BAGUIO CITY – In 1992, Romeo Kimbungan faced one of the biggest challenges of his life – a failing heart. He was seriously ill, and despite conventional treatments, his health was not improving. Desperate for a solution, he turned to the healing power of nature. “I started with herbs when I got sick in 1992. I was triggered, I was not getting better. I collected indigenous herbals, and I got okay. In 2004, I was healed,” he recalls. That personal experience sparked not only his healing but also a lifelong passion that would grow into something much bigger.
Romeo is now the proud owner of Kerobee Farm, located in Pula, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. After returning from abroad in 1992, he discovered the fascinating world of honey bees and began cultivating them. This marked the start of his agripreneurial journey. But beyond beekeeping, it was the herbal plants that truly captured his heart. Motivated by his own recovery, he sought to introduce herbal remedies to others, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses. Over time, he improved his knowledge of processing herbs, growing both his farm and his mission.
Today, Kerobee Farm boasts a variety of medicinal and organic crops. Among them are lemongrass, ashitaba, dandelion, insulin plant, and kale, alongside vegetables like tomatoes, pechay, lettuce, chingkang, and French beans. Romeo has mastered the delicate art of timing in planting, understanding that each crop has its own season and vulnerabilities. “There are plants that do not thrive easily and are prone to infections,” he says. This deep understanding of his plants comes from years of dedication and observation.
His commitment to organic farming has earned him certifications from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and an official organic certification. His products are available in outlets across Baguio and Benguet, such as TiongSan, Health 100, Porta Vaga, Good Shepherd, and BSU Marketing Center, as well as in La Trinidad’s OPGS and even as far as Batangas. He also has a loyal customer base among balikbayans who believe in the quality and health benefits of his offerings.
Like many small entrepreneurs, Romeo was deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “During COVID, my sales really dropped,” he shares. Instead of letting his products go to waste, he chose to give them away to the community as proof to his generosity and resilience. As the situation normalized in 2021, new challenges emerged. The shortage of raw materials for his processed products became a pressing concern. “It really is my challenge how to maintain my raw materials and coordinate with fellow farmers so that my supply will be continuous,” he explains.
Despite the hurdles, Romeo remains steadfast. As an entrepreneur, he provides employment in his community, donates to schools, and even had a scholarship program that he hopes to revive now that his market is improving. His mindset is grounded in innovation. “Every year, I innovate. My products are ahead compared to others,” he proudly states. While others remain stagnant with one or two products, he has developed nearly ten, constantly looking for ways to improve them further.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Romeo has received three (3) major awards from the Department of Agriculture, including regional and national recognition as an organic farmer and agripreneur. In 2011, he clinched second place nationally. He also holds accolades from the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, various local government units, and a regional award from the Department of Labor and Employment for the micro-industry category.
Romeo’s advice to aspiring agripreneurs is simple but powerful: “𝐵𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡. 𝐷𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚. 𝐷𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑑, 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑔𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒. 𝐵𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠, 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑦. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑠, 𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑.”
From a journey that began with personal illness to becoming a celebrated organic farmer and entrepreneur, Romeo Kimbungan’s story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the healing power of both nature and perseverance. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
