Pope gets a taste of Guimaras mangoes
Iloilo -- True to the realization of her pet campaign when she first ran for public office, former Guimaras Governor and Congresswoman Emily Relucio-Lopez did put the Guimaras mango on the world map. And albeit 'retired' from politics, she has not ceased to work in pushing for that honor.
"Plant a mango tree, send your child to college," went her motto then with years she spent in government service best remembered by her persistence, perseverance and strong resolve to do just that - put the Guimaras mango on the world map.
Tomorrow members of a Philippine Delegation off to the Vatican brings with them a basket of these Guimaras produce, the mangoes being a special request from no less than the Pope himself.
As relayed to Ambassador de Veyra, Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI specifically requested for the Guimaras mangoes with said request eventually referred to Lopez.
The former solon was more than willing to grant the Pope's wishes as she personally worked on putting together the special gift.
"This comes with so much pride and honor that I share with each and every Guimarasnon. Our efforts has paid off and with the continued efforts to keep Guimaras mango the best that it is, then we can be assured of it remaining to be world-class," she told The News Today.
And it is not only the Vatican where the Guimaras mangoes will now be home to. During Lopez's term, then US President Bill Clinton also had one special treat at the White House - a basketful of Guimaras Mangoes.
Members of the various foreign consulates and the first-ever and thus far only Guimaras visit of all European Union ambassadors during Lopez term also brought home with them the distinct taste of a Guimaras mango.
Guimaras' fertile soil said to cover about half of its land has since been found to be ideal for a range of fruit trees and upland crops. Some thirty percent of its over a thousand mango trees bear a variety called "Carabao mango," considered and acknowledged to be the sweetest among its class.
Back in the Lopez administration with efforts and government resources still minimal, Guimaras was then said to have exported over 20,000 tons of Guimaras mangoes to Singapore and Hongkong.
Development of Guimaras mangoes during Lopez's term also had programs that worked on the eradication of fruitflies thus becoming pest-free.
The Philippine Delegation to the Vatican is headed by Bea Zobel and Mercy Tuazon.