Green Thumb Farm (Corella, Bohol)

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Green Thumb Alfresco Resto (Ganoderma Hall)

Our Bohol Food trip began by taking a 30-minute drive towards Barangay Sambog of Corella, Bohol for the first stop of the day, the lovely, 2.5-hectare, Filipino-owned Green Thumb Farm, arriving there by 10 AM.

Accompanying us during our tour was Ms. Lourdes Sultan of Travel Village Tours and Travel.  Upon arrival, we were welcomed by farm owners Jares Denque and Rona Menchavez Denque (originally a native of Maco, Davao del Oro) with their daughter Sophia. 

Ms. Rona Denque  (standing) meeting with media guests

The first of its kind in Bohol, Green Thumb Farm was set up in 2017.  It is passionate about delivering healthy foods, supplying organically grown fresh, gray, yellow, black and pink  oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and milky white mushrooms (Calocybe indica) which undergo a precise and detailed process, and fresh and unique, high quality processed mushroom products for the chefs of top hotels, resorts and restaurants in Bohol and Cebu as well as, in volume, to Landers Superstore and Rustan’s in Cebu.

Al fresco picnic area

Mushrooms have nutritional benefits, being a rich, low calorie source of fiber, protein and antioxidants.  Pink oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus djamor), with its meaty texture, is a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, vitamin B and folate.  It also has ergothioneine, known to reduce instances of cardiovascular disease.

Mushroom-based products such Milk Chocolate with Mushroom Bits (top shelf), Mushroom Chicharon (middle shelf) and Dried Ganoderma Mushrooms (lower shelf)

Growing and producing different types of mushrooms, however, is a tedious process.  Every day, the farm harvests 8-15 kgs. of mushrooms and, once, they harvested up to 100 kgs. a day or over 20, 000 fruiting baskets, proving its potential for massive harvest.

At the farm, not a single mushroom is put to waste. Spores that have already reached the end of their fruiting process are converted into fertilizers. Aside from white oyster mushrooms, Green Thumb Farm also cultures reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) which is known to have healing properties, especially for cancer patients. It also has anti-aging effects and increases memory, helps immune and cardiac function and relieves chronic fatigue.

Mushroom greenhouse

The farm is a favorite stop-over for bikers traversing the inner roads towards Loboc as they also serve healthy organic meals sourced from their own produce. Depending on the availability of crops produced, they can also pick-and-pay organically grown vegetables. A member of the Association of Organic Farmers in Bohol, Green Thumb Farm partners with other farms with the aim of building a network of organic product exchange and strengthen their community of organic growers.

Milky White Mushrooms (Calocybe indica)

Rona, an Accounting graduate who has a natural flair for growing plants, is known as the “Mushroom Queen” of Bohol.  Her venture into mushroom production was actually a suggestion from a friend and co-zumba attendee.  With assistance from the Department of Agriculture Region VII’s Agricultural Promotion Center, she gained more knowledge. 

Pink Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus djamor)

A regional trainer and lecturer on mushrooms, she gave us a short tour of the greenhouses of the farm where they grow their mushrooms in fruiting bags on “vertical gardens” within tiny but compact “mushroom huts.”

The farm pasteurizer (mechanical chopper and a boiler with a pasteurizing chamber)

We also saw the pasteurizer (mechanical chopper and a boiler with a pasteurizing chamber) that reduces the amounts of microscopic competitors in a substrate.

Check out “Restaurant Review: Green Thumb Alfresco Resto”

Merienda fare: Mushroom Siomai, Mushroom pizzas (Greek, tocino and bacon) and Mushroom Burgers

She also gave us a short lecture on growing mushrooms and the many benefits of eating them.  At the Green Thumb Alfresco Resto, we watched a cooking demonstration of mushroom sisig, one of Green Thumb’s most popular dishes, seasoned with calamansi, onions and pepper.   What followed next was a merienda of mushroom-based dishes.

Ms. Rona M. Denque (left) leading the mushroom sisig cooking demonstration

Now a top tourist destination in the province, this new farming destination is accredited by the Department of Tourism, and the Agricultural Training Institute has also certified this integrated, diversified farm as a learning site. 

Back row (L-R): Mr. John Paul Dacuycuy, Ms. Christine Alpad (Senior Reporter, Manila Times Lifestyle and Entertainment Desk), Mr. Anton Delos Reyes (Writer, Malaya Business Insight), the author, Mr. Jares Denque.
Front row (L-R): Mr. Alvin Alcantara (www.thediarist.ph), Ms. Raye Sanchez (Lifestyle and Entertainment Writer, Daily Tribune), Mr. Mario Alvaro Limos (Features Editor, Esquire Philippines), Mr. Pete Dacuycuy (Publicist), Ms. Rona M. Denque (with daughter Sophia), Ms. Roxanne M. Gochuico (Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Cebu Pacific) and Mr. Nickie Wang (Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor, Manila Standard).

Green Thumb Farm: Purok 4, Brgy. Sambog, Corella 6300, Bohol. Mobile number: (0917) 543-9700. E-mail: gthumbfarm@gmail.com. Website: www.greenthumbfarmbohol.com.  Open daily, 11 AM to 9 PM. Admission: Php50/pax (free for diners).

Bohol Provincial Tourism Office: G/F, New Provincial Capitol Bldg., C. Marapao St, Tagbilaran City, 6300.  Tel: (038) 411 3666.  Email: inquire@boholtourismph.com.  Website: www.bohol.ph.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII:  G/F, L.D.M Building, Legaspi St, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Tel: (032) 254 6650 and(032) 254 2811. E-mail: dotregion7@gmail.com.  Website: dot7@tourism.gov.ph.

