Comments on: Fresh Pili Nuts

by: Harry M. Taningco

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:52:34 +0000

am interested to know more about pili trees…would you have materials to the effect pertaining to its management…planning to engage into pili farm and read that there are more hectares planted in Bicol… is that righ? are there any NGO or government entity focusing along this line. how profitable is it? planning to start with 10 hectares only… any funding available on experimental venture? am located in barotac viejo, iloilo. thanks and regards. harry miravite taningco

by: Kate

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 20:28:01 +0000

You got it, MM! Mindoro celebrates the Sandugo Festival that commemorates a blood compact between the Mangyans and the Chinese.

by: Marketman

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 03:56:39 +0000

Ma’i, in reference to the Philippine isles/archipelago, but some will narrow it down to the island of Mindoro…is that right?

by: Kate

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 02:25:01 +0000

My husband was fascinated by the pili nut and wondered if it would grow just as well in places other than Bicol. So he took some viable nuts home from Naga years ago and tried to get these to germinate. Only a few did, and that’s when we discovered that the pili nut shell (that is cut, polished and made into all kinds of handcrafted items) has a tiny oval “door” that pops open upon germination, allowing the infant pili tree to break free of its thick, woody womb. We were thrilled and transfixed by that little miracle of a “door” that most Bicolanos probably take for granted.

Those few trees now grow in an orchard in the ancient land of Ma-i (frequented by Chinese and other Asian and Arab traders since emperors ruled China). Guess where that is!

by: Wilson Cariaga

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 00:49:30 +0000

I never thought you could eat this raw. . . hmmm