Growing up in Ilocos, she witnessed her family lose their farm to a land dispute, a turning point that pushed her to shoulder responsibilities early as the eldest child.
“Talagang pinangako ko sa sarili ko noon na pag lumaki na ako, gagawan ko ng paraan para magkaroon ako ng lupa,” she said. (I promised myself back then that when I grow up, I would find a way to have my own land.)
From hunger to hope: A childhood promise fulfilled
That promise fueled her journey abroad, working tirelessly in Malaysia and Lebanon. After years of sacrifice, Arlene finally returned home with enough savings to buy a piece of land with her sister.
Little did she know that this modest patch of land would one day blossom into the Lopez Integrated Farm School—a thriving symbol of hope and opportunity in the heart of Isabela.
In 2018, after an unsuccessful bid for a barangay council seat, Arlene found herself battling depression. She turned to farming as a form of healing, channeling her energy into the land.
What began as a personal refuge soon flourished into a two-hectare integrated farm—now home to thriving crops of vegetables, bananas, and rice, as well as livestock like goats and poultry.
Digital empowerment: Growing more than just crops
Technology became a powerful ally in her mission. Through the Scaling Up Sustainability Project—a joint effort of the Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA), PLDT Inc., and Smart Communications Inc.—Arlene embraced digital tools and modern equipment to optimize her operations.
She credited social media for helping her expand her market, saying that with just a simple Facebook post, orders would start coming in and all that was left to do was handle the deliveries.
The project, supported by GlobalGiving and Corteva, aims to train 100 farmers in climate-smart practices and entrepreneurship through a two-phase mentorship and cascading program. Arlene, one of the selected women farmer champions, is currently undergoing a three-month digital entrepreneurship mentorship with PLDT and Smart.
Sowing seeds of change: From farmer to community leader
She is preparing to share her learnings with fellow farmers—especially women—encouraging them to embrace digital tools and sustainable techniques. “Manage your time, because every single second is gold,” she advised.
Her farm also serves as a TESDA-accredited training site, providing scholarships and allowances for aspiring farmers.
She shared with pride that organizations now tap the Lopez Integrated Farm School to look for trainees, a sign of how the school is helping empower the community.
From the ground up: How technology and tenacity transformed a life
Arlene’s story is a testament to grit, vision, and the transformative power of technology. With the support of her husband, who helps manage the farm, she continues to inspire others to rise above adversity and sow seeds of change.
PLDT and Smart’s backing of the Scaling Up Sustainability Project reflects their broader commitment to digital inclusion in agriculture, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
From once experiencing hunger to now feeding minds and livelihoods, Arlene Lopez’s journey proves that with the right support, even the most humble beginnings can bloom into something extraordinary. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