Bluewater Panglao Resort: Bluewater Rd, Sitio Daurong, Brgy. Danao, Panglao, 6340 Bohol.  Tel: (038) 416-0702 and (038) 416-0695 to 96. Fax: (038) 416-0697.  Mobile numbers: (0998) 843-0262, (0998) 964-1868 (Ms. Margie Munsayac – VP-Sales and Marketing), (0998) 962-8277 (Ms. Louee Garcia), (0919) 912-9663 (Mr. Manuel Sandagaon) and (0908) 890-9013 (Ms. Kate Biol).   Email: panglao@bluewater.com.ph, resrvations.panglao@bluwater.com.ph, margie.munsayac@bluewater.com.ph, louee.garcia@bluewater.com.ph, manuel.sandagon@bluewater.com.ph and kate.biol@bluwater.com.ph.  Website: www.bluewaterpanglao.com.ph.  Manila sales office: Rm. 704, Cityland Herrera Tower, Rufino cor. Valera Sts., Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City, Metro Manila.  Tel: (632) 817-5751 and (632) 887-1348.  Fax: (632) 893-5391.

 

Cebu Pacific Air currently flies seven times daily from Manila and thrice weekly from Davao City (every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) to Bohol’s Panglao International Airport.  Visist www.cebupacificair.com to learn about their latest offerings, safety protocols and travel reminders.

Amarela Museum (Amarela Resort, Panglao, Bohol)

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Amarela Museum

Our first stop was Amarela Resort (officially opened in May 2006), an advocate for local art and culture since its inception as a venue where Boholano heritage, art and culture could be preserved and showcased.  Amarela (from the Spanish word for “yellow”).  Perched on a cliff , this beautiful boutique hotel, with commanding views of the azure sea and the longest white sand beach in Panglao, is a two-time ASEAN Green Hotel Award recipient in Bohol.

Museum entrance

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by 73 year old resort owner Atty. Lucas “Doy” M. Nunag, former chairman of the Bohol Tourism Council. Since he was a practicing lawyer, the affable Doy has been collecting art pieces and antique décor (old wood accents such as latticework, balusters, windows and doors), old implements and furniture from Bohol.  Boholano historian Marianito Luspo accompanied us.

A pair of Baroque-style urnas (wooden shrines)

Started as a vacation house, Amarela Resort was the first resort project of Rosario “Chichi” Vasquez-Victorino (a former colleague of mine at Manosa-Zialcita Architects) who also designed two houses of Doy in Manila.  In its conceptualization, design and operation, the resort incorporated Bohol’s rich heritage and culture, making it a venue where people can truly experience local flavor through artistry and craftsmanship.

Farming and fishing implements and kitchen utensils

The main house, where we were first entertained, used repurposed and reclaimed old, beautiful and incredibly durable hardwood (the imposing, turn-of-the-century, solid wooden doors; handcrafted lattices; wooden shutters, balusters and flooring), taken from a house of a famed sculptor along the way to Antequera (Doy’s birthplace), using it as decorative elements and giving it the Boholano spirit.

Bohol historian Marianito Luspos

Doy also found old furniture, some of it needing repair.  A talented carpenter (who also doubled as a habal-habal driver during the day) from Antequera (a town known for its craftsmanship in woodworking and weaving) to refurbished these as well as craft new furniture using traditional designs.

A display of wooden latticework and sungka (Philippine mancala) game boards

Its museum, a strong commitment to the promotion and appreciation of local art as well as the preservation of Boholano culture and heritage, houses the majority of the local art and antique collection of Doy, allowing guests to appreciate Filipino and Boholano art and craftsmanship.  Most of the paintings and sculptures were created by Boholanos.

The lovely works of the late Hermogena “Nene” Borja-Lungay, who studied under Fernando Amorsolo and a a classmate of the late National Artists Napoleon Abueva and Jose T. Joya, showcase old Boholano traditions as well as renderings of local fruits and flowers.

Paintings of the Stations of the Cross

Works of prominent Bohol-based Guy Custodio, who usually paints religious themes on old recycled molave hardwood, has revived the traditional “Bohol School” painting style.  On the other hand, the subjects of Sherwin Tutor are historical events done in a highly detailed figurative style. They include a painting of the two kings of the fallen Dapitan Kingdom located at Tagbilaran Strait. Tere’s also a portrait of a mother and child.

Sketches of Bohol churches

Displayed all over the resort, as well as in the museum, are Baroque-style urnas, some done in triptych (three-panelled paintings hinged together so that they could be closed).  These carved wooden shrines for religious icons, of varying sizes and styles, are evidence of the rich spiritual beliefs of Boholanos.  Also on display are home tools and antique kitchen utensils and equipment such as a duwang (wooden basin), palo-palo (laundry paddle), lusong (mortar), ganta (measuring implement for grain, sugar and salt), all made from molave wood.

A lantaka (native cannon)

Amarela Museum: Amarela Resort, Lourdes-Libaong Brgy. Rd., Panglao, 6340. Tel: (038) 502-9497 to 99.  Mobile numbers: (0917) 819-1007 (Atty. Lucas “Doy” M. Nunag), (0917) 623-0557 (Reservations) and (0917) 774-7200 (Front Office).  E-mail: reservation@amarelaresort.com and Imnunag@amarelaresort.com.  Website: www.amarelaresort.com.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/Amarela. Instagram: www.instagram.com/amarela. Admission: A consumable entrance fee is charged. 

Bohol Provincial Tourism Office: G/F, New Provincial Capitol Bldg., C. Marapao St, Tagbilaran City, 6300.  Tel: (038) 411 3666.  Email: inquire@boholtourismph.com.  Website: www.bohol.ph.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII:  G/F, L.D.M Building, Legaspi St, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Tel: (032) 254 6650 and (032) 254 2811. E-mail: dotregion7@gmail.com.  Website: dot7@tourism.gov.ph.

Bluewater Panglao Resort: Bluewater Rd, Sitio Daurong, Brgy. Danao, Panglao, 6340 Bohol.  Tel: (038) 416-0702 and (038) 416-0695 to 96. Fax: (038) 416-0697.  Mobile numbers: (0998) 843-0262, (0998) 964-1868 (Ms. Margie Munsayac – VP-Sales and Marketing), (0998) 962-8277 (Ms. Louee Garcia), (0919) 912-9663 (Mr. Manuel Sandagaon) and (0908) 890-9013 (Ms. Kate Biol).   Email: panglao@bluewater.com.ph, resrvations.panglao@bluwater.com.ph, margie.munsayac@bluewater.com.ph, louee.garcia@bluewater.com.ph, manuel.sandagon@bluewater.com.ph and kate.biol@bluwater.com.ph.  Website: www.bluewaterpanglao.com.ph.  Manila sales office: Rm. 704, Cityland Herrera Tower, Rufino cor. Valera Sts., Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City, Metro Manila.  Tel: (632) 817-5751 and (632) 887-1348.  Fax: (632) 893-5391.

