Healing Experts

In line with its mission to provide science-based, evidence-guided holistic healing and transformative lifestyle retreats, The Farm is home to internationally trained integrative medical doctors and licensed health professionals who work together to help guests lead a healthier lifestyle on their journey to optimal well-being.

OUR EXPERTS

Marian Alonzo, MD

Medical Chief

Marian Alonzo, MD

Medical Chief

Dr. Alonzo graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine with Intarmed as her undergraduate degree.  She had her internship at the Philippine General Hospital.

As a child, she was diagnosed with a debilitating heart condition and her family’s search for what will cure her introduced her to natural forms of healing. Despite her illness, she graduated as valedictorian in her early school years, awarded internationally for Academic Excellence and Community Service, received recognition for outstanding clinical work in medical school and graduated with distinction in post-graduate medical training. 

Dr. Alonzo is fascinated by the factors that bring optimal health which is basically what the principle of salutogenesis is all about: “salut” – health, “genesis” – origin or creation… This inspired her to specialize in Anthroposophic Medicine from the Goetheanum in Switzerland. This looks into 1) the nature of the human as spiritual beings in physical form and 2) transformative means to address sources of disease or disharmony in the physical body and the psyche.

She deepened her clinical practice through Integrative Medicine through immersions in various continents, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa Oriental. This field integrates conventional and natural medicine and finds the governing healing principles that connect different streams of ancient healing. 

Dr. Alonzo has been with The Farm at San Benito since 2002 and is currently its Medical Chief She co-authored 2 books for sustainable health: RAW! and CLEANSE!

She incorporates her training in psychotherapy, art therapy and eurythmy / shibashi and other healing physical movements in her advocacy on Dignified Aging and Embracing Cycles of Life as a preparation for healthy aging and in powerfully approaching other major life transitions.

Dr. Marian Alonzo on The Farm’s YouTube Channel:

Notable articles:

Speakerships:

As Panelist

  •     India Today Conclave (India, 2018)
  •     Healing Hotels of the World’s Healing Summit (Portugal, 2019)

 

As Resource Person

  •     Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) Hospital Congress (2021, 2023, 2024)
  •     Focus Group Discussion at the Global Wellness Summit (Singapore 2018, Scotland 2024)
  •     International Connections Wellbeing
  •     The Upper House Residency talks on Mental Health, Women’s Health, Children’s Health and Longevity (Hong Kong, May 2024)
  •     International Post-grad Medical Training on Anthroposophy (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  •     Events by Philippine Dermatological Society, Mental Health and Longevity advocates
  •     Philippine Mental Health Summit

 

Dr. Ron N. Bardonado

Resident Doctor

Dr. Ron N. Bardonado

Resident Doctor

Dr. Rounville N. Bardonado is not only a Doctor of Medicine and Health, but of Life and Knowledge. He started his career in 1995 and was always fascinated with how a medicine causes a change for the patient, especially the lifesaving types of medicines. After years of practicing conventional medicine, he began to wonder why some patients are ill even at a young age.
His inquisitive nature led him to realize that there is a deeper cause of disease, and not just attributed to “Germ Theory” of disease.
Being very open to all forms of healing modalities, in the latter part of 2004, Dr. Ron began working at The Farm and started learning and using a HOLISTIC approach to healing. After a few weeks of seeing people’s improvement in their health, he became a believer and practitioner of Natural Healing.
His work helps clients understand the importance of living a life in balance, being AWARE, and adapting to all changes and challenges. To quote Dr. Ron: “Every moment of our life, we learn, and this gives us the opportunity to become a better person.”
Besides being a medical holistic practitioner, Dr. Ron completed a Sheng Zhen Gong Teacher Training Course in Tagaytay, 2011 under Teacher Li Jun Feng and also studied and teaches Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Style, 24 Forms. Moving meditation such as Tai Chi and Qi gong is one of Dr. Ron’s passions. A very powerful practices that opens up our energy channels, and helps remove our blockages and stagnation that hinder our healing process.

He also took a post-graduate course in Anthroposophic Medicine in 2008.

Overseas, he had a short stint practicing Holistic Medicine in Hong Kong in 2011 and served as Health Affairs Director and Advisor for an Oil and Gas Service Provider in the Middle East from 2014 to 2018, giving guidance to thousands of employees on how to live a Healing Lifestyle.

Dr. Ron also has been attuned to the practice of Reiki since 2012 under Teacher Lillian Jarales Hewlett.
In 2019, Dr. Ron had the opportunity to learn from one of the first naturopath in the Philippines and her specialty is helping cancer patients, using herbs, cleansing/detoxing and strengthening all the systems in our body. I also studied Aromatherapy under her.

