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.
The celebration of Fr. Sam’s birthday at the SVD Farm, which he emphasized was to be “as informal and as simple as possible,” united the SVD Farm family, alongside the overall SVD Tagaytay Community and its friends.
Expressing his gratitude to those in attendance, Fr. Sam highlighted the importance of the collective support for both himself and the seminary. “I can never really thank you enough for your presence, your prayers, and your support. Your support for me is your support for the SVD Tagaytay Community,” he said.
“I always remind the seminarians. ‘Your friends are not just your personal friends. Your friends should also be the friends of the SVD Tagaytay Community.’ This is why I always introduce all my friends, our benefactors, to the SVD Tagaytay family, so that the younger generation will appreciate the goodness of all of you who are always with us,” continued Fr. Sam.
Fr. Sam shared a personal anecdote from his mother, recounting that she once told him he was "born singing." “I was not schooled in any formal school. I did it ‘my way’ because of poverty. I thank God for this gift of music, and so, let me express my gratitude to all of you through song,” said Fr. Sam, before regaling the attendees with a performance of the song “We Are The Reason.”
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Earlier that same day, one of the generous supporters of the SVD Farm, Mrs. Vangie Almario, led a gift-giving activity for the employees of the Farm. Ms. Vangie was accompanied by her family during the activity which was conducted at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo .
The SVD Farm expressed its appreciation of and gratitude for Ms. Almario’s “kindhearted and generous contributions which have made significant differences in the lives of SVD Farm employees.”
At the end of the activity, Fr. Sam led the SVD Farm family in praying for Mrs. Vangie and her family.
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In the heart of the agricultural haven of Claveria, Cagayan, a young boy named Sam embarked on a journey that would eventually shape his life's purpose and conviction, leading him towards the SVD Farm.
The young Sam served as a catechist in the St. Joseph Parish of Claveria, fostering a strong connection with the local people and their spiritual needs. As he contemplated his life's path, he made the pivotal decision to become a priest, setting him on a course that would merge his spiritual calling with his commitment to the environment.
As an SVD priest, Fr. Sam pursued a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in Rome, became a professor at the Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay (DWST) and the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DSWIMS), among other roles as both student and teacher across various institutions.
The SVD Farm is perhaps Fr. Sam’s most high-profile project to date, conceptualized not just a response to the immediate crisis but a forward-thinking endeavor that sought to address pressing issues such as food security, sustainability, and ecological awareness.
Guiding young theologians with a missionary calling, he found himself rekindling his connection with nature. Drawing from his vocational journey, Fr. Sam brought the SVD Farm to life, with the assistance and guidance of the seminary.
In a ceremony last November 24 to 25, 2021, the Department of Agriculture, through its Organic Agriculture Program (OAP), recognized outstanding organic farmers. Among those honored with the department’s “Recognition for the Individual Farmer” was Fr. Sam.
Fr. Sam also acts as the SVD Farm's media representative, promoting the Farm and its advocacy through interviews on shows on various media outlets such as CNN Philippines’ “Building Bridges: Tagaytay City,” One PH’s “Masaganang Buhay,” GMA 7’s “Agripreneur,” among many others.
The celebration of Fr. Sam’s 54th birthday captures the spirit of gratitude, camaraderie, and the appreciation for the bonds that tie the SVD Farm and the broader SVD Tagaytay Community together. Fr. Sam's birthday is an occasion not only to mark the passage of another year in his life but also to celebrate unity and shared values.
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.