We talk about fruit trees for quite sometime but what really convinced me that a fruit production project was worth considering was when he showed me the different kinds of exotic fruit trees bearing fruits right here in Quezon City.

     After the encounter with Mr. Dizon, I decided to consult with the Mayors of the Second District of Cebu and other knowledgeable people in agriculture on the matter of fruit production.

     All the people I consulted were enthusiastic about the idea of encouraging the people of the 2nd district to plant fruit trees. Thus, the Fruit Tree Planting Project in the 2nd District of Cebu came about.

     The Fruit Tree Planting Project is now a joint venture project of the municipalities of the 2nd district, the Department of Agriculture Region VII, the Farmers Scientist Training Program Participants, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region VII and this humble representation with Ka Bernie Dizon as our consultant and inspiration.

     Being in my third and final term as Representative of the 2nd district, I have decided to make this project, one of my legacy projects which is aimed to increase the productivity of the agricultural sector and generate employment opportunities in the rural areas. The project was successfully launched last February 3, 2006 with Ka Bernie as one of our special guest.

     I have presented a brief life story of the Fruit Tree Planting Project in the 2nd District to highlight the compelling effect Ka Bernie has made not only on me but also on the Mayors of Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian, Moalboal, Alcantara, Ronda, Dumanjug and Provincial Board Member from the 2nd district who came to attend his Sunday morning seminar barely two months ago.

     WE, the participants of the project will be using this book as a handy and practical guide in the implementation of the project that is in the land propagation; varietal selection of the best mangoes, pummelo, lanzones, rambutan, grapes, mangosteen, lychees, ponkan, lanka, chicos and other high value fruits; fertilization, maintenance and management. It is comprehensive in term of subject matter at the same time detailed enough on the basic technologies needed by the project participants.

     The southern municipalities of Cebu are considered ideal for fruit production not only because of its soil quality but also because of its distinct climatic conditions.

     Finally, allow me to say a few words about Ka Bernie who has inspired the mayors of the 2nd district as well as myself to embark on the project whose fruits will surely improve the quality of life of our people even long after we are gone.

     Ka Bernie is a man whom peers can be proud to call a friend. He is a man to whom the next generation can consider a role model. He is hard working, persevering, eloquent and willing to share his know-how in the are of his expertise to everyone who wants to learn about it.

     Our own lives and those of countless others will be better if we can pick up lesson or two from Ka Bernie's own personal and professional life story as a true farmer and a pomologist sans rival.

     More power and God bless