Buying land is one of the smartest investments one can make. Whether it’s a small plot for a future house or a vast stretch of farmland, land doesn’t lose its value—it grows, quietly and steadily, even when you’re not paying attention. If it’s in a good location, you might just find yourself sitting on a gold mine without lifting a finger.

Take my friend, for example. He bought a small residential lot on the outskirts of a town that barely had a grocery store at the time. We all thought he was nuts. Fast forward a few years, and that same town is now a bustling suburb with a mall, schools, and coffee shops. His land? Multiplied in value. He didn’t build a house on it, didn’t plant a tree. It just sat there, gathering value like a patient investor who knows that time, not effort, is the secret ingredient.

Farmlands are no different. Even if you don’t know the first thing about farming (trust me, I’m not that expert), buying agricultural land in strategic areas means you’re investing in future possibilities. Food production is never going out of style, and as populations grow, land becomes more precious. I’ve seen farmers who inherited barren-looking fields that, after a decade of urban expansion, turned into prime real estate worth millions. You don’t have to plow the field yourself to reap its rewards—sometimes, the land does the work for you.

Another advantage of land is that it’s tangible. Unlike stocks that rise and fall with the whims of the market, or cryptocurrencies that seem to disappear into thin air when you need them the most, land stays put. You can walk on it, build on it, fence it in, or just sit there and admire the horizon. It’s real, and there’s something deeply satisfying about that. It doesn’t vanish overnight because some distant CEO made a bad decision.

And let’s be honest, land is one of those investments that rarely gets you into trouble. It’s simple. You buy it, you own it. You don’t have to check its value every day, unlike stocks that have you glued to financial reports and market trends. With land, you can sleep soundly knowing that as long as the world keeps spinning, people will need a place to live, work, and grow food.

There’s also a certain peace of mind that comes with owning land. It’s like having an ace up your sleeve, a safety net in case things go south in other areas of life. You might not need it today, or even tomorrow, but one day, you might find yourself grateful that you invested in something that isn’t going anywhere. Land doesn’t age, it doesn’t depreciate, and it doesn’t disappear—it’s the ultimate long-term partner.

Some people hesitate, thinking it’s too much of a commitment. But I say the land is patient. It doesn’t rush you to make decisions. You can leave it untouched for years and come back to find it’s still there, waiting for its time to shine. And when that time comes, whether it’s for building your dream home or selling it at a hefty profit, you’ll be glad you held onto it.

Yes, buying land is a slow but steady race. You might not see immediate gains, and that’s okay. It’s not about short-term thrills; it’s about securing something lasting, something that, over time, can become one of the best decisions you ever made. You can’t go wrong with land—after all, as they say, they’re not making any more of it.

THEY, of course, are reasons to be happy. But, given our wounded condition, we should also be wary of their tendency to spoil us. Thus, whenever they come into our life, we should exert effort to intensify our will to be humble and to make use of that fortunate status to strengthen our will to serve and not to be served.

We are reminded of this truth of our Christian faith in that gospel episode where two of Christ’s disciples, James and John, asked for a favored position in God’s kingdom. (cfr. Mk 10,25-35)

That was when Christ told them in so many words that the privilege of being close associates of Christ would always involve greater sacrifices, that they should have the mind of a servant, and that they sharpen their attitude of serving and not of being served.

In this regard, we should be reminded of what Christ told his disciples: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” (Lk 12,48)

Thus, the proper attitude to develop when we enjoy certain honors and privileges should be that of becoming more aware that they actually give us more responsibilities, more tasks to carry out, more self-giving.

May we be generous in this department of giving back, convinced that what we seem to lose by giving is actually regained and multiplied a number of times, as Christ himself said, “For everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for my name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt 19,29)

By giving back what we receive, we foster greater connectivity and communion among ourselves. This is urgently needed especially these days when, ironically, we have many more communication technologies than before and yet we seem to have more people isolating themselves from others now than before.

We have to cultivate a strong appetite for communion by giving ourselves to others unstintingly, not so much for what they give us as for what God has given us.
We need to cultivate this appetite for communion with Christ. We have to develop a holy fear of simply being by ourselves, relying solely on our human powers and resources. This is a dangerous situation to be in.

We need to enter into communion with Christ, which is actually what is proper to us, since our life is not meant only to be ours alone, but rather to be vitally united with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit. We are made in his image and likeness. We cannot be without him in our mind and heart, and in our life as a whole.

With him, we can enter into communion with everybody else as a necessary consequence, because loving God is necessarily loving others also.

We have to be men and women for God and for others. That’s actually the objectively proper trajectory of our thoughts and desires. We have to be wary when we get trapped thinking only of ourselves, which is a constant danger to us.

These considerations can truly help us avoid falling into the sweet poison of feeling entitled and put us in the proper condition to be like Christ as we should be. “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many,” he said. That’s the standard to follow!

Perhaps the question is why is Agriculture put in a lower status even on a campus survey which asks what new courses shall be offered in the future of Abuyog Community College? Why would an obvious Agricultural area shun away from its roots ?

Though it has long been the foundation of the Philippine economy, especially in areas like Leyte and Samar, agriculture is sometimes ignored and trivialized. These regions have enormous agricultural potential, yet the agriculture industry is generally underappreciated and unloved for a variety of reasons. A major source of income and economic activity in the Philippines historically has been agriculture. But as time has gone on, the industry has faced several difficulties, such as poor government support, restricted access to contemporary technologies, and inadequate infrastructure. Typhoons and floods, which destroy crops and interfere with farming operations, are frequent natural calamities that worsen these problems in Leyte and Samar.

One of the primary reasons for the disinterest in agriculture is the socio-economic landscape. Many young Filipinos view agriculture as an unattractive career option due to the perception of low income and hard labor. This is particularly evident in Leyte and Samar, where many young people migrate to urban areas in search of better opportunities.
Leyte and Samar’s agriculture is greatly impacted by environmental conditions. Sustainable farming is severely hampered by the areas’ vulnerability to extreme weather occurrences as well as problems like soil erosion and deforestation. In addition to lowering agricultural output, these environmental issues deter investment in the industry.

Addressing the disinterest and trivialization of agriculture requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, there needs to be a concerted effort to change cultural perceptions of farming. This can be achieved through educational campaigns that highlight the importance and potential of agriculture. Secondly, improving infrastructure and access to modern farming technologies can make agriculture more attractive and profitable. Thirdly, government policies must be more effectively implemented, with a focus on transparency and accountability to ensure that resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

It is about time we make a reset and treat Agriculture as a vital field of work and study , our future, and our existence rest on it.

Responsible sourcing has become a crucial aspect of modern business practices, reflecting a growing awareness of the impact that companies have on the environment, society, and global supply chains. This approach to sourcing and procurement involves consciously selecting products or services in a sustainable and ethical manner. It requires companies to consider social and environmental factors when managing relationships with suppliers to ensure that their business practices do not have a negative impact on society or the environment.

In today’s world, consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on ethical considerations, driving the popularity of responsible sourcing across various industries. This shift signifies a departure from the traditional focus solely on cost and quality, towards a more holistic approach that considers the broader implications of sourcing practices.

One of the key elements of responsible sourcing is transparency. By knowing where products come from and how they are produced, companies can make informed decisions that align with their values and sustainability goals. This transparency extends to understanding the practices of suppliers, ensuring that they adhere to ethical standards and environmental regulations.

The importance of responsible sourcing cannot be overstated, especially in the face of global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Businesses have a responsibility to mitigate the negative impacts of their operations by selecting suppliers who uphold ethical practices and environmental stewardship. By choosing to work with responsible suppliers, companies can help drive positive change throughout their supply chains.

Procurement leaders play a crucial role in implementing responsible sourcing activities within organizations. They are tasked with identifying and addressing poor practices within the supply chain, as well as encouraging suppliers to improve their social and environmental performance. This proactive approach not only helps mitigate risks such as environmental pollution and labor exploitation but also fosters a culture of sustainability and responsibility within the business ecosystem.

Moreover, responsible sourcing is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision. Companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing practices are better positioned to meet the evolving expectations of consumers and investors. Research has shown that customers are more likely to support companies that demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, leading to increased brand trust and loyalty.

In conclusion, responsible sourcing is a multifaceted concept that encompasses ethical considerations, sustainability goals, and stakeholder engagement. By adopting responsible sourcing practices, companies can not only minimize their environmental footprint and social impact but also enhance their brand reputation and financial performance. Embracing responsible sourcing is not just a trend but a fundamental shift towards a more sustainable and ethical business model that benefits both businesses and society as a whole.

Responsible sourcing involves transparent and traceable supply chains, supplier code of conduct implementation, regular supplier audits, collaboration with suppliers, risk assessment, adherence to certifications, training programs, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement. By prioritizing ethical practices, companies can mitigate risks, build strong relationships with suppliers, and meet consumer expectations for sustainable and socially conscious products. Responsible sourcing not only ensures compliance with ethical standards but also drives positive impacts on society and the environment, fostering a culture of accountability and sustainability within organizations and supply chains.

Responsible sourcing benefits companies by enhancing reputation, mitigating risks, improving supplier relationships, reducing costs, gaining a competitive edge, fostering innovation, ensuring compliance, and building trust with stakeholders. Embracing ethical and sustainable practices leads to long-term success and positive impacts on society and the environment.

SIDE NOTE: Your entrepreneurial journey has a powerful story to tell. Sharing it could inspire and motivate others to pursue their dreams. Would you be willing to share it with us for a future article?
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!