Roderick Capalongan left his career in advertising in 2014 to venture into mushroom farming, and is now a leading supplier of mushrooms in his home town of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, including Manila, Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, and Pampanga.
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Roderick Capalongan built a dynamic career in advertising, mastering project management, below-the-line communications, and complex campaign operations. But what started as a side hustle soon turned into his true passion—mushroom farming.
Inspired by a fellow farming enthusiast, Roderick initially ventured into mushroom production to generate extra income for his family. However, what began as a small project soon became his full-time calling.
In 2014, he left advertising behind to grow mushrooms on a 2-hectare farmland he inherited from his grandfather. Roderick named his own farm “Mushroom Man” and used recycled agricultural waste, such as rice straw, as substrate to grow oyster mushrooms.
As demand grew, so did Roderick’s desire to scale up the business. In 2016, he found a reliable partner in Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) which stepped in with an initial loan of P300,000.00, giving Roderick the boost he needed to expand his operations.
“Salamat sa LANDBANK dahil palagi silang handang sumuporta sa akin at sa projects ko. Sa tulong nila, nakapagpatayo ako ng facilities at nakapag-expand ng farm ko,” said Roderick.
Over the years, LANDBANK has extended a total of P6.25 million to support Roderick’s mushroom production, which covered the purchase of equipment and the construction of mushroom housing, and even the expansion to tilapia and catfish production.
The Mushroom Man currently delivers fresh produce daily to market outlets in Nueva Vizcaya and Manila, as well as in the provinces of Isabela, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite and Cagayan Valley.
Innovation meets sustainability
Roderick adopted an integrated farming business model that combines mushroom production with tilapia fish farming to minimize farm waste, reduce operational costs, and promote resource efficiency.
One of his sustainable farm methods involve recycling mushroom spent—a byproduct of his mushroom production—to cultivate duckweeds as an alternative to artificial commercial fish feeds.
This recycling practice reduced the cost of his tilapia production by half and significantly increased his profits.
“Sa panahon ngayon, tumataas na ang presyo ng farm inputs, tulad ng tilapia feeds. Kaya kailangan maging resourceful para gumanda ang kita,” said Roderick.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Roderick also expanded his product line to include processed mushroom products, which include siomai, crispy mushroom, mushroom spread, and chili paste, alongside organic fertilizers.
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Roderick adopted an integrated farming business model that combines mushroom production with tilapia fish farming, wherein he uses discarded mushroom spent to produce duckweeds which serves as a natural alternative to fish feeds.
A trailblazer in mushroom and integrated farming
In recognition of his innovative practices and contributions to the local mushroom industry, LANDBANK conferred to Roderick the “Ulirang Magsasaka – Special Award for Integrated Farming” at the Bank’s Models of Excellence Recognition Initiative for Top Bank Clients (MERIT) Awards.
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Roderick and his wife, Sheila Capalongan, receive the special citation for integrated farming during the LANDBANK MERIT Awards in Malate, Manila.
Roderick and his wife, Sheila Capalongan, receive the special citation for integrated farming during the LANDBANK MERIT Awards in Malate, Manila.
The MERIT Awards celebrated the Bank’s top development partners in the delivery of essential financial and support services in local communities nationwide.
Roderick’s farm has become the model mushroom farm in Nueva Vizcaya, attracting local and foreign visitors, including students, cooperatives and associations, to learn from his expertise about mushroom and integrated farming.
National agencies like Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and state universities also work closely with the farm to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance agricultural education.
Looking ahead, Roderick plans to build a farm school to train aspiring agri-entrepreneurs in mushroom production and elevate Nueva Vizcaya as a hub for oyster mushroom production.
He likewise plans to train abroad to refine his skills and learn best global practices to help boost the local industry.
“We are planning to train sa ibang bansa para mag-uwi ng advanced technology at matuto ng modern practices for mushroom production. Naniniwala ako na kaya natin magkaroon ng globally competitive mushroom industry,” said Roderick.
A Journey from Campaigns to Cultivation
Roderick Capalongan’s journey from the advertising world to agriculture is a testament to his adaptability to embrace change and passion to pursue his calling. With LANDBANK as his trusted partner, he continues to thrive—proving that success grows where passion and innovation meet.
Through partnerships like these, LANDBANK is empowering farmers and Filipinos nationwide for a better future.
About LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines with the largest portfolio in support of agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. Promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development, the Bank is present in all 82 provinces in the county and is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
LANDBANK, Yovel East partner to scale up accessible agri financing
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (4th from left) and Yovel East Research and Development, Inc. President and CEO James P. Amparo (3rd from left) formalize a collaboration to empower Filipino farmers with accessible financing for innovative farming solutions on 14 January 2025 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Manila. Joining them as witnesses are Go Negosyo Founder and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines Chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III (2nd from left), Go Negosyo-KALAP Senior Adviser and former Agriculture Secretary Dr. William D. Dar (leftmost), and LANDBANK officials Executive Vice President Ma. Celeste A. Burgos (5th from left) and First Vice President Eden B. Japitana (rightmost). In line with promoting modern and sustainable agriculture, LANDBANK and Yovel East Research and Development, Inc. (Yovel East) have recently partnered to further intensify support for Filipino farmers through accessible and increased financing and greater private-sector collaboration. The partnership is set to expand the reach and impact of the LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program—designed to provide holistic and strategic support for key players in the agricultural value chain—and assist Yovel East in managing clustered farms to deliver comprehensive assistance to its farmer-beneficiaries. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Yovel East President and CEO James P. Amparo formalized the partnership on 14 January 2025 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Manila. Present as witnesses were Go Negosyo Founder and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines Chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III, Go Negosyo-KALAP Senior Adviser and former Agriculture Secretary Dr. William D. Dar, and LANDBANK officials Executive Vice President Ma. Celeste A. Burgos and First Vice President Eden B. Japitana. “At LANDBANK, we believe that financial assistance is just one piece of the puzzle in addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. Our mission extends to providing comprehensive support across the entire agricultural ecosystem,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. Under the partnership, Yovel East will serve as an anchor firm for the LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program and endorse potential borrowers to LANDBANK, while promoting technology-driven pre- and post-harvest facilities. Yovel East, a leading agricultural enterprise in the Philippines, is transforming rice production through its innovative "WeWillRice Program," which delivers a fully integrated, end-to-end rice production process for clustered farms. The Program facilitates the buyback of palay and manages the wholesale or retail marketing of produce, which ensures stable markets, promotes efficiency, and maximizes benefits for farmers. “Providing sustainability and consistency is always the thing that we want to achieve. Through this partnership, Yovel East assures that we will further expand the reach of AGRISENSO Plus and our WeWillRice Program to help more farmers,” said Yovel East President and CEO James Amparo. For its part, LANDBANK will be extending to eligible partners endorsed by Yovel East the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program that provides affordable financing to small farmers and fishers, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), and the whole agriculture value chain, aimed at bolstering nationwide food security and sufficiency. As of December 2024, the LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus has supported 3,346 farmers with an outstanding loan portfolio amounting to P494.8 million. LANDBANK remains committed to its mandate of promoting agriculture, fisheries and rural development, and empowering all players of the agriculture value chain and their communities towards a brighter future. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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LANDBANK opens ‘phygital’ branch in Manila, eyes nationwide rollout
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (4th from left) and Deputy Treasurer of the Philippines Ma. Nanette C. Diaz (5th from left) lead the inauguration of the LANDBANK Makati Business Center - Ayala Avenue Phygital Branch in Makati City on 30 January 2025. Joining them are (from L-R) PDIC President and CEO Robert B. Tan, LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron, GCG officials Commissioner Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka, Chairman Atty. Marius P. Corpus, and Commissioner Atty. Geraldine Marie Berberabe-Martinez, and Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Undersecretary Jose Edwiniel C. Guilas. MAKATI CITY – LANDBANK opened its first ‘phygital’ branch in Metro Manila as part of the Bank’s nationwide rollout of modernized branches to provide Filipinos more accessible and innovative financial services. The LANDBANK Makati Business Center – Ayala Avenue Phygital Branch, located in Robinsons Summit Center on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, combines physical and digital services for a more streamlined, seamless, and delightful customer experience. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Deputy Treasurer of the Philippines Ma. Nanette C. Diaz led the inauguration rites for the LANDBANK Makati Business Center – Ayala Avenue Phygital Branch on 30 January 2025. Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Chair Atty. Marius P. Corpus and Commissioners Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka and Atty. Geraldine Marie Berberabe-Martinez, and Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) President and CEO Robert B. Tan also graced the event. “Our phygital branches represent a bold and timely step forward in bridging traditional banking with digital innovation. This reflects LANDBANK’s commitment to empower Filipinos by delivering accessible, customer-focused, and inclusive financial services,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. This latest upgraded branch is LANDBANK’s eighth phygital branch, as the Bank plans to inaugurate at least 30 more phygital branches nationwide by the end of the year. Transforming the Branch Experience LANDBANK phygital branches feature a refreshed look with self-service machines, new queuing and tellering systems, meeting pods, and interactive zones. Each branch has a dedicated phygital ambassador to assist and guide customers to the machines or areas suitable to their needs, ensuring personalized support. Over-the-counter transactions in LANDBANK phygital branches are also simplified through the LANDBANK Easy Access (LEA) system, which eliminates the need to fill out forms. Account opening is initiated through the Digital Online Banking System (DOBS), accessible via the DOBS Corners in the branch or via the LANDBANK website for added convenience. Meanwhile, the Explore Zone offers clients the opportunity to learn more about LANDBANK’s wide range of financial products and services designed to help them achieve their financial goals. The meeting pods are specifically designed for consultations with LANDBANK marketing officers, providing clients with personalized guidance on how to maximize the benefits of the Bank’s offerings. The phygital branches are likewise equipped with automated teller machines (ATMs) and cash deposit machines (CDMs) that offer card and cardless transaction options. Soon, LANDBANK phygital branches will introduce additional features, including self-service passbook updating and ATM card issuance and updating, ATM withdrawal via quick response (QR) code, and access to DOBS via mobile and web with automatic scheduling for account opening. As LANDBANK sets its sights on broader nationwide expansion, the phygital branch model underscores its commitment to leveraging technology to drive financial inclusion and customer satisfaction. Customers can also open a savings account online through the straight-through account opening feature of the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), without visiting a branch. The LANDBANK MBA is a free application that offers seamless and convenient online fund transfers, bills payments, and balance inquiries, among others. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide. LANDBANK operates 607 branches and branch-lite units and 60 lending centers nationwide, complemented by 3,229 ATMs, 238 CDMs, 1,130 LANDBANKasama partners, and an additional 3,449 ATMs in partner 7-11 convenience stores.
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LANDBANK rolls out capacity-building initiative to empower agri players
LANDBANK, alongside government and private partners, and AGRISENSO Plus farmer-borrowers, launch the LANDBANK ASCEND capacity-building program that aims to support at least 10,000 small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries nationwide annually starting in 2025. LAL-LO, Cagayan — In line with its continuing mission to boost the agriculture sector and accelerate rural development, LANDBANK launched a comprehensive capacity-building program to equip agricultural players with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed for sustained growth and success. The LANDBANK Agri-Fishery Support thru Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development (ASCEND) Program addresses the critical need for tailored interventions among agricultural stakeholders to ensure productive and profitable agri-business ventures, in line with Republic Act 11901 or “The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development (AFRD) Financing Enhancement Act of 2022.” Under the LANDBANK ASCEND, the Bank targets to support at least 10,000 small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide annually starting in 2025. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, alongside National Government partners Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office II Director Primo C. Lara, with local partner Lal-lo Vice Mayor Maria Olivia B. Pascual, led the ASCEND Program’s launch on 24 January 2025 at Lal-lo Municipal Gymnasium. The event gathered around 1,000 agriculture stakeholders from Cagayan and key representatives from other government and private partners, including the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), AGREA Agricultural Communities International Foundation, Inc. (AGREA), and LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation Inc. (LCDFI). “With LANDBANK ASCEND, we aim to elevate the livelihoods of local agricultural producers, empowering them to maximize their full potential and actively contribute to national economic growth. This complements our continued efforts to provide accessible financial assistance and other meaningful support interventions across the agriculture value chain,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. The LANDBANK ASCEND Program delivers holistic support through six integrated components. The Training and Upskilling component provides technical training to strengthen individual and organizational capabilities, while the Digital Financial Literacy component equips beneficiaries with essential skills for more effective financial management. The Program also employs Stakeholder Mapping to classify beneficiaries based on their capacity levels and financing access. Insights from this process will be utilized in Module Development to create customized training materials. The modes of training delivery include classroom sessions, virtual platforms, hands-on activities, demonstrations, coaching, and mentorships. To ensure sustainable outcomes, the Program incorporates a Monitoring and Evaluation component to assess the effectiveness of training modules and track the progress of beneficiaries. Additionally, the Market Linkage component connects beneficiaries to market opportunities through business clustering and other schemes. LANDBANK ASCEND serves as the capacity-building component of the LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus Program, which features expanded eligibility, lower interest rates, and simplified loan process to provide broader access to credit and other support interventions for all players in the agriculture value chain. Eligible beneficiaries of the LANDBANK ASCEND include ARBs, duly registered farmers, as well as members of their household and their micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and agrarian reform communities. Interested participants may visit any LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch, or contact LANDBANK’s Customer Service Hotline at 028405700 for more details. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide. LANDBANK operates a total of 10 branches and branch-lite units and a lending center in Cagayan, complemented by 57 automated teller machines (ATMs), seven cash deposit machines (CDMs), 27 LANDBANKasama partners, and additional 16 ATMs in partner 7-11 convenience stores.
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