Once a month, fresh produce from the mountains of Tanay, Rizal, arrives at Newport World Resorts as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, the League of Volunteer Employees (LOVE). Avocados, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, ube, sweet potatoes, eggplants, okra, string beans, and squash fill the LOVE Market, ready for employees and nearby communities to bring home.
The produce travels for about five hours. The route from the upland communities can be difficult, especially during the rainy season when roads flood and become dangerous. For the farmers, reaching LOVE Market is already an achievement. Selling their harvest at a fair price makes the journey worthwhile.
Among the farmers is Euphemia Enciso, 46, who represents 191 Dumagat-Remontado families in Sitio Manggahan, Barangay Laiban. Farming is part of her community’s livelihood and culture. As she puts it, “Para sa amin, ang lupa ay buhay.”
Through LOVE Market, Dumagat-Remontado farmers from Tanay sell directly to Newport World Resorts employees and nearby communities. By its sixth run, the initiative had generated ₱335,152 in sales, reflecting growing support for the farmers and the value of their harvest.
LOVE grows
The community’s history with Newport World Resorts began even before LOVE Market. Dumagat-Remontado communities received donations through LOVE Grants, another initiative under LOVE that provides support to partner communities.
As the partnership grew, Newport World Resorts asked what lasting support the community needed.
“From the beginning, hindi ako humingi ng material na bagay. Ang hiningi ko ay iyong sustainable para sa community,” Enciso said.
Her answer inspired LOVE Market, a monthly platform where farmers sell their produce directly to customers.
Fair prices and a safer way to sell
Before LOVE Market, Enciso regularly traveled at night to sell produce in other areas. Middlemen sometimes took the goods, sold them first, and paid the farmers later. There were occasions when farmers returned home without receiving what they were owed.
LOVE Market works differently.
“Dito, kami ang tinatanong kung magkano namin ibebenta ang aming kalakal.”
Being able to set their own prices gives the farmers greater control over their livelihood.
“Iyung pagod at pagsisikap namin para itaguyod ang aming pamilya ay nagiging makabuluhan.”
Newport World Resorts also helps reduce the cost of the trip by providing meals and fuel expenses.
More time for farms and families
Originally, Enciso had been delivering produce every week. The frequent trips cost time and money, yet the earnings were often still not enough. Through the monthly LOVE Market, she can earn more from fewer trips.
The change has allowed her to spend more time planting and caring for her children. It has also encouraged her to diversify her crops and pay closer attention to customer demand. LOVE Market has become both a selling space and a learning space.
Making the opportunity go around
Enciso is also determined to share LOVE Market with other Dumagat-Remontado farmers.
Tanay has 11 upland barangays where Indigenous communities live. Farmers from other areas now take turns bringing produce to the market.
One farmer compared her earnings with what she used to make elsewhere.
“Tingnan mo, kahit kaunti ang kalakal ko, naka-sampung libo ako.”
At her previous selling place, the same farmer said she earned around ₱3,000.
“Para umiikot ang oportunidad. Hindi lang sa akin umiikot. Nagiging channel of blessings din ako.”
Even when Enciso is the one behind the stall, not all the produce she sells is hers. Other farmers entrust their produce to her so they can also benefit without every person having to make the long trip.
Growing on their own terms
For the Dumagat-Remontado farmers, every market day means fairer prices, more time with family, and an opportunity that reaches beyond one person or barangay. For the employees and customers who buy from them, every purchase supports a livelihood rooted in local land, culture, and hard work.
Enciso’s hope is heartfelt and straightforward: “Sana ay patuloy na suportahan ng management ang LOVE Market.”
This is the larger promise of Newport World Resorts’ LOVE CSR platform: to move community engagement beyond one-time outreach and toward long-term, community-led development.
LOVE initiatives have brought together schools, Indigenous groups, local government units, nonprofit organizations, and employee volunteers around food security, education, disaster resilience, well-being, and sustainable livelihoods. LOVE Garden, Brigada EskweLOVE, LOVE Kitchen, and LOVE Market are different expressions of the same idea—that lasting impact is built with communities.
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