From Italy to Cantilan: An OFW’s path to agripreneurship
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
Strong government support has transformed the life of Minda C. Teves, a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who came home after 33 years in Italy to pursue full-time farming in her hometown in Cantilan, this province.
According to Vic Thor Palarca of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) Caraga, Teves’ story demonstrates how coordinated government programs can turn challenges into opportunities for returning OFWs.
“The ATI Caraga certified her farm as a learning site for agriculture (LSA), enabling her to host farmer field schools, training programs, and knowledge-sharing sessions,” Palarca added.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on the other hand, provided guidance on product development and market expansion, helping her coconut-based products reach both local and international markets.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) also supported her transition into agri-tourism, promoting her farm as a destination where visitors enjoy farm-to-table dining highlighting Italian-inspired dishes, particularly her signature homemade pizzas made from fresh herbs grown onsite.
With this foundation of support, Teves has transformed her farm into more than just a business. Today, it is a thriving community hub, welcoming farmers, government agencies, organizations, and tourists to learn, collaborate, and experience sustainable farming in action.
During the recent Coconut Techno Forum hosted at her farm, she expressed gratitude saying, “I am deeply grateful for the support of ATI, DTI, and DOT. Without their help, I would not be able to turn this vision into reality.”
“Farming is not just a livelihood, it is life itself. The money is here in our country if we are willing to work hard to earn. Inspire before you expire!,” she added.
Teves’ journey underscores the value of government interventions in empowering OFWs to return home, rebuild their lives, and contribute meaningfully to rural development.
Healing and renewal
During the forum, she shared her journey and how she went beyond the concept of revenue by finding healing and renewal in her farm.
After 33 years abroad, Teves returned to Cantilan not to retire, but to rebuild her life and uplift her community.
Trained as a midwife but later serving as a financial literacy advisor in Italy, she spent decades empowering fellow OFWs to manage their hard-earned money wisely. Her sacrifices sustained her family and even brought her parents and siblings to live with her in Europe.
Yet, behind her success was a personal struggle. Stress and anxiety slowly took their toll, and an Alzheimer’s diagnosis forced her to return home in search of healing.
It was among the coconut trees and the sea breeze of Cantilan that she found her turning point. She realized that virgin coconut oil (VCO), a product sold abroad at premium prices, was abundant yet undervalued in her hometown. What began as a personal remedy for her health struggles soon became the foundation of a new venture.
Armed with resilience and strengthened by government training and support, she established the La Vecchia Spiaggia Resort and Integrated-Diversified Coconut Farm.
Today, her enterprise produces VCO, coconut sugar, and coconut flour, generating an average of P100,000 monthly, while also serving as a healing niche and a learning space for her community. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
