Philippines, Travel

A Piece of Heaven on Earth

The holiest of all church activities are observed during Holy Week. It is even more religiously observed than Christmas. Perhaps because Christmas is all about excitement for the birth of Jesus, so it is filled with love and anticipation. It is a celebration. In contrast, the Holy Week digs deep into our worldly indulgences and makes us see through our guilt that resulted to Jesus’ cruel death. So, it is always observed with imagery of pain and penitence. It is a tragedy.

One of the most commercial pilgrimage destination that offers a piece of heaven on earth is the Garin Farm in Iloilo. Scenic, idyllic with a backdrop of a dream lifestyle.

landscaped paradise

And then… ethereal. Up on a hill, visitors won’t fail to notice the gigantic white cross, inviting one and all to come and have a glimpse of heaven.

the white cross up on the hill beckons the faithful

The pilgrimage summons us to feed our soul. It starts with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, followed by the Noah’s Ark with animals that supposedly went into the ark during those days of heavy raining and flooding. Alongside the steep stairs going up to “heaven” are statues depicting the Stations of the Cross.

I bet Garin Farm will be filled with people again, as it was during the Holy Week last year. We had a great time, not necessarily a holy time, when we went up and entered “heaven” last December. The guide tried her best to let us imbibe a piousness in our stance when we journey through darkness in silence so we may be able to receive the inviolable purity that was going to be revealed to us at the end of the tunnel… a very bright, very white space where we mingle with the angels. And mingle we did!

mingle with the angels

We can’t stay in heaven… not yet. So, we had to go down and go back to our world and take in all the beauty that the resort offers.

The place is a landscaped paradise.

Our December visit was the second time we visited. The kids requested to do boating, just as they did the first time we went.

And they did more.

Feeding the fishes

Feeding the birds

Feeding the sheep

Feeding the goats

They had fun and they loved their earthy smell after.

And they dozed off soon after the car started… dreaming of the fun they had in paradise, perhaps?

How to go there?

Address:
Brgy. Purok II, San Joaquin, Iloilo Province, Philippines^.^

Garin Farm is a less tha 2-hour drive from Iloilo City. Check its Facebook page: Garin Farm

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23 thoughts on “A Piece of Heaven on Earth

  1. Went their last 2017. Yes the place is so nice. Medyo amoy farm nga lang pagpasok. Pero when you are on top na grabe iba ang feeling. Sobrang ganda!

  2. Philippines is very ideal spot in Asia for Catholic faith tourism, and I do home that the PH Tourism Board will give exphasis on this.

  3. Ang ganda! Hindi ako catholic pero I adore their beautiful churches, and beautiful places such as this one in Iloilo. Absolutely stunning! 💕

  4. Quite interesting looking experience. Looks like your children had an awesome time. Very cute too seeing your son a couples years ago on the paddleboat. Amazing how big they get in such a short time~

  5. Kids interacting with nature and animals is so important, especially to those who live in large cities. I was glad to see and to pet some cute farm animals at a local Saturday Food Market in Ballarat, Australia when I was there. I’m glad that you teach your children important lessons in life 🙂

  6. Interesting place! Rome and the Philippines have to be the two places of all my travels so far that have so much Catholic iconography and general Catholic intensity. At least Jerusalem was tapered with Muslim and Jewish temples and symbols. I found Rome and the Philippines a bit overwhelming for me in that respect. Garin Farm might not be for me, but your kids look like they are having fun in the pictures.

  7. I haven’t been here yet but I love to visit this. Gusto ko yung ganda ng place, I like the landscape and yung mga farm animals gusto ko ding makita. Worth visiting tong Garin Farm.

  8. This is a perfect place to repent our sins. We should know one thing that because of our sins jesus was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. Being in a place like this will help us think about why what we did was wrong. I hope that everyone should realize their wrong doings and change it to be better.

  9. One of the Most Beautiful and Perfect Place in Ilo-Ilo, Sobrang Ganda, at talaga namang Mafefeel Mo How God’s Love You everyday. Sobrang Laking Opportunity in our Life na makapunta ka in this God Place.

  10. Npka gandaa naman dito sa place ba ito . Thanks for the reco ms. Wendy sure na tlgang babalik balikan ito 🥰

  11. Such an great place to visit 😍isa din yan sa gusto ko mapuntahan ang dami g pwedeng pasyalan na sure na mag eenjoy tayo jan😍

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