Home of Quality Imported and Exotic Fruit Trees

Ka Bernie Dizon

Chico | Citrus | Durian | Grapes| Jackfruit | Lanzones | Lychee | Longan | Macopa | Mango | Mangosteen | Pummelo | Rambutan

These BLISS-grown grapes are sweet 

by Jomar Fleras 

     The miracle grape of viticulturist (grape culturist) Bernardo is a crossbreed of White Malaga and a Brazilian hybrid. It is the only known variety that bears fruit throughout the year as it can withstand strong winds, drought, poor soil and other adverse weather conditions. Where the average grape vines need no less than six hours of sunlight daily, this miracle grape thrives in shady places as it requires only about four hours sunlight daily.

     A vine produces an average of five to 10 kilos a year and bears fruits six months after it is planted. The fruits are medium-sized and they are yellowish-green or golden when fully ripened, and are said to be sweeter than Cardinal and Cebu-black. They become seedless when sprayed with the correct amount of giberellic acid.

     Indeed, with Bernardo's discovery, the grape industry, in the Philippines has just been given a potent shot-in-the-arm. The Mid-Asia Agro-Industrial Corp., of which he is a shareholder and technical adviser, is embarking on large scale grape production in Barangay Calubcob, Naic Cavite - a move that should revive in the doldrums for years.

     Bernardo says the company is planning to add another 50 hectares to the plantation, which may yet become the biggest in the country. Over all, there are 560 hectares planted to grapes in the country, with a total production of 115,000 kilos a year. "But that is not enough," says Bernardo. "With a population of 50 million Filipinos, we need to plant 10,000 hectares to be able to meet the demand.

     That's why our grape expert is in a hurry to hit the 10,000 hectare mark. He runs a grape nursery in his hometown in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, where seven years ago he started experimenting on his new grape-raising technique which is widely used today. He also operates a multipurpose nursery for grape propagation right at the UP Bliss project. 

     According to Fidel Corral of BLISS, the nursery is intended as a place for training sessions, seminars, teach-ins and demonstrations on the proper way to culture and propagate grapes. So every Saturday, Bernardo is seen lecturing to a sizeable number of housewives, smalltime gardeners, and the plain curious right at the waiting shade fronting the nursery.

     "My techniques is so easy any layman can learn it. Just dig a 14-inch deep whole and fill it with one glass of complete fertilizer and 10 inches of garden soil. Then, plant the vine, making sure that the roots are ]free to grow. Next, build the poles which sill guide the vine. Grapes are really the most obedient of plants and you can even program them from harvesting right on your birthday. Just prune the vine where brown meets green not later than 100 days from the date of your harvest."

     Bernardo gives advice for free, out of a genuine desire to be of service to his countrymen. The truth is his project is not officially supported by the government although his work is of great help to the KKK livelihood program. Notwithstanding he choose to remain here, sharing and teaching his know-how instead of accepting a P35,000-per-month offer from Germany.

     "I like kababayan to benefit from my breakthrough before others."

     Because of his achievements, this Bongabon agriculturist was chosen "highly distinguished and outstanding agriculturist in the Philippines, 1980-81" by the Biographical Researchers Society of the Philippines. He is also the 1981 "outstanding agriculturist of the New Republic" of the Leadership Organization of the Philippines. Philippines Excelsior News named him "Outstanding personality in the field of agriculture."

     To add to his now-famous miracle grapes, Bernardo now has another wonder fruit, the miracle calamansi, which is a big as an American lemon and sometimes is seedless.

     Bernardo's versatility as an agriculturist was enhanced by his academic and professional training. A bemedalled aggie and commerce graduate, he was top agriculturist of the National Irrigation Administration and was farm manager of the Roxas Plantation in Nasugbu, Batangas.

     But even if he is way ahead, Bernardo lives like an ordinary farmer near his land, enjoying the bounty of his harvests. This 34-year-old green thumb leads a simple life with his wife Eufemia, a grade school teacher, and their sons Garry, Danilo and Bernardo II. The family stays in the Bliss nursery tending their garden.