During the period of pandemic, Dr. Ron had the opportunity to study and understand how our body chemistry functions, the imbalances incurred by poor choice of diet and lifestyle by following the works of International medical doctors, functional medicine practitioners and naturopath.

After 2 years of pandemic, and the devastation it caused on the people and economy, we have come to realize that health should be a priority. People took many supplements to help them improve their immune system and overall well-being. However, supplementation alone is not enough as one should incorporate a diet and lifestyle that will promote healing on our mind-body complex.

Dr. Ron is recently certified by Capacitar International for Tools for Stress Relief and Trauma Transformation given in the last quarter of 2022, to add more tools in his tool box.

My advocacy is to impart my knowledge on how to improve one’s health by using natural remedies, supplements, and lifestyle coaching to enhance their own ability to heal.

Dr. Jocelyn Franco

Resident Doctor

Dr. Jocelyn Franco

Resident Doctor

Jocelyn is a Physician and has 36 years of practicing medicine both locally and internationally. A graduate of the Medical Program of Saint Louis University, she went on and completed her Master’s Degree in Public Health. She is also a Fellow of the Philippine Society of Venereologists, Inc.

She served as a Social Hygiene Physician for 16 years promoting her advocacy on Women’s Health and STD/HIV/AIDS Awareness and later on became a President and Board Examiner of the Philippine Society of Venereologists in 2000-2001.

Her international experience includes being a Ship Physician for 14 years at the Semester at Sea, an educational program by the University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, and the Colorado State University. This widened her experience to various traditional, alternative, and integrative medical practices done internationally.

She also spent two years as a Ship Physician for the Expedition Cruises travelling Australasia, New Zealand, and Antarctica focusing on varied illnesses and heath emergencies of guests onboard.

She was also engaged as a Consultant Physician for two years for a company in Malaysia specializing in organic medicines made of herbs and cultured mushrooms for the treatment of diabetes, HPN, chronic illnesses, cancer, and infertility issues for men and women.

In all these years of practicing medicine, Jocelyn has not wavered her passion to learn and become better each day.

She is currently The Farm’s Resident Doctor, practicing Holistic wellness and medicine.

Pauline Robles-Gocuanco, MD

Wellness Doctor, The Farm at San Benito

Pauline Robles-Gocuanco, MD

Wellness Doctor, The Farm at San Benito

Dr. Robles-Gocuanco is a Registered Medical Technologist and a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy. She earned her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. As the youngest member of The Farm Medical team, Dr. Robles-Goguanco has a deep passion for promoting health through food and lifestyle changes. With her background in medical technology, she specializes in Cellular Health Screening, focusing on how it reflects an individual’s overall diet and lifestyle.”

She is gifted with the faculty to sense the supersensible and anchors this experience to her strong background in science…these are precious qualities for the energetic healing aspect of The Farm Medical programs.

Dr. Susan Balingit

Wellness Doctor

Dr. Susan Balingit

Wellness Doctor

Dr. Susana M. Balingit has been working with various community health-oriented development programs and projects for almost three decades. She practiced medicine in several far-flung marginalized communities and focused her efforts in “rediscovering” indigenous knowledge and practices (IKP) that can be harnessed to promote health and wellness and prevent disease. The body of knowledge learned and the wealth of experience she has gained has provided people and communities with a more sustainable and accessible means to have fuller control of their health. Recommending traditional Filipino food preparations consisting mainly of locally-grown vegetables and unpolished brown rice from organically grown native varieties is a key component of her advocacy.

Dr. Susan launched the “Kitchen Klinik” segment as part of her advocacy to educate people on health benefits gained from sustainable local produce and functional food.

Dr. Susan firmly believes in healing through food and the importance of maintaining the diversity of regional food and agricultural traditions. The wisdom of local and indigenous communities can be maintained to protect the ecosystems that surround us and offer sustainable prospects for the future.

