Farm hopping weekend getaways

Weekends are synonymous to driving to a nearby getaway for family bonding, almost always an inland resort, a beach, theme park, or a posh hotel. But due to the growing environmental awareness, people have been looking for alternative back-to-nature destinations in the metropolitan suburbs.

In recent years, the so-called farm tourism sites have been the go-to places for families and barkadas who want something out of the ordinary. Sometimes also called “farm resorts,” these sites are a unique blend of farming, dining, wellness, recreation, and everything in between.

Thanks to the passage of the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10816) which encourages the development of agriculture and tourism-related activities by offering fiscal incentives to farmers and entrepreneurs.

According to former tourism secretary Mina Gabor who pioneered the practice in the country, farm tourism is the practice of attracting visitors to farm areas or fishery-based operations for production, recreation, or education purposes.

Her International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), has been in the forefront of promoting conferences, caravans and tours to farm tourism sites across the country which helped give birth to the landmark law.

“The most important effect of promoting farm tourism is the economic benefit it will bring to the farmer and to the immediate community. The rural lifestyle and cultural traditions are appreciated by guests, and the environment is sustained,” she added.

Step on the gas pedal and let’s go on a road trip on the most exciting farm resorts just outside the metro.

Farm Tourism Site 1:

Tagaytay. This city on the ridge has been a favorite hideaway because of its year-round cool climate, its steaming hot bulalo, cozy boutique hotels and restos, and the soothing view of Taal Volcano. In recent years, it has been getting the attention of farm and garden lovers for the green experience it offers.

Nurture Wellness Village

A noteworthy site is Nurture Wellness Village, a pioneer garden resort. Its attractions include: a restaurant with farm-to-table food; ethnic-themed rooms; swimming pools; and holistic, medically-supervised programs as its core service. The award-winning resort has also manufactured powdered kale juices, ready-made salads, and other organic produce which you can buy at its store.

It also has an adjunct Nurture Farmacy, a 7,000-sq. km. farm for organic produce and medicinal plants where guests are taken for an educational tour.

All around the Tagaytay ridge, from Silang to Mendez to Alfonso, there are scores of garden- and farm-themed places where you can pull up for kapeng barako, local merienda, and reconnect with Mother Nature.

ISST has a training center at the 52-hectare integrated farm of the Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) in Silang which is worth checking out if you want to make the first steps in being a weekend “gentleman farmer.”

Farm Tourism Site 2:

Antipolo. Baby boomers would remember the folk song “Tayo na sa Antipolo” when this town east of Manila was the mountain resort hideaway of weary urbanites. Now a 21-year old city, it is reliving its glory days with its gourmet food colonies, art galleries, boutique hotels, and farm tourism sites.

Camp Tipolo Adventureland Antipolo

A must-visit is the Loreland Farm Resort, a sprawling recreational complex which covers Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens, the Camp Tipolo Adventureland and a couple of restaurants. This tropical-themed property is a worthy stopover for a meal, a massage, or a full spa treatment. Built on a cliff using Cordillera architectural principles, it boasts of Instagrammable views of the metro skyline and the Laguna Lake while you laze on an infinity pool or get a hydromassage.

Camp Tipolo Adventureland, popular for its team-building obstacle course, is also a farm which yields organically-grown rice, avocado, mango and assorted vegetables for local consumption in its dining
outlets.

Agriculture aficionados can hop around the farm resorts around the city, namely the Secret Garden of Doris, Mount Purro Nature Reserve, Phillip’s Sanctuary, Flor’s Garden, and the adjoining Ed’s Farm, each with a unique story to tell.

A 30-minute drive away is Fish-Yalan, a man-made fishing lagoon in the neighboring town Baras by the shores of Laguna Lake. Operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), it is ideal for boodle fight lunches of grilled fishes.

Farm Tourism Site 3:

Pampanga. Known for its mouth-watering culinary heritage and the ubiquitous sizzling sisig delicacy, this northern province is also making its mark as a farm tourism hub. Mt. Arayat National Park, the dwelling place of the legendary Kapampangan mythical fairy Mariang Sinukwan, is dotted by spring resorts, farms, gardens and native restaurants, most notably Abe’s Farm of the late chef Larry Cruz.

Orissa Holistic Garden

Orissa Garden of Wellness in Magalang town prides itself as a center for holistic healing wide array of wellness programs, spa services, massages, and healthy diet and therapy for a complete treatments of health issues. Drawing its energy from Mt. Arayat, the resort offers overnight stays, which would include a variety of physical and spiritual treatments in a secluded haunt. It also offers workshops on yoga and meditation, organic farming, raw food preparation, vegetarian cooking, juicing and herbals, and creative arts, among others.

With farm tourism sites and resorts emerging across the archipelago, the weekend had just become a more exciting and enlightening road trip.