Newspaper and Prepaid Cards
Before we boarded the ferryboat that will bring us to Guimaras island, we were given used pre-paid cards. It served three purposes : as receipt ( because they don’t issue official one); as control to track the number of passengers a ferryboat should accomodate (if a bundle of used cards is finished, the rest of the passengers board the next ferryboat); and as guide which ferryboat you should take ( I noticed the code of the ferryboat is written on the used cards and there’s a ”boatman” that directs passengers). You have to surrender the card when you reach the wharf for use of the other passengers. What a creative way to recycle pre-paid cards!
On our way to the Trappist monastery, I noticed mango trees “decorated” with old newspapers. We all know that Philippine mango, in particular Guimaras mango, is famous all over the world for its sweetness.. Guimaras is the mango capital of the Philippines. My mom, who incidentally is an agriculture graduate explained that the immature or unripe fruits are covered with paper ( any paper would do, some use brown paper bags) to protect them from insects and from “sunburn” ( the right term actually is sollar burn). The paper should be large enough to allow the fruit to grow to its full size. Mangoes damaged by insects are not saleable. When exposed to sun, the mango skin develops blotches which reduces its commercial value. Mangoes should be “flawless” so growers can demand higher price. Again, what a creative and useful recycling practice!
