The participants are students from  K-44, one from K46 of Advanced Education Program of International Training and Development Center in Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry studying Environmental Science and Management. The leader of the group Jimlea Nadezhda A. Mendoza, one of the international students  from the Philippines proposed an Educational Tour in the Philippines from July 22 to August 06, 2015. The proposed tour includes visit to the eco-tourism park in Pangil Laguna Philippines – Pangil River Eco-Park, organic farm in Majayjay Laguna- the famous Costales Nature Farms, and other science parks ( Windmill Farm in Pililia, province of Rizal) in Region IV-A (Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas Provinces) and Mall of Asia, one of the biggest malls in Asia and located  in Metro Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.

The objectives of the said tour are as follows: (1) to broaden student’s horizons and  awareness on eco-tourism, environmental management, among others through interaction with local peoples in the Philippines; (2) to enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the target academic, social and cultural activities of the local peoples through visit to eco-tourism parks, organic farms, and environmental conditions; and (3) to give students an opportunity to relate their classroom learning to the real situations in the Philippines in terms of eco-tourism, environmental management and  protection.

The Educational tour was participated by the following students; Jimlea Nadezhda A. Mendoza, Ha Thi Hong,  Nguyen Vu Tuan Anh, Tran Thi Nhu, Do Minh Hong from K-44 and Ngo Thanh Huong from K46 together with many Filipino students of the Advanced Education Program.

July 22, 2015, all the way from the airport, the group of AEP students visited University of Rizal System , where Paul Ezekiel M. Losaria is now teaching university students. He is a graduate from our university Batch K42 and together with many Filipino students who are all working, acquiring more trainings and knowledge from different parts of the Philippines.  The next stop is at  Pililia Windmill Farm which very well known for Alternergy  in Pililia Rizal that supports the idea of sustainable source of energy that is RENEWABLE for the entire province of Rizal generating clean energy and boost tourism of the province of Rizal.

The following day, the group of AEP students visited Laguna State Polytechnic University Siniloan, Laguna Campus to meet the University President, and office of International affairs and  College of Agriculture and experienced different activities especially about their research and extension program entitled “CROP PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE” with “Utilization of Farm-by Products for Mushroom Production and Vermicomposting Projects”. According to Dr. Lolita D. Viyar, the previous name of the program was transformed into “SYSTEM OF TOTAL REHABILITATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES also known as STRAW”. It aims to come up with a more responsive, participative and combines top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approaches in action planning.  At present the program team is still conducting researches, holding demos and trainings in production and value-adding mushroom products and vermicomposting, develop linkages and possible tie-ups with government and non-government institution for funding, partnership and marketing; ensure continuous supply of quality and safe mushroom cultures and fruiting bags; monitoring and evaluating trainees and their mushroom production project; and utilizing mushroom “spent” for vermiculture and vermicomposting.  The program team of LSPU  is exerting their full effort, courage, strength and talent to meet their vision to convert “Laguna as Mushroom Capital” of the country.

The students visited various segments of tourism in the town, business and eco-tourism, paperboard boxes which are export quality products certified as responsible manufacturer internationally by Forest Stewardship Council, indeed a recipient of  Chain of Custody Certification and for the ecotourism, Pangil Laguna has the Pangil River Eco Park that fully supports Eco Tourism of the entire Laguna province.

July 24, 2015, the group went to some LAPRISADA High schools.  In St. Therese School of Arts and Science, Inc. of  Mr. Carlito S. Magpily as the President where Juan Miguel Amara and John Maverick De Leon graduated high school before they study in Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry as international students and scholars. The STSI introduced the group to the town mayor as they celebrate the Pila Day Festival where they experienced the culture of the Filipinos, some performances of talented students of STSI and for observed all the historical places around the town as Pila is popularly known for its historical houses and structures which they preserved very well. The students met the Mayor of the town, Mr.Wilfredo M. Quiat for they were invited for a courtesy call. According to Juan Miguel D. Amara, Pila is very well known for being an agricultural town with farming and fishing as its main industry. Other sources of income are from small scale businesses, public, overseas and private employment and practice of profession. This town has also been consistently featured in literatures and magazines. Many people say it is the ambiance, some declares it is the genteel manners of the people but the glaring fact is the historical value attached to the town.

Also The Bridgewater School, Inc., which is headed by Mrs. Fely Ramos as the Administrator where all their students prepared flags of Vietnam and Philippines when they welcome the visitors with all their open arms, greetings and smiles. The group of AEP students gladly met some Vietnamese students from Hanoi who are studying an Intensive English course in TBSI and observed the school facilities and students playing football together with their coaches from Czech Republic.

