By Jonalyn Fulo Fortuno
WHEN Aleli Pansacola first embraced community service and natural healing as two of her advocacies in the mid-1980s, little did she know that her noble undertakings will be aligned with future trends in sustainable agriculture, as well as farm and wellness tourism industry.
As an active member of various environmental and sociocivic groups, Pansacola began to develop an interest on sustainable living, because she believes that this could alleviate the economic plight of communities. It was her visits into provinces that initiated her to natural healing, a form of alternative medicine that harnesses the therapeutic properties of herbs and other earth-based remedies. This traditional practice taught her the art of using natural medicines in the hope that she could impart such knowledge to communities that have no access to modern medicines and health-care facilities.
Soon enough, Pansacola started conducting workshops for hilot (touch therapy) and herbal medicine. She taught the community residents how to create herbal gardens and the numerous benefits culled from herbs. When asked by farmers if there’s income out of planting herbs, that’s when she realized that the endeavor should be self-sustaining, too.
At that time, Pansacola was already a member of Philippine Institute for Alternative Futures (PIAF), an organization which strongly promotes the creation of community-based enterprise through alternative development strategies. As head of PIAF’s Herbal Group, she conducted extensive research on herbal technologies and the various benefits of essential oils. Her research eventually pointed her to the potential economic benefits of herbal industry, thus, inspiring her to start a business in 1986, called Daila Herbal Community Enterprises (DHCE).
DHCE is really intended to provide livelihood opportunities to the locals. From the start, Pansacola did so by asking the community residents to cultivate herbal plants she would need to manufacture her soap line. Soon enough, the herbal gardens became her main source for raw materials.
Running up a business was no easy feat for Pansacola. She also went through trying times that almost made her give up. “It was a struggle, really, in all aspects. I started at a time when modern technology was still far from our reach and I didn’t have enough fund for the business,” she recalls. But with hardwork, patience and determination, her business eventually flourished.
From single proprietorship in 1987, DHCE was incorporated in 1991 and went into manufacturing environment and health-friendly natural herbal products, such as soaps, laundry granules, and personal- and household-care products. Its banner product Victoria Herbal Laundry Granules even won several international awards, as well as recognitions from Switzerland, Morocco, Bulgaria and Asia.
A tribute to nature
These incredible accomplishments have only fueled Pansacola’s desire to develop more business opportunities to the communities. Her latest venture Daila Farmer’s Agricultural Resources and Management Services (Daila FARMS) is set up to carry out the advocacies, which DHCE is anchored on, espousing holistic approach to living and sustainability movement.
Located along San Francisco Highway in Tagaytay, the 2-hectare farm is a tribute to Mother Nature, as its facilities are designed and built with green materials. Likewise, it is geared toward the promotion of environmental preservation as indicated by the various activities and workshops that it will soon offer to those who are interested on eco-conscious way of living.
The first phase of Daila FARMS features six uniquely designed areas: Ugnayan, a kiosk made of mud, which will be the venue for farmers to network and sell their health-friendly community products; Bamboo House, a seminar hall that can house 30 to 50 people, with an adjacent café that will serve farm-to-table dishes once it becomes fully operational; Ulog (Ifugao huts), which offers affordable accommodations for guests; Dap-ay, an activity center designed for activities, such as bonfires, full-moon meditation, drumming circles, and empowering rituals and artists’ expressions; Campsite, which is an ideal site to enjoy a night with nature; and Ruben’s Garden, which utilizes a practical farming system to cultivate its veggies, such as kale, quinoa, jalapeno, scotch bonnet, harlequin carrots and blue corn.
As Daila FARMS is in part grounded on community service, Aleli says they also plan to conduct workshops on practical farming technologies so that the farmers would be able to develop practical farming solutions and do away with synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers. That way, not only would they harvest all-natural produce but also lessen the harmful environmental impact caused by conventional farming system.
“As a whole, Daila FARMS has become a grounding place, to reconnect to the earth, to enjoy health, peace and happiness, and learn how the creative process is a blend of faith in possibilities and sincere work on whatever available resources,” Aleli shares.
At present, Daila FARMS offers a weekend market, where locals can get to buy organic fresh produce, artisanal goods and other local products sold by the farmers.