SVD Laudato Si' Farm—Tagaytay

Tagaytay City—In a recent publication of the International Journal of Technical Vocational and Engineering Technology (IJTVET), a study titled "Factors Affecting Destination Loyalty: The Case of An Ecotourism Farm" shed light on the dynamics of ecotourism and destination loyalty within the context of the behavior of visitors to the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. The study, published in IJTVET last December 28, 2023, was authored by Rev. Fr. Dennis B. Testado, SVD, currently from the Holy Name University, and Rev. Fr. Samuel Agcaracar, SVD, Rector of the SVD Tagaytay Community, Executive Director of the SVD Farm, and Director of the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS)

Tagaytay City —In an inspiring display of appreciation and recognition, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm conducted its first-ever SVD Farm Awards during the institution’s Christmas Party last December 27, 2023, held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo.

Tagaytay City— Amidst the festive spirit of the Christmas season, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm community and their families gathered for a heartwarming Christmas Party on December 27, 2023.

Tagaytay City —Across nine blessed evenings, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm celebrated Simbang Gabi at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, from December 15 to December 23, 2023. Each Holy Mass, each conducted at the Chapel at 5:30 PM, was presided over by a priest from the SVD Tagaytay Community and attended by sponsors and the general public. At the end of each Mass, simple snacks were served for attendees.

Tagaytay City —During the four Saturdays preceding each Sunday of Advent, the SVD Laudato Si' Farm hosted a series of four recollections, during which attendees reflected about the themes of the Advent season. Each Saturday began with a discussion of the upcoming Advent Sunday's theme at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo at 8:00 AM, followed by the Holy Mass at 10:00 AM at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm celebrated the Holy Mass last December 8, 2023, 10:00 AM, at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, in honor of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Presided over by Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, the Eucharist resonated with the community's deep veneration for the Blessed Mother. *** In his homily, Fr. Sam discussed the essence of Mariology, expressed in the four Marian dogmas—divine motherhood, perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, and assumption. These dogmas state Mary's personal relationship with God and her role in human salvation. Fr. Sam emphasized the pivotal role Mary played as the Mother of Jesus, chosen by God for a divine purpose. Reflecting on Mary's vocation at a tender age and her unwavering commitment, attendees were prompted to ponder their own life's purpose and vocation. He encouraged them to question whether ...

Tagaytay City —As comissionaries, employees of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm joined the SVD Tagaytay Community's Advent Recollection last December 5, 2023. Rev. Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD, facilitated the recollection. The event united the SVD Tagaytay Community in a celebration of faith and community and renewed their faith during the Advent season.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm hosted the celebration of the 54th birthday of Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, last December 4, 2023, at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm conducted a blessing and lighting ceremony for its Christmas Tree and Belen last December 3, 2023. The event featured song performances from the SVD Tagaytay Community Choir who regaled the attendees, including the SVD Farm's benefactors and donors, with songs significant to the seminary and to the Christmas season.

Tagaytay City —In a powerful display of unity and reverence for God’s creation, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm conducted the Bamboo-Planting Activity for Creation, during which bamboo was planted by attendees in areas across the Farm. The assembly for the activity was held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo at around 7:30 AM. The activity was conducted in collaboration with the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office of the SVD Philippines Central Province through Rev. Fr. Benigno “Ben” Beltran, SVD, and the Christ the King Mission Seminary (CKMS).

Tagaytay City —In order to strengthen their commitment to the liturgy, members of the Lectors and Commentators Ministry (LCM) of the SVD Tagaytay Community, gathered for an oath-taking ceremony last November 26, 2023. The LCM, composed of 22 dedicated lectors and commentators, include 8 hailing from the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. The LCM plays a vital role in the spiritual life of the SVD Tagaytay Community, to which the SVD Farm belongs.  In preparation for their oath, members of the LCM also attended a recollection last November 6, 2023.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm conducted the blessing ceremony for the St. Michael Souvenir Store and the newly-constructed St. Gabriel Refreshments Corner last November 24, 2023. Both the St. Michael Souvenir Store and the St. Gabriel Refreshments Corner are located near the SVD Farm’s Oies Kitchenette.

