Newport World Resorts’ LOVE Garden grows in Pasay community

The LOVE Garden hydroponics urban garden in Barangay 183 Villamor, Pasay City, is launched through a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, led by Newport World Resorts Vice President for Human Resources Andrew Aguirre (center right) and Barangay Captain Alvin Zuñiga (center left).

Inside Barangay 183, Villamor in Pasay City, neat rows of leafy vegetables now thrive in a hydroponics system, with roots suspended in nutrient-rich water and leaves stretching toward the light. This is the LOVE Garden, an urban farming initiative launched on February 11 by the country’s premier lifestyle and entertainment destination, Newport World Resorts.

Conceived as a livelihood and sustainability program, the LOVE Garden was formally established through the donation of 600 seedlings and a fully supported The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponics system to Barangay 183. The partnership was solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement led by Newport World Resorts Vice President for Human Resources Andrew Aguirre, and Brgy. 183 Villamor officials, signaling a shared commitment to long-term community development.

At the center of the initiative is the United Bagong Villamor Lakambini Brgy 183 Ladies Club Inc., a coalition of women-led and sectoral groups including mothers, senior citizens, volunteers, and advocates. These are women who have long served their community in various capacities. Now, they take on a new role as stewards of LOVE Garden.

Hydroponics, the soil-less method adopted for the LOVE Garden, allows crops to grow efficiently in limited spaces. Using carefully calibrated nutrient solutions and water systems, the setup maximizes yield while reducing environmental strain. In a dense urban environment, it represents a practical response to the challenges of land scarcity and food access.

To ensure the project’s longevity, Newport World Resorts integrated skills training into the launch. Newport World Resorts Executive Sous Chef Ryan Perez conducted a session on hydroponics fundamentals, guiding participants through nutrient preparation, water quality management, plant monitoring, and harvesting techniques.

Participants also learned urban garden best practices from Maricaban Elementary School teachers Cyrille Irish Bautista and Erlyn Regidor. Maricaban Elementary School is also a beneficiary of Newport World Resorts’ urban garden donation, which supports the expansion of the school’s Gulayan sa Paaralan initiative aimed to provide home-grown vegetables for its feeding program recipients.

A live demonstration of the system also allowed the volunteers to work directly with the equipment. The focus on skills transfer reinforces the goal of making the LOVE Garden self-sustaining under community management.

Once the program flourishes, Brgy. 183 Villamor will take the lead in identifying a Pasay school community as the next beneficiary of the initiative. The women of the Lakambini-led coalition will serve as mentors, passing on their knowledge and experience. In doing so, Newport World Resorts’ LOVE Garden extends its impact beyond one barangay and plants the seeds for a greener, more inclusive future.

About Newport World Resorts (NWR):

Discover Newport World Resorts.

First established as the pioneer integrated resort in the Philippines in 2009, Newport World Resorts encompasses a newer and bigger world of epic experiences within the bustling Newport City community. It is a premier leisure and entertainment complex comprising two main wings, Newport Grand Wing and Newport Garden Wing that feature a wide array of gaming positions and an innovative EPIC REWARDS program for members.

Centrally located within a prime tourism spot, right across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, Newport World Resorts boasts of the highest hotel room key count in a single property with five international hotel brands: Hotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts and Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, both recognized among MICHELIN Hotels, Sheraton Manila Hotel at Newport World Resorts, Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts, and Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World Resorts. Four of its signature restaurants, CRU Steakhouse, Man Ho, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines, and Yamazato, also earned a place in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. The sprawling property features a wide range of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues, including a three-story convention center that houses the country’s largest hotel ballroom, the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

At Newport World Resorts, entertainment and lifestyle options abound. The award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater seats over 1,700 audiences for live entertainment from plays and musicals to concerts and amazing performances. Likewise, the Newport Grand Wing’s The Grand Bar and Lounge and the Newport Garden Wing’s Bar 360 and El Calle Food and Music Hall provide nightly live entertainment for guests and patrons. The Newport Mall features international luxury brands and the state-of-the-art Newport Cinemas. Also within Newport City, are over 70 restaurants and dining outlets offering a diverse selection of local and international cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and international chefs.