Dr. Radi Apostol

Aesthetic Partner

Dr. Radi Apostol

Aesthetic Partner

Conrada Veruasa-Apostol, M.D. or Dr. Radi for short, is a reconstructive and plastic surgeon with a passion for aesthetic enhancements that have a holistic touch. She graduated from Manila Central University College of Medicine in 1986. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, Asian Pacific Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Association of Women’s Surgeons USA, and a fellow of International College of Surgeons. She has been a practicing surgeon since 1988 and had her residency training in Surgery at Silliman University Medical Center, Dumaguete City. She trained on Reconstructive surgery under Dr. Rajan Dulamal, (had fellowship training rotations at Vanderbilt University Hospital Tennessee, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital of New York). She did several charity surgical missions nationwide for which she received the National Lingkod Bayan Award in 1999 for doing more than thousands of free surgeries to less-privileged people. She never stopped undergoing training workshops and studies on holistic modalities in line with aesthetic improvements like Lifestyle Medicine for weight management at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Cosmetic Acupuncture for facial wrinkles, breast augmentation and weight loss at Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Anti- aging and Wrinkle management at International Master Course on Aging Skin. She attended workshops on Stress management because she believes that Stress is the root cause of all diseases and pains which indirectly lead to wrinkles, aging and other problems which affect the general appearance of an individual. As a cosmetic surgeon, she offers patients whatever procedure that is less painful, less expensive, has less risk and considers surgical enhancement as the last option.

Dr. Radi Apostol’s specializations at The Farm:

  1. Psychoemotional clearing
  2. Health and disease prevention counseling
  3. Aesthetic / Cosmetic facial acupuncture
  4. Weight loss acupuncture
  5. Stress relief acupuncture
  6. Acupuncture for depression
  7. Neurogenic Release
  8. Lifestyle coaching for stress, depression, weight management
  9. Harmonizing flow
  10. Rejuvenating facial
  11. Sleep induction therapy
  12. Dolphin-electronic neurostimulation

Other services at The Farm:

  1. Medical emergency care
  2. Surgical emergencies at The Farm
    • Head injuries from fall or hit by falling objects
    • Closed fracture reduction – immobilization with casting or bandaging
    • Minor surgeries for injuries – suturing of wounds, incision and drainage
  3. Open and closed dressing of wounds
    • snake bite / insect bite management
    • Foreign body removals – in the ears, eyes, skin, GUT
    • Bandaging for sprained extremities
    • Burn management
Lem Senillo

Healing SPA Director

Lem Senillo

Healing SPA Director

Lemoiel “Lem” Senillo is currently the Spa Director of The Farm at San Benito. Lem is a licensed international Naturopathy Medicine who has trained in different parts of the world such as Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and USA. He is also a spiritual guru who practices purest healing energy in a form of art.

Lem is one of The Farm’s pioneer healers, and was instrumental in setting the foundation for The Farm’s successful holistic healing practices. Lem provided care to the first guests of The Farm, many of whom were terminally sick individuals looking for alternative healing.

Today, he provides spiritual healing, intuitive spa consultation and wellness counseling to the guests. Being a herbalist and aroma specialist, Lem developed detox signature fragrance at The Farm to enhance the individual healing journey of body, mind and spirit.

He’s trained in Holistic Wellness, Energy Healing, Spiritual Healing, Intuitive Counseling, Intuitive Touch therapy, Body Talk, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Reiki, Myofascial Therapy, Etheric Nerve Impulse Therapy, Kinesiology, Deep Tissue Therapy, Yen and Yang Restorative treatment, Aroma Therapy, and Complementary Alternative Medicine.

Quote from Lem Senillo: “Energy healing is my life and the only way I can feel my real purpose and the glorious moment of my existence. Every person I’ve touched, talked and healed has become my family. The experience gives me a deeper emotion and contentment beyond temporary things.”

Chef Marie Pagcaliwagan

Executive Chef

Chef Marie Pagcaliwagan

Executive Chef

Chef Marie Pagcaliwagan is the pioneer tastemaker of The Farm; while the resort formally celebrates its 20th anniversary, Chef Marie is already celebrating her 21st, as she came on board during the conceptualization stages to develop the menu of ALIVE! Vegan Restaurant, which has since won numerous international awards.

Chef Marie trained extensively under renowned vegan chefs Chad Sarno (founder of Wicked Healthy) and Felix Shoener (Raw vegan chef of Fivelements).

Following the success of ALIVE! Chef Marie continued her career deep into wellness cuisine as The Farm introduced PESCE, a pescetarian restaurant inspired by the Mediterranean Blue Zone Diet; and PRANA, an Ayurveda restaurant serving energy-packed Indian-vegetarian dishes.

Over the years, Chef Marie has worked hand-in-hand with The Farm’s integrative medical doctors in providing detoxifying, cleansing, and nourishing cuisine to guests dealing with various lifestyle diseases and health issues.

Chef Marie is known for her unrivaled knowledge of The Farm’s endemic agriculture, her mastery over raw vegan cuisine, and her passion for healing through food.

