MANILA, Philippines - Gourmet Farms, purveyor of organic produce and recent SGS certification awardee for its coffee and tea production, celebrated its 25th anniversary under a canopy of moon and stars.
Heading the reception line at The Dining Room was its founder, farmer Ernest de Leon Escaler who, a quarter of a century ago, began his own version of the “green revolution” in his own inimitable way with a two-hectare farm at Km 52 Aguinaldo Highway, Buho, Silang, Cavite.
The occasion served as a reunion for the so-called “Gourmet’s Café babies” who, in the late ‘80s, comprised the urbanites who frequented treks to Tagaytay retreats and Batangas beaches and made Ernest’s then log cabin café a must-see, must-eat, must-market pitstop. Now, the Farm has extended into an 11-hectare eco-tourism range with a country store-café and a restaurant where one can savor true farm-to-plate experience.
Among the well-wishers were Italian Consul Adrian Stefanutti and Angela, Gracita Sieber, wife of Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla, former Philippine Ambassador Ching de Leon-Escaler, Atty. Lisa Marcos, Jesuit fathers Nono Alfonso and Karel San Juan, Dominican Sisters Concepcion and Rosario, Trining Pannacucci, the Katigbaks of neighboring Villa Pura, Herbal Cove neighbors Andy and Celia Tanseco-Lising, sportsman Ricky Palou, photographer Pancho Escaler and a hundred other friends.
Headlining the post-dinner concert at the beautiful al fresco gardens were Jose Mari Chan, Janet Basco and Sheila Valderrama who mesmerized three generations of fans with their retro and pop hit songs. Gleefully cheering the all-time favorites were Fr. Luis G. Candelaria, SJ (Father Candy to many), and founders (host Ernest, Freddie Puno, and Babes Oreta) of the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Foundation, the beneficiary of the concert.
It was truly a night for celebrating the iconic Farm that popularized the buzzwords gourmet and lite in the Philippines.
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Gourmet Farms is at Km. 55, Aguinaldo Highway, Buho, Silang, Cavite.
For inquiries, call (046) 414-1049 or e-mail info@gourmet.com.ph.