I have a secret to tell. I love the countryside more than the city. And my recent visit to GK Enchanted Farm sealed the deal.
What I thought as just a welcoming break from the hustle and bustle of the city life became an eventful day. I have gotten more than what I bargained for. I got to see for myself the things they have been doing on the farm and I never thought that I would be able to be part of those noble things even just for a day.
As an activist at one point of my student life at the UP-Diliman and now as a professional working in the country’s legislative arm, Mr. Tony Meloto’s pro-Philippines, pro-environment and pro-poor ideals are nothing new to me. What wow-ed me is to see for myself how these ideals are actually being put into practice through a farm that serves as a platform for farm village university, social entrepreneurship and social tourism which end goal is to build sustainable community to end poverty. Whew!
I admit that it has been hard for me to come up with this post. I was scared that I will not be able to give justice to even a quarter of what they have been doing on the farm. But something larger than life ought to be shared.
What I love about the farm is how they encourage farmers and their families to become entrepreneurs wherein they get to directly sell their produce, giving them a fair share of the market. This, later on, will help them create wealth in the countryside.
The farm inspires families who live there to start their own enterprises that will not only unleash their skills but will also help them make the best out of the resources available in the country (such as the vast agricultural lands) waiting to be tapped.
I was lucky to be able to witness some of the social enterprises in the farm by the Filipinos for the Filipinos, but a bunch of help from foreigner friends is pouring in. Those "friends" know the value of sustainable development in eradicating poverty. That is why most of the enterprises in the farm are being backed by foreigners not only to volunteer, donate, brainstorm, and strategize for the enterprises, but also to bring out the best potentials of the community.
Stuffed Toy (Plush & Play)
What I thought as just a welcoming break from the hustle and bustle of the city life became an eventful day. I have gotten more than what I bargained for. I got to see for myself the things they have been doing on the farm and I never thought that I would be able to be part of those noble things even just for a day.
As an activist at one point of my student life at the UP-Diliman and now as a professional working in the country’s legislative arm, Mr. Tony Meloto’s pro-Philippines, pro-environment and pro-poor ideals are nothing new to me. What wow-ed me is to see for myself how these ideals are actually being put into practice through a farm that serves as a platform for farm village university, social entrepreneurship and social tourism which end goal is to build sustainable community to end poverty. Whew!
I admit that it has been hard for me to come up with this post. I was scared that I will not be able to give justice to even a quarter of what they have been doing on the farm. But something larger than life ought to be shared.
What I love about the farm is how they encourage farmers and their families to become entrepreneurs wherein they get to directly sell their produce, giving them a fair share of the market. This, later on, will help them create wealth in the countryside.
The farm inspires families who live there to start their own enterprises that will not only unleash their skills but will also help them make the best out of the resources available in the country (such as the vast agricultural lands) waiting to be tapped.
I was lucky to be able to witness some of the social enterprises in the farm by the Filipinos for the Filipinos, but a bunch of help from foreigner friends is pouring in. Those "friends" know the value of sustainable development in eradicating poverty. That is why most of the enterprises in the farm are being backed by foreigners not only to volunteer, donate, brainstorm, and strategize for the enterprises, but also to bring out the best potentials of the community.
Stuffed Toy (Plush & Play)
Meet Anne Kamatis,the tomato (Anne Curtis), Buko Martin, the coconut (Coco Martin), Mais Ganda, the corn (Vice Ganda) and Jessica Saging, the banana (Jessica Sanchez)! These are just some of the Plush and Play stuffed toys created by Fabien and being sewn by some of the ladies in the farm. Given the needed exposure, I have a feeling that at least here in the Philippines, these toys will give Hello Kitty a run for its money in the near future.
Duck eggs (Golden Duck)
Duck eggs (Golden Duck)
Ducks are highly resilient animals. It makes them healthier and cleaner alternatives to chickens. In the farm, they try to use natural way and natural ingredients and some technology to grow their ducks and duck eggs. Sure it is a bit complicated to maintain ducks and their poultry compared to chickens and their poultry but when you are served a more nutritious, not to mention tastier alternative duck dish, it will be all worth it. No pain, no gain, remember? I strongly believe that the duck industry can change the course of the game of the poultry industry in the Philippines. And I hope so, too, that it will happen as soon as possible.
They use turmeric to paint the duck eggs gold.
Pork (Hamon)
They use turmeric to paint the duck eggs gold.
Pork (Hamon)
Pork dumplings, anyone?
Cheese (Gourmet Keso)
Cheese lovers, unite! There is an easy but fun way to make kesong puti. The preparation is easy peasy but the taste is extraordinary. What’s the secret? Well, you are in luck! Gourmet Keso is having a free food tasting at GK Enchanted Farm Café. Go!