They visited Luis Bernardo Memorial High School , Inc. 1,400 feet on top of Sierra Madre Mountains, where Rhonalyn Agupo, Rosette Princess Dela Torre and Myra Rose Flores , among other Filipino students from K45 graduated. The said school is managed by the Administrator / Principal and President of LAPRISADA – Rodante C. Estrellado in promoting therefore stronger relationship between the university and their high school in positive development for environmental, academic, social, cultural and tourism welfare advocacy. They dropped by to the municipal office for a short meeting with the leader of the town, spent time in the Catholic Church which was built in 1800s. They also stopped by to see many souvenir items like export quality bags and hats which are hand made by local people. They also climbed up on the top of Kamay ni Jesus Shrine in Lucban Quezon Province where they learned more about the religion Roman Catholic and Christianity.

July 25, 2015, they experienced the Feast Day in Paete, Laguna Philippines where they see the export quality wood carving products because the municipality of Paete is popularly known as Wood Carving Capital of the country.

            July 26, 2015 The group did hiking and trekking activities in Panguil River Eco Park in Pangil and  Siniloan Laguna Philippines. And the leaders of the town, Mayor Jovit Reyes and Mayor Eduardo Tibay explained to them how the municipalities are managing  their solid waste and mentioned some projects and programs for environmental protection like Galalan Agro-Forestry project in Pangil, Laguna  located in one community which can be found on top of the mountain.

July 27, 2015 The group went to Costales Nature Farms in Majayjay, Laguna “ where they experienced the freshness of nature ..” Proud to be the first Agritourism Destination in the Philippines awarded by Department of Tourism with ZERO WASTE FARMING. This famous organic farm is located in Majayjay, Laguna, 120 km. South of Manila. It all started as leisure farm turn into a commercial farm up until its full blast commercial operation in supplying organically grown produce in many hotels, restaurants, big casinos in the capital city of the Philippines, Manila and of course for family consumption as well. It is continuously being regarded as full grown 6 hectare sustainable and integrated organic farm. 

The farm consists of high value veggies, aquaculture, vermiculture, free range chickens, rabbit raising, herb culture, organic chicken, orchard, pecking ducks and agritourism. Costales Organic Farms is also a private organic agriculture extension service provider for national level in the Philippines. 
The owner of the farm, Ronald Costales, is awarded as 2012 Most Outstanding Organic Agriculture Farmer of the Philippines. The place is also the official Agritourism destination of Ms. World- Philippines 2013. Likewise, it is the largest single producer of organic vegetables and herbs in the country today with continuous production with greenhouses. 
In addition to this, it has continuous production with greenhouses including Vermisery ( Vermiculture and Seedling Nursery in one which saves labor, time and resources. The farm is a prime agro-tourism destination that conduct an ecological and balanced farming techniques which aims to promote a sustainable agriculture, healthy lifestyle and environmental biodiversity through integrated natural farming. 
The goal is to create awareness about ill-effects of chemical inputs in food production, the importance of natural farming and patronizing organic produce for a healthy lifestyle. How they maintain agricultural sustainability? It starts with organically raising various livestock and gathering their manure to become the best fertilizer by feeding them into their African Night Crawler ( ANC) worms. The worms manure are commonly called “Vermicast” and oftentimes called “Black gold” is the primary fertilizer of the crops in the farm.
By brewing the black gold together with their concoctions of beneficial and effective microorganisms. We enrich the soil which in turn feed the plants of all the nutrients it needs. Excess vegetable harvest and farm rejects shall be fed back to their livestock, a real ZERO WASTE FARMING.  (Reference: Costales Nature Farms)

The group arrived to International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna Philippines on July 29, 2015. The motto of the research institute is “Rice Science for a Better World.” This non-governmental organization (NGO) was established in 1960 to establish new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques with finding sustainable ways to improve the well-being of poor farmers that produce rice  and consumers as well as considering the impacts of rice farming to the environment. In addition to reducing poverty, tackling climate change, engaging women, protecting the environment, increasing food security and making rice healthier.

This educational journey therefore really helped the students to develop awareness on eco-tourism, environmental management, among others through interacting with local peoples in the Philippines, they were able to gain a deeper understanding of the target academic, social and cultural activities of the local peoples through visit to eco-tourism parks, organic farms, and environmental conditions and they were given an opportunity to relate their classroom learning to the real situations in the Philippines in terms of eco-tourism, environmental management and  protection. These days may be one of the best holiday vacation and adventure for them although quite tiring most of the times. It definitely changed a part of their lives while studying.

Prepared by: Jimlea Mendoza, K44 class