Preet Inder Singh

Business Development, CG Hospitality

Preet Inder Singh

Business Development, CG Hospitality

The Philippines’ Best General Manager – Hospitality

The Philippines’ Leadership Awards 2023 & 2024

Best Hotel General Manager – Philippines

Travel + Leisure SEA Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 & 2024

Favorite Hotel General Manager in the Philippines

Travel + Leisure SEA’s Asia’s Best Awards 2022

Preet Inder Singh is the General Manager of The Farm at San Benito since October 2017. He graduated from IHMCT & AN in India (1986), and from the International College of Hotel Management in Switzerland (1988). He also received certifications in Applied Food Service & Sanitation, Food Service: A Managerial Approach, and Food Service Supervision: Achieving Success Through People from AM & HA, USA in 1987. He also underwent various management and leadership training and certifications like TMTC PUNE’s Management Appreciation Program, EHL Switzerland’s course on Excellence in Food & Beverage, Cornell University’s Strategic Hospitality Management Program, Harvard’s Manager Mentor Program, and certified MBA Program from IIM Bangalore, to name a few. Prior to presiding over The Farm, Mr. Singh has already proven his capabilities working for more than 30 years in other high-profile hotels like Taj Group of Hotels, Radisson Blu resort Hua Hin (Thailand), Carlson-Rezidor (Singapore), and Radisson Blu Hotel (Maldives), Radisson Blu Hotel (New Delhi), and others. His experience across Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America provided him with a deep understanding of the high standards in the international service industry. These, along with his outgoing personality and excellent management skills has led to noteworthy attainments such as achieving high scores both for customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. 

With his 30-year career in the hospitality industry, he brings with him a wealth of experience to execute The Farm’s evolution and growth – from global expansion, property enhancements, to bringing forward its wellness innovation to deliver the next level of luxury holiday and life transformative retreats. 

The Farm management welcomes Mr. Singh’s leadership expertise in operations, guest experience, and management skills. “I want to do something that is meaningful and make a positive impact in people’s lives, something different than what I did in the hotel business,” Mr. Singh says. He adds, “There was also a strong attraction to be a part of the wellness industry. A niche market that has grown exponentially in recent years.” The Global Wellness Institute reported last 2018 that wellness is now a USD 4.2 trillion global industry.

Jennifer Sanvictores

Special Projects, CG Hospitality

Jennifer Sanvictores

Special Projects, CG Hospitality

Jennifer Sanvictores is a luxury brand marketing expert specializing in integrative medicine, holistic wellness, and tourism & hospitality management.

As a pioneer in the Philippine wellness industry, Jennifer brings over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality and medical wellness tourism. 

Her innovative and forward-thinking vision was evident when she co-founded the Spa Association of the Philippines in 2004, under the Philippine Department of Tourism. As the association’s PR and Marketing Head, she led a groundbreaking campaign that established the ancient Philippine healing art of ‘Hilot’ as the country’s official spa branding. Since then, this time-honored practice has become integral to defining the Philippine brand of wellness.

As the founding officer and Marketing Communications/PR Head of the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines in 2024, Jennifer actively promotes regenerative tourism, holistic healing, eco-sustainability, and social responsibility as new benchmarks for luxury travel.

Jennifer currently serves as the Global Head of Sales, Marketing & Communications for the multi-awarded eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort, The Farm at San Benito. She has been instrumental in driving global recognition for The Farm, amplifying awareness of its life-transformative retreats, eco-sustainability initiatives, and socially responsible business practices. Her efforts have solidified The Farm’s position as a global leader in holistic medical wellness, receiving multiple prestigious awards and attracting a new stream of mindful and conscious travelers to the country.

During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Jennifer played an important role in pivoting The Farm’s business strategy, leading to swift recovery, significant growth, and sustained success. Her proven track record, extensive international experience, and active participation in the Global Wellness Summit and Healing Summits have solidified her foundation in the global wellness industry. Throughout her career in tourism, hospitality, and wellness, Jennifer has consistently viewed PURPOSE and PASSION as both her North Star and anchor. This guiding principle has shaped her leadership and innovation, establishing her as a pioneer and driving force in the wellness tourism and hospitality sectors.

Further to her role at The Farm, Jennifer lends her branding and marketing expertise to CG Hospitality, which manages a portfolio of over 178 hotels and resorts across 12 countries and 116 destinations worldwide.

Her work in hospitality wellness and her experience at The Farm inspired the launch of Lunas Living Oils, a holistic skincare line she co-founded. Driven by her passion and sense of purpose, Jennifer led the development of locally sourced, plant-based, all-natural wellness essentials, further cementing her influence in the wellness industry.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Jennifer was awarded the ‘Most Dedicated Wellness Retreat Marketing Specialist (Philippines)’ by the Influential Businesswoman Awards 2024 in the UK.