MANILA, Philippines – There’s a new book in town about natural gardening. It’s a beginner’s guide actually. Simply written, with colorful attractive design on each page – the 56-page easy reading book titled “The Secret is in the Soil” conveys the basic message that the soil is the source of life.

The authors of the book are Flor Gozon Tarriela and Gidget Roceles Jimenez. Flor Gozon Tarriela, a bible believing Christian and presently the Chairman of Philippine National Bank (PNB) is a natural gardener and an environmentalist. She developed Flor’s Garden in Antipolo, a bird and butterfly sanctuary and a nature learning destination.

Co-author Gidget Roceles Jimenez is married to a nephew of Flor Gozon Tarriela and herself an author of many bestselling children’s books which include The Clumsy Little Turtle and The Big Bad Bully Bird.

Let me share with you some excerpts of the book that I enjoyed reading and keep sharing with others:

“When God created life, He created man, animals, plants and the Earth’s natural elements to all happily interact and be dependent on each other in order to survive. The whole ecosystem was designed perfectly. It worked until man decided that he wanted redder apples, longer bananas, perfectly shaped mangoes and more, much, much more.

“So man came up with miracle growing formulas, and started using artificial fertilizers and potent pesticides to make more vegetables and fruits look spot-free and shiny. They were produced in mass quantities. The fruit and vegetable stands never looked better.

“But no one really stopped to ask if the produce was better for your health. And what’s more, no one really knew how badly these artificial chemicals would affect the natural balance of the ecosystem.

Flor and Gidget say that “organic gardening really just means growing fruits, herbs, and vegetables as naturally as possible.” How true indeed! Unfortunately, modern agricultural technologies nowadays endorse activities/methods/procedures that go far beyond the so-called “as naturally as possible” test.

I’m also impressed with the lay-outing of the book. So alive, so colorful, so attractive, and so pleasing to the eyes. The designer and illustrator of the book is Liza Flores, a recipient of the 2000 Gintong Aklat Award.

For those interested to get a copy of the book, it’s available at Echo Store in Serendra and Podium, Makati Garden Club and Mercato Market at the Fort on week-ends. For further information, please call Cita at 867-1055.

A blessed Christmas to all!