Genovivo “Bong” Cajes once walked hospital corridors as a nurse and medical representative. Life, however, had other plans. As featured on Agri Asenso’s July 5 episode, Bong chose to answer a different calling—one deeply rooted in nature, legacy, and community. A bold move that would grow into a life of purpose and impact.
He is now the proud owner of Macatabo Farm, a serene and sustainable agri-tourism site tucked in Purok 2, Sitio Macatabo, Carmen, Baguio District, Davao City. Named after his late father, Macario Cajes, the farm spans 13 hectares of vibrant greenery and innovation. Bong’s transformation stands as a powerful reminder: sometimes healing others means growing something new—from the soil up.
Where Nature Meets Nurture
The farm is split into two dynamic areas. The first features dairy and poultry operations, with 42 organically raised cattle and other livestock. The second showcases lush fields of lakatan banana, vegetables, herbs, and vibrant training zones. It's also where guests get to enjoy Kape Macario, a heartfelt tribute to Bong’s late father, blending legacy, sustainability, and hospitality in every cup.
Grown on-site and enjoyed amid banana groves, herb gardens, and dairy pastures, this coffee is part of a serene agri-tourism retreat that offers therapeutic kawa baths, cozy cabin stays, and community empowerment by providing jobs and training to indigenous workers—making every sip a celebration of tradition, wellness, and local impact.
Recognition Rooted in Resilience
After years of learning and refining his farming practices, Bong’s determination finally paid off when he won the prestigious Outstanding Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden (Macrogarden) award in the 50th Gawad Saka. Certified in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and recognized as a Local Learning Site II (LSA II), his farm is now a model of responsible, sustainable agriculture.
But behind the award was a journey filled with grit, learning, and a heart that never gave up. Bong uses the farm as a platform to educate others, believing that true farming goes beyond the soil. It’s about passing on wisdom, nurturing the land, and inspiring future generations to dream big and dig deep.
It’s a philosophy he lives by every single day. As Bong often says, farming isn’t just about producing—it’s about educating, sharing, and empowering. And at Macatabo, those words aren’t just spoken—they’re sown into every seed, carried in every harvest, and felt in every story shared with visitors and volunteers alike.
A Garden of Goodness
Macatabo Farm runs on innovation. Bong developed a soil-mixing nursery to give plants the best possible start. He prepares the land using natural manure, ensuring health from the roots up. These smart farming techniques, blended with knowledge gained from ATI, TESDA, and GAP training, help keep the farm efficient and healthy.
His farm also produces a rainbow of vegetables—from pinakbet staples to chopsuey favorites—and a fragrant lineup of culinary and medicinal herbs like rosemary, sweet basil, oregano, stevia, and peppermint. Products are marketed through Kadiwa stalls, Facebook orders, and direct deliveries to schools, condominiums, and subdivisions. It’s not just business—it’s a lifestyle rooted in passion. As Bong puts it, “It’s never just about the capital. Real farmers farm with heart.”
Farming for the Community
More than a farm, Macatabo is a lifeline. During the pandemic, Bong and his team donated vegetables and fruits to frontliners, helped schools start garden-and-sell programs, and welcomed OJTs from elementary schools to learn the ropes of agribusiness. His workforce is made up largely of Indigenous Peoples, with a strong emphasis on employing women—widows, single moms, and senior citizens—who find both purpose and livelihood on the farm. He also leads the Macatabo Vegetable Farmers Association and contributed land to the Binhi at Lawa project, transforming donated space into a fishpond where proceeds are shared equally.
Like any venture, Macatabo faced its share of setbacks—from milk spoilage due to poor cold storage to vegetable oversupply without market outlets. Bong didn’t fold under pressure. With help from DOST and TESDA, he responded by building a dairy processing system to ensure product stability and shelf life. To address market challenges, he launched weekend farm tours and walk-in markets, transforming excess into opportunity. These initiatives not only saved produce from waste but also introduced a new revenue stream and offered educational experiences for guests. Creativity, it seems, is another crop Macatabo grows well.
Looking Ahead
In the future, Bong plans to open a TESDA-accredited Farm School with an emphasis on large ruminants and organic farming, complete with new training spaces and expanded accommodations. He also plans to build a dedicated dairy processing facility to boost production and create more value-added products.
Macatabo Farm, under Bong’s leadership, is more than a business—it is a celebration of Filipino resilience and ingenuity. What started as a tribute to his father has grown into a nationally recognized agricultural sanctuary, proving that even the most unlikely journeys can bloom into something extraordinary.
And while the farm continues to thrive with innovation and purpose, there's a quiet presence that anchors it all. Somewhere in those banana groves and herb-scented breezes, his father’s spirit lives on—quietly, proudly, and forever part of the harvest. ###