 

Cebu Pacific Air currently flies seven times daily from Manila and thrice weekly from Davao City (every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) to Bohol’s Panglao International Airport.  Visit www.cebupacificair.com to learn about their latest offerings, safety protocols and travel reminders.

Cornerstone Pottery Farm (Silang, Cavite)

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Cornerstone Pottery Farm

Part Five of “Drive, Dine and Discover” Cavite Caravan

From Likhang Maragondon, we made the long 36.2-km. (one-hour) drive to Silang’s charming Cornerstone Pottery Farm, a producer of world-class handmade stoneware using locally and internationally sourced clay.   It was raining heavily when we arrived.  Owner Mr. EJ Espiritu was on hand to welcome us. Their beautiful and unique wares can be found in your favorite neighborhood coffee shops, monthly bazaars, and yearly art fairs in the metro. Through the years, Cornerstone Pottery Farm has undoubtedly carved a name for itself in the local pottery business.

Check out “Likhang Maragondon Native Products & Pasalubong Center”

EJ Espiritu

It started from humble beginnings. EJ and his wife Eva, the brilliant minds behind Cornerstone, have created this whimsical space for creators and purveyors alike.

Workshop

EJ, who finished ceramic engineering at the Adamson University, worked with several ceramic companies for 10 years before going to the US, working as a rank and file employee – laboratory technician, section head, sales engineer for a ceramic materials company, then a plant manager for an export firm.

In 1996, as soon as EJ and Eva arrived from the US, where they tied the knot (they had a civil wedding in October 1994 in Wisconsin and a church wedding in June 1995), the first business that they ventured into was ceramics in the garage of the house that they rented at St. Joseph Subdivision in Bacoor, Cavite. After two to three months, as Cornerstone Ceramic Manufacturing, they were offered to be a subcontractor for an export company making ceramic items.

After four years of being a subcontractor in Cavite, they started making functional items and joined trade fairs. That really helped propel the business into the right direction.  By year 2000, they started developing the stoneware product line.

An array of mugs of different sizes, colors and shapes

They were challenged to constantly develop new concepts and product lines, deal with clients and innovate. With the new lines they had, they were overwhelmed by the response of the market and they were able to meet some institutional buyers like Regalong Pambahay, Rust, Kultura and other stores and shops. In 2005, they opened their doors as Cornerstone Pottery Farm in Silang.

One of the shop’s three kilns

Before the pandemic happened, sales were very encouraging, with a lot of restaurants in Manila, BGC (Bonifacio Global City), Makati and Alabang actually getting from them like Rambla, Las Flores, Tomatito, James and Daughters, and Black Pig, to name a few.  For nearly two decades now, they have also been making mugs for Bag of Beans in Tagaytay.

Showroom

Cornerstone Pottery Farm also had projects with The Fore of Kim Jones, and Tropa Lifestyle Store of Borgy Manotoc and girlfriend Carla Sison. Moreover, the pottery farm regularly joins Art in the Park, Artefino, the Gallery 9 exhibit and American Women’s Bazaar.

Celebrities, who got wind of their unique creations, have trooped all the way to Silang, Cavite to visit their factory and showroom where their handmade ceramic products, earthenware jars and stoneware can be seen.

An array of deformed pottery in the foreground

Normally, they post schedules of workshops that EJ occasionally conducts and people register online. Participants were people from the city who want to try their hands on pottery, learn new skills or make something with their hands (expats, a group of friends, office mates, etc.) or even like a team building exercise or amazing race type of exercise.  Some, like Jericho Rosales and his wife Kim Jones, Melai Cantiveros, Drew Arellano and Andi Manzano, have even participated in the pottery workshop.

 

The production area is where they do the quite labor-intensive process by hand, starting from pouring the clay into the molds, down to assembling, drying, firing, and glazing the items.

Because of the lack of local suppliers of processed clay, they use only 10 to 20% of local materials, with the rest imported clay from a few of companies that import the materials and distribute locally as it is very hard to import materials on their own.  Apart from the production area, you can also find the workshop area where EJ usually creates premium items and conducts pottery workshops.

For EJ, pottery, an intricate form of art and it takes a lot of effort to produce both a functional and aesthetic stoneware, let alone find authentic and handmade ones, is his profession, his means of income and his passion.

He takes charge of the technical and production areas in the factory and is also visible in manning the booths, every time they join exhibits and national trade fairs organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and other exhibitions. Eva and Angelo, his son, also helps him. During exhibits, Angelo is also very good in talking with clients.

EJ kneading clay

EJ also does purchasing, delivery sometimes and meeting clients while Eva, a natural born artist, designer and IT expert, does the marketing, maintaining the social media presence, developing concepts and themes for upcoming shows or exhibit and designing the booths.

Shaping the kneaded clay using a potter’s wheel

At the shop, Mr. EJ Espiritu demonstrated, using his hands and an electrically driven potter’s wheel, the first two steps in pottery making.  To prepare the clay for pottery, EJ kneaded (or wedged) it by hand to push the “air bubbles” out and make it pliable and clean, with an even consistency and right water content.

EJ explaining the pottery making process to Cavite Caravan participants

Next was the actual shaping (or “pinching”), with EJ inserting the thumb of his hand into the clay and lightly pinching with the thumb and fingers while it is rotating.  Soon, a bowl came into shape.   This was as far as he went.  The succeeding steps involved a long drying process until the pottery is bone dry (to prevent cracking and breaking) before firing in the kilns (the shop has three) and glazing. The entire process takes about three weeks to a month.

After the demonstration, EJ ushered us to the showroom where all items on display are for sale.  Here, you can purchase pots, hand rolled dinnerware, mugs (ranging from Php 350 to Php 750), tea sets, chimes, vases, sculptural pieces, centerpieces, table top fountains, incense chambers, oil burners and various other ceramic wares.  All their glazes are food safe and lead free.