At the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm, a renowned chef and an esteemed doctor of psychology began a new chapter in their life as a married couple, driven by volunteerism and a love for faith, food, and farming. Married couple Chef Robert G. Clemeña and Dr. Rose Marie Salazar-Clemeña, PhD, left a comfortable life at Legazpi City, Albay, and decided to devote themselves, full-time, as volunteers at the Ecospirituality Center of the SVD Farm. Read on to be inspired by their extraordinary story.

Meet Apolinario “Pol” Arquillano-Flores, veteran farmer from the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. Pol is a seasoned farmer with nearly 30 years of experience. His dedication to agriculture, resilience, and commitment to sustainable food supply was evident in his pursuit of self-sufficiency. His understanding of the patience and hard work required in farming is inspiring.

Meet Ronald Antigua-Arquillano, harvest supervisor of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. Ronald's commitment to quality assurance at the SVD Farm ensures that guests have access to newly-harvested vegetables through the Farm’s Gulayan ni San Rafael. He is also responsible for ensuring that the Farm's farm-to-table dining outlets are consistently supplied with the fresh farm produce they need.

Meet Abdiel Ambat-Oriondo, fruit area supervisor of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm.

Meet Ronnel Olivar-Landicho, the farm production supervisor of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. Notwithstanding his soft-spoken personality, Ronnel's career as a farmer has already made a substantial impact. At just 35 years old, he found himself in a leadership position at the SVD Farm, responsible for its overall production. In this role, he has successfully contributed to the Farm's growth and efficiency. Moreover, even before his work at the SVD Farm, Ronnel’s life had always been tied to agriculture.

Meet Ariel Laurao-Hila, farmer and livestock supervisor from the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. Ariel has an extended career as a farmer, beginning in 2008 and continuing to the present day. This nearly fifteen-year journey is a testament to his dedication and resilience, defying the notion that success in agriculture is solely dependent on formal education. 

Meet Nariel Hitosis-Vizcarra, the plant nursery supervisor of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. His remarkable journey towards being a dedicated and passionate farmer reflects resiliency, ingenuity, and strength, and his contributions to the SVD Farm and the agricultural sector are nothing short of inspiring.

Tagaytay City —In a proactive move towards professional development, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm conducted an intensive management training program last November 20, 2023. Aimed at refining the skills of its managerial and supervisory staff, the training involved the managers and supervisors from the SVD Farm’s various departments crucial to its overall operations.

Renowned former executive chef of Malacañang Palace, Chef Aurora "Babes" Austria, has been the culinary and operations consultant for the SVD Laudato Si' Farm since July 2021. Throughout her ongoing collaboration with the Farm, she has been instrumental in revolutionizing the Farm's culinary offerings while mentoring and training its dedicated team of cooks. Chef Babes’ culinary career is studded with impressive accolades. She served as the former executive chef of Malacañang Palace during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and also held the position of executive chef at the iconic Taal Vista Hotel. Besides her remarkable culinary achievements, Chef Babes has shared her passion for gastronomy as a professor of Asian and International Cuisine and as the owner of Garden Family Restaurant in Tagaytay City. In her role as a culinary consultant for the SVD Farm, Chef Babes extends her guidance not only to the SVD Farm but also to the SVD-Tagaytay Communit...

The SVD Laudato Si' Farm has inspired many individuals to join it in its commitment to community, education, and sustainable living.  Meet Josette Anne Bayot, a student from the SVD ALS (Alternative Learning System) Center and a volunteer at the SVD Farm’s Oies Kitchen. In this feature, may we be inspired by her story.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm unveiled the Pentecost Village, the newest expansion to the Ecospirituality Center, marking a momentous occasion that radiated both spiritual significance and community generosity. The Pentecost Village adds the following facilities to the SVD Farm's retreat house—Kubo Kenosis, Kubo Ad Gentes, Kubo Inter Gentes, Kubo Incarnatus, and the Communio Hall. The blessing of the Pentecost Village was conducted last November 5, 2023. 

