SVD Laudato Si' Farm—Tagaytay

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.

Pompeyo R. Cornejo, affectionately known as Tatay Ninoy to his friends and family, passed away last March 2, 2024, at the age of 61. Tatay Ninoy was one of the senior farmers of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm, and his passing is mourned by all of us. We invite you to commemorate and celebrate with us the life and legacy of a man who was not just a farmer but a cornerstone of the SVD Farm family and the SVD Tagaytay community as a whole.

The SVD Laudato Si' Farm stands as a testament to the profound impact that dedicated individuals can make on both the earth and the spirit. Meet Ms. Joylene V. Leynes, Operations Management Department Head of the SVD Farm. In this feature, may we be inspired by her story.

 In a visit to the SVD Farm, Mr. George and Mrs. Melly Tagle, parents of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, shared their pride in their son's longstanding commitment to environmental protection. Their visit was marked by a reflection on the Cardinal's contributions to environmental advocacy, particularly during his time as Bishop of the Diocese of Imus and his tenure in Manila. During their visit, the Tagles were accompanied by Ms. Clariz Cruz, the SVD Farm’s Liaison Officer.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

The SVD Laudato Si' Farm stands as a testament to the profound impact that dedicated individuals can make on both the earth and the spirit. Meet Patricia Santos de Vela, a young devoted volunteer to the Farm, who embodies the spirit of selfless service and unwavering faith that has come to define this remarkable initiative. In this feature, may we be inspired by her story.

“There is no SVD Laudato Si' Farm without the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor,” said Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, referring to how the Farm’s Grotto and Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor are named after the aforementioned title of the Blessed Mother. As the SVD Farm’s Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor gears up for its second anniversary this July 28, 2023, let us take a moment to look back upon the history of the SVD Farm and its inextricable connection to the Virgin of the Poor. In this retrospective feature, we delve into the rich history and profound significance of the Grotto and Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor.