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Alsons Dev marks milestone in Avia Estate with opening of The Abba’s Orchard School

Published Aug 15, 2025 4:25 pm

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation marked a milestone in the growth of its flagship township, Avia Estate in Alabel, Sarangani, with the opening of The Abba’s Orchard School on Aug. 11.

Bringing authentic Montessori education to SOCCSKSARGEN, The Abba’s Orchard reinforces Avia Estate’s vision of becoming a well-rounded, future-ready community.

Nurturing young minds with authentic Montessori

The Abba’s Orchard is a high-fidelity Montessori school system offering programs from infancy through adolescence. Known for its commitment to the Montessori approach, the school features the Erdkinder program (German for “children of the earth”), a unique adolescent curriculum that blends classroom learning with hands-on experience through an on-site farm environment. 

Students take part in “production and exchange” activities within a micro-economy that nurtures their sense of dignity and purpose as they mature into adulthood.

Executives from Alsons Dev and The Abba’s Orchard join parents and young learners in celebrating the school’s opening at Avia Estate, marking a new chapter for quality Montessori education in SOCCSKSARGEN.

With its Avia Estate campus, The Abba’s Orchard becomes the first true Montessori school in the SOCCSKSARGEN region. It will initially offer programs from preschool to Grade 3, with plans to expand to upper elementary and high school in the coming years.

“We’re proud to bring our unique approach to families in Alabel and the wider region. We envision this campus as more than just a school; it is a space where children grow through meaningful and authentic experiences,” said Chris Barrameda, president and founding director of The Abba’s Orchard.

“We’re excited to begin this journey in Avia Estate, helping shape a new generation of independent, purpose-driven learners.”

He added that their partnership with Alsons Dev will help make quality Montessori education more accessible to families in SOCCSKSARGEN.

A month before its opening, the school held a ceremonial tree planting to symbolize its and Alsons Dev’s shared commitment to creating a nurturing and sustainable environment for the region’s young learners and their families.

(From left) Alsons Dev Vice President and General Manager Eric de la Costa, Assistant Vice President for Business Development and Operations Jolla Soriaga, and The Abba’s Orchard President and Founding Director Chris Barrameda and Chief Growth and Marketing Officer Abram Barrameda during the ceremonial tree planting held on June 24 at the Avia Estate campus. The activity served as a symbolic gesture of both organizations’ shared commitment to nurturing thriving communities.
A partnership rooted in community building

The school’s presence in Avia Estate was made possible through a two-hectare land donation by Alsons Dev, highlighting their shared goal of bringing authentic Montessori learning to the region.

“At Alsons Dev, we believe quality educational institutions are essential pillars of master-planned communities,” said Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, president and CEO of Alsons Dev. “The Abba’s Orchard reflects our efforts to make education an integral part of daily life for families in the township.”

This collaboration is part of Alsons Dev’s broader push to integrate key institutions and lifestyle amenities into its developments, ensuring they serve not just as residential spaces but as hubs of growth and opportunity.

Advancing Avia Estate’s growth

Avia Estate continues to progress toward becoming a future-ready township. Earlier this year, the Alabel Public Safety & Security Complex was formally turned over, underscoring Alsons Dev’s commitment to safety and well-being. This September, the Avia Estate football field will open, adding to the township’s recreational amenities.

Construction of the estate’s main spine road is ongoing, while land development for commercial areas is set to begin within the year. These efforts aim to strengthen Avia Estate’s role as an emerging economic hub in the region.

Avia Estate is a 121-hectare master-planned township in Alabel, Sarangani, envisioned to be SOCCSKSARGEN’s premier address. It will feature residential communities, commercial hubs, educational institutions, and generous open spaces designed to support a vibrant, integrated lifestyle for the region’s growing population.

By year-end, the first batch of house units in Narra Park Residences Avia will be completed, with turnovers scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. Key community features such as gates and guardhouses, parks, and shared amenities will also be ready, creating a welcoming environment for residents from the start.

Shaping the future in Alabel

With quality education now part of the estate and major facilities nearing completion, Avia Estate is steadily emerging as a vibrant, master-planned community where families can thrive. These milestones reflect Alsons Dev’s vision of building inclusive, purpose-driven communities that uplift lives across Mindanao.

To explore Avia Estate’s evolving landscape and learn more about its master-planned features, visit www.aviaestate.ph.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Avia Estate.