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm held a heartwarming belated celebration of All Saints' Day last November 5, 2023, during its first-ever Parade of the Saints. The event brought together around 100 attendees, many of whom came to celebrate their favorite saints in a remarkable way. Adults, dubbed “life-size saints,” and children, dubbed “little saints,” honored their chosen saints through creative costumes.

The SVD Laudato Si' Farm celebrated the Season of Creation with arms wide open, embracing a profound message of justice, peace, and spiritual encounters. Rev. Fr. Samuel "Sam" Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, delivered an inspiring message for this important season. In his message , Fr. Sam tours significant areas of the SVD Farm and talks about the Season of Creation.

Tagaytay City —In a powerful display of unity and reverence for God’s Creation, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm culminated this year's Season of Creation last October 4, 2023. At 4:00 PM, the solemn Holy Mass for Creation was held at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor. Afterwards, at 5:00 PM, the ecumenical Prayer for Creation was held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo. Both events were attended by members of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, including the SVD Farm, Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS), Divine Word School of Theology (DWST), SVD Alternative Learning System (ALS). Members of the public also attended.

Tagaytay City —As part of the celebration of Elderly Filipinos Week, a team of representatives from Philippine Airlines (PAL) embarked on a heartwarming visit to the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm to offer their support to the Farm’s elderly farmers. During their visit last October 4, 2023, the PAL team distributed jackets and hats to the SVD Farm’s elderly farmers as tokens of their admiration and respect. 

Allow us to introduce you to three remarkable individuals from the SVD Laudato Si' Farm who have dedicated their lives to nurturing the land—Rogelio Sabidolas (left), Lorenzo Sarabia (right), and Jessie Roselo (middle).

Tagaytay City —The Ecospirituality Center of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm became the venue for the annual Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Zonal Meeting last September 25 to 30, 2023, bringing together the mission secretaries of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) from across the ASPAC Zone. This gathering, hosted by the SVD Farm, brought to the forefront critical discussions on mission work, sustainability, and the ongoing challenges faced by the region.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm welcomed a group of enthusiastic students and facilitators from the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). The visit, which took place last September 25, 2023, provided an opportunity for participants from various Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Germany, Rwanda, and the Philippines, to explore the SVD Farm's sustainable farming practices.

Tagaytay City —The stunning backdrop of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm was the setting for a video shoot last September 19, 2023 by Ms. Trishia Doncillo-Lanuzo, Cavite's representative in the prestigious Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2023 pageant. Through the pageant, Ms. Trishia said that she aims to showcase the “historical and natural” beauty of the province.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm had the distinct privilege of hosting the Most Rev. Bartolome G. Santos, Jr, D.D., the Bishop of the Diocese of Iba, last September 17, 2023.  The pinnacle of Bishop Santos' visit was his celebration of the Holy Mass at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, at 3:00 PM.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm was featured by CNN Philippines last September 16, 2023, at 8:00 PM, on the show "Building Bridges." The SVD Farm was hailed as one of the region's "best-kept secrets" during the Tagaytay-centric episode, which featured an insightful interview with Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community. The CNN Philippines show "Building Bridges" features a new location in the country every episode. During its Tagaytay City episode, viewers were given a beautiful glimpse into the agricultural and spiritual sanctuary known as the SVD Farm. In its introduction to the SVD Farm, CNN Philippines described the Farm as a “spiritual haven” and a good place to go “if you're seeking to commune with nature and renew your faith.” The SVD Farm, which began “in response to” the COVID-19 pandemic, was initially conceived as a response to the challenges posed ...

