Behind the Scenes: Filming of the NAP-Ag MOOC in the Philippines
The National Adaptation Plans: Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture (NAP-Ag) MOOC is already in its third week and the second story from the Philippines! It is incredible how many people are interested not only to learn about adaptation planning and climate resilient agriculture, but also to talk about it. The forums have been brimming with activity and posts are coming from all corners of the world.
But now, let me tell you the three things I learned while we filmed the story in the Philippines.
After our journey to Kenya to film the story of Zipora, Lorenzo and I flew to Manila, where we started with AMIA’s offices in the Department of Agriculture.
There already, I learned my first lesson about the Philippines.
#1 Filipinos love having snacks, or ‘merienda’
Our merienda included noodles, soup, steamed cakes and sweets. At last, after two meriendas and a lunch in a popular fast food chain, we were on our way to Guinayangan.
Guinayangan is a beautiful municipality in Quezon province, but the drive from Manila was long and difficult. Luckily, we were rewarded with accommodation on a scenic beach.
It turned out that this beach was known for its mesmerizing sunrise. Lorenzo tried to capture it, after our driver’s very effective attempt to wake him up at 5 am. Alas, the sun remained hidden behind unusually thick clouds.
What we did see and film in Guinayangan, were the farmers, mayors, government officials and agricultural technicians whose stories we wanted to capture.
We spoke with Joel S. Rudinas, former secretary at the Department of Agriculture. He is now a consultant and ambassador for Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative (AMIA). He took us on a jeepney to farms and coconut plantations.
What I discovered in Guinayangan, is how active and innovative people are in tackling climate change.
#2 Bottom up innovation to tackle climate change in one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. If in Kenya, we observed how the slow impacts of increasing temperatures and periods of drought affect the lives of rural communities, in the Philippines we learned how farmers manage sudden climate disasters, such as floods, typhoons, landslides, mudslides and others.
Here are some inspiring examples of bottom up innovation.
Efrenia Untalan (also called Nanay Efre). Nanay Efre manages the community goat breeding facility that helps her and other farmers in the community have an additional source or food or income when their yield is affected.
Juanito Tique (or also called Tatay/Kapitan Johnny). Kapitan Johnny is the community’ local rice variety pioneer. He uses his plot to test out new rice varieties, like rice which is flood resistant, or ‘submarine’ rice.
The Department of Agriculture through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative supports farmers like them and you can learn more about that directly from the episode.
Our second destination was the municipality of Gerona in Tarlac province, where our meriendas included guava with salt and pepper, more rice cakes and kalamansi juice.
One of the farmers in this landlocked municipality was Melchor, alumni of the Climate Resiliency Field School who is now producing organic rice.
Lesson #3. Karaoke anytime, anywhere
To get to Melchors farm, we drove about two hours from the nearest village. And yet, to our surprise, the moment we started filming, at around 2 pm on a Thursday afternoon, there was the unmistakable sound of a karaoke singing.
This is why we had to use nice music for all episodes of the Philippines to cover the background noise. Now you know our secret!
The videos would not have been possible without the support from:
- Director Alice Illaga and all the wonderful staff of Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative (AMIA) of the Department of Agriculture
Special thanks to:
- Ex-undersecretary of Department of Agriculture, Joel S. Rudinas
- Guinyangan Mayor, Cesar J. Isaac III “Boy Boy”
- International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Country Director, Emilita Monville Oro
- Rice Watch and Action Network Executive Director, Hazel Tanchuling
- Municipal Agricultural Officer in Gerona, Milagros R. Pacheco
- Everybody who welcomed us in their communities and shared their story
Salamat Po!
Are you interested in watching the full story? Let’s discover about climate change and agriculture through #NAPMOOC. Sign up at: bit.ly/NAPMOOC
About NAP-Ag MOOC
This November, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) jointly organized a free-of-charge massive open online course (MOOC) on “National Adaptation Plans: Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture.”
The NAP-Ag massive open online course is designed for a broad audience with interest in climate change adaptation, agriculture and sustainable development.
The course leverages expertise from a diverse group of experts and practitioners in adaptation planning and climate resilience for the agriculture sectors with experience in international, regional, national and even local levels.
The content is structured around the four elements of the formulation and implementation of national adaptation plans and delivered through a series of case studies, video-stories and interviews spread over six weeks. Upon completion, the participants receive a certificate.