L-R: Arabelle Jimenez, Bernard Supetran, the author, Pam Lee and EJ Espiritu

Cornerstone Pottery Farm: Balubad 1 Cornerstone, B1084 Balubad 1st Road, Service Road, Silang, 4118 Cavite.  Mobile numbers: (0919) 995-2022 and (0932) 851-6444. Open Mondays to Saturdays, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Website: www.cornerstonepotteryfarm.com. E-mail: eve@cornerstonepotteryfarm.com. Facebook: facebook.com/cornerstonepotteryfarm.  Coordinates: 14.1948235714, 120.950244642.

How To Get There:

  • By car: From Makati take the SLEX and turn right to Carmona Exit. From Carmona Exit, continue on Governor’s Dr. to Emilio Aguinaldo Hwy. Turn right at Balubad 1st Rd. There is a signage going to Cornerstone on the right side. Turn right and you’ll find Cornerstone Pottery Farm.
  • By public transport: From the Ayala triangle, take the Erjohn and Almark bus bound to Tagaytay and then get off at Balubad 1st Rd., then ride a tricycle going to Cornerstone Pottery Farm. Tricycle fare is Php 15 one way.

Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP): AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1112. Tel: (632) 8723-0808 and (632) 8705-3333. Website: www.aap.org.ph. E-mail:  info@aap.org.ph.

AAP Lakbay, Inc.: G/F, Sea Tower Bldg., 332 Roxas Blvd. cor. Arnaiz St., Pasay City.  Tel: (32) 8551-0025 and (632) 8403-543.  E-mail: aaplakbay.caravan@gmail.com.  Coordinates:
14.5456531, 120.9914728.

Likhang Maragondon Native Products & Pasalubong Center (Cavite)

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Likhang Maragondon Native Products & Pasalubong Center

Part Four of “Drive, Dine and Discover” Cavite Caravan

Before proceeding to Silang, we made another 1-km. drive, from Caingin Port (gateway to our Maragondon Cultural River Cruise), for souvenir shopping at Likhang Maragondon Native Products & Pasalubong Center, an award-winning native products enterprise which is helping revive the town’s age-old weaving tradition and bamboo craft by making them available to a bigger market.

Check out “Maragondon Cultural River Cruise”

Ms. Catherine “Therine” U. Diquit, Likhang Maragondon founder

Operating since 2019, it taps into the traditional craftsmanship of local-based and eco-friendly weaving and bamboo products made by 12 skilled Maragondon-based weavers and sewists, most of whom are housewives.

Their tagline is “Heritage in Your Hands, Crafted with a Purpose.”  Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by a duo serenading us with native songs and Ms. Catherine “Therine” U. Diquit, the social entrepreneur and founder behind the business.

A duo performing native folk songs

They make all sorts of bamboo products such as lanterns (Php1,100); dinosaur lamps (Php3,000-3,500); dog lamp (Php2,200); hanging lamps (Php1,600); tube lamp (Php1,600); speaker calendar (Php1,500); 3-layer rack (Php3,500); trapezoid lamp (Php1,500); double rectangle lamp (Php1,650); double trapezoid lamps (Php1,600); vase stand (Php2,500); alcohol pump dispensers; planters (Php480); trio containers (Php380); trays (Php380); and frames (Php500). Their energy-saving and eco-friendly bamboo speakers (Php475) have a center slit where you can insert your cell phones and play music.

Other eco-friendly products include hand-painted refrigerator magnets (Php50); pins and key chains; vases; mugs (Php150) and crochet accessories.

Their very fashionable and comfortable handwoven Maragondon habing face masks (Php350 each), the first locally made mask to conform with the recommended minimum specifications, for non-medical masks for community use, of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), Department of Health (DOH), DOST-PHST (who conducted several tests on the mask) and World Health Organization (WHO), are made by the last three weavers of Maragondon using  antique wooden looms.

These face masks are composed of four layers, two inner made with hydrophilic materials, and two outermost made with locally hand loom-woven fabric made with 40% upcycled thread from garment factory rejects.  These have been shipped to 13 Philippine regions and 21 countries, including North Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Japan and Canada.

A habing dress for sale

Other habing products include boleros (Php2,500-3,400); blankets (Php1,400); table runners (80” x 8.5,” Php395); throw pillow cases (18’ x 18,” Php800 for a set of 2), toiletry pouches (9.5 x 7,” Php780); pouches (Php270); refrigerator and water dispenser covers; passport/vaccination card holder (Php350); handbags (Php1,500); hair bun twist (Php280); hand towels (Php390 for set of 3); turbans (Php380); place mats (Php1,400 for 8 pieces); braided bracelets (Php120); tote bag (Php975-1,750); aprons (Php480); laptop/document bag (Php1,400); Amigurumi dolls (Php180-200); shades pouch (Php300); coin purses (Php225); clutch bag (Php1,250); kitchen towel set (Php350 for 2); wall mail organizer (Php320); accordion wallet (Php365); kimonos; ponchos (Php900); jackets (Php1,400); ribbon scunchies (Php80); scarves; key holders (5” x 1, Php280); etc.

Several local artists, such as Pastor Lito Gestiada (acrylic paintings) and Dan Turiano (oil pastel ‘Starry Night’ version of Mt. Buntis) have commissioned their masterpieces at Likhang Maragondon. Some artists have also painted the bamboo products to give more colors and design.

They also sell native delicacies such as delectable puto with dinuguan (Php600 for 20 pieces); peanut butter (Php250); yema (Php70); onde-onde; gourmet tinapa (Php250); chili garlic oil (Php120); adobong mani (Php110); biko; atsara (Php250); Ala Carding Backfat chicharon (Php110); Kusina ni Ingga vinegar (Php90-120); ube; flavored palitaw; etc.

Likhang Maragondon Native Products & Pasalubong Center: Brgy. Garita A, 4112 Maragondon, Cavite.  Mobile number: (0995) 138-1813.  E-mail: likhangmaragondon@yahoo.com. Website: www.likhangmaragondon.com.

