Methodology

Gather dried banana leaves that can be found abundant in the area.

Dried banana leaves are being tied together to have firm hold.

Dried banana leaves are being soaked in the water then are placed in the cutting table where it will be sliced using a sharp bolo knife. Cutting of the leaves must be proportion in size.

Cut banana leaves are now ready to make one single pile to serve as bed for the seedling.

Cut banana leaves are piled properly. Appropriate distance must also be observed.

“Abuno” (soil fertilizer), is the first material to be placed in the piled banana bed.

“Abuno” is now placed on the top of the piled banana bed. Accurate distribution of “Abuno” must be observed.

The sterilized dried banana trunk will be the second material to be placed in the bed.

The sterilized dried banana trunk will then be evenly distributed in the top of the piled banana bed.

“Madre de Cacao” (kakawate leaves) is the third material to be placed in the top of the bed.

After distributing the third material in the bed (kakawate leaves), it is time to make a second pile of banana bed. The second bed must also be properly placed in the top of the first bed and served as the second layer.

After the second layer bed is done, walking in the top of it is necessary to make the layers compact and intact.

The process of placing the three materials in the bed namely: “Abuno” (organic fertilizer), sterilized dried banana trunk, and “Madre De Cacao” (kakawate leaves) continues until the piled banana bed will have five layers. Make sure that the bed is compact and intact. After that, both sides of the bed will be properly trim using a sharp bolo knife.

Covering the bed with cellophane is important to produce moisture which is necessary for the seedling to grow faster.

The bed will then be covered by dried coconut leaves to further produce heat and moisture for the seedling. It will also protect the bed from heavy rains.

After 12 days from planting, the bed is now producing mushrooms and is ready for harvest.

“Kaupas” (cultured mushroom) is ready to be picked and can be vividly seen in both sides of the bed.

The first “Kaupas” harvest will produce 2 kilos to 5 kilos. The second harvest will reach up to 15 kilos. The third harvest will be up to 20 kilos. The bed will have three harvest periods every after 12 days.

“Kaupas” is now ready to be served in the dining table with varied ways in cooking. Different recipes are also at hand in preparing the mushrooms. As cited by noted book author, Duyff, R. (2006), mushrooms are miraculous and are proven effective in preventing diabetes and cancer.

As livelihood of the settlers of Barangay Sumilihon, the “Kaupas” plantation have improved lives and gained profit for the local residents.

The “Kaupas” plantation has been in the market for more than three decades. It’s been awhile that the production of mushrooms have reached different parts of the country. During the group discussions together with the school principal, the moderator/coach, and the selected pupil-researchers, raises an idea of documenting the livelihood program in the barangay. The pupil-researchers are designated with different tasks to fulfill but as a team, they work as one.

In line with website designing, getting information from the community and respective owners of the mushroom plantations, putting together the write ups, selecting best photo compositions, and overall web lay outing, resource persons were invited to render a thorough training-workshop for the pupil-researchers with the assistance and coordination of the moderator and school principal. The coach/moderator with the supervision of the school principal, work hand-in-hand to monitor the progress of the researchers in the aim of acquiring the skills to perform the expected tasks with sound results.

Through proper communication from the barangay council, the barangay captain, barangay secretary, purok president, and councilors who are in-charge for the local livelihood program offered their assistance to the research group. Sufficient deliberations give the group the access to have the opportunity to interview and to be trained by the mushroom owners and workers in the planting preparations of the “Kaupas” seedling.