BIG SHOES TO FILL: Carrying On the Legacy of My Parents

Jonell Gregorio
Jun 15, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Jul 26, 2025

Growing up, I witnessed the hardships my parents faced as teachers. Their income, though noble and steady, wasn't enough to cover the daily needs of our growing family. Raising five boys in a modest household required resourcefulness, and my parents embodied that every day.

Ornamental Plants cultivated by our parents since 1990’s / AAC (Aklan Agricultural College) compound.

The Beginning of a New Venture

In our family’s early days, my parents realized they had to find ways beyond their salaries to meet our needs. The solution came when they started propagating ornamental plants. This additional income, though not a grand solution, helped to ease the financial burden.

However, when three of us entered college, the stakes rose even higher. That’s when my parents decided to venture into the piggery business in 2008. Starting the piggery required significant investment—most of the savings they had accumulated. They also had to hire a few people to manage the operation in Ginictan, Altavas, my mother's birthplace.

At its peak, the farm housed about 50-60 pigs, with 15 reserved for breeding, which enabled us to sell 7-10 adult pigs a month.

Livestock, Feb. 2008 / Brgy. Ginictan, Altavas, Aklan.

Facing the Storm

In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda struck, devastating many communities, including ours. The typhoon wiped out our livestock, rotted our food supplies, and left us with practically nothing. It felt as though we were starting from scratch. Despite this, my parents taught us the importance of resilience. They made the difficult decision to sell everything—the pigs, the property, and all the equipment. Although the loss was significant, we knew that setbacks were part of the journey.

We kept moving forward with the hope of rebuilding.

A New Beginning

In the last 5 years, savings earned from piggery was used to buy six hectares of land in brgy. Calizo, Balete, Aklan. The land is partly rice paddies and the other part was abundant with lumber trees and fruit bearing trees such as coconut, banana, bamboos, soursop, acacia tree, durian and many others. These crops thrive in our climate and provide us with a steady stream of income. Additionally, we produce natural fruit juices that further contribute to our revenue.

Over time, they transformed it into an agricultural training site. But beyond agriculture, our farm serves a dual purpose—it’s both a site for agricultural education and a venue for events like weddings and birthdays.

Today, the Bullo Hillside Integrated Farm stands as both a practical business and a symbol of their perseverance.The farm’s success has been enhanced by various forms of support. We were certified as a Learning Site for Agriculture by the Agriculture Training Institute in 2019.

Likewise, in 2023, we were recognized as a Farm Tourism Site by the Department of Tourism. We also received the required Environmental Compliance Certificate.

These certifications have increased the farm's credibility and visibility, helping us attract visitors and trainees.

Bird’s eye view of Bullo Hillside Integrated Farm, Swimming pool and Entry points to accommodation facilities.

With all of these at hand, my parents were motivated to utilize and develop the land into an Agricultural Training Site/Resting Place and Event Accommodating Utilities for training, weddings, getaways, birthdays and debuts.

We named it the Bullo Hillside Integrated Farm– the realization of my parents' dream.

We opened it to the public the day after it was approved and certified as a Learning Site for Agriculture II by the Agriculture Training Institute in 2019.

Activities and Trainings conducted in Bullo Integrated Farm

Our facilities used for training and other events earn a net income of 25,000-30,000 on the average per month.

Capacity Development Training in Packaging, juices and mushroom production.

Balancing Family and Farming

Through it all, my parents managed to balance the demands of farming with raising a family. Despite their long hours tending to the farm, they never wavered in their commitment to our education. They sacrificed to ensure we could go to school, and their hard work paid off. We all graduated from good schools, and their dedication provided us with opportunities we might not have otherwise had.

They now have two doctors of medicine, two seafarers, and a veterinarian.

Dr. Glifford G. Bullo 2nd. Off. PJ Val G. Bullo 2nd Off. GP Glen G. Bullo Dr. JB Ian G. Bullo Dr. JR Mark G. Bullo

Family Medicine Seafarer/Nav. Off. Seafarer/Nav. Off. Veterinary Medicine Internal Medicine

A Legacy to Carry On

Although my parents retired from teaching in 2021, they have never slowed down. They wake up early every day to tend to the plants and welcome visitors. Even in retirement, they continue to dream and plan for the future of Bullo Hillside Integrated Farm. They are especially excited when their grandsons visit the farm, passing down their knowledge and love for the land.

For my parents, their greatest success is not wealth but the happiness and education of their children. With God's blessing, I hope to continue their legacy. Though their shoes are large to fill, I am determined to carry on the work they started—with love, dedication, and vision.