Maragondon Municipal Tourism Office: G/F, Municipal Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion 1-A, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Tel: (046) 686-3139. Mobile number: (0926) 237-6537.

Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP): AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1112. Tel: (632) 8723-0808 and (632) 8705-3333. Website: www.aap.org.ph. E-mail:  info@aap.org.ph.

AAP Lakbay, Inc.: G/F, Sea Tower Bldg., 332 Roxas Blvd. cor. Arnaiz St., Pasay City.  Tel: (32) 8551-0025 and (632) 8403-543.  E-mail: aaplakbay.caravan@gmail.com.  Coordinates:
14.5456531, 120.9914728.

Maragondon Cultural River Cruise (Cavite)

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Maragodon Cultural River Cruise

Part Three of “Drive, Dine and Discover” Cavite Caravan

From the Bonifacio Trial Museum, it was a short 5-min., 1.2-km. drive, via narrow alleys, to Caingin Fish Port, the gateway to our Maragondon Cultural River Cruise.  Docked at the port were two gaily decorated balsas (bamboo rafts), of operator Balsa de Santo Nino, for our two-hour cruise of part of the scenic, 35.6 km. long  Maragondon River (average width: 10 m.), one of six major river basins of Cavite, once adjudged as among the country’s cleanest and greenest bodies of water.  Each balsa can carry 10 to 15 passengers.

Check out “Bonifacio Trial Museum Revisited”

Caingin Fish Port and the Caingin Hanging Bridge

Also docked at the port was another larger floating restaurant type of raft similar to the one used in the Loboc River Cruise in Bohol.  According to AAP Lakbay consultant Ms. Eva Carmona, it was booked for a wedding reception. Nearby, across this river, was the dangling and swaying Caingin Hanging Bridge.  Erected in December 1999, it is the link going to the 280 m. high Mt. Buntis. 

Check out “Loboc River Cruise”

A floating restaurant type of raft

Upon boarding the two balsas, we were soon on our way, our balsas towed by a motorized banca. Cruising along the turquoise waters and the heavily vegetated riverbank, we also passed the Pinagsanhan Hanging Bridge (the link going to the 100 m. high Mt. Nagpatong, home of the Andres Bonifacio National Shrine) and some settlements, watching local residents doing their daily chores as we enjoyed the serene landscape of the river.

Boarding our respective balsas…..

On board …..

Throughout the cruise, we were serenaded by a quartet (2 men and 2 women), in native attire, rendering folk songs.  Our cruise took us, for 2 kms., from Brgy. Caingin to the boundary of the neighboring town of Ternate, before turning back to return to port.

Our on board entertainment …..

Each of our balsas had a bamboo table and benches. One had a bamboo deck, accessible by a bamboo stair, as a roof.  Arrayed on the table was our packed lunch catered by Honorio’s Restaurant, a Maragondon culinary icon.

Pack lunch catered by Honorio’s

Our lunch fare consisted of sinigang sa miso, pork adobo sa patis (wherein the soy sauce was replaced by fish sauce), pakbet and a dessert of sliced watermelon.  These we all washed down with bottled water or fresh buko juice straight from the shell.

Our balsa also towed a small 1.2 x 1.2 m. (4 x 4 ft.) outriggered bamboo raft (trono de hila) with a bamboo chair (or throne) on it where one or two passengers can take selfies or be photographed from the larger balsa.

Boarding the trono de hila …..

The author seated at the trono de hila

Also on board our balsa are two rubber inner tubes for those who want to engage in river floating.  Other recreational activities that could be done on the river include wakeboarding, with a motorized banca pulling you.

The Cavite Caravan participants

For those who still have time after the cruise, you can also visit the Maragondon Stone Sculptures (popularly called ukit-ukit) which are accessible by tricycle from the riverside of Brgy. Caingin.  It consists  of 9 religious images of Biblical scenes (the Last Supper, Pieta, Jesus Christ and the Virgin and the Christ) as well as Pope John Paul II carved directly on adobe outcrops along the road, last March 2014, by brothers Valerio and Oscar Suarez, both former ice sculptors.

Maragondon Stone Carvings (photo: Visit Maragondon Facebook Page)

Balsa de Santo Nino River Cruise: Brgy. Caingin Poblacion, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Mobile numbers: (0926) 593-5902.

Maragondon Municipal Tourism Office: G/F, Municipal Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion 1-A, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Tel: (046) 686-3139. Mobile number: (0926) 237-6537.

Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP): AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1112. Tel: (632) 8723-0808 and (632) 8705-3333. Website: www.aap.org.ph. E-mail:  info@aap.org.ph.

AAP Lakbay, Inc.: G/F, Sea Tower Bldg., 332 Roxas Blvd. cor. Arnaiz St., Pasay City.  Tel: (32) 8551-0025 and (632) 8403-543.  E-mail: aaplakbay.caravan@gmail.com.  Coordinates:
14.5456531, 120.9914728.

Bonifacio Trial Museum Revisited (Maragondon, Cavite)

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Bonifacio Trial Museum

Part Two of “Drive, Dine and Discover” Cavite Caravan

After our visit to the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Maragondon, we were next driven about 500 m. to the nearby Bonifacio Trial Museum.

The author

This would not be my first viist to the museum, having visited it during my 2017 visita iglesia of Cavite.  However, since it was a holiday, the museum was closed.  This would be my first time to explore its exhibits.

Check out “VIsita Iglesia 2017,”  “Bonifacio Trial Museum (2017)” and “Church of the Assumption of Our Lady”

Historical plaque installed by National Historical Institute (NHI) in 2000.  The name “Teodorico” should be “Roderico”

This two-storey bahay-na-bato (stone house), formerly known as the Roderico Reyes House, was built in 1889 by Roderico Reyes (not Teodorico as stated in NHI plaque by the front door) who was married to Juana Viray. From May 5 to 6, 1897, it was the site where revolutionary leader and Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio and his brother  Procopio Bonifacio were court martialed by a military court, presided by Gen. Mariano Noriel, and found guilty of treason and recommended execution.

