Mauie Flores

As much as possible, I choose natural alternatives for my family. Living in the city makes it even doubly hard to find organic what-have-yous. Thankfully, more and more natural products become available in the market today.


One natural product that we've been using for few years now is ASCOF Lagundi. ASCOF Lagundi is made from all-natural lagundi leaves. Lagundi is one of the 10 herbal medicines recommended by the Department of Health (DOH). Also, studies done by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have proven that lagundi contains chrysoplenon D which is a muscle relaxant with anthistamine properties. Pascual Laboratories, makers of ASCOF Lagundi, ensures everything is as natural as it should be by harvesting and processing lagundi from their very own organic farm, the LAC Farm.



I and other mommy bloggers were invited to take a tour around the Leonie Agri Corp. (LAC) farm which sits at a 42-hectare property in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. Not only are lagundi plants grown here but also sambong (chief ingredient of Pascual Lab's Releaf Forte for kidney stones) and organic vegetables such as malunggay, amplaya, sitaw, eggplant, and lettuce which they supply to SM Supermarket. It's really the real Farmville for me!



But more than producing organically grown herbs and vegetables, the LAC Farm has helped improve not only the physical quality of the land but also the spiritual and financial lives. Guided by LAC President and Pascual Lab Chief Innovation Officer Engr. Jun Saret and farm General Manager Andy Parducho, each worker in the farm puts God in the center of everything they do. And because of this immense faith and devotion, what was once known as "Lupang Sinumpa" (cursed land) because it was so barren, everyday miracles have transformed the farm into the first and largest organic farm in the Philippines.

Up to now, I get goosebumps when I remember the story behind the irrigation they built within the farm. It was actually inspired by Isaiah 43:19-21 which says,

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."

Remember, the land was barren and dry but they miraculously found a water system from within the property. Through bayanihan, the irrigation is now one of the farm's beautiful attractions.



LAC Farm has transformed "lowly" farmers to their very own business partners. They taught the farmers the basics of the business through an output-based scheme and virtual business simulation. Now, they are able to operate on their own self-directed teams. The famers' personal income have gone up 200 to 400% and, because of this, they are now able to send their children to school and build better homes. Meanwhile, the local Aeta community in Doña Josefa, Nueva Ecija not only learned how to gain income from lagundi farming but also to preserve their ancestral land through reforestation.

In a nutshell, everyone wins in this business set-up. LAC Farm provides organic produce, consumers get to buy all-natural products, farmers uplift their lives, and the land is improved because of the farms environmental practices.

You can view more photos from the LAC Farm tour here.


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