PhilThai Agarwood Nursery was born from a simple but powerful question: Can this tree help change the lives of Filipino farmers? During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many families were searching for new opportunities, Virginia Figuracion Botenes—a Certified Public Accountant with deep roots in agriculture—discovered the remarkable potential of agarwood. Having witnessed the challenges faced by Filipino farmers throughout her life, she saw in agarwood not just a high-value crop, but a chance to create a better future for farming communities across the Philippines.

Driven by a commitment to do things the right way, Virginia embarked on an extensive journey of research, legal compliance, and learning. After securing the necessary permits for the commercial propagation of Aquilaria trees, she started her first nursery on the rooftop of her home during the pandemic. Yet she knew that selling seedlings alone was not enough. She became determined to understand every aspect of agarwood production so she could provide Filipino farmers with real opportunities backed by knowledge, integrity, and proven methods.

That search for knowledge led her to Thailand and to one of the most respected names in the agarwood industry, Witsawa Sripetkla. What began as a simple message in 2023 turned into a life-changing conversation and an invitation to learn directly from decades of experience. In Chiang Rai, Virginia discovered a truth that transformed her understanding of the industry: agarwood is not the tree itself, but the precious resin formed within it. This insight became the foundation upon which PhilThai would build its mission of educating and empowering farmers.