Gen. Riego de Dios and Col. Crisostomo Riel, both natives of Maragondon, refused to sign the final court judgment.  Reyes was absent during the trial as he was in his mountain retreat.

Grand staircase

This stone, brick and wood ancestral house now belongs to Mr. Jose Angeles (it was sold to him by Reyes descendants in 1994) who generously signed an agreement with the NHI to turn it into a museum open to the public. It was designated, on June 4, 1997, as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute and, in 1999, it was fully restored and declared as a National Heritage Site.

Stair foyer

On November 28, 2014, it was formally inaugurated as a museum and shrine called the Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio or Bonifacio Trial Museum, administered and managed (the third in Cavite) by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (formerly the National Historical Institute).

Gallery 1 (Maypagasa)

The 80 sq. m. museum has five galleries.  Gallery 1 (Maypagasa) provides a short background on Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan.

Gallery 2 (Pagsalubong)

Gallery 2 (Pagsalubong) focuses on the conflict between the two Katipunan factions in Cavite, the Magdalo and Magdiwang.

Gallery 3 (Pagdakip)

Gallery 3 (Pagdakip) narrates the events leading to Bonifacio’s arrest, by Col. Agapito Bonzon and Maj. Jose Ignacio “Intsik” Paua, in Barrio Limbon in Indang. Bonifacio was wounded when he shot in the arm by Bonzon and stabbed in the neck by Paua.  Andres’ brother Ciriaco was shot dead.

Gallery 4 (Ang Paglilitis)

Gallery 4 (Ang Paglilitis), at the living room (sala de visita), re-enacts the Bonifacio brothers’ court martial through a light and sound presentation.  The audio recording of the interactive diorama, with dimmed lights adding to the gloomy atmosphere, recounts the trial proceedings.

Statues of members of the military court

Life-size, polyester resin  3D figures represent members in this tragic event – Gen. Mariano Noriel, Col. Crisostomo Riel, Col. Tomas Mascardo, Col. Esteban Ynfante, Col. Mariano Riego de Dios, Sulpicio Antony, Placido Martinez (Bonifacio’s attorney), Procopio Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus and Andres Bonifacio  (seated in a Vienna-style love chair).

Statue of Gregoria de Jesus (right) with seated Andres Bonifacio

Gallery 5 (Kadakilaan) recounts the anguish of Bonifacio’s widow, Gregoria de Jesus, upon learning of her husband’s death. It has a replica of a statue of Gregoria de Jesus sculpted by Julie Lluch.

Replica of a statue of Gregoria de Jesus sculpted by Julie Lluch at Gallery 5 (Kadakilaan)

This modernized museum contains various interactive displays on events that led to the trial and execution of Bonifacio and the special bond he shared with his young wife Gregoria de Jesus.  An electronic map shows the 12 Cavite towns under the Magdiwang, while 10, including the town of Bagumbayan (now Laurel) and Talisay in Batangas province, belong to the Magdalo .  It also has an audio-visual corner offering a brief documentary about the trial and death of Andres Bonifacio and an e-learning room for online lessons on the history of the Philippines.

Participants of the Cavite Caravan

At the museum foyer is a replica of bust of Andres Bonifacio sculpted by Julie Lluch in 2014.  Past the staircase is a wall lined with artworks on the 10 commandments of  the Katipunan painted by Robert Alejandro.

Ten Commandments of the Katipunan (Robert Alejandro)

Bonifacio Trial Museum: Col. Crisostomo Riel St., Brgy. Poblacion 1-A, Maragondon 4122, Cavite. Mobile number: (0969) 516-6992 and (0917) 553-7375.   Museum curator: Mr. Melanio Guevarra. E-mail: mpab@nhcp.gov.ph and bonifaciotrialmuseum@gmail.com. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8 AM – 4 PM. Admission is free.

Maragondon Municipal Tourism Office: G/F, Municipal Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion 1-A, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Tel: (046) 686-3139. Mobile number: (0926) 237-6537.

Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP): AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1112. Tel: (632) 8723-0808 and (632) 8705-3333. Website: www.aap.org.ph. E-mail:  info@aap.org.ph.

AAP Lakbay, Inc.: G/F, Sea Tower Bldg., 332 Roxas Blvd. cor. Arnaiz St., Pasay City.  Tel: (32) 8551-0025 and (632) 8403-543.  E-mail: aaplakbay.caravan@gmail.com.  Coordinates:
14.5456531, 120.9914728.

Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (Cordova, Cebu)

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The Php30 billion Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), also known as the Cebu–Cordova Bridge and the Third Cebu–Mactan Bridge (colloquially known as the Third Bridge locally), is a toll bridge expressway in Metro Cebu which links Cebu City with the municipality of Cordova, Cebu. The artistically designed CCLEX, with its iconic crosses on top of the twin pylons, has now become part of Cebu’s iconic landmarks.

Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (photo: Pete Dacuycuy)

Here are some interesting trivia regarding this bridge:

Cordova mayor Adelino Sitoy first proposed the bridge to connect his municipality with Cebu City in mainland Cebu.  After numerous studies were conducted, the local government of Cordova and Cebu City entered into a public-private partnership with Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC).  Then chairman of the Regional Development Council of Region VII Michael Rama also lobbied for the construction of the Cebu-Cordova bridge.  Rama later became Mayor of Cebu City when the Cebu–Cordova Bridge project was already awarded to a company.

Here is the historical timeline of the bridge:

  • In January 2016, the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp.(MPTDC, the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. which is a publicly listed infrastructure company and a member of the Manny V Pangilinan Group of Companies), through a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, announced that the construction of the bridge that was to commence in 2017. In the same announcement, MPTDC said that they will be responsible for the construction and financing of the bridge and, once it is completed, its operation as well.
  • On March 2, 2017, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cebu–Cordova Bridge was held.
  • On April 15, 2021, eight ecumenical “Iconic Crosses,” placed on the two main pylons of the bridge, were lighted during the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines to highlight Cebu’s title of being the Cradle of Christianity in the Far East.
  • As of September 30, 2021, the bridge is 85.38% complete.
  • On October 5, 2021, the final concrete pouring in the main bridge deck was held effectively completing the main bridge deck. The entire expressway is expected to be completed in December 2021, with opening slated for the first quarter of 2022.

