HACIENDA San Benito is the newly developed real farming residential estate in scenic Lipa, Batangas. Just a little over an hour’s ride from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, urban families can now fully enjoy the experience of working and living off the land but without actually getting their hands dirty.

The property and its unique concept is the brainchild of Milrose Realty Development Corp. executive vice president/COO Ricky Ocampo after he left the family’s banking and finance business to try his hand at real-estate development. Hacienda San Benito was developed as a sustainable and real working farm, aimed at making its residents and guests feel like true hacienderos.

“Hacienda San Benito offers several innovations in the real-estate industry, particularly in the development of a real-farming community. Among these are the management’s ventures into animal farming, aqua culture and vermiculture, the farm amenities that are available to the property’s residents, as well as the concept of cooperative farming wherein landowners receive a percentage of what the management produces,” says Ocampo.

Masterplanned by Jason Buensalido, principal architect of Buensalido+ Architects, this 22-hectare property takes the concept of farming and makes it more accessible, easier to maintain and more affordable. Ostriches, kois imported from Niigata, Japan, and horses are only a few of the animals housed at the Hacienda. All residential lots available have sizable backyards designed specifically to provide residents with the benefit of having their own substantial areas to plant and harvest their choice of a variety of crops, fruits and vegetables.

Hacienda San Benito incorporates several farm amenities unique to the property. Landowners can enjoy the ultimate farm living experience and have access to all the farm facilities.  The property also boasts of a commercial center that is open to the public. Called Commercio de Ciudad, this area encompasses the Welcome Center, Trading Post and Farmer’s Market, where landowners are given the opportunity to make a profit from what they harvest from their backyard farms, and to encourage trade among the residents and property guests.

Residents can take part in the many farm activities, such as harvesting fresh ingredients and creating their own organic pizza at the Pizza Cabana, fishing at the Fish Run, boating at the beautifully designed koi-shaped pond at the Laguna de Oro, swimming at the cascading pond, or relaxing while having a cup of coffee at the Terraza de Barako.

Adding to the wonderful view are the Hacienda’s iconic landmarks, Puente de Maria (portal to the Hacienda) and Molino del Viento (the windmill).

What sets this soon-to-be thriving real-working farm apart from others in the Philippines is that it introduces the concept of Cooperative Farming through a central-farming center, tagged Finca Central, which is a first in the country.

This practice entitles landowners to shares of the cooperative’s proceeds apart from what they earn from their own backyard harvest. The Farm Management Group makes sure that residents benefit from what the farm produces without doing any actual work. 

For inquiries: 772-4262, 772-1697, local 109.

Vivid dialogue pops up across the blogosphere

THE baffled father posted a simple question online. “Any idea what color would be great” for the bedroom of his guitar-playing 13-year-old son? Kate Smith’s answer, posted on her blog at www.colorforyourhome.com, pulled no punches.

‘X-Files’ fans get a taste of the 2008 sequel

YOU must remember this: A kiss is just a kiss—unless, that is, it’s a kiss between paranormal investigators Fox Mulder and Dana Scully projected larger than life on the giant screen of the Cinerama Dome.

Reeling: In praise of the first ‘Japayukis’

THAT we love to sing is proven already by the phenomenon of salesclerks and ladies who may not have it in their mind to thank you but are always ready to sing along with whatever is playing in the department stores.

For your home away from home

IT’S that lovely little—or not so little—space far away from the madding crowd that you call home, where you and your family retreat during long weekends and for the occasional minibreaks when the daily grind just gets a bit much.

Want a taste of the farming lifestyle?

HACIENDA San Benito is the newly developed real farming residential estate in scenic Lipa, Batangas. Just a little over an hour’s ride from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, urban families can now fully enjoy the experience of working and living off the land but without actually getting their hands dirty.