Cheese lovers, unite! There is an easy but fun way to make kesong puti. The preparation is easy peasy but the taste is extraordinary. What’s the secret? Well, you are in luck! Gourmet Keso is having a free food tasting at GK Enchanted Farm Café. Go!
The two French interns helping out Ate Maricel of Gourmet Keso.
Taste test of their Gourmet Keso variants. Yum yum.
Taste test of their Gourmet Keso variants. Yum yum.
Food
I dig natural, organic and healthy food. The opportunity to have a taste of the food in the farm got me so excited that I was not able to take pictures of what we ate. But we had a hearty lunch and dinner, mind you. One of the best food trips that I have had so far. I swear I will be going back to the farm just for the food experience alone. But I am lucky that we live in Quezon City and a trip to GK Enchanted Farm Café on Commonwealth Avenue is just at least a 5-minute ride away.
The Bamboo Palace
Care for a serene moment with a breathtaking view? The Bamboo Palace will not fail you. Several functions were already held here. I was not surprised. The palace has its own beauty. The design is unconventional. The fact that it was made out of bamboo added to its charm.
Not your ordinary chair at the Palace.
I dig natural, organic and healthy food. The opportunity to have a taste of the food in the farm got me so excited that I was not able to take pictures of what we ate. But we had a hearty lunch and dinner, mind you. One of the best food trips that I have had so far. I swear I will be going back to the farm just for the food experience alone. But I am lucky that we live in Quezon City and a trip to GK Enchanted Farm Café on Commonwealth Avenue is just at least a 5-minute ride away.
The Bamboo Palace
Care for a serene moment with a breathtaking view? The Bamboo Palace will not fail you. Several functions were already held here. I was not surprised. The palace has its own beauty. The design is unconventional. The fact that it was made out of bamboo added to its charm.
Not your ordinary chair at the Palace.
Pasalubong Shop
What is not to love about shopping? Oh, there is one: the guilt feeling that comes after. After the demos, I went to the shop to refill my stash of Human Nature products at home. My personal favorites are their hand sanitizer, mosquito repellent, feminine wash, and kids’ shampoo. I did not mind spending. Because I know that every centavo that I get to spend in the farm will go back to the community that farms the land, prepares the food and maintains the sustainable practices of the farm. It was a guilt-free spending, indeed.
What is not to love about shopping? Oh, there is one: the guilt feeling that comes after. After the demos, I went to the shop to refill my stash of Human Nature products at home. My personal favorites are their hand sanitizer, mosquito repellent, feminine wash, and kids’ shampoo. I did not mind spending. Because I know that every centavo that I get to spend in the farm will go back to the community that farms the land, prepares the food and maintains the sustainable practices of the farm. It was a guilt-free spending, indeed.
Infinity Pool
Who would have thought that there is a pool in the farm? And it is not just a pool, it is an infinity pool. My little family had a blast at the pool. We had a refreshing swim to cap our day off in the farm. And the spectacular view around us was a bonus.
The infinity pool with a spectacular view!
My little one is happy to try the pool. Backdrop is one of their rooms for accommodation.
I consider myself lucky to have these things experienced for a day. It was as if I have been part of 'positive' activism. What they have in the farm are not just mere ideals. They provide solutions and put them into practice. It has become a way of life. It has become a movement and a revolution to see to it that poverty is at bay in the Philippines.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a traveler, a tourist, a parent, a teacher, a student, a kid, a Filipino, or a foreigner, there really is something for you to do in the farm.
Be a part of that GK EF’s vision to build a Farm Village University, to make the farm a Silicon Valley for social entrepreneurship, and a ‘Disneyland’ for social tourism.
Book your trip, tour or immersion for a day or two now and experience the farm life!
For more information:
GK Enchanted Farm
California St., Pandi Angat Road,
Angat, Bulacan, Philippines
Website: http://gk1world.com/gk-enchanted-farm
You can also follow them on Facebook (GK Enchanted Farm), Twitter (gkefarm) and Instagram (gkenchantedfarm).
Be a part of that GK EF’s vision to build a Farm Village University, to make the farm a Silicon Valley for social entrepreneurship, and a ‘Disneyland’ for social tourism.
Book your trip, tour or immersion for a day or two now and experience the farm life!
For more information:
GK Enchanted Farm
California St., Pandi Angat Road,
Angat, Bulacan, Philippines
Website: http://gk1world.com/gk-enchanted-farm
You can also follow them on Facebook (GK Enchanted Farm), Twitter (gkefarm) and Instagram (gkenchantedfarm).