Designed by the Spanish firms Carlos Fernandez Casado (CFC) and SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, the local firm DCCD Engineering Corp and the Danish firm COWI did the engineering works. Built by a joint venture between Spanish firm ACCIONA, and Philippine firms First Balfour and DMCI, the bridge was meant to serve as an alternate route serving the Mactan–Cebu International Airport.

The 390-m. long (1,280-ft.) cable-stayed main span of the CCLEX is supported by 145-m. (476-ft.) high twin tower pylons whose design was inspired by the historic Magellan’s Cross Pavilion. The main span of the 27–m. (89 ft.) wide bridge has a 51 m. (167 ft.) navigation clearance for maritime traffic which allows ships to traverse the bridge. Viaduct approach bridges and a causeway, as well as toll road facilities (its design inspired from the eight-rayed sun of the Philippine flag) on an artificial island, also form part of the CCLEX. It has two lanes in each direction, with a design speed of 80 kms. per hour allowing it to serve at least 50,000 vehicles daily.

The planned expressway extension to Lapu-Lapu City will have a direct connection to the Mactan–Cebu International Airport and will add roughly 5 to 8 kms. (3.1 to 5.0 mi.) to the expressway, and is estimated to cost ₱10 billion to ₱15 billion.

To provide safe and seamless travel between Cebu City and Mactan, which hosts the Mactan–Cebu International Airport, Mactan Export Processing Zone, and some of the country’s premier resorts and hotels, the CCLEX will use an all-electronic toll collection system. The toll plaza, with eight toll lanes (our lanes in each direction) will use radio-frequency identification or RFID electronic payment for toll collection.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII: G/F, LDM Bldg., Cor. Legaspi and M.J. Cuenco Sts., 6000 Cebu City.  Tel: (032) 412-1966, (032) 412-1967, (032) 254-3534, (032) 254-6650 and (032) 254-2811. Fax: (033) 335-0245. Email: phdot7@tourism.gov.ph. Airport Office Tel:  (032) 494-7000 loc. 7548.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport.  It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City.  Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Adlawon Vacation Farm (Cebu City, Cebu)

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The Lodge at Adlawon Vacation Farm.  The lower ground floor houses three guestrooms.  Kusina Luche is on the upper floor.

The 15-hectare Adlawon Vacation Farm (AVF), considered a “buhay probinsya” (provincial living) kind of staycation, is a quick but relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis.  Situated in the rural side of Cebu City, it serves as a venue for retreats, birthdays, weddings and team building activities.

Al fresco dining area

The huge farm, owned by Atty. Danilo Ortiz and Dra. Melinda “Peluche” Ortiz, was opened last October 16, 2018.  It has a mini mahogany forest, gardens with different varieties of plants, vegetables and flowers; seedling nursery (Plantasia); obstacle course; basketball/multi-purpose court; picnic areas; a mountain bike trail; toilets and bath; wood treatment plant; fishponds; animal pens; a campsite; an aviary; stables; fruit orchard (kamagong, durian and miracle fruit) and the Resurrection Chapel with its own Stations of the Cross.

Cactus Graden

The Lodge, the main structure on the farm, houses the reception area, front desk, 2 function rooms (for team building), a restaurant (Kusina Luche), a library, lounge and entertainment center, a view deck and 3 airconditioned guest rooms with private bath.

Check out “Restaurant Review: Kusina Luche”

A pair of pigs

Animal feeding at the farm

Overnight rate is ₱3,500 per night, good for 2pax with free breakfast for 2 (₱4,000 per night on weekends).  For those on a budget, there’s a 6-pax, payag (P3,000 per night, no complimentary breakfast and aircondtioning).

A farm payag (bamboo hut)

For children, there’s a game arcade and a playground where you can play croquet. Cocoon swings hang from the branches of strong and mighty trees. Another popular feature of the farm is its Celebrity Steps.

Cocoon Swing

Celebrity Walk

For souvenirs, Adlawon sells handmade bags and mugs, olive oil, vinegar, cookies and pastillas.

Refreshment Parlor

Their Farmer’s Market sells reasonably-priced vegetables and fruits.  The ladies manning the market were friendly and accommodating.

Farmer’s Market

Souvenir items for sale

Adlawon Vacation Farm: Sition Proper, Brgy. Adlaon, , Cebu City.  Tel: (032) 516-3948 and (032) 516-3918. Mobile numbers: (0942) 266-7392, (091) 523-1406, (0931) 190-5913 and (0942) 266-7392.  E-mail: avf.cebu@gmail.com. Open Wednesdays – Sundays, 9 AM – 8 PM. Admission: ₱150 per head (₱50 is consumable for food & drinks) and ₱100 per child below 12 years old (infants and toddlers below 3 years old are free of charge).

How to Get There: It can be reached via a habal-habal from JY Square.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII: G/F, LDM Bldg., Cor. Legaspi and M.J. Cuenco Sts., 6000 Cebu City.  Tel: (032) 412-1966, (032) 412-1967, (032) 254-3534, (032) 254-6650 and (032) 254-2811. Fax: (033) 335-0245. Email: phdot7@tourism.gov.ph. Airport Office Tel:  (032) 494-7000 loc. 7548.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport.  It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City.  Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary (Cebu City, Cebu)

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Our Lady of  Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary

Situated on a hillside in the mountain barangay of Guba, 25 kms. (an hour’s drive away) from downtown Cebu City, the Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary is owned by Ms. Edna Ouano Toral who wanted to propagate the devotion of Our Lady of Manaoag in the Visayas.

The sanctuary entrance

Edna, a Cebuana from Mandaue City, once joined a pilgrimage, organized by Chito Makalintal, to Manaoag in Pangasinan for healing as she was seriously ill at the time with complicated ulcers.

The Prayer Room

In 1994, she was healed, a miracle she attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Manaoag.  Since then, she has donated 100 icons to churches in the Visayas and Mindanao.

