THE Hacienda San Julio in Tanjay City was originally a 700-hectare property bought by Don Julio Ledesma after the Second World War for his two daughters: Loreto Ledesma, who married Placido Lizares Mapa, and Lourdes Ledesma, who married Jose del Prado.
It was originally called Sta. Florentina, the farm was subdivided to include San Julio.
Mainly grown to sugarcane, the area was distributed to farmer-beneficiaries during the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp). This was in the early 2000’s. Then, in 2007, two hectares were set aside for Gawad Kalinga.
Welcome to Mapahiusa Village, the two-hectare donated piece of property that is now the happy abode of residents who have 80 sturdy and secure units to call home.
When the Mapas distributed land under Carp, they wanted to go beyond just fulfilling the requirements of the law. They went further by making sure that the proud new owners of these lands will also have a community that can give them comfort and stability in life.
The residents have so much pride with what and where they are. The grounds are clean, their homes are warm, and their gardens are well-tended. A deep sense of proprietorship can be seen in how neatly they pave their paths with rocks gathered from the area.
Entrepreneurship is highly encouraged, so we peek into a home where ladies smock children’s dresses. We admire rustic angels and reindeer fashioned from vines growing on the hillsides. Vegetables and herbs are cultivated by those with green thumbs. Turmeric powder is processed from locally grown turmeric and sold at the village store.
The village store is well-stocked and this tells me that business is good.
If one should set aside land for the landless in order to help them, it would help to help all the way. Conversely, the consolation for those who parted with their property would see the beneficiaries make the most of the blessings and multiply them.
According to farm manager Cidni Mapa, Mapahiusa (Cebuano for “May they be one”) fulfills the vision in John 17:21 that says “that all may be one.” One with the Creator, one with Creation, one community.
And may I add, one mind for a better life.