Feature—"I am happy that the Ecospirituality Center is being used for its intended purpose as a refuge, especially for families seeking peace," says Mrs. Lydia Tagle during return visit to SVD Farm
The Tagle family, led by Mrs. Lydia Tagle and Mr. Teodoro “Teddy” Tagle, Sr., has been a constant source of inspiration and support for the SVD Tagaytay Community, as well as the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm in particular as the generous donor of the SVD Farm’s Ecospirituality Center.
The family's support, which played a pivotal role in shaping the SVD Farm's early years, continues to shape the future of the institution.
The story began in 2003 when Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Agcaracar, SVD, Rector of the SVD Tagaytay Community and Executive Director of the SVD Farm, met “Tita Lydia” during the canonization of St. Arnold Janssen, SVD, and St. Joseph Freinademetz, SVD, two significant figures in the history of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
This chance encounter, followed by ongoing communication, led Fr. Sam to connect with the Tagle family. Their shared values and commitment to spiritual and environmental stewardship forged a strong bond that would prove instrumental in the realization of the SVD Farm's vision.
Even before the SVD Farm began, the Tagle family has been a constant support of the SVD Tagaytay Community and its various mission initiatives.
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Fr. Sam and the SVD Tagaytay Community set out to begin its next mission initiative—to transform its vacant land into a sanctuary that harmonizes the spiritual with the ecological. At the time, Fr. Sam shared that he sought guidance and prayed for a sign that the project aligned with divine will.
Fortuitously, the Lord answered Fr. Sam’s prayers through the Tagle family. At that opportune moment, Tita Lydia talked to Fr. Sam and, on behalf of her family, generously provided a donation that enabled the hiring of the initial employees of the SVD Farm. This was the catalyst needed to breathe life into the SVD Farm and its transformative work.
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Tragedy struck the Tagle family in 2021 with the loss of their son, Teddy Boy, Jr. As Fr. Sam and the SVD Tagaytay Community gathered to pray for him and support the Tagle family, a new chapter of collaboration began.
The Tagle family, seeking to honor their son's memory, reached out to Fr. Sam and offered to help out the SVD Farm in his name. Fr. Sam told the family about the SVD Farm’s plans to create the Ecospirituality Center, a retreat house that would become its heart as a sanctuary within God’s creation. The Tagle family responded positively to Fr. Sam’s suggestion, which led to the inception of the Ecospirituality Center, “a testament to Teddy Boy Jr.'s legacy and the (family's) generosity,” said Fr. Sam.
The Tagle family's gift has created a space that embodies the values of stewardship, kindness, and grace. The Ecospirituality Center not only memorializes Teddy Boy, Jr. but also serves as a living tribute to the family's commitment to supporting the SVD Tagaytay Community and the SVD Farm’s mission to be stewards of the environment.
Fr. Sam expressed deep gratitude to the Tagle family on behalf of the SVD Tagaytay Community and the SVD Farm, highlighting the transformative influence of their contributions. Their support extends beyond the physical structure—more so, it strengthens the community's spiritual and ecological efforts, providing a nurturing space for prayer, reflection, and sustainable practices.
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The legacy of Teddy Boy, Jr., and the ongoing support of Tito Ted, Tita Lydia, and the Tagle family continues to inspire and uplift the SVD Tagaytay Community. Their unwavering faith and selfless generosity stand as a powerful reminder of the impact that one family's dedication can have on the world around them.
Every year, during his death anniversary, the Ecospirituality Center and the SVD Farm family includes Teddy Boy, Jr., in their prayer intentions during the Holy Mass.
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Over the years, the Tagle family haven’t had the opportunity to return to the SVD Farm, the beloved institution which they supported and helped establish.
Fortunately, in a special moment of reunion and reflection last April 6, 2024, Tita Lydia recently made a rare return visit to the SVD Farm, where her family's significant contributions have played a crucial role in shaping its growth and mission. Her visit, guided by Fr. Sam, Fr. Ricardo “Jhon” Crisostomo, Jr., General Manager, and Ms. Clariz Cruz, Liaison Officer, offered her the opportunity to witness firsthand the impressive progress the SVD Farm has made since her family's last visit.
The tour began with a stop at the Gulayan ni San Rafael, where Tita Lydia could see the bountiful harvest and sustainable agricultural practices that the SVD Farm has been nurturing. Her admiration for the thriving St. Raphael Organic Farming Area, which aligns with the SVD Farm's ethos of promoting ecological stewardship, was evident. Afterwards, Tita Lydia and her companions enjoyed a delightful lunch at Kubo Gethsemane, with food from the SVD Farm’s Oies Kitchen.
The visit concluded as the group proceeded to the Ecospirituality Center, the serene space that the Tagle family generously donated to the SVD Farm. Tita Lydia was heartened to see how the center has become a refuge for families and individuals seeking peace and solace. The tranquil ambiance of the retreat house fulfilled the Tagle family's vision for the space, bringing a sense of fulfillment to Tita Lydia.
Reflecting on her experience, Mrs. Tagle expressed her deep appreciation for the development she observed at SVD Farm. She noted the profound "sense of peace" that enveloped the entire SVD Farm, especially at the Ecospirituality Center. According to her, her visit affirmed her gratitude that the space serves its intended purpose of providing a sanctuary for those in search of tranquility.
Fr. Sam warmly welcomed Tita Lydia back to the SVD Farm, expressing "endless gratitude and blessings" for the Tagle family's enduring support. He emphasized the countless blessings that their generosity has brought to the SVD Tagaytay Community and the SVD Farm itself.
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As the Ecospirituality Center and the SVD Farm itself flourishes, the institution serves as a lasting tribute to the Tagle family's indelible mark on the SVD Tagaytay Community.
Read more about the blessing of the SVD Farm’s Ecospirituality Center through the link below: