The Talong & Ampalaya King of Bauan, Batangas
In Bauan, Batangas, Jezrel Palacio Carreon’s Talong & Ampalaya farm stands as proof that Philippine agriculture can thrive through innovation and dedication. With three decades of farming experience, Jezrel turned down opportunities in San Francisco and Bahrain to build a six-hectare operation that survived multiple typhoons while neighboring farms collapsed. His secret lies not just in galvanized wire trellises or strategic bed preparation, but in treating farming as both an art and a business. From producing five to seven tons of bitter gourd per harvest on just 1.2 hectares to generating 200 tons of eggplant over 17 months, Jezrel’s numbers tell a compelling story. But beyond the mathematics of agriculture, his journey from Zamboanga to Batangas during the pandemic, his innovative partnership with landowners, and his commitment to sharing knowledge on social media reveal a farmer who embodies what Philippine agriculture could become: professional, profitable, and proudly Filipino.