A taste of the
farming life
Hacienda San Benito, the newly developed real
farming residential estate is located in scenic Lipa, Batangas
just a little over an hour’s ride from the center of Metro
Manila. Living there will allow urban families to enjoy working
and living off the land but without actually getting their hands
dirty.
The property is the brainchild of Milrose Realty Development
Corp. executive vice president/COO Ricky Ocampo. Hacienda San Benito was
developed as a sustainable and real working farm.
"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 venture into animal farming, aqua culture and
vermiculture, amenities that are available to the residents, as well as the
concept of cooperative farming wherein landowners receive a percentage of what
the management produces," says Ocampo.
Jason Buensalido, principal architect of Buensalido
+Architects, master planned this 22-hectare property that makes farming more
accessible, easier to maintain and affordableto residents. Ostriches, kois
imported from Niigata, Japan, and horses are only a few of the animals housed at
the Hacienda.
All residential lots have sizeable backyards designed
primarily to allow residents the benefit of substantial areas to plant and
harvest their choice among 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 has a commercial center called Commercio de
Ciudad that is open to the public. This area encompasses the Welcome Center,
Trading Post and Farmer’s Market where landowners can make a profit from what
they harvest from their backyard farms by trading among themselves and property
guests.
Residents can harvest fresh ingredients and create their own
organic pizza at the Pizza Cabana, fish at the Fish Run, go boating at the
beautifully designed koi-shaped pond at the Laguna de Oro, swim at the cascading
pond, or relax while having a cup of coffee at the Terraza de Barako.
Added attractions are the Hacienda’s landmarks such as Puente
de Maria (portal to the Hacienda) and Molini del Viento (the windmill).
The concept of cooperative farming at the Hacienda San Benito is introduced
through a central farming center known as Finca Central, a first in the country.
Under the scheme landowners are entitled 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 actual work.
