SVD Laudato Si' Farm—Tagaytay

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.