SVD Laudato Si' Farm—Tagaytay

Tagaytay City— As part of the second day of the Department of Agriculture 4A's (DA-4A) Vegetable Stakeholders’ Consultation Cum Planning Workshop, representatives from 16 farmer organizations from CALABARZON gathered at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm last August 8, 2024. The workshop was conducted for two days, starting on the previous day, by the DA 4A as part of its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) initiative.

Tagaytay City —Indigenous farmers from Region 3, accompanied by representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 3, visited the SVD Laudato Si' Farm last August 5, 2024. The visit was part of the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (DA 4K) Program, aimed at empowering indigenous communities through sustainable agriculture.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm welcomed a diverse group of young students from various East Asian countries as part of the third-day activities of this year's SYM CIAO Camp last July 31, 2024. The camp, organized by the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), served as an international celebration that brought together young people, lay animators, and FMA (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) Sisters from across the region under the Conferenza Interispettoriale Asia Orientale (Interprovincial Conference of East Asia). The delegates hailed from countries such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Timor Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam. Their visit to the SVD Farm resonated deeply with this year's camp theme, "Young Dreamers: Empowering Dreams for a Just and Sustainable World," as the activities provided both spiritual enrichment and hands-on learning about sustainability. *** Throughout their visit, the attendees exp...

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm partnered with De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) last July 23, 2024, during a day-long event dedicated to developing knowledge of food safety and food costing. The event, themed "Pagkaing Bigay ng Diyos sa Atin, Pagyamanin!" (God’s Gift of Food to Us, Let’s Enrich It!), took place at the Prayer Hall of the SVD Farm’s Ecospirituality Center and was attended by employees and supervisors from the various units and departments of the SVD Farm.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Cavite (DOST-CAVITE) and Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) hosted a two-day SMEIDFI-Training-Workshop on Waste Analysis & Characterization Study (WACS) last July 11 to 12, 2024, at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo.

Tagaytay City —Last June 28, 2024, the SVD Laudato Si' Farm conducted a customer service training for it's employees and managerd at the Prayer Hall of the Ecospirituality Center. The event featured two sessions: the first from 8 AM to 12 NN and the second from 12 NN to 5 PM, catering to both regular employees and members of the the executive committee of the SVD Farm. The training was attended by the regular employees of the SVD Farm, including the members of the executive committee, and was honored by the presence of Fr. Ricardo Crisostomo, Jr., SVD, General Manager of SVD Farm. The program aimed to enhance the customer service skills of all participants, ensuring that every interaction at SVD Farm meets the highest standards of excellence. The sessions were facilitated by a team of experts—Mr. Roland Villareal, Ms. Cheryl Jerales, Ms. Michalle Cabinta, and Mr. Francis Carl Melanio. Each facilitator brought unique insights and practical strategies for customer ser...

Tagaytay City —Three members of the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm’s management team finished their participation in the Laudato Si’ Certified Environmental Trainer (LS-CET) program of the Don Bosco School of Theology (DBST). The program began on March 2, 2024, and ended on May 18, 2024. Finally, last June 18, 2024, Ms. Joylene Leynes, Head of Operations Management Department,, Mr. Juan Miguel Ala-Tolentino, Head of the Corporate Communications Department, and Ms. Karen Peji, Sales and Marketing Officer (former Human Resource Officer), were formally certified by DBST under the LS-CET program.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm blessed its new flower garden, inaugurated as the St. Thérèse Flower Garden, last May 30, 2024, during a solemn yet celebratory activity. This occasion marked the belated culmination of the SVD Farm's celebration of Laudato Si' Week and its "Flowers for Mary" activities for May. The garden, named in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux—the patron saint of florists and of mission—was blessed by Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD. The ceremony was attended by members and guests of the SVD Farm, as well as seminarians and priests of the SVD Tagaytay Community.

Tagaytay City —As part of their celebration of Laudato Si' Week, members of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm family participated in a tree-planting activity last May 25, 2024, that expressed the institution’s communal commitment to environmental stewardship.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm concluded its first-ever Laudato Si' Seminar last May 24, 2024, following the first day of the seminar last May 22, 2024. The two-day seminar, held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo, was part of the SVD Farm's celebration of Laudato Si' Week. During the second day of the seminar, the participants learned about the Laudato Si’ Plan and solid waste management.

