I Vlog You! Channeling the ITCPH #LearningByDoing Practices in the Digital World

“90% ng kaalaman ko, natutunan ko sa ITCPH”.
Ms. Carmela Buan Escoto is the owner of Carmela Swine Farm in Candelaria Quezon. Influenced by a family of pig raisers, she revived the swine farm business by establishing a 2-Sow Level farm in 2012. As a farm owner, she merely relied on animal technicians for knowledge. She learned about the Center through social media. She decided to attend an ITCPH training course with so many questions in mind.
In 2014, she joined the Basic Course on Pig Husbandry. “Dahil sa ITCPH natutunan ko ang tamang pangangalaga. Katulad na lang sa breeding system, dati akala ko na kapag mestizo, hybrid na, un na yon. Nasundan ko nang maayus ‘yong breeding system ng F1, F2. Pati sa health, kasi sa backyard, kapag namatay, stroke na, un na un, wala nang root cause”
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Immediately after the training, Ms. Escoto applied the importance of the breeding system and health management and highlighted the relevance of housing.
“Housing design, natutunan ko talaga. Noon magulo sir, basta kung saan may space dun ko ilalagay. Ngayon naisaayos ko na from farrowing pens, to weaners, and to finisher pen.”
She returned to ITCPH training because the principles and practices in pig farming are dynamic. Pig farming keeps improving and enhancing, so she needed to adapt to innovations, technology, and development. In 2023, she attended the Course on Pig Husbandry, Course on Sustainable Pig Farming- LABS, Training on Animal Waste Management and Utilization for Manila Bay Cleanup, and the Course on Swine Artificial Insemination in 2024.
Her passion for pig farming continues to live in the light of the ASF. ITCPH taught her standard biosecurity practices.
“Noon, walang sistema, natutunan ko sa ITCPH ang tamang biosecurity practices. Natutunan ko ung tamang flow and structure ng biosecurity. Mula noon hindi na din ako nagpapasok ng mga buyer”.
The ITCPH training enhanced her swine artificial insemination abilities. She learned about its vital role in reproductive success, improving herd genetics, ensuring animal welfare, and ultimately contributing to the sustainability and profitability of swine production.
“May AI Center naman ako dati, pero nong pumasok ako ng ITCPH, ang dami kong nai-correct. Lalo na sa temperature, handling, etc. lahat ng proseso ko naging bago… Dati akala ko, basta maraming semilyang buhay, okay na. Hala noong pumunta ako sa ITCPH, marami pa palang akong dapat isa-alang-alang… Noong nagtipon-tipon kami ng mga nag-e-AI mula sa iba’t-ibang lugar, ako pa ang pinakamura. Ang akin ay 250 pesos lang.”
Following the Center’s mission to provide practical training and information dissemination on pig technology, she applied the Farm Business Advisory Services and Knowledge Products development.
“Dahil sa Agri-Vet, natutunan kong ibahagi ang aking mga natututunan mula sa ITCPH. Tuwing pupunta ako sa ITCPH, humihingi ako ng maraming IECs. Bawat nakakausap ko, binibigyan ko talaga, at sinisigurado ko naman na wala itong bayad.”
Vlogging is also her way of disseminating information about pig husbandry. During the ASF outbreak, she dedicated her time to creating video tutorials on various aspects of pig farming.
“Bago ako magpost ng Vlog, babalikan ko pa lahat ng mga modules ko. Baka mamaya may mali akong maituro, yari ako sa ITCPH”.
The Center greatly recognizes her courage and initiative to share what she learned from ITCPH in a wider range, specifically through social media. She commits to pursue to create vlogs.
“Kailangan nakapag-hawak ka muna ng baboy, upang mas matutunan mo ang wastong pamamaraan sa pagbabuyan”.
Ms. Escoto reminds people that if they want to learn about pig farming, it is essential to expose themselves to pigs. They should learn about pig behaviors, what kind of environment suits them, and how to manage pigs & administer farms. When they attend training, they must apply it immediately. With so much information she shares with her clients & the people in the community, she always reminds them to capacitate themselves with proper training, and of course, from credible experts.
“Kaya palagi ko sinasabi, sa ITCPH po talaga muna tayo mag aral.”
#ITCPHway #LearningByDoing









