Farm here to eternity

Andrew T. Gotianun, Jr. lives on a farm. "I live in a four-hectare farm in Antipolo," he says. "I’ve been living there for the past 15 years."

With his goatee and all-white attire, Gotianun hardly fits your typical image of a skin-wrinkled and browned by the sun type of farmer. Gotianun is best described as a gentleman farmer.

He is the vice chairman of Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), one of the country’s largest real estate developers. While FLI’s main real estate activity has been the development and sale of residential property, it has also ventured into other projects such as industrial and leisure estates.

Nusa Dua, a 200-hectare farm estate in Tanza, Cavite, is FLI’s first venture into agricultural land development. Nusa Dua or beautiful place is a Balinese-themed modern residential farm estate suited for both the professional grower and the lifestyle farmer. Lot sizes range from 750 to 2,000 square meters.

"Nusa Dua is our answer to the urbanites’ need for a weekend retreat, away from the stress and pollution that come with city living," Gotianun says with a voice of authority and experience. "With a 750 sq. m. farm lot, you can build a modest country house and use the rest of the land to grow high-value vegetables, fruit-bearing trees, and ornamental plants. Working the soil offers countless possibilities. Through the communal nature of farming, family members get the opportunity to foster closer family ties."

A Nusa Dua residential farm model was built in the middle of Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang where interested buyers can get an orientation on farming. Located at the corner of Commerce Avenue and Spectrum Midway, the 750 sq. m. model showcases a greenhouse as well as vegetable plots with fully-grown cabbage, lettuce, Chinese kangkong and even watermelon. A typical Balinese-style country house, with its free-flowing design and generous use of indigenous materials, was built and furnished with stylish Balinese furniture and home décor by the lifestyle store Home and Beyond.

At the inauguration of the farm showcase, popular personalities in the world of organic farming, herbal propagation, and hobby gardening were present. A pair of graceful Balinese dancers welcomed the guests and a handful of butterflies were released to symbolize life. Culinary expert Maur Lichauco, author of the book Oops...Don’t Throw Those Weeds Away! gave a talk together with co-authors Flor Tarriela, Carmen Florendo, and Nonie Dolera, president of the Philippine Fern Society.

The Nusa Dua farm estate in Tanza, Cavite is a one-hour drive or 31 kms. away from Alabang, 47 kms. from Makati, and 42 kms. from Rizal Park.

You can take either the Coastal Road, or the South Luzon Expressway.

"Nusa Dua offers estate services which give buyers access to farming lots and equipment, thus eliminating the cost of purchasing these otherwise expensive investments," says Gilbert C. Ang, Filinvest business development manager. "Farming specialists will also be on hand to help you make your farm productive. They will guide you every step of the way, from pre-planting to post-harvest care. If the interest is aquaculture, such as tilapia breeding, Nusa Dua specialists can also help in the required set-up and operation of the breeding process."

Farming supplies like fertilizers, crop protection supplies, and other farming needs will be available on-site. There will be a farm produce market where growers can sell their harvest as well as buy other farmers’ produce. "Farming aficionados can also take advantage of various events related to the land such as harvest festivals, cooking demonstrations, and farm tours," says Ang.

"At Nusa Dua, you get a little piece of weekend paradise," Gotianun remarks. "It’s the current trend among busy corporate individuals to look beyond their homes for a sanctuary outside the city where they can de-stress and recharge. It’s an alternative lifestyle. You can choose to play golf or you can farm."

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For inquiries, call 723-1669 or 723-1671 or visit website www.filinvest-land.com.