HOPE ON HYDROPONICS: HOW ONE MAN GROWS A GARDEN WITH A MISSION

June 28, 2025 Lifestyle

TRAY OF GREENS -GROWING FORWARD: Ronaldo Ferrer proudly holds a tray of hydroponically grown lettuce on his rooftop garden in Magsaysay, Baguio City. INSET . Ferrer, checks on his hydroponic strawberry plants.

Photos by Nickhole Gutierrez/UC Intern

At the sari-sari section of Baguio Public Market, Ronaldo Ferrer, is known as retailer of fresh strawberries and local favorites—jams, brittles, wines. Far from the busy stalls and steady stream of tourists, Ferrer has cultivated something far more personal at their house’ rooftop: a thriving hydroponics- garden grown from scraps, setbacks, and sheer persistence. At 54, Ferrer, didn’t start with a green thumb, his journey into farming began at one of the lowest points in history. “Nagumpisa ako ng hydroponics noong COVID pandemic. That was year 2022,” he recalls.

With livelihoods lost and money tight, Ferrer looked for ways to stretch household resources. “Walang pera ang mga tao dito sa Baguio… daming nawalan ng trabaho. So, kung walang pera, walang pambili.” To meet his needs and survive, he turned to planting vegetables. At first, he used soil but the results were disappointing. Most of his crops ended up weak, unhealthy. ‘Daming failure… Mga malnourish talaga mga tanim ko,” he said. ‘Nabiktima rin kasi ako ng covid. Buhay pa rin ung mother ko noon. Para makatulong sa expenses nagtanim tanim ako.’ His turning point came by accident, through YouTube. While watching planting tutorials, Ferrer stumbled upon hydroponics. Curious, he tried mimicking the videos.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions to deliver essential minerals directly to roots for faster, cleaner growth. “Noong una hindi ko talaga masundan,” he said. “Even though step-by-step ‘yung tinuturo doon, iba pa rin ‘yung actual pag ginawa mo.” It took him nearly a year to get things right. He almost quit. One last experiment, he told himself. He planted pakwan (watermelon) and ampalaya, just in time for Urban Gardening Contest organized by the city veterinary agriculture office (CVAO). His perseverance paid off, and placed 2nd runner-up.

The win reignited his motivation. From there, Ferrer’s hydroponic setup began to grow not just in size, but in reliability. He perfected his planting techniques by researching coco peat Measurements, temperature monitoring, and nutrient balancing. “Ako lang din ang nag-introduce ng hydroponics sa sarili ko… sariling sikap ko lang talaga sa YouTube,” he says. Ferrer, a computer science graduate, the shift into agriculture surprised even him. “Parang ang layo sa pagtatanim,” he says with laughter. Hydroponics gave him something he never expected: stability. At first, he grew vegetables just to feed his family.

But people began asking if they could buy them instead. “Ending sold out lahat,” he says. ‘Kasi sa Philippines sa totoo lang, ako lang ang nagtanim ng iceberg lettuce—pinakamahirap na itanim. pangarap yan ng mga nag hydroponics sa pilipinas. Kaya dito sa Baguio wala pang success nyan ako ang pinakafirst,’ Ferrer said. His first full harvest earned him ± 13,000 in just 36 days without any formal training, and with only ± 500 from his pocket as capital. He was able to buy coco peat, nutrient solution, and reused materials like plastic bottles and plywood. “Wala akong narereceive na kahit anong klaseng support from the government kaya masasabi ko talagang independent ako.”

After the CVAO contest and his knowledge on hydroponics, barangays and other areas began inviting him to give seminars. For his efforts, Ferrer receive Certificate of Appreciation, some offers local products while others give him cash and he utilized it in improving his hydroponics setup. Ferrer now part of UGABI (Urban Gardening Advocates of Baguio, Inc.), a group that promotes sustainable urban gardening practices. He helps train and inspire others—many of whom doubted him at first. Challenged by countless critiques and bashers, instead it pushed him to greater heights in hydroponics.

“Ang pinakachallenge ko talaga is ‘yung mga critique sa akin,” Ferrer admits. Lalo akong na-challenge na patunayan sa kanila.” That chance came when he grew watermelons right on his rooftop. In a city surrounded by concrete, growing such a large fruit seemed impossible. “Ang tanong ngayon is tutubo ba?” ang pakwan? Sabi nila imposible ‘yan,” he recalls. But Ferrer proved otherwise. Through careful monitoring of nutrient levels, temperature, and pH, he showed that even watermelon could thrive in a rooftop garden. His most notable achievement, though, may be becoming the first to grow iceberg lettuce through hydroponics in the Philippines. “Pangarap ‘yan ng mga nag-hydroponics sa Pilipinas,” he says. “Wala pang success niyan dito sa Baguio. Ako ang pinakafirst.”

Over time, the bashers who once ridiculed his work became curious then impressed. “Ngayon, baliktad na. Sila na ‘yung nagtatanong sa’kin,” he says. Still, not everyone appreciates his efforts. He recalls a message from someone abroad: “Hanggang ngayon palecture-lecture ka pa rin? Wala pa bang nagssupport sa’yo? I-drop mo na ‘yan, susuportahan kita.” Ferrer was hurt. “Para ba akong inapakan na wala akong kakwenta-kwentang tao,” he says. But he stood firm. “Hindi naman ako mukhang pera.

Ang importante, masaya ako sa ginagawa ko.” Hydroponics has reshaped his daily life. Most mornings begin with a cup of coffee and hours spent tending to plants on his rooftop, often without realizing how much time has passed. He doesn’t mass-sell his produce in markets yet. The reality is that hydroponically grown vegetables cost more, and consumers often choose cheaper, pesticide-sprayed options simply because they’re familiar. “Maaaring magduda rin sila kahit sabihin mo ang benefits,” he explains. Hydroponics has given Ferrer more than food or income—it has helped him grow emotionally.

Today, he’s not just a strawberry retailer. He’s a teacher, a mentor, an advocate. “Binibigyan ng hydroponics ng purpose ang life ko,” Ferrer says. For those just starting out, his advice is simple: plant only if you love it. “Siguraduhin niyong gusto niyo siya at nasa puso niyo ang pagtatanim.” From failure to recognition, rooftop to community, Ferrer’s story is proof that sometimes, the most meaningful things grow in the most unlikely places.

Nickhole Gutierrez/UC-Intern