GK Enchanted Farm: An Enchanting Weekend Away in the Province
When in Manila, the hustle and bustle of our smoky metro can make one long for a more laid-back environment, fresh provincial air, and clean and green surroundings.
The Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm’s Bloggers Weekend was a godsend what with the summer heat raising temperatures and tempers. Bloggers were invited to experience the simple life in the Enchanted Farm, and to raise awareness for Gawad Kalinga’s advocacies.
Gawad Kalinga aims for the GK Enchanted Farm to be a silicon valley for social entrepreneurs to build their business, provide jobs to locals, and generate profit for the benefit of the simple Filipino individual. “The best for the least”, as they say.
This was my second time to visit GK Enchanted Farm. I had the privilege of covering for WheninManila Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm’s Countryside Christmas Fair last year, as well. Read about it here: Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm Celebrates Christmas in the Countryside
GK Enchanted Farm: A “Disneyland for Social Tourism”
Over the weekend, the bloggers who visited the GK Enchanted Farm were treated to demos from social enterprises that were first established there, and continue to generate profit for the benefit of the farm. Aside from learning how to create their products from simple resources, we were also told the tales and success stories behind each enterprise.
An Artisan Chocolate Making Demo was given by Philo Chua, founder and owner of Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates, which are the only bean to bar chocolate products in the Philippines. With flavors like green mango and salt, calamansi, and adobo, these artisan creations are making raves among chocolate lovers and enthusiasts.
Philo Chua of Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates
Gourmet Keso’s Products: Carabao’s Milk (chocolate, regular, and coffe flavors) and Kesong Puti (garlic and herbs flavors)
Can you believe we import 99% of our dairy products even from countries that don’t even have cows? Gourmet Keso aims to solve this problem by become a strong local dairy brand and to help our farmers by sourcing only local ingredients. Using carabao’s milk and pure vinegar, the process of producing the cheese was as simple as ABC – Amalgamate, Brine, and say Cheese!
Fabien Courteille, founder of Plush & Play
Can you believe we import 99% of our dairy products even from countries that don’t even have cows?? Gourmet Keso aims to solve this problem by become a strong local dairy brand and to help our farmers by sourcing only local ingredients. Using carabao’s milk and pure vinegar, the process of producing the cheese was as simple as ABC – Amalgamate, Brine, and say Cheese!
Fabien Courteille is one of the farm’s trouper residents. Having been at the farm for almost three years now, Fabien has helped the mothers in the village by providing them with steady income and a job that allows them to work from the comfort of their homes. Plush and Play produces hand-stitched stuffed toys made with the undervalued sewing skills of women living in Gawad Kalinga communities.
We had the chance to create our own stuffed toy in the shape of a heart. Using a sewing machine is no walk in the farm as it requires a steady hand-eye-foot coordination. With the guidance of the nanays at the Plush and Play mini-factory, my stuffed heart was a success!
