He did not have a chance to see his life story on paper.
The day before the Inquirer featured 43-year-old Herbert “Obet” Pantua as an organic farmer and sustainable agriculture advocate, he succumbed to a first but fatal heart attack.
Nevertheless, his wife, Pearl, 43, would still say the story came out at the “right time.”
A copy of the article “An animal farm with a difference–no foul smell” published on September 8 was framed and placed on top of Pantua’s coffin during the wake here. “At least, everyone would see (what he advocated for),” Pearl said. “We’ve lost a good man.”
She said her husband developed hypertension because of his “lifestyle” when he was young.
When the Inquirer met Pantua at his organic farm in Barangay (village) Masapang in Victoria, Laguna, a couple of months ago, he said smoking was a habit he had planned to quit. He actually did, his son Tyrone, 16, said, shortly after the interview.
Pantua and his brothers put up the Herb Republic Agro Ventures Inc. (HRAVI) and opened their farm to those interested in organic agriculture. The meat and crops harvested were served at Herb Republic restaurant here or sold at organic markets.
“Herb Republic was just established two years ago. It might have been a little too late but (going organic) was very helpful (still),” Pearl said.
In the same manner that Pantua applied “all-natural” probiotics on his farm animals, he, too, had lived without much dependence on drugs. “He was ‘allergic’ to medicines and never wanted to go to a hospital,” Pearl said.
Pantua had said in the interview that he and his brothers earned only little compared to commercial hog and chicken raisers. Even so, he gave so much dignity to his profession and believed that farmers were not only responsible for feeding consumers but for nourishing them.
“I remembered asking him why he would teach others his (farming) techniques. And he said, ‘you know life is too short to keep knowledge to myself,’” said his friend, Wawel Mercado.
Jenny Bonto, another friend, remembered him visiting farms in the North and never asked for consultation fees.
In one instance, he had turned down an offer to practice his techniques exclusively on a farm in Cavite. “He folded the contract, put it in his pocket, and never returned (to them),” Bonto said.
She said Pantua once shared a dream to hear a 7-year-old child say that he wanted to become a farmer someday.
Pantua’s younger brother, Homer, is taking over the farm, while Pearl and daughter Loraine, 21, will continue managing the restaurant.
Tyrone plans to take up an agriculture course and carry on his father’s advocacy.
“This was his dream and it is here. He did not leave us hanging because he had laid down everything for us to continue,” Pearl said.