Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) marked a key milestone in the development of its flagship township, Avia Estate in Alabel, Sarangani, with the opening of The Abba’s Orchard School last August 11, 2025. Bringing authentic Montessori education to SOCCSKSARGEN, The Abba’s Orchard strengthens Avia Estate’s vision of becoming a well-rounded and future-ready community.
Nurturing young minds with true Montessori
The Abba’s Orchard is a high-fidelity Montessori school system offering programs from infancy through adolescence. Known for its authentic Montessori approach, the school offers the Erdkinder program (German for “children of the earth”), a unique adolescent curriculum that integrates classroom learning with hands-on experience through an on-site farm environment. Adolescents experience “production and exchange” in a micro-economy that addresses their evolving sense of self-worth (or dignity) in their maturing journey to adulthood.
With its opening at Avia Estate, The Abba’s Orchard becomes the first true Montessori school in the SOCCSKSARGEN region. The new campus will initially offer programs for preschool up to Grade 3, with plans to expand in the future to Upper Elementary and High School levels.
“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. We’re excited to begin this journey in Avia Estate, helping shape a new generation of independent, purpose-driven learners,” said Chris Barrameda, President and Founding Director of The Abba’s Orchard. He added, “Through our partnership with Alsons Dev, we can further our mission of making quality Montessori education more accessible across SOCCSKSARGEN.”
A month before the school’s opening, a ceremonial tree planting took place, symbolizing The Abba’s Orchard School’s and Alsons Dev’s shared commitment to creating a nurturing and sustainable environment for the region’s young learners and their families.
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, solidifying a shared vision of enabling families to experience authentic Montessori learning in 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 Alsons Dev’s efforts of making education an integral part of daily life for families in the township.”
This collaboration reflects Alsons Dev’s ongoing efforts to integrate key institutions and lifestyle drivers into its communities, strengthening its developments not just as residential enclaves but as hubs of growth and opportunity.
Advancing Avia Estate’s growth
Avia Estate continues to make steady progress in its transformation into a future-ready township. One of the community’s key facilities, the Alabel Public Safety & Security Complex, was formally turned over last January 2025, reinforcing Alsons Dev’s commitment to ensuring safety and well-being within the estate. The Avia Estate football field is also opening this September 2025, further enriching the township’s recreational amenities.
As part of ongoing efforts to support growth and enhance estate-wide connectivity, construction of the estate’s main spine road is in progress. Land development for commercial areas is also set to begin this year, strengthening Avia Estate’s position as a growing economic hub in the region.
By the end of the year, the first batch of house units in Narra Park Residences Avia will be completed, with turnovers scheduled to begin in Q1 2026. Key community features, such as gates and guardhouses, parks, and shared amenities, will also be completed, ensuring a livable and welcoming environment from day one.
Shaping the future in Alabel
With quality education now embedded within the estate and essential features nearing completion, Avia Estate is steadily taking shape as a dynamic, master-planned development where families can thrive. These milestones underscore Alsons Dev’s broader vision of creating 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.
