Philippine Tatler – August 2019

Gen T / upfront

WhatisAGREA?
AGREA is a for-purpose company that
aims to develop the fi rst “One Island
Economy” in the Philippines that focuses
on zero hunger, zero waste, and zero
insuffi ciency. We are modelling it on the
island of Marinduque and are currently
replicating it in Siargao. Our mission is
to empower local farmers and utilise
the resources of the island by
implementing sustainable agricultural
practices and creating inclusive
agribusiness livelihood programmes.

What makes it unique?
The company makes use of an island-
wide development approach in
forwarding sustainable agriculture,
which is the most neglected sector in the
Philippines. We work with public and
private institutions, as well as civil society
organisations present on the island. We
also mobilise locals—particularly the
youth—to be the frontliners in making
their future brighter.

What about this endeavour makes
you particularly proud?
I am lucky to have found my purpose and
passion at an early age. I started working
with sugarcane farmers at the age of
12, and was teaching them the basics of
planting their own food around their

housessothattheycansimultaneously

eat healthy and save money.Having

been in agriculture for 20 yearsnow,

some people call me the “21stCentury

Farmer.” I am proud of my commitment

to the cause because it has madeasolid

impact and has infl uenced many.Along

the way, I am also given theprivilege

to inspire people and to givethemthe

ability to dream big for themselvesand

for the country.

Any particular goals for the

near future?

My goal is to scale the businessandthe

advocacy of the organisation.Iwantmy

company to be the model ofayoung,

female-led, and inclusive agribusiness

company in the country. Thisyear,we

are establishing our second farmschool

in Siargao Island. We will focuson

empowering and training thewomen

from every farming communitytobethe

food producers to aid in resolvingthe

island’s crisis in food severity, caused by

the booming tourism industry.

Is there anything about you that

surprises people when they fi nd

out about it?

I learnt from people who don’t know

how to read and write, with very minimal

education. In spite of this, I was granted

CHERRIE

ATILANO

Meet

Generation T

Generation T is Philippine Tatler’s platform

for the leaders of tomorrow. To read more

interviews with young game changers

like Cherrie, scan the QR code or go to

philtatler.com/generation-t

As the Founder and CEO of AGREA

Philippines, Cherrie paves the way

for a sustainable agricultural system

in the country

Photography: Wesley Villarica

Creative Direction: Shauna Jay Popple Williams

Interview: Jeanna Lanting

Make-Up: Johnson Estrella

a Fulbright Scholarship eight years ago in

an Ivy League school abroad. However, I

was in the middle of helping ex-convicts

become farmers—and, more importantly,

good fathers and providers in their

household—so I let go of my scholarship

and stayed with them to help develop the

Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm.

A lot of people did not understand

my situation and judged my decision of

forgoing such a prestigious scholarship. It

was also distressing for me because it was

my greatest personal dream. But I asked

myself, “What kind of a person would I be

if I leave the very people who depend on

me?” Society may have left them behind,

but I could not—and will not.

philippine tatler. august 2019 59