“Different but not less” – a famous line of the movie Temple Grandin. The line speaks to our tendency to compare our genetic deficiencies and physical differences. We tend to see ourselves as less than because of them.
Alexander L. Llamas is different. He looks differently. He speaks differently. He has genetic differences.
Inspite of this, Alexander found a way to channel his differences into a remarkable undertaking, as a boar handler. It is his physical features that enable him to pursue this kind of livelihood that has transformed the swine genetics in the villages.
Alexander is a recipient of the AI sa Barangay, a project implemented by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center VI (ATI-RTC VI) and the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) in support to the National Livestock Program (NLP) of the Department of Agriculture. The AI sa Barangay is located at Barangay Cala-agus, Mambusao, Capiz. On January 2019, ATI-RTC VI sent Alexander with other nine (9) recipients to ITCPH at Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas to be trained for swine artificial insemination.
Alexander finished the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, major in Animal Science. But he couldn’t find a job due to his different physical features. He decided to raise one boar for natural breeding as a livelihood. Alexander used to travel his boar by foot to serve clients in the villages because he can’t afford to buy a carrier. He will leave the boar in the village to serve the next day the clients in another village.
“One day, while traveling with my boar to serve a client in another village, I met along the way our Agricultural Technologist, Mr. Alfie O. Tayco from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Mambusao, Capiz. He informed me that ATI-RTC VI has a program for swine artificial insemination and he encouraged me to attend the training,” Alexander reminisced.
After their training at ITCPH, ATI-RTC VI provided each recipient two AI superior boars and AI equipment. Since then Alexander was able to process semen in a regular basis, thus ensuring clients of an upgraded and better-quality product. He was instrumental in carrying out swine genetic improvement in the villages by providing semen from genetically superior boars. Availability of processed semen allows genetic diversity, which can be used to optimize crossbreeding systems on backyard farms. Through AI, there was an increased in number of sows bred and increased in litter size with better genetic quality. AI allows breeding of sows from distant places with less transport cost; thus, enable Alexander to extend AI services to different municipalities in the 2nd District of Capiz Province.
One great advantage for him is not to travel anymore his boar by foot, thus eliminates inconvenience, travel-related stress and possible injuries on the boar. The AI sa Barangay has become his major source of livelihood. It has supported his family’s daily needs.
“The most blissful while I extend AI services in the villages, I finally found the woman I want to build my life with. I’ve got the courage to have a family of my own despite of my physical features. I’m happily married to Divina Grace Leccio Llamas who is now pregnant with our first child. With the help of the AI sa Barangay, I was able to support my family,” said Alexander.
“To give back the favor to ATI-RTC VI and to all who believed in my capabilities, I will continually provide AI services to help improve the genetic quality of pigs in the backyard farms. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ATI-RTC VI, ITCPH and NLP for the great opportunity and full support despite of my physical condition. “
Alexander was thankful for those who have trusted him because without it he wouldn’t have stumbled across his potentials. So, whenever he begins to think of his differences, as deficiencies, he repeats to himself over and over, “Absolutely different but highly competent.”
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