BAGUIO CITY – Amelia Montes’ journey in gardening began in 1998, not as a competition or a necessity, but as a simple fascination with plants. Her interest grew as she found joy in observing her plants, especially when they yielded results, which she describes as a therapeutic experience.
Though Amelia had been gardening for years, it wasn’t until recently that she ventured into competitions. “Planting gave me happiness beyond measure,” she says, her face lighting up as she recalls the satisfaction of nurturing her garden.
In 2017, the Baguio City Urban Gardening was officially launched to encourage more residents to adopt sustainable practices. By 2018, Amelia’s Garden was awarded the title of Best Urban Garden by the city, earning her a ₱20,000 cash prize. But recognition only fueled her desire to do better.
In 2019, she set her sights higher, striving for excellence and pushing the boundaries of her gardening expertise. The following years were a series of successes. In 2020, she won the Best Eco-Friendly Garden contest organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, claiming another ₱20,000 in prize money. That same year, she also bagged ₱8,000 for winning the Baguio Survival Contest–Container Category.
Her efforts didn’t stop there. Amelia’s leadership role as the President of the Pinget Rural Improvement Club brought even more triumphs, with the club clinching the 3rd Runner-up position in the 2022 Edible Landscaping Contest and the championship in 2023. The prizes from both years, ₱10,000 in 2022 and ₱30,000 in 2023, further strengthened their club’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly gardening.
For Amelia, the cash prizes she won were not just a symbol of her success, but also a tool for further enhancing her garden. She explained that she used the funds from her competition victories to reinvest in her garden.
In addition to her individual gardening improvement, the cash prizes awarded to her club were also used to benefit the members. Amelia, made sure that the active members could use their share of funds to improve their own garden.
The fruits of her labor didn’t just stop at competitions. Amelia’s garden was not only a source of personal joy but also a means of livelihood. Through trade fairs, she sold her produce to the community, including pole beans, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and other crops she cultivated.
While she estimates her total annual sales to be around ₱15,000, much of her harvest is consumed by her family, with about 50% of their vegetable needs coming directly from her garden. She’s even proud to say that she hasn’t purchased vegetables in years, relying solely on what she grows herself. Additionally, her homegrown herbs have replaced the need for store-bought coffee, offering another level of self-sufficiency.
Amelia had planted a variety of crops in her garden throughout the years like: sweet potatoes, chives, chayote, taro, tomatoes, ginger, eggplants, bitter gourd, lima beans, kalunay, watercress, and an assortment of herbs.
Her garden not only sustains her family but also plays an important role in the community. During the pandemic, she added flowers to her collection, which became a vital resource for church services.
One of the most rewarding aspects of her gardening journey, however, has been the involvement of her children. Amelia beams with pride as she shares how her children helped her in her gardening.
“They always helped me in the garden, and now, their wives are interested in having their own gardens after seeing what their mother-in-law can do. I’m happy to assist them in building their own gardens,” she says, a sense of fulfillment evident in her voice.
Amelia Montes’ story is one of growth, both in her garden and in her life. What started as a simple fascination has turned into a legacy one that not only feeds her family but also inspires and helps her community. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
