Albay farmers turn Sampaguita into wellness products

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Ligao, Albay have found a new source of income rooted in wellness, heritage, and community enterprise — all thanks to the Philippines’ national flower, the Sampaguita.

With support from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Albay, 30 ARB members of the Ligao-Oas Consolidated Irrigators Association (LOCIA), Inc., an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) based in Barangay Bobonsuran, recently completed hands-on training on converting excess Sampaguita blossoms into high-value wellness products such as massage oils and therapeutic rubs. The initiative was part of the 2025 Development of Products Project under DAR’s Enterprise Development and Economic Support (EDES) program.

For years, ARBs like Rosyl Rabe, LOCIA Inc. Secretary, watched their Sampaguita harvests go to waste due to oversupply.

“May bagong purpose na po itong Sampaguita flowers namin at hindi na masasayang. Magandang opportunity po ito dahil may dagdag income na kami,” Rabe shared.

(Our Sampaguita flowers have a new purpose and will not be wasted. This is a great opportunity for us to earn additional income.)

The training, led by wellness advocate Louise Cynthia Matza of IQMK Global Philippines, focused on using natural ingredients such as menthol crystals, beeswax, petrolatum, and cellular oil. ARBs were taught to slow-cook the blossoms in oil for several hours to create therapeutic infusions with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pain-relief properties.

“Ang maganda rito ay may procedure na ako mismo ang gumawa. Matagal na panahon kong inaral para ma-ensure ang maximum health effect. Kapag na-inhale mo ng produkto, ito ay may epekto agad,” said Matza.

(What’s special about this is that I personally developed the procedure after years of study to ensure maximum health benefits. When you inhale the product, you can immediately feel the effect.)

To support product development and marketing, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Specialist Tyrone Guevarra provided training on packaging, branding, design, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), equipping the ARBs to build not just products, but a sustainable business.

The initiative began at the ARBO’s request, with members eager to unlock the untapped potential of their Sampaguita crops. What was once considered agricultural waste is now being transformed into livelihood — as Ligao’s ARBs bring the scent and healing properties of the national flower into Filipino homes.