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Why Should You Consider a Trip to Marinduque?

Kate Dela Cruz I Editor

Every year, large crowds of tourists flock to the island province of Marinduque to see the Moriones Festival. But what happens when celebrating in groups becomes restricted?

Bobby Cellano is still waiting for the recurrence of the festival, as he has been for over 5 years as “Morion” or a Roman soldier participant and a tourist guide. When I asked him what he expects, he answered that he is still hopeful.

I’ve come to see the province. There are beaches, falls, caves, and churches nationwide but most of the beautiful ones are in Marinduque. It is a heart-shaped island province in the southern part of Luzon—on record, the “Most Peaceful Province in the Philippines”.

It is a popular and a holiday destination for Moriones Festival but due to the pandemic, festivals are prohibited. This colorful and sacred parade has been crossed out in our itinerary. However, Bobby assured us that our trip would not be wasted since there are a lot more things to do around the island.

On the rented tricycle, it doesn’t present as lacking, but as underrated beauty: Bobby leads an ultimate getaway for fun, serenity, and adventure. He first shows the capital of Marinduque, Boac, where a dozen heritage houses, along with a Casa Real which is used by the local government, are found. In the center of the town, he toured us inside the National Museum-Marinduque that stores cultural pieces and historical relics from the province. Bobby ended the morning trip at the Boac Cathedral, which was built on a hilltop in 1792, overlooking the Boac River. He mentioned that its high-bricked walls are believed to have protected the town from Moro attacks in the 18th century. Christian tourists will undoubtedly admire the church’s splendor from the inside out while offering prayers.

The province’s second oldest municipality, Gasan, showcases a fascinating garden of insects and butterflies and a garden of sunflowers. In Marl Insect and Butterfly Garden, Bobby encouraged us to interact with the butterflies and to learn more about them. Here, about 40 species are being kept and bred—Marinduque as the country’s top supplier of butterflies. In Nature’s Way Sunflower Garden, there are rows and rows of tall yellow flowers that fill the area. He became our photographer on this farm.

As he works, Bobby sings. He’s almost like a parody of a tour guide, the kind who fills the room with knowledge, lectures, and jokes. They are often about how big he got after years of not marching on the streets and hitting repentant (as part of the act in the festival). He continues the trip with a joke: “Please do not litter, the Philippines will get heartbroken.”

Today, the weather is with us. Bobby takes us to the town of Santa Cruz, which is a popular island-hopping destination. He gave us some sunblock joking, “it’s better to be an espasol than a latik”, as toured us from the Maniwaya Island and Palad Sandbar to Mongpong Island and Aroma Beach. They are all great areas to get your dosage of sun, sea, and sand, with their cream-colored coastlines and turquoise waters. There’s also the Ungab Rock Formation, a stunning sea arch on one end of the island’s coasts and the Bagumbungan cave, a 300-meter cave system with a diverse collection of speleothems, which we did not manage to see. But Bobby says that they are both well worth seeing.

Some tourists are not fans of beaches. They look for somewhere fresh and not-so-hot places that still satisfy their summer getaway. Kawakawa falls, Mount Malindig, and Luzon Datum are their best destinations. In the falls, await having an adrenaline-pumping experience once you climb from the top of a waterfall towards its deep pool. Along the way to Mount Malindig, expect to see wild orchids and rich flora after some alluring mossy forests. As you climb a series of concrete stairs of more than 400 steps, believe that you’re now standing at the center of the Philippines in Luzon Datum.

Bobby is done singing for the day. He knows he shouldn’t apologize for an incomplete trip but does anyway. Before riding us back to our hotel, Bobby asks, “Sumaya ka naman?”

I throw it back: “Ikaw?”

“Syempre. Nakita mo pa rin naman ang ganda ng Marinduque,” he says.

We have never felt our world as minuscule as we had for the past two years for many obvious reasons. May it be the quarantine protocols restricting us to the corners of our home or our justified paranoia and worry about the dangers of the virus that may infect us once we step outside. However, as humans, we continue to fight against these difficult times and take measures to adjust to these ever-growing changes. One of those changes is us being immensely cautious about our getaway destinations. We are meticulous in picking our vacation spots, assuring that we and our loved ones are safe. In this current age where we feel like we must choose just one between leisure or safety, there is a paradise that offers both.