Tagaytay City— The SVD Laudato Si' Farm conducted the first day of its first-ever Laudato Si' Seminar last May 22, 2024, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to promote sustainable knowledge and practices. The second day of the seminar was held on May 24, 2024. Held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo, the two-day seminar was part of the SVD Farm's celebration of Laudato Si' Week and aims to deepen the community's understanding of environmental stewardship. During the first day of the seminar, the participants learned about Laudato Si’ and climate change.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm hosted its annual Parade of Animals last May 19, 2024, marking the opening of Laudato Si’ Week and a belated celebration of the feast days of San Isidro Labrador and Santa Maria Torribia, the patron saints of farmers. The event was a delightful gathering, featuring animals from the SVD Farm alongside pets brought by guests.

Tagaytay City —To give thanks to God for the successful event "A Banquet to Remember," Rev. Fr. Samuel "Sam" N. Agcaracar, SVD, Rector of the SVD Tagaytay Community and Executive Director of the SVD Farm, presided over the Holy Mass at the SVD Laudato Si' Farm's Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor last April 10, 2024. A Banquet to Remember, which was a commemoration of 60 glorious years of SVD presence in Tagaytay City, was held last April 9, 2024, at the SVD Tagaytay Gymnasium. The celebration brought together members of the SVD Tagaytay Community and its supporters during a dinner and dance drama about the 60-year history of the SVD Tagaytay Community.

Tagaytay City —Last Good Friday, March 29, 2024, the SVD Laudato Si' Farm came alive with devotion and unity as the community gathered for the Grand Stations of the Cross. This annual event, steeped in tradition, drew participants from all walks of life, each carrying the symbolic cross from one station to the next, embodying the spirit of sacrifice and reflection.

Tagaytay City —In order to deepen spirituality during the Lenten season, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm conducted its Lenten Saturday Recollection Series, featuring prominent priest from the SVD Tagaytay Community as facilitators. The recollection series, held every Saturday throughout the month of March, brought together participants for talks and Holy Mass sessions aimed at enriching their Lenten journey.

Tagaytay City —The partnership between the SVD Laudato Si' Farm and De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) began in earnest last March 6, 2024, during the orientation for the internship program for the eleven Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students from DLSL. The event, which was also joined by two Culinary Arts interns from STI Tagaytay, was held at the Prayer Hall of the Ecospirituality Center.

Tagaytay City —In a sacred ceremony filled with grace and solemnity, five deacons from the Lumen Class of the SVD Tagaytay Community were ordained last February 10, 2024, at the Holy Spirit Chapel, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. The newly-ordained priests are Rev. Fr. Edbelwin Jiah Manda, SVD, who is assigned to the Philippine North, Rev. Fr. Karl Cabanalan, SVD, who is assigned to Mozambique, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bondoc, SVD, who is assigned to Colombia, Rev. Fr. Carlo “Caloy” Salidaga, SVD, who is assigned to Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Rev. Fr. Arjie “Ducs” Ducayag, SVD, who is assigned to Japan.

Tagaytay City —Last February 28, 2024, the five priests of the Lumen Class returned to the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm, the site of many significant moments in their formation as part of the SVD Tagaytay Community, to concelebrate the Holy Mass at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor. During the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Karl Cabanalan, SVD, delivered an inspiring homily, urging the SVD Farm family to “embrace the path without shortcuts” in their lives of faith.

Tagaytay City —The SVD Laudato Si' Farm and De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) formalized a partnership last February 20, 2024, setting into place the upcoming internship program between the two institutions. During the ceremony held at the Prayer Hall of the SVD Farm's Ecospirituality Center, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the SVD Farm and DLSL were signed by representatives from the respective institutions.

Tagaytay City— The SVD Laudato Si' Farm began its solemn celebration of the Lenten season last February 14, 2024, with the Holy Mass at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, presided over by Rev. Fr. Stanislav Orečný, SVD, Chaplain of the SVD Farm.