Laser-focused. She intends to keep her hopes and dreams clear-cut and ablaze as she journeys toward realizing her and her family’s aspirations. This farmer’s first-born daughter is also an aspiring athlete, in addition to being a young farmer-agripreneur who helps establish CanDI Goodies, the Bacus family’s home-baked goodies venture.
Fostering potentials
Christiannelle “Twinkle” Cruz Bacus, 19, was born in the South Summer Capital of the Philippines, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on December 20, 2004.
At an early age, her father, Recarte Hesta Bacus, 48, together with her mother, Viola Ann Cruz Bacus, 45, encouraged her and her only sister, Raiannelle Cruz Bacus, 16, to delve into various activities to discover and hone their potentials. Twinkle tried piano lessons and ballet but it was sports that she felt most at home with.
She devoted her time and effort to mastering sports-related skills. It started with track and field, then swimming, and finally cycling. Later on, this young lady finds herself all geared up ready to compete in an endurance multisport race – triathlon. She competed numerous times, not entirely focusing on getting a podium finish but acquiring worthwhile experiences.
Being in sports is one thing she’ll always treasure. It taught her respect, humility, patience, and most importantly discipline.
Following his father’s footsteps
At the age of 15, Twinkle started helping out on their farm. She enjoys spending quality time in Candiisan Diversified Farm located in Barangay Candi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon with her parents and younger sibling.
The farm is a certified Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center X. Its commodities include vegetables, coconut, cacao, various fruit trees, falcata, and abaca. The farm also practices organic farming and utilizes stingless bees to promote healthy and natural ways of farming.
The place is conducive for learning innovative trends in agriculture and for tourists to unwind and reinvigorate with nature. Besides being a full-time farmer, her father, Recarte, has various speakership engagements within and outside of ATI. He shares his knowledge and wisdom for farmers to emulate applicable methods and techniques in their farms.
The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree as Twinkle also is eager to keep up with the trends in digital farming. She completed the Training of Trainers on Digital Farmers Program which aims to equip farmers with the new technologies in agriculture. A true indication of her passion for recognizing how vital the role of the next generation of farmers in the community.
Flipping frowns into smiles
At the height of the pandemic, while the world got stuck and some people might seemingly have lost their purpose in life, some have turned frustrations into opportunities. Despite the crippling circumstance their family was facing, they were optimistic that everything will turn out just fine.
Twinkle and her family decided to do value-adding. They processed their farm produce into something that they could sell with a higher value in the market. Baking with her mom and aunt started as a hobby. They used their homemade tablea to create baked products. These efforts gave birth to what is now their other venture---Candi Goodies.
To avoid wastage, they only baked macaroons, muffins, cupcakes, and cakes per order. Fret not and indulge oneself in a tasteful treat of goodies made with love. Once tasted, their sumptuous treats will surely make you hunger for more. After saving enough money from this hustle, she was able to get herself a brand-new iPhone which is something she’s really proud of.
Finishing strong
Besides her many remarkable qualities as an athlete and as a young farmer entrepreneur, Twinkle’s diligence also makes her excel in academics.
She is now in her second year as a student of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at Bukidnon State University (BSU) and is a consistent dean’s lister. Graduating with Latin honors is her topmost priority. However, she never forgets to keep things in balance. Going out with her friends and enjoying a cup of coffee or tea keeps her grounded. After graduating, she wishes to gain experience abroad to broaden her horizons. She believes it will give her the leverage to earn and save up more for her plans for the future.
Their family’s goal is to put up a small café where they could highlight their farm harvests and homemade delicacies. Twinkle also hopes to be a successful hotelier someday. It might take her years but she’s ready to work hard for it.
Her lean and sweet façade may mislead you into thinking that she is fragile. Gobsmacked as one can ever be, yet she’ll prove you otherwise.
Twinkle is a perfect example of a promising young Filipina woman, empowered and ready to take on her place in joining and building a more progressive society--–spreading one flicker of hope at a time. (written and submitted by: Mark Cyben Cepe Epe)
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