She also built this hilltop sanctuary of quiet, serenity, contemplation and prayer.  A quiet place to reflect, it is open to the public and use of all its facilities is also free.  Edna simply wants to spread the devotion of Our Lady of Manaoag and to pray the rosary.

Interior of Prayer Room

The road leading to the sanctuary tended to live up to the name of the barangay (“guba,” in Cebuano, means “ruins” or “disrepair”) but, once you reach the sanctuary entrance, you feel the trip was worth it.

Statue of a cherub holding a rosary

Visitors to this sanctuary have to park their vehicles outside and enter on foot, via a concrete bridge over a creek, leading to a footpath lined with cucharita (Althernanthera ficoidea) plants and mani-mani (Arachis pintoi) plants.  On the right is a small rose garden while on the left are mango trees.

The museum

Up the hill is the prayer room, a simply roofed structure, ventilated at its sides by thin strands of wood woven into sunburst patterns (solihiya), with the image of Our Lady at the end.  Inside are benches for devotees and two statues of cherubs holding rosaries.

The museum display

Further up the hill is another small structure housing a museum and an outdoor chapel with a statue of Our Lady, a candle stand, a concrete altar and a number of concrete benches lining the hillside.

The outdoor chapel

Down the hill is a river where wild flowers such as camia (white ginger) abound in season.

Concrete benches lining the hillside

During the last Holy Week, the sanctuary was included in the Highland Pilgrimage Tour launched by the Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC).

Our Lady of the Rosary Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary: Cataline Hill, Brgy. Cabulihan Guba, Cebu City 6000.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII: G/F, LDM Bldg., Cor. Legaspi and M.J. Cuenco Sts., 6000 Cebu City.  Tel: (032) 412-1966, (032) 412-1967, (032) 254-3534, (032) 254-6650 and (032) 254-2811. Fax: (033) 335-0245. Email: phdot7@tourism.gov.ph. Airport Office Tel:  (032) 494-7000 loc. 7548.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport.  It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City.  Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Buwakan ni Alejandra (Balamban, Cebu)

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Buwakan ni Alejandra

Buwakan ni Alejandra (buwak is Bisaya for “flower”), Cebu’s newest pride and a must-see for flower lovers, is known as the “Little Tagaytay of Cebu.” Located in a mountainous barangay in Balamban town, it features a vibrant, 740 sq. m. flower garden on a mountainside which had its soft opening last May 8, 2017.

This breathtaking and charmingly peaceful attraction, BNA for short, is located along the scenic Transcentral Highway.  It was named after Alejandra Bacos, the mother-in-law of barangay councilman Eleuterio Gentapa who is the flower gardens’ landscaper.  He is also the chairperson of the Committee on Tourism of Brgy. Gaas.

Gorgeous and Instagram-worthy, its stunning landscape is home to more than 200 varieties of colorful, locally grown flowers.  Unlike the celosia flower farms in Sirao, this botanical garden takes pride in colorful varieties of dahlia.

Check out “Sirao Garden”

Other flowers planted include roses, hibiscus (gumamela), sage, hygrangeas, morning glory, wax begonias, angel’s trumpets, bougainvillas, etc.

Spider Flower (Cleome Hassleriana), native to southern South America in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southeast Brazil, it has also been introduced to South Asia, including the Haor area of Bangladesh and India. It is an annual growing to a height of 150 cm. (60 in.), with spirally arranged leaves. The leaves are palmately compound, with five or seven leaflets, the leaflets up to 12 cm. (5 in.) long and 4 cm. (2 in.) broad and the leaf petiole up to 15 cm. (6 in.) long.

Planted at the center are dozens of pink-colored flowers called Spider Flower (Cleome Hassleriana) which look like birthday cake candles.

The author amidst a bed of Spider Flowers (Cleome Hassleriana)

Also intriguing is nipplefruit, fox head, cow’s udder, or apple of Sodom (Solanum mammosum), a peculiar-looking plant locally known as “Mickey Mouse” plant. Adding to the charm are different shapes of floral arches.

Solanum mammosum, commonly known as nipplefruit, fox head, cow’s udder, or apple of Sodom, is an inedible Pan-American tropical fruit that is grown for ornamental purposes, in part because of the distal end of the fruit’s resemblance to a human breast, while the proximal end looks like a cow’s udder.

These could be admired from a steel boardwalk with rainbow-colored footpaths with a picturesque mountain in the background.  On average, the garden gets more tan 70 visitors on weekdays and hundreds on weekends.

The author along the rainbow-colored pathway

The garden also has a restaurant which reopened February 1, 2022 after being damaged during Typhoon Odette. Their bestsellers include soy fried chicken, quarter leg chicken barbecue, special bam-i, baraku shrimp, pork gising-gising and chicken picata.

Alejandra’s restaurant

This scenic location is perfect for pre-nuptial and pre-debut photo shoots.  Upon entering the garden, visitors must first attend an orientation.

The steel boardwalk

Smoking is not allowed in the premises and visitors should only walk along a designated trail.  They are also not allowed to pick flowers (they are also not for sale) and step in areas where flowers are planted.

Floral arches

Buwakan ni Alejandra: Transcentral Highway, Sitio Bunga, Brgy. Gaas, 6041 Balamban.  Mobile number: (0947) 358-9142, (0921) 812-9664 and (0908) 768-9379. E-mail: bna.gaas@gmail.com.  Open daily, 7 AM – 5:30 PM. Admission: Php 75 (Adult), Php 50 (Child, 6-10 years old, and Senior Citizen/PWD).

How to Get There: Located a few meters away from Adventure Café and Florentino’s Eco-Park, it is a 30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway.  From the Ayala Center Terminal, take a V-hire going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at Buwakan ni Alejandra.  Another option is to take a habal-habal from JY Square Mall.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII: G/F, LDM Bldg., Cor. Legaspi and M.J. Cuenco Sts., 6000 Cebu City.  Tel: (032) 412-1966, (032) 412-1967, (032) 254-3534, (032) 254-6650 and (032) 254-2811. Fax: (033) 335-0245. Email: phdot7@tourism.gov.ph. Airport Office Tel:  (032) 494-7000 loc. 7548.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport.  It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City.  Book via www.cebupacificair.com.