Sowing new beginnings: How a nursery team leader turned life’s challenge into an opportunity for growth

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Change often comes uninvited and is shaped by circumstances beyond our control, yet it holds the power to lead us to unexpected new beginnings. For many, life’s turning points are born from challenges that force them to start over, adapt, and find purpose in unfamiliar paths.

In Candoni, Negros Occidental, one such story unfolds — where a shift in fortune became the seed of growth, both personal and professional, for a young woman rooted in resilience.

Amidst the municipality’s lush landscapes, filled with the scent of fertile soil and the sounds of nature, Alexandra Calexterio, at 25 years old, is already a cornerstone of the main nursery at Hacienda Asia Plantations, Inc. (HAPI). She leads her team with a steady hand, resilient spirit, and dedication to the land she calls home.

For her daily tasks for almost two years at HAPI, Alexandra is responsible for the crucial step in ensuring the healthy growth and development of seeds at nurseries. “Ako yung nagfe-fertilizer sa lahat ng batch ng seedlings na na-transfer na sa main nursery,” (I handle the fertilizer for all the batches of seedlings transferred to the main nursery) she shares.

The task is repetitive and often demanding but for Alexandra, it’s a role she embraces with pride. “Dito ko talaga [sa HAPI] natutunan kung paano magtrabaho [sa nursery] at paano mag-handle ng fertilizer. Sa una, mahirap talaga, pero kapag tapat ka sa trabaho mo, magagawa mo talaga nang tama.” (“I really learned how to work at the nursery and how to handle fertilizer here at HAPI. At first, it was really hard, but if you’re dedicated to your work, you can really do it right.)

From market stall to nursery

Before finding her path in agriculture, Alexandra sold fish, pork, chicken, and vegetables at the market in Montalban, Rizal. But when the pandemic lockdown hit, she and her family returned to her hometown of Candoni, which soon led her to HAPI.

“Noong nalockdown kami sa Rizal, wala na kaming tindahan,” (When we were locked down in Rizal, we lost our store,) she recalls. She began with bagging, which involved preparing soil-filled bags for planting. Eventually, she moved up to fertilizer application and earned her current leadership role.

Her transition wasn’t without challenges. Adapting to a new field, especially one as physically demanding as agriculture, took grit. With the support of her colleagues, including supervisors and managers, Alexandra learned everything she needed to know.

Leadership, for Alexandra, is about both accountability and community. While her manager makes the big decisions, she acts as the bridge between leadership and the labor force, ensuring daily tasks are clear and cared for.

“Araw-araw kami nagbibigay ng demo [demonstration] para alam ng mga kasama ko kung anong gagawin. may demo para ma-refresh yung isip ng mga kasamahan ko.” (We have daily demonstrations so that my team knows what to do. The demos help refresh my colleagues’ minds.)

Improve the life of family

As a mother to a nine-year-old Grade 3 student, Alexandra finds a balance between her work and family life. Her husband, engaged in buy-and-sell of ginger and crafting “udyong” for traditional fans, also supports their household — a partnership built on resilience and entrepreneurship.

“Noon, namumuhunan pa kami sa mga paninda. Ngayon, may sahod na ako na nakukuha sa pagtatrabaho sa HAPI, kaya malaking tulong talaga. Wala nang lugi,” (Before, we were investing in goods to sell. Now, I receive a salary from working at HAPI, so it’s really a big help. There are no more losses,) she explains with a smile.

Beyond providing for her family, Alexandra sees her work as a way to inspire others, especially women in her community. Initially, she simply wanted to find something productive to do, having spent most of her time at home. She got accepted and made every effort to improve at her job.

Although she faced challenges at the start, her dedication allowed her to learn and do her job well. Now, whenever she meets female friends, she is often asked where she works and if the job is worthwhile. Alexandra’s work has not only improved her family’s well-being but also enabled her to serve as a positive example for others.

Living the values of the plantation

Alexandra embodies the values of her workplace as a team leader: dedication, growth, and resilience. Not just through her technical skills but also through her deep connection to her team, she understands that agriculture is not merely about planting and harvesting but also about cultivating a future for her family and her hometown.

Her days begin before dawn, her hands worn from labor, but her spirit remains steadfast. She walks the fields with a sense of purpose, knowing that every seedling she nourishes contributes to a greater mission: to cultivate high-value crops that uplift the economy and the lives of the people who make it possible.

“Ang isa sa mahalagang natutunan ko sa pagtatrabaho rito ay dapat aktibo at sinsero ka sa trabaho mo.” (One of the important things I’ve learned working here is that you need to be active and sincere in your work.)

Alexandra is a role model of change and new beginnings in the nursery. As a woman leading in agriculture, her journey shows that leadership is about strength, resilience, commitment, and the willingness to grow. She has embraced a new path — not just for herself but for the people she works with and the land she helps care for.

From market vendor to team leader, Alexandra’s story reflects how opportunities can lead to transformation. Through her work, she helps bring the plantation’s vision to life, one team and one seedling at a time. Her journey reminds us that with determination, change is possible and that women play a vital role in shaping the future, rising every day to work, lead, and nurture.