In this day and age of sophisticated travel, it is heartening to know that Filipino travel bugs still yearn for the back-to-basics allure of a vacation at a no-frills lodging in an island, a forest or farm.
Metro Manilans are fortunate because they need not look far to move from the concrete jungle to reconnect with Mother Earth through nature-themed destinations.
Located at the Metro’s eastern doorstep is the mountain resort city of Antipolo in Rizal province, which has been trying with relive its glory as an out-of-town getaway.
Mount Purro Nature Reserve
Tucked in the bosom of the Sierra Madre ranges, Mount Purro Nature Reserve is perhaps the closest mountain experience you can get—a sprawling fenced upland-themed resort and camp site. A part of the 26,000-hectare Upper Marikina Watershed which is crucial in mitigating the effects of typhoons and heavy rainfall, it is bereft of typical lodging amenities, such as air-conditioning, comfy beds, Wi-Fi and cell-phone signal.
But what it lacks in the frills department, it more than compensates with the sheer beauty which cannot be replicated—towering hardwood trees, a wide variety of plant and bird species, and a host of natural endowments.
Resort owner Toto Malvar says that while guests are disconnected from the trappings of modern technology, they will be reconnected to nature and to the Creator Himself during their stay.
Visitors, he said, will be kept occupied by the exciting 4-kilometer Laudato Si Hiking Trail, which goes around the property and enables them to admire God’s creation and stop to smell the flowers by the wayside, quite literally.
There are also interactions with the Dumagat indigenous tribe as they demonstrate basic jungle survival skills, most notably cooking food inside a bamboo.
While the nature reserve is ideal for groups, it is also an alternative family hideaway if only to take teeners and children to the basics of life, and emphasize the importance of preserving the ecosystem.
In lieu of gadget games, beckoning them are recreational sports in the game room, the Nature Playscape with swings, slides, monkey bars, tree houses and mud kitchen, a mini-zip line and a scenic swimming pool. The more daring ones can try the high-element ropes course and rappel from the water tank and catwalk between coconut trees.
Families can nibble on snacks as they share throwback stories, read books and bond with one another at the Asian Lounge, the cozy Martha Stewart gazebos and log benches in the landscaped gardens.
Despite the logistical challenges, the reserve is able to spring up surprises every meal time at the bahay kubo-style Loli’s Kitchen, which serves all-time Filipino favorites reminiscent of mom’s good old cooking.
Malvar concluded that the Mount Purro sojourn can be summed up in the acronym GNP (God, Nature, People)—which every guest will surely experience in their brief stay.
Phillip’s Sanctuary
Also known as Pestaño Farm, this 12-hectare land began as a family vegetable farm, fruit garden and fish pond, which grew tropical produce to supply the local market.
Due to insistent public demand, the owners slowly put in facilities for military-grade obstacle courses for team-building, dirt roadbiking and camping for those who want to get a dose of the serenity of the hills.
Over the years, it has taken on a second character as a sought-after venue for spiritual retreats, group outings and, soon enough, teleseryes from the major TV networks.
Named after the Navy ensign son of the farm owners, the sanctuary takes pride in a butterfly habitat, and brook for fishing, and endless rows of hardwood trees, crisscrossing trails and plots of an assortment of major fruits and crops, carefully planted on the slopes.
Families and small groups who want a more snug lodging can laze at the wooden cottages overlooking the forest.
Flor’s Garden
This 5-hectare private garden is the toast of the town when it comes to organic farming practices and farm-to-table dining philosophy. This means that they don’t use chemical fertilizers, and instead prepare their own.
Guests are welcomed in the Balinese-style gazebo to immediately give them the positive vibes of how blessed our country is in terms of its rich biodiversity and how each plant can be of practical use.
They are then toured to pomelo and Carissa plantations, vermicomposting areas, coffee farm, mango and calamansi orchards, palmetums, and various pocket theme gardens, most of which are medicinal or edible.
The core of the property is an artsy and spacious two-story resthouse which serves as the dining hall, small function rooms, lounges and bedrooms. Outside, it has a scenic infinity pool and cabana which overlooks the adjacent Ed’s Farm which raises no-smell livestock, free range chickens and an assortment of crops.
Banker Flor Tarriela, who owns this slice of paradise, says that this is also a place for learning and a laboratory for students for farming 101, and emphasizes that no Filipino should go hungry with our wealth of resources.
“You will learn about nature, medicinal plants and its applications, weeds that can be eaten, how to grow fresh air, propagation, vermiculture, making organic fertilizers, varieties of ornamental plants, etc.,” she enthuses.
A sanctuary of birds and butterflies, the garden has also been named as one of Antipolo’s best dining places, with its merry mix healthful dishes and natural ambiance. It also tops for camps, pictorials, weddings, intimate private gatherings and even business meetings away from the corporate jungle.
With farm, forest, food. and fun just an hour away, urbanites can repeat this cycle over and over, to rediscover and reconnect with Mother Nature more often during weekends and this holiday season.
Image credits: Bernard L. Supetran