Tagaytay City —The Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation, Inc. (AJCMFI) and the AJCMFI-ALS (Alternative Learning System) community, conducted a celebration last September 14, 2023 at the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm in order to honor the foundation’s dedicated learning facilitators. The event brought together educators from the ALS-Cavite and ALS-NCR Clusters, as well as other educators from various ALS Centers supported by AJCMFI across the Philippines who joined the festivities via Zoom.

Tagaytay City —Delegates from the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, also known as the Scalabrinian Missionaries, visited the SVD Laudato Si' Farm. In the morning of September 14, 2023, the Scalabrinian delegates went on a tour of the SVD Farm, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community.

Tagaytay City —As one of the esteemed five institutions of the SVD Tagaytay Community, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm participated in this year’s Family Feast celebration last September 7 to 9, 2023. During this three-day event, members of the SVD Tagaytay Community united and renewed their shared commitment to mission as one family. The SVD Farm, as one of the institutions of the community, was blessed to be part of the celebration. Each day of the event was marked by unique activities and meaningful messages delivered by prominent figures in the community.

Tagaytay City— In honor of the feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mass was celebrated last September 8, 2023, at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. The Holy Mass, which was held at 10:00 AM, was also celebrated in honor of the 148th foundation day of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, presided over the Mass. (On the same day, the SVD Tagaytay Community also celebrated the second day of this year’s Family Feast, the annual event during which members of the community unite and renew their shared commitment to mission as one family. The SVD Farm, as one of the institutions of the community, was blessed to be part of the celebration.)

One of the pioneer volunteers of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm, Bro. Mark N. Paglicawan, SVD, vividly remembered the early days of the project. As the de facto leader of the SVD seminarians who volunteered at the Farm during that period, their journey began with clearing the land inside the seminary, removing unnecessary trees, grass, and plants.

On January 29, 2021, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm welcomed its first public visitors, marking the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and faith by the priests and seminarians from the SVD Tagaytay Community. Nonetheless, the journey to this momentous occasion began five months earlier. On September 5, 2020, the SVD priests and seminarians embarked on their first day of weekend apostolate at the Farm. Their work became the foundation for the land that would eventually become the SVD Farm. Read on to learn more about the first five months of the SVD Farm and the farmer priests and seminarians whose dedication made it possible.

Tagaytay City— The Ecospirituality Center of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm was the picturesque setting for the "Genesis to Jesus Seminar" organized by the NCR Biblical Apostolate and spearheaded by Ms. Marifel Sedano-Castriciones last September 2 to 3, 2023. During the event, facilitators from the SVD Farm led the group in celebrating the Season of Creation and learning more about the Farm.

Giselle Ann Cruz and Paul Jersey Gayares, engaged couple, and Jenny Rose Madrigal, debutante, share their photoshoot stories at the SVD Laudato Si' Farm in this feature.

In an interview at the SVD Café of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm, otherwise known as the SVD Farm, former Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Mr. Arthur Tugade insisted that he be called, simply, "Art". During that peaceful early morning, with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee in hand, Art shared his realizations and  experiences of healing at the SVD Farm.

Tagaytay City— During his recent visit to the SVD-Tagaytay Community, Rev. Fr. Xavier Thirukudumbam, SVD, General Visitator of SVD from Rome, also visited the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm. During his visit to the Farm last August 18, 2023, he met with the managers of the Farm's various departments, as well as Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, Rev. Fr. Severo Biton, Jr., SVD, and other members of the SVD-Tagaytay City. Two days later, Fr. Xavier also presided over the Holy Mass at the Farm's Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor last August 20, 2023, at 10:30 AM. Rev. Fr. Stanislav Orečný, SVD, Prefect of the SVD-Tagaytay Community concelebrated the Mass with him, with the assistance of Rev. Arjie Ducayag, SVD. In his homily, Fr. Xavier expressed his joy in celebrating the Eucharist amidst the stunning beauty of the SVD Farm, which he likened to a "paradise on earth." He also emphasized the sign...