For champion breeder Hermie Esguerra (3rd from left) there's more to farming than breeding horses.
Imagine champion racehorses, goats, sheep, local and Peking ducks, chickens, tilapia and hito (catfish), Berkshire pigs, the Bahay Kubo vegetables, dragon fruits, star apple, mangoes, mangosteen, banana, calamansi, melon, and avocado living all together under one farm.
This is Esguerra Farms, officially Esguerra Farms & Stud. Inc., nestled in the heart of Lipa, Batangas. It started out as a four-hectare horse-breeding farm in 2000 by champion breeder and an icon in the local horse racing scene Herminio “Hermie” Esguerra. Over the years, the “birthplace of some of the country’s premier race horses,” expanded to 55 hectares, diversified its services, and made a name for Kurobuta pork products.
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| This writer (2nd from left) with fellow media reps/bloggers on a day tour at Esguerra Farm |
The Manila team of online media traveled to Esguerra Farms on a weekend to learn more about sustainable farming and meet the visionary entrepreneur himself. Sir Hermie joined us on the coaster and personally tour us around and discuss the farm and his future plans to further “contribute to the country’s agricultural growth and economic success.”
Esguerra Farms is a well-planned, well-maintained farm dotted with pine trees which the owner himself planted on this side of the Calabarzon which he acquired initially by renting out the 4 hectare for his horses and eventually buying it and the adjoining lots little by little from the locals. It has lots of space giving the farm animals the freedom to roam and enjoy while grazing on a large expanse of pasture with Mt. Malarayat in the background.
Farm paradise, sustainable farming
From his hobby of breeding and horse racing, Hermie has kept his interest and devotion to personally manage the farm together with his stay-in workers. The biggest part -- and the salient feature of the farm -- are dedicated to the purebred Berkshire pigs which Hermie originally imported from the United Kingdom.
Berkshire pigs are black pigs favored by the Japanese as the primary source of 'Kurobuta,' the world-famous gourmet pork, most sought after by chefs and people with sophisticated tastes for its tender, moist, juicy, and flavor-rich characteristics.
Kurobuta means black pigs in Japanese known for having marbled fats within the tender, juicy meat and dubbed as the 'Wagyu' of pork. Esguerra Farms is the first and only farm in the Philippines that raises these precious pigs making it the first and biggest local farm supplying Kurobuta in the country.
To further promote an integrated farming system the farm produces its own probiotic which it uses as an anti-odor, compost enhancer, and as a supplement for the animals. Farm workers have also mastered the production of organic fertilizer and sprays by using grass clippings, leaf cuttings, and animal manure.
Aside from the ranch and existing vacation house of the Esguerras’ Hermie is considering putting up a hotel and events place in the near future capitalizing on the beauty of Mt. Malarayat and its ridges as a nice backdrop.
Still a work in progress, Hermie is set to renovate several structures including the barns to further upgrade and maintain quality farm services and products. A pasalubong center, already in place near the entrance of the farm, is set to open soon.
Cleanliness and sanitation at its best
Esguerra Farms has maintained a strict sanitation policy since the pandemic. Each farm tour participant had to undergo foot bath (at least the footwear) followed by Antigen-test prior to entering the farm. The coaster also underwent wheel washing and disinfection. These are done to ensure that no germs and viruses will harm the animals and plants.
Despite the thousand farm animals, the surroundings remain free from stench and houseflies common to commercial animal farms.
Hermie has also provided a single way out for the pigs from the barn to the slaughterhouse which he calls Death March. This time the pigs – from the happy pen with a musical treat -- voluntarily walk towards the slaughterhouse instead of pushing or tying them up on their way to their final destination.
Farm workers keep the environment stress-free to produce a higher pH level (measurement of acidity) in meats since a higher pH allows for maximum marbling in the meat to make it more tender and juicy. This also allows the retention of its natural flavor and a redder, healthier color in the meat.
The Berkshire pigs are also fed with organic edibles, thus making the meat and by-products chemical-free and healthy for consumption.
Esguerra Kurobuta
The pork brand line, Esguerra Kurobuta, is named after the founding family’s surname and the pork they specialize in. Esguerra Farms also have its own meat processing and packing plant to make sure that the quality of the Kurobuta meat and other by-products maintains top quality.
Esguerra Kurobuta products come in three forms: prime cuts, household cuts, and processed foods. Prime cuts include the Tomahawk, coppa steak, filet mignon, pork chop, porchetta, sukiyaki, and baby back ribs. Household cuts include cubes, ribs, ground pork, knuckles, and liver. Processed food includes sausages, hams, and bacon smoked and cured with herbs and spices.
They also have a special cochinillo: just a month from birth, suckling pigs are fed mostly milk and harvested immediately after they are weaned, then roasted for hours using a special oven that regulates even cooking and crisping.
We had a luncheon feast of Kurobuta pork after the half-day tour of the farm. All the food that was served to us came from the farm. We had cochinillo, porchetta, a rack of lamb, cold cuts, roasted Peking duck, coppa steak, pork salpicao, barbecue, and grilled tilapia. There's also vegetable salad and freshly boiled balut. The day ended with a send-off of sample Kurobuta products and freshly harvested avocado for all participants. What a lovely farm experience!
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Crispy pork belly lechon
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A teste of various cold cuts which are also available on sale
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| Roasted peking duck was also served |
To order Esguerra Farms’ Kurobuta and other meat products, visit the Esguerra Kurobuta Pure Berkshire Meat Shop at Herma Building, located at 94 Scout Rallos Street, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City.
You can also place your orders online through its official website, www.esguerrakurobuta.com, or reach its sales team via email at esguerrakurobuta@esguerrafarms.com.
For retail or wholesale inquiries, call +63 917 8203382 or +63 917 8524669. Stay updated on its farm products and offers by following Esguerra Farms on Facebook and Instagram.
#EsguerraFarm #lipabatangas #EsguerraKurobota #sustainablefarm #integratedfarming
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