www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day
No pollinators, no SDGs! The diversity of pollinators have a direct and positive impact on crop yields. Bees and other pollinating insects are, in fact, improving the food production of 2 billion small farmers worldwide, helping to ensure food security for the world's population.
 | Why Asian honey is 'medicinal honey'? Read this Rappler article written by a good friend, Mavic Conde. I saw her post in FB so I became aware of the World Bee Day celebration today. |
I hope that as we formulate strategies and recovery plan for the Philippine Tourism industry, we take the lessons learned from the study tour and nurture all our local hardworking bees.
I firmly believe that by being more aware about beekeeping and the importance of bees in our lives, we can now actively choose to live a sustainable lifestyle.
Let's accelerate sustainable development goals and best practices while putting organic Farm Tourism as a key pillar to our post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth. Sabi nga eh, BEE healthy, stay happy!
I firmly believe that by being more aware about beekeeping and the importance of bees in our lives, we can now actively choose to live a sustainable lifestyle.
Let's accelerate sustainable development goals and best practices while putting organic Farm Tourism as a key pillar to our post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth. Sabi nga eh, BEE healthy, stay happy!
And speaking of local, once this lockdown is over, I will definitely visit the local bee farms in my region, EXCITING BICOL.
KIWOT, a native stingless bee, has become an attraction at Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee (BBU) Farm, techno-demo farm for kiwot beekeeping located at brgy. San Roque in Bulusan, Sorsogon.
For now, I will enjoy the locally sourced honey I bought in my previous trips and BEE thankful for this natural golden sweets left in the kitchen.
KIWOT, a native stingless bee, has become an attraction at Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee (BBU) Farm, techno-demo farm for kiwot beekeeping located at brgy. San Roque in Bulusan, Sorsogon.
For now, I will enjoy the locally sourced honey I bought in my previous trips and BEE thankful for this natural golden sweets left in the kitchen.
 | Can you BEE my HONEY? Back in Noverber 2014, I was able to visit the Regional Apiculture Center in Pili #CamSur together with #DreamBicol team where I was able to know about the stingless bees and how it can be a source of livelihood for the community. So that was my first interaction with kiwot. I was amazed! |
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