Legal Farmer: When a lawyer falls in love with farming
By Henrylito D. Tacio
In December 2019, Atty. Edwaldo L. Legaspina – more popularly known as Basti among friends – already bought four-and-half hectares of land in Lorega, a barangay of Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
The pandemic happened just a few months later. He was concerned for the safety of his wife and two children. As their movement in Davao City was limited, he brought his whole family to the newly-bought land.
Farm development
In February 2020, Basti started developing his farm. “Initially, we just wanted to plant vegetables and strawberries,” he recalled. “But when the pandemic struck, we decided to build a home where the kids can roam around, free from any fear of virus transmission."
Aside from building a home for his family, he also started developing the farm. “Farming takes away your stress,” he said. “We also want our kids to engage so they may know the value in growing your own food.”
As the farm was being developed, an idea came into fruition. He talked with his wife, Destreza C. Luzon, about it. When she learned about the plan, she fully supported him. “We wanted to share (our farm) with friends and family members so that they and their kids can also enjoy the cold breeze and picturesque view of the place,” he said.
Most people really give a lot of time thinking about what they would call their farm – something that will stick to people when they hear the name. Basti had no problem creating such a name, thanks to his two children.
Happy Farm
“Our kids chose the name,” he said. “When we asked why, they answered that they are so happy whenever they stay on the farm.”
Two years later, The Happy Farm at Lorega has already been transformed into a new haven. But it was easier said than done. “When we started, the road couldn’t accommodate trucks for the construction,” he recalled. “The pandemic also limited our mobility. Luckily, we were able to hurdle these obstacles.”
It was his brother-in-law who helped build the cottages. All these cottages have their own kitchen, so that occupants can cook their own meals. Kitchen utensils are provided, including stoves.
“My brother-in law-helped us (in making these cottages),” he said. “We pooled-in ideas and since the family are in the construction field, they realized it. My father-in-law, Juanito, took charge of our water system.”
The good thing about The Happy Farm is that families who stay in one of the cottages can harvest some of the crops being planted. Among the vegetables grown in the farm include tomatoes, eggplants, lettuce, bokchoy, alugbati, tinangkong, and sweet pepper.
“Right now, we have various crops so guests can do vegetable picking with their kids and bring it home,” he said. Of course, they have to pay for what they harvested but it’s the bonding while harvesting that matters the most.
Guests who may opt not to cook their meals can always order food from Hungry Huntley’s Restaurant, which is just below the House in the Hill. The name came from the names of the two children: Edwald Hunter and Elda Huntley.
“As you have observed, our paintings are aimed to please the kids,” Basti said.
On the far end, there is a coffee shop-cum-bar, where parents can hang out and have some coffee or drink some wine and beers.
Basti said he wants to add 5 more cottages to the 4.5-hectare area. “We want to promote what Lorega can offer to people who come to this place,” he said. “We also want to promote tourism in the place because we have grown to love it.”
The farmer is a lawyer
To think, Basti is not a farmer but rather a lawyer. After graduating from high school at the Assumption School of Davao, he went to Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) and took philosophy.
After graduation, he decided to take up law. “Back then,” he said, “all I wanted was to help my family’s business but as it turned out, there are so many laws that you have to follow and comply with. That made me interested in hopefully becoming a lawyer someday.”
Another reason why he decided to become a lawyer was his “own curiosity in the intricacies and beauty of the profession.”
From his first to third year, he studied at his alma mater, the ADDU. In his fourth year, he transferred to Cor Jesu College in Digos City. He graduated in 2005, took the bar in the same year – and passed!
When asked for his advice to those who want to pursue the law profession, he replied: “Study the law by heart but most importantly, make it a fun and enjoyable one.”
He loves farming
Most lawyers turn into farming when they get old. But Basti is different; even at a young age now, he already starts farming. Thanks to his father, Dodie, who educated him about farming when he was still a little boy.
The Legaspina family has a farm in Bantol, Marilog District in Calinan, Davao City. He remembered that whenever his father went to the farm, he usually accompanied him. He had to walk for about two hours just to reach the destination. He was then eight years old.
Even if he had to wake up early in the morning, he didn’t mind it as long as he was able to go to the farm. “I was always excited to go to the farm,” he said. He remembered liking the smell of the burning leaves.
The farm was planted to mango, banana, guyabano, lanzones – mostly fruit trees. When he was in high school, he invited some of his friends to accompany him to the farm. There, they sort of camped at the farm. When his friends went home, they brought with them some fruits harvested from the farm.
Values from farming
During his college days, he still went to the farm to oversee the harvesting of fruits. Some areas of the farm were also planted with vegetables, which his father brought home. “We usually have some fresh vegetables on our table,” he said.
“My father didn’t push me to become a farmer. I was in love with farming,” he pointed out. He cited the case of bananas as a case in point. He said he loved watching it bearing flowers, which later developed into banana hands. He was equally excited when the bunch was cut, and the fruits were taken.
When his father decided to retire from farming and returned to his birthplace in Escalante City in Negros Occidental, Basti decided to buy the farm. His two sisters didn’t object; after all, they were not interested in farming.
“I love farming because I love to touch soil,” Basti admitted. “I love how a plant grows. I am amazed with those.”
He added, “I found out that there are some values in farming that we can apply in real life. I also wish to impart those values to my kids.”
Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
