Photo Courtesy of www.spot.ph

“I want more people to get into dairying. I was inspired by the cows in Switzerland; maybe in the Philippines, we can dedicate the highlands where wala nang tumutubo na kahoy, but there’s grass for cows and goats. Doon tayo sa malalamig, doon sa kung saan makakapag-produce ng magagandang damo. Then we can have nice dairy farms, and those in the highlands who can’t get work get a steady livelihood. Dadami ang gatas at makakagawa tayo ng murang keso.” – Olive Puentespina during an interview dated August 16, 2018.
Slowly but surely, Malagos Chocolate is becoming a well-known name outside of Davao, especially because of their award-winning chocolates. Once, a trip to Davao meant bringing home durian delicacies in a variety of forms; now, pasalubong from the Durian Capital of the Philippines also includes Malagos’ single-origin, bean-to-bar dark chocolate.

In a country where rice is the staple food, cheese, much less artisanal cheese, is yet to thrill the Filipino palate.

But happily, that has not prevented a determined entrepreneur in Mindanao from churning out her own version of camembert or feta. In Davao, mother-of-three Olive Panaligan Puentespina is piquing the interest of local chefs and foodies with her fine product range, labeled Malagos Farmhouse.

Puentespina Farms is the family’s stewardship and love for nature. Charisse Puentespina, Olive’s sister-in-law, manages the farm that has dairy goats, cows, sheep, cocks, horses, peacocks, pheasants, ostriches, fancy chickens, dogs, and ornamental birds, fruit trees, indigenous plants. The Puentespina family pioneered the farm fairs in Davao where they sell their produce but also allow other farmers and animal growers to see how the farm works. The family is a strict observer of sustainable farm management so there is zero waste in the farm as everything is re-used, sold and recycled. This aspect of operations has actually made the place as an agri-tourism destination for best practices. The part of the farm they call the Malagos Garden Resort has become popular not only in Davao but in Manila.

Cheese making is an art with a solid science behind it. The accomplishments of this passionate woman, our country’s first cheesemaker has been documented and told: of how she has won awards, how local chefs stand behind her, support and work with her, how foreign cheesemakers and experts have given her the pat on the back for innovation and how her cheese stand up to any international cheesemaker’s produce.

Cheese is a great source of calcium, fat, and protein. It also contains high amounts of vitamins A and B-12, along with zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin.
Cheese made from the milk of 100 percent grass-fed animals is the highest in nutrients and also contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K-2.

Courtesy of:
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/06/12/boardroomwatch/cheese-whiz/731083/
https://www.spot.ph/eatdrink/eatdrink-peopleparties/74766/malagos-cheese-olive-puentespina-a1554-20180816-lfrm
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2011/05/01/681013/olive-cheesemaker
https://www.healthline.com