I started what later became Ili ni Gaia in early 2017, but I could also say that its story started in my childhood.

My father was a farmer and small businessman. I grew up with my family on land planted with all kinds of fruit-bearing trees and vegetables. On countless summer days, I climbed trees - often alone, sometimes without any of my family knowing. (Oh, the danger! Once I almost fell from a huge santol tree, but my guardian angel saved me!) I also planted vegetables and nurtured them (cooked them, too). As a child, my tasks included harvesting coffee beans. I learned how to process and roast coffee beans in the traditional way. To this day, I still associate the smell of coffee with home.

Many years later, a journalist asked me what my plans were for the future. I blurted out, "I want to buy a farm and be a full time farmer!" On that day, I realized that trees, nature, and farming were embedded in my soul.

I found Ili ni Gaia in the midst of a stressful endeavor. My mind sought a way to de-stress by thinking of how wonderful it would be to stay on a farm while writing a major piece of work (that was the stressful endeavor). So while I was beating a major deadline, I went on field trips to look for a farm.

Why the name Ili ni Gaia?

In Hiligaynon (my mother tongue), we have this traditional lullaby, "Ili-ili, tulog anay."¹ The lullaby of Mother Earth, Gaia, comforts, heals. It makes us rest and sleep (sometimes reluctantly). In Ilocano, ili means village or community. Our vision is to help create a community inside and beyond the physical space of Ili ni Gaia that works in countless and various but synergetic ways - through and beyond time and space - to regenerate, nurture, and heal our natural environment and ourselves.²

Yes, nature heals. But working on the soil heals even more. The most precious gift I have ever received since starting Ili ni Gaia was to experience and understand the timeless present.

Since 2017 a small group of staff, close friends, and family has supported Ili ni Gaia. Their hard labor, visits, affirmation, and ideas have inspired and encouraged me to continue our work.

Ili ni Gaia has provided the space for countless intense and inspiring conversations over the years. We've had one weekend of what we named Passion Fruit Conversations - a coming together of friends (our biggest gathering so far) for discussions about life and advocacy. We hope to host more Passion Fruit Conversations in the future.

After almost nine years, I have decided to share Ili ni Gaia further with those who are open to learning lessons from being in this space. Opening Ili ni Gaia is also one way to sustain our work.

Light and blessings to you all.

- Ging

¹https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reffH9YQzXk

² The "ni" in Ili ni Gaia is the Hiligaynon and Filipino word for "of."

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