Cover Senator Loren Legarda prepares a sumptuous luncheon at her ancestral farm to celebrate her birthday with friends and family (Photo: Courtesy of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda)
Senator Loren Legarda prepares a sumptuous luncheon at her ancestral farm to celebrate her birthday with friends and family (Photo: Courtesy of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda)
1 / 1
Senator Loren Legarda held an intimate post-birthday celebration last February 2. The Sunday morning was a blissful gathering of friends and colleagues at her ancestral farm that she inherited in the Seventies from her maternal grandmother, Carmen Gella Bautista
“In the Eighties, my Papa built a simple structure—shelter for the farm’s coffee harvest and a resting place for its caretaker,” recalls Senator Loren Legarda. “The farm has since evolved into a sustainable sanctuary of native trees, organic vegetables and herbs, centuries-old Ifugao houses and recycled structures,” she continues.
Graced by select personalities from the diplomatic corps, cultural agencies of the government and the media, the quaint celebration was made more special by her grade school friends, whom the senator deems like family.
Read more: Save the Earth now or lose it in thirty years, say environmental experts
Amb MaryKay Carlson with Senator Loren Legarda
1 / 6
Legarda has worked as a public servant since 1998, including being a senator for four terms and the representative of the lone district of Antique. One thing that she’s proud to see was how her laws, projects and community-based programmes positively impacted the Filipino people throughout the decades. She has worked on important causes such as protecting the environment, building climate resilience, preserving the Filipino culture and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
“I am also grateful for the unwavering support of my colleagues and advocates who share the same vision of a stronger, more sustainable Philippines. Their commitment and collaboration remind me that real progress is possible when we come together with passion and purpose,” she shares.
Read more: Loren Legarda talks about her accomplishments as a politician and advocate
“I am also grateful for the unwavering support of my colleagues and advocates who share the same vision of a stronger, more sustainable Philippines.”
The countless moments of meeting people in the grassroots fuel inspiration for the senator. In the same way, she also inspires the people, a role that did not go unnoticed as she was named Global Champion for Resilience and a Hero of Resilience awardee of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). She aims to continue this by empowering communities in the most vulnerable areas and to craft programmes so that the government could reach more Filipino families struggling to make both ends meet.
Legarda received a heartwarming surprise from her son, Leandro, who was in Batangas at the time but came for the party. “I really appreciated this and treasured every moment with him. [Likewise], I appreciate those who came all the way here, staying past dinner and lingering curiously around this sustainable farm.”
NOW READ
On the World Stage: Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 highlights and the road to 2025 as Guest of Honour
Credits
Images: Courtesy of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
