What if souvenirs weren’t just keepsakes but something you could actually bring home and enjoy?

In the highlands of Bukidnon, Café sa Bukid is turning that idea into reality by offering locally grown vegetables as souvenirs at weddings, birthdays, and special events.

From a humble café venture, it has grown into a distinctive concept: curated booths filled with fresh produce that guests can take home.

In 2017, Antonette Valiente, who comes from a family of farmers—established Café sa Bukid, which would later become one of the pioneers of agri-tourism in their municipality.

The café serves hearty dishes like nachos, burgers, rice meals, and a variety of beverages, from coffee to fruit shakes.

But beyond its menu, it started bringing agriculture closer to people in new and creative ways. Four months ago, the café began its “vegetable souvenirs for guests” service.

“We came up with the idea because giving vegetables as souvenirs is becoming a trend,” Spencer, a 22-year-old farmer and Valiente’s cousin, shared. “We want people to see that vegetables are not just for the market—they also have aesthetic value. They can be part of luxury or big events.”

Starting his own farm at just 16 (and even earlier), accompanying his grandmother in selling vegetables along the streets of Lantapan, Bukidnon, Alingay believes he has gained more than enough experience to understand not just farming, but business.

But with years spent in the fields, Spencer’s dedication now stretches beyond growing crops. It extends to building opportunities both for himself and for the farming community he represents.

Café sa Bukid’s curated setups are now offered in packages for 40, 60, or even 100 guests, often coordinated through wedding planners who recommend them to couples. Some clients also discover them through social media and reach out directly. A 60-person setup, Spencer said, typically costs around ₱15,000.

But where does Cafe sa Bukid source the vegetables that fill its booths?

A wide variety—broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, cucumber, and red bell peppers—are harvested directly from their own farm. When certain vegetables are not in season or unavailable, they source additional produce from fellow farmers within the municipality to meet their clients’ specific requests.

More than a business venture, the café also helped reshape how people outsiders view their community.

“Before, there was a stereotype that our area was unsafe—that there were rebels here, so people were afraid to pass through because we have connecting roads to Cagayan, Valencia, Talakag,” Spencer explained. “But because of the café, it helped break that stigma and contributed a lot to tourism in our place.”

Today, Spencer promotes their business and the livelihood of farmers in their community through content creation.

He began creating farming-related content in 2023 and has seen how people resonate with life in the province.

“People on social media really enjoy watching farming videos or rural life. For many, it’s relaxing,” he said. “By God’s grace, I also started earning from my content.”

Through his videos, Spencer hopes to inspire a younger generation that often gravitates toward city life and aesthetics. “Most young people are drawn to social media, aesthetics, and city living. But our farmers are getting older, and we need the younger generation to continue what they started,” he said. “If there are no farmers, it will be a big problem for our country.”

“I want to show them that farming can be fun—and something to be proud of. There are so many opportunities in farming.”

Looking ahead, Spencer dreams of building something of his own: The Young Farmer Store—a space where he can sell fresh produce and further connect farmers to the market.

“Our generation can multitask. We just need to manage our time, pray, and develop our skills,” he said. “Most importantly, you have to be passionate about what you do.” (Photos courtesy of Spencer Alingay)