Nestled in a 48-hectare lush green forest in Lipa, Batangas is the paradise guise as the Farm at San Benito. A country-chic holistic medical wellness resort just a 90-minute drive away from Manila, with wonderful mountain views, fresh air, and an overall refreshing life-giving energy emanating around the whole estate. Built around their Five Pillars – Diagnose, Cleanse, Nourish, Repair and Sustain - the healing sanctuary aims for their guests to rejuvenate the body and mind and reach their comprehensive optimum wellness.

To adhere to the health and safety protocols, all guests must undergo the Antigen Nasal Swab Test performed by doctors and authorized healthcare workers. There is also on-site RT-PCR testing. The Farm also offers ichroma™️ II Antibody Test, a compact, diagnostic immuno-analyzer that measures the level of your antibodies against COVID.

Within your stay, they provide different health programs that you can choose from- Treatments, Aesthetic Programs, Executive Health Programs, Health Optimization programs, and Health Optimization programs- to cover all guests’ needs and wants. Under Treatments, they offer varying kinds of spas and massages that utilize both traditional and medical approaches- programs such as hydrotherapy water wellness and the practice of Philippine healing art which is hilot.

They also offer Kids Compendium, a set of treatments specialized for children. Aesthetic Programs for beautification include Anti-Aging, Body Contouring and Dental Hygiene and so on. For the Executive Health section, they have programs that focus on pain management and mental health. Their Health Optimization Programs offer a wide array of services such as Diabetes Prevention, Radiation Detox, Holistic Cancer Care, Fertility Program and their newest and timely Post-COVID Recovery, amongst others.

Dr. Homer Lim, The Farm’s Medical Director shares that there are COVID-19 survivors that may experience the “PostCOVID Syndrome”. People who experience this syndrome may have symptoms like loss of smell and taste, exhaustion, breathing difficulties, stomach and digestive problems, and muscle and joint pains. The 3-Night Post- COVID Program consists of accommodation, healthy organic vegan meals with detox juices, Integrated Medical Services such as Holistic Consultation, Brain Biofeedback, Acupuncture, IV Therapy Vitamin Infusion, Nutritional Assessment and many more. It also includes Spa Treatments, Fitness Activities such as yoga sessions and Mandala Flower Meditation. Aided with the Farm’s healing and relaxing environment, these medically supervised and science-based treatments will surely help guests who experienced COVID-19 achieve their full recovery and attain optimum health.

Another unique thing The Farm offers is its plant-based whole food and vegan menu. The resort houses two restaurants, Alive! Restaurant that specializes in serving delicious raw cuisine and PESCE serving pescatarian guests their delectable fish and seafood dishes. The Farm also encourages Mindful Movement & Functional Fitness through various kinds of yoga and power walk activities. More intense body conditioning routines and resistance training such as HIIT, circuit, and core workouts.

The Farm consists of varied accommodations to ensure all guests have a comfortable and luxurious stay. From villas to terraces, and suits, you can have your own choice of haven depending on your budget and taste. Named and inspired after some traditional trees and plants such as bamboo, mahogany, narra, palmera and anahaw. Every crib offers a refreshing view of the mountains, streams and forests sheltering the whole property to provide tranquility and a sense of privacy. The privileges and amenities included may vary from one space to another, but The Farm insures you that you will feel safe, relaxed, and healed every moment of your stay in your own little getaway home.

Throughout the years of their outstanding service, The Farm continues to pride itself as the only premier health retreat in the Philippines and one of the premier medical wellness attractions in the Asia-Pacific region They are a member of CG Hospitality, an established and well-respected management company that manages and invests in the hospitality sector. The Farm has earned over 60 outstanding international awards like SENSES Germany’s “Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World”.

This pandemic may have taken away a lot from us, but we should not let it stop us from regaining that sense of normalcy we used to have, rather find ways to adapt our way of living to this new normal. Let us not forget to feed our souls through these little luxuries that may seem trivial but are very vital to us as humans. With their worldclass service and healing environment, treat yourself to a holistic healthy holiday and improve your quality of life.

A healthful heaven within The Farm

Louie Milla I Writer