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Torres, Hocog donate watermelons to man’amko
Man’amko Queen Minerva Maghanoy, left, and King Diego Pua, second left, show a slice of watermelon that Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, second right, and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog donated to the Office of the Aging. (Jon Perez)
The Office of the Aging received locally produced watermelons Wednesdays as gifts from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, who personally planted and took care of the fruits.
Torres and Hocog, who worked to make sure the seeds they planted would bear fruit, promised the man’amko that they would get the first batch of watermelons that they would harvest.
“This is part of our continued efforts in promoting to eat healthy and to support farmers with locally grown produce,” said Torres.
He added that providing the needs of the man’amko center is one of the administration’s priorities. “We want to make sure the man’amko center is conducive to everyone.”
Hocog said he and Torres looked after the watermelons from planting the seeds, watering it, putting fertilizer, and pulling out the weeds to harvesting. He added that it was a relaxing activity and it has become a sort of exercise for them.
“Farming every weekend was an excellent stress reliever for us. I was surprised to learn that the governor knows how to operate a tractor. He’s a good tractor operator,” Hocog said with a laugh.
Office of the Aging director Walter Manglona said they too started with their own small farm where the man’amko planted okra, onions, and tomatoes in a small lot adjacent to the Aging Center in China Town.
The watermelons, which weigh more than 5 lbs each, were delivered before lunch was served to close to 50 elderly who were at the Aging Center.
“Now you will enjoy dessert after lunch,” said Manglona.
