For Bukid Amara owner Michael Caballes, having a clear vision and master plan for an agribusiness venture is crucial to make it both profitable and sustainable.

As such, it is not surprising that Bukid Amara, a flower farm nestled at the foot of Mount Banahaw in Quezon, has a wide array of “revenue streams” that range from crop, herb, and herb production, as well as farm tourism.

The farm specializes in producing flowers like petunia, sunflower, daisy, marigold, and gerbera.

The 2.7-hectare farm is also called a Learning Site for Agriculture and Farm Tourism, and is open for day tours where visitors may pick flowers and go fishing for a fee.

And the scenic farmland, which Caballes considers “bukidscape”, as inspired by National Artist Fernando Amorosolo’s landscape art, has been an ideal site for prenuptial shoots. 

Aside from flower farming, Caballes, a Go Negosyo mentor, said Bukid Amara provides training on greenhouse crop production and smart agriculture. 

Caballes will be one of the featured speakers on the third day of the Horti-Filipina International Plant Show on Feb. 23 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. He will be speaking on the topic flower tourism.

Horti-Filipina International Plant Show will be held Feb. 21 to Feb. 23 at Halls 

The other speakers for Feb. 23 will be Michael Ferrero of Australia, Ponchit Ponce Enrile (Gardening for Others), Cris Siegfried Onari (Philodendron Hybridizing), Rey Pimentel (Hoya Hybridizing), Dr. Maria Luisa Guevarra (Mussaenda), and Prof. Raymundo Lucero (Mussaenda Pest Management)

According to its website, Bukid Amara “strives to be a unique venue for family recreation and relaxation while gearing towards innovative farming solutions that can help the community meet their needs through sustainable farming.”

And as such, the flower farm, which was established in 2018, “aspires to be the role model of sustainability for the entire community as it believes in the holistic farming approach.”

“The use of renewable resources such as bamboo as building materials, partnering with nature to address pest and some other sustainable practices are utilized by Bukid Amara in doing a sustainable farm living,” it said.

Caballes studied at the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Banos, and is an agriculturist at heart. He spent two decades leading a large seed company, before opting for early retirement and becoming a flower farmer in the sprawling lands of Quezon by putting up Bukid Amara.

According to Caballes, or “Mike,” as he is fondly called, the rural landscape around the mythical Mount Banahaw was what encouraged him to establish Bukid Amara at Sitio Aramin in Barangay Makupak, Lucban, Quezon.

He said the concept and development of Bukid Amara was anchored on the “Buhay Bukid” concept, meaning “simplicity of life on the farm.”

After being raised in the province, specifically around the scenic Mount Banahaw, Caballes vividly remembers how simple and how happy life was with his parents and grandfather, who was a farmer at the time.

But before playing, Caballes would usually help his grandfather dry the palay they harvested, and also help him press the pandan leaves in an “Ilohan”, which were later weaved into a “banig” or mat.
He also remembers how his grandfather produces vinegar from coconuts using clay pots or the“tapayan.”

Caballes says those childhood memories inspired him to develop Bukid Amara – to bring back and share how simple and enjoyable was the way of life in the province at a time when Internet and WiFi were non-existent.

Born and raised in nearby Majayjay town, also located on the slope of Mount Banahaw, Caballes decided to establish Bukid Amara in Lucban to cater to the tourists and local visitors visiting the different destinations in the area, particularly the nearby Kamay ni Hesus along the Lucban-Tayabas Road in Quezon province. (With a report from Agriculture Magazine)