If you happen to have a vegetable salad drizzled with the sweet undertone and tangy taste of Alomah’s vinaigrette, chances are you have enjoyed Dave’s “experiment”. Well, not entirely, but a complement to his parent’s early kitchen creations. Although Grace and Benjohn started with the original flavors, Dave came up with the spicy salad dressings and variants powered by the health benefits of their very own produce which are abundant on their farm. Dave is the culinary protégé behind their farm's famous spicy vinaigrette, a key condiment that has made their ready-to-eat salads stand out.
Alomah’s Place and Nature Farm may now be a household name in Bukidnon, and so are their fresh lettuce and the savory dressings that are best served with it.
Although he is heavily involved and hands-on in the development of the farm’s food products, Dave took the time off from his busy schedule on the farm for a candid conversation.
Strong Family Ties
As the second child of Benjohn and Grace Mahistrado, Dave grew up witnessing the hardships his parents faced in establishing Alomah's Place and Nature Farm in Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Dave Mahistrado, born on January 06, 2000, is a prime example whose personality has been molded by his upbringing. From an early age, Dave was engaged in various farm activities, such as planting and caring for lettuce and herbs, fishing, tending horses, and more. This hands-on experience instilled in him the values of hard work and discipline.
As the family's farm grew and prospered, Dave's parents involved him in making their famous vinaigrette that complements their lettuce salad. Dave's love for cooking and the kitchen led him to pursue a degree in agribusiness management, a decision that aligns perfectly with his duties on their farm.
Despite the successes his parents have achieved, Dave remains committed to carrying on and honoring their legacy. His practical nature, disciplined approach, and strong work ethic have been forged by the challenges and triumphs of growing up on a farm and witnessing his parents' entrepreneurial journey.
Dave’s Agripreneurial Vision
After graduating from college, Dave took on the pivotal role of maintaining the quality of their vinaigrette. While inheriting an established farm business offers a sense of security, he is determined not to become complacent. His relentless pursuit of innovation has led to the creationof exciting new flavors, significantly broadening its market reach beyond the original offerings.
The new homemade vinaigrette is available in three distinct variants—Spicy, Sweet & Sour, and Turmeric—offered in various sizes to cater to diverse customer preferences.
Dave's passion for cooking and his commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients have been instrumental in the success of Alomah's. He works closely with his family to ensure that every aspect of the farm-to-table experience is of the highest quality.
“When I was tinkering in the kitchen, I came up with the vinaigrette in turmeric flavor, then I have upcoming new flavors like the extra spicy and the spicy turmeric. I came up with these flavors because there were times that people would give feedback that the vinaigrettes lacked that certain kick in the extra spicy department. The new flavors are our response to their demands. I also plan to come up with vinaigrettes infused with blue ternate.
At the moment, I plan to focus on the new flavors and have all our vinaigrettes FDA-approved so that they will be more accessible in the market and malls.” Dave said.
These innovative flavors quickly became a post-pandemic sensation, with weekly production and delivery volumes ranging from 30 to 50 liters at P270 per liter for the original flavor and P280 for the new flavors. The business has also ramped up its social media presence, showcasing products online and hosting bi-weekly meetups in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. During peak seasons, production can surge up to an impressive 100 liters per week across all three flavors.
In addition to his culinary talents, Dave is also involved in other aspects of the farm's operations, such as lending a hand in livestock management and online order transactions. His diverse skill set and his ability to work collaboratively with his family members have been key factors in the farm's continued growth and success.
Currently, their two-hectare farm primarily cultivates six varieties of organically grown lettuce, along with a selection of culinary and medicinal herbs. Alomah’s is recognized as a School for Practical Agriculture (SPA) by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), as a Farm School under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and is accredited as a Farm Tourism Site by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The farm operates as a family business, Dave’s older sister Amor manages the administration and finances, supported by their youngest brother Diego, while their parents oversee operations.
Having established a solid market presence, they are now exploring further opportunities for the farm by adopting the farm tourism concept. This includes offering accommodations in a farm setting, guided tours, and engaging activities such as horseback riding and pond fishing, enriching the overall farm tourism experience.
Work and Life Integration
In a world where comfort often breeds complacency, Dave and his siblings emerge as remarkable exceptions. Unlike many children who grow up oblivious to their parents' struggles, Dave is acutely aware of the relentless effort his parents invest to support their family. He does not take their sacrifices for granted; instead, he draws inspiration from their example, embracing their values and aspirations as his own. Their narrative is one of resilience and determination, serving as a poignant reminder that true success is forged through hard work and perseverance.
“The pandemic helped me focus on developing food products from our farm like the lettuce float, I used our lettuce produce instead of mangoes since mangoes can get very expensive especially when off-season. When I hit college, the lettuce float production stopped since I had to focus on my studies. Compared to making vinaigrettes, I find making lettuce floats laborious since it needs constant stirring, and I have to stay vigilant not to burn the mixture. Hopefully, we can afford to buy a machine soon that will do the mixing and stirring.” Dave said further.
Another invaluable lesson Dave cherishes is the significance of family. Despite his demanding schedule as a dedicated young agripreneur, he skillfully balances work and personal life, treasuring moments spent with loved ones. He understands that their support is crucial to his success. One of his favorite pastimes is participating in horse show competitions with his family, a tradition that brings him joy and relaxation. This cherished activity has now been passed down to his three-year-old niece, ensuring that the bond remains strong across generations.
For Dave, achieving success as an agripreneur hinges on a foundation built on love and passion for his work, along with the values instilled by his parents. This commitment fuels his dedication to farming and shapes his vision for the future, which includes exploring innovative vinaigrette flavors to expand its product line. He also aims to further showcase their products in popular malls, with aspirations to penetrate international markets.
Although he has been shielded from hardship by his family's unwavering support, Dave remains driven to elevate their vinaigrette business to new heights. He is resolute in honoring his parents' legacy in agribusiness, determined to overcome any obstacles that may arise and secure a prosperous future. Dave encapsulates his farming and agribusiness journey with a simple yet profound declaration: "When there's an opportunity, I always grab it.", Dave concluded. (written and submitted by: MaryLie M. Suralta, Agriculturist I)
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