Innovation

Recognizing the land as their host, that is, the land owns the people and not the other way around, the founders, Joel and Violaine Magsaysay, advocate caution and consciousness about one's impact on local ecology. They have adopted their roles as stewards of their farm through which they were able to harvest what they eat, sell their produce, give talks about honeybees, join bazaars and fairs, and develop other products from all-natural ingredients. It has then become "a family business where everybody is involved."

In line with their advocacy to leave the least amount of human footprint in nature and replenish whatever they have consumed, they have used their honeybees in several ways:

• Through contract pollination, several crops and vegetation had been skillfully farmed and reached steady produce for market consumption, business growth of farmers, and overall sustainable life on land. These florae include various acacia species, coffee species, chayote, kalamansi, oranges, pomelo, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cucurbits melons, greenhouse crops like tomatoes and bell peppers, coconuts, eucalyptus, and lot more.

• They also used bee sting therapy, which jumpstarts one's immune system. Some ailments which respond favorably to bee sting therapy were gout, rheumatism, neuropathy, frozen shoulders, tendonitis, and tennis elbow. It has also been noted to have good responses from more severe conditions such as psoriasis, chronic fatigue, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and cancer.

• They also promote apitherapy, where bee products help detoxify the system and bring one's body's biochemistry back into balance. These products include ripe and unfiltered honey, natural bee pollen pellets, raw propolis, fresh royal jelly, bee venom, and beeswax. They also develop several products such as scented beeswax candles; honey, beeswax, propolis soap and shampoos; honey cider vinegar; and many more.

They emphasize, however, that these products belong to the bees. They use it to nourish, maintain, and protect themselves. There are seasons in the year when these products are abundant, but there are also times when the bees only have enough to sustain themselves. Their roles, therefore, as beekeepers are to know when there is a surplus and have the ability to gather these products.

Ilog Maria also utilizes alternative means of obtaining energy and other resources, such as solar thermal power, rain harvesting, biodiesel, windmill, and solar panels. According to Ms. Lia, "we invested in renewable energy long ago, even when solar panels still cost millions." As a result of this investment, they were able to minimize expenses, especially during the pandemic.

Inspiration

The late founder, Joel Magsaysay, learned about beekeeping in the late 1970s as he sought something to increase their stamina. From there, he met different people, read many books, and experimented with several materials to learn about bees. His wife and children characterized him as a "trailblazer," a visionary with many ideas he implemented. Ms. Lia characterized her dad as "having progressive ideas," leaving them equipped even as he passed away. She even mentioned that the entire website was her dad's idea. His early attempts at beekeeping were conducted in Mandaluyong City, where he realized that soon, all vegetation would be gone with the fresh air. He then moved to Tagaytay, Cavite, to continue his beekeeping attempts.

His endeavors led him to a nameless stream tucked away amidst dense vegetation in Silang, Cavite. He touched the cool water and said, "dito na" (it's here). They built their small house and started planting vegetables and fruit trees. He felt a deep connection with the land and the stream as the plants grew.

Eventually, a drought came, and all their plants were dying. His mother, who he claimed was a woman of few words and a very strong faith, then prayed the Holy Rosary before the field, and it rained. These experiences inspired the name and spirituality of this enterprise, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and being responsible stewards of God's creation.

Overall impact

The advocacy by the founders that is perpetuated through their family and staff is exemplified in the business structure itself. This way, there is a tangible image of a sustainable life with respect for and responsible energy consumption on land. This noble vision enables them to ensure the "dignity of labor and quality of life of [their] workers."

This image can then be replicated by various business owners who advocate responsible consumption and overall respect for ecology. Through the responsible use of natural products made by honeybees, achieved through diligent study, careful experiments, and perseverance, it is possible to live productively without harming nature.

Business benefit

"Ever since its conception, the goal of the business is not about making a large profit," Ms. Lia said. The vision of the enterprise, as mentioned by Ms. Lia, is nobility, where the dignity of labor and quality of life is ensured while still upholding their principles of all-natural products. Currently, they can employ 12 staff members who oversee the procedures on the farm.

During the pandemic, they did what they had always done; they planted. The owners and the workers ate what they had harvested. Additionally, since they had invested in alternative and renewable energy, even when there were fewer sales during the pandemic, they suffered no significant loss. In terms of finances, they had been, "steady since they started."

Now, they can sell more than 50 products and entertain tours around the farm for educational purposes.

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Social and environmental benefit

Aside from being a social enterprise that earns to sustain its employees, Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm has a significant, positive, and lasting effect on society and the environment.

It affects people who witness this lifestyle and try their products. This opens people's perspective that a sustainable and environment-friendly life is possible. Upscaling this kind of business would also encourage different business owners to utilize this approach which would contribute to a society with a culture of stewardship for the environment.

The most direct benefits of this enterprise are for the environment:

• The foremost responsibility of this enterprise is planting. This replenishes the land they have cleared for their settlement. They have planted kakawate, black pepper, coffee, narra, mahogany, bamboo, and much more on their farm.

• They also conserve and build soil. They practiced no-tillage soil building and planted leguminous vines, shrubs, and trees. They keep earthworms and use their castings to enrich and inoculate the soil.

• They also conserve water. They have tapped the aquifer that feeds the nearby springs. The mini-forest they have created through plantation has enriched and improved the watershed from these natural springs.

• Their bees and products create zero pollution. They have found ways to use all waste in their operations. For example, they use remnants of honeycombs as flower inducers for plants. They compost everything that decomposes. They recycle everything many times over and sell what they can't recycle. They bury what they cannot sell.

• This honeybee farm is a way to conserve native pollinators.

• They provide wildlife habitat through their mini-forest/honeybee farm.

• Their livestock is free roaming around their farm.

• They use no artificially prepared chemicals.

Interview

Lia Magsaysay-Sison, Owner-Daughter of Founder