What started as a pastime of growing superworms turned out to be a source of livelihood for a senior citizen in Iloilo City.
Nanay Buday, as she is called fondly, 75 years old, now breeds superworms for a living.
She said she is a “hands on” breeder. She supervises the worms from the laying of eggs to further stages such as becoming a larva, to a pupa, and on to the adult stage.
She would feed apples, chayote (sayote), and green leafy vegetables to the superworms.
Most of those who buy superworms from Nanay Buday are pet owners of exotic animals.
“Ang alam ko, ang mga bumibili nito pinapakain sa aruana (or arowana), gold fish, sa mga lizard, sa snake,” Nanay Buday said.
She uses the proceeds from selling superworms to buy her maintenance medicines for hypertension and diabetes.
Further, she said that aside from being a fine source of income, superworms are edible.
“Ang iba, ayaw talaga nila itong makita. Pero ang iba naman dito sa amin, niluluto pa nga at kinakain,” Nanay Buday said, as she showed the news team she consumes deep-fried superworms.
A few of her neighbors have started to like frying and eating superworms too, she said.
According to a study, superworms are a healthy kind of worm, a valuable source of protein, rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.