Balik Bukid: Country fair urges people to consider the simple life

It's time to go back to the countryside and experience and explore the simplicity of life--this was the underlying message behind the first Balik Bukid event at Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, last Sunday, May 28. Balik Bukid was a one-of-a-kind country fair which featured local merchants, artists, and health and nature enthusiasts all in one gathering. It was aptly held at the Sta. Elena Farm where guests walked freely among farm animals while basking in nature’s landscape. Hindy Weber-Tantoco, sustainable lifestyle advocate and lead proponent of Balik Bukid, said, “We wanted city slickers to take a breather, to get to know nature in a fun and diverse way. This event has something for everyone in the family.”

True enough, first to enjoy were the ladies who were treated to a string of dance lessons. From samba to modern jazz and street dance, the women participated with gusto as instructors led them to not only dance but to exercise as well. While their husbands watched intently, they too found joy in the local band playing festive beats throughout the day. Fathers with their children leisurely chased and fed the farm animals while the more adventurous ones played with swings made of old rubber tires and a wooden hanging bridge. Some even rowed small boats with their children, paddling from one end of the pond to the the other. Trails were also opened for biking and horseback riding. Balik Bukid presented around 40 merchants selling nothing but locally made products. They are small to medium enterprises who sell their goods mostly just among friends or online with the conscious effort of avoiding mass production to preserve the exclusivity of their line. Clothes, cosmetics, trinkets, and houseware were just a few of the items sold. Philippa, an organic soap made from virgin coconut oil, was among the favorites. The soaps came in dainty wrappings with inviting scents in eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, and peppermint. On the other hand, Rub-A-Dub, an all natural body scrub, promises to pamper the skin without the use of harmful chemicals. Pia Herrera, maker of Rub-A-Dub, attests, “We use all natural sugar and honey to make every bottle of scrub.” Products for kids were also in abundance. Toys made of paper and wood were popular. Indigo Baby and Human Nature, both known local brands carrying all natural products, sold their best sellers like their balms, sanitizers and sprays, all of which are eco-friendly as well. Sang-Una Babies, a clothing line, caught the eye of many. They carried children’s frocks in very Filipino prints and designs, made with cotton and priced reasonably. To complete the experience, an array of food choices were widely available, from old-time favorites like the dirty ice cream to Filipino comfort foods like bibingka and panara. Holy Carabao Holistic Farms, an organic and biodynamic farm growing lowland vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, sold their freshly picked produce at the fair. Getting extra attention was Hecky’s, the organic Cebu-style lechon that is oven baked and less fattening, boasting of being “the healthier choice.” Even the desserts seemed to be better alternatives. Bites offered its cakes along with info on their calorie contents. Swell Sweets, meanwhile, featured its trusted healthy oatmeal cookies for both the young and old. Angela Colet of Swell Sweets affirmed that only the best local ingredients were used in making her desserts, and without compromising the taste, she has mastered the craft of mixing healthy with tasty. Spouses John and Liz Chua, with their seven-year-old daughter Ann in tow, found the occasion a “welcome treat.” John said, “We all need reminders like this. Seeing our daughter enjoy the grass, the ducks, and the water from the pump made us realize that the best things in life are really free.” This will be the first of many succeeding affairs. Weber-Tantoco promises the next to be as exciting as she continues to pursue creative ways of creating awareness for the global cause of sustainable living. No fees were collected among guests who visited the Balik Bukid country fair. Its compensation was for all the guests to go home with a better appreciation of ecology and living responsibly. —KG, GMA News