Straight from Guimaras Island, we went to Garin Farm the next day. From the Iloilo port, a van picked us up and traveled straight to San Joaquin, Iloilo. From Iloilo City, it’s a 2-hour trip going to Garin Farm.
Originally Garin Farm is a one-stop shop for farmers, investors, and agriculture lovers. It is a demonstration farm showcasing viable agricultural livelihood plant and animal culture with their corresponding product processing and zero waste management program demonstrating a harmonious co-existence of plants and animals. [Source:
Explore Iloilo]
The moment you enter Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort, you will be greeted with a vast plantation of vines. They call it the millionaire’s vine. A foul odor is normal because, once again, you are entering a farm. Chicken, cows and other animals are there happy to see you (hehe).
It will be quite a long walk going up to the cafe where the Pilgrimage and other amenities are. If you feel you can’t walk that long or an elderly is with you, you can choose to pay for a ride from the entrance to the cafe and up to the Divine Mercy Mountain for only 30 pesos per person (roundtrip).
The BAHAY KUBO is really nostalgic for me. It may look like an ordinary nipa hut, which is common to provinces here in the Philippines, but seeing all the vegetables mentioned in the song “Bahay Kubo” planted surrounding the Bahay Kubo makes me euphoric. I admit, although I know the song, I am not familiar to all the vegetables mentioned and how it look like. Walk around the house and sing-along Bahay Kubo, hehe it was really fun.
PILGRIMAGE
The Pilgrimage site of Garin Farm is a favorite destination for Catholics who wish to meditate and relieve Christ’s sacrifices and hardship in the way of the cross.
As you enter the gates, you will see life-size images or relics from Genesis “Creation of Man,” the birth of Christ, Christ’s crucifixion and His Divine Mercy until experiencing a piece of Heaven on Earth.
Looking at the long stairs is a bit scary, most especially for those who are not physically fit, but as you walk your way up, you won’t really feel it much most especially if you are doing the station of the cross and stop in every station. Each site will give you a time to rest for a while.
As you reach the last station, continue your way up to the meditation channel and experience a piece of Heaven on Earth.
Note: I will not post many pictures on this part, although a lot are on the Internet already. It would really be nice for you to experience it yourself. Feelings are somewhat subjective. Some people may not appreciate it as much as Catholics do. Nonetheless, it has been a favorite tourist destination as they offer adventure amenities and activities also inside the farm.
I admit I did the shortcut going up the mountain. I rode the golf cart that transports people going up and down the meditation mountain. Design for those who wanted to experience heaven without having to go through the sacrifice of going up using the stairs. I was happy but not fulfilling. I will be visiting this October again. I’ll make sure I’ll do the station of the cross next time. 🙂
THE RESORT
Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort offers accommodation packages for overnight stays. They also have a swimming pool and other fun activities for you, your family and friends.
And when you’re hungry, the cafe sells their own mixes of ice cream and coffee. They have meals for their resort guests too.
RATES: [as of February 2017; Rates may change without prior notice]
Garin Farm at San Joaquin
Brgy. Huna, San Joaquin
Iloilo, Philippines 5024
Telephone Number: +63 033 314 75 55
Mobile Number: +63 916 667 6851
Email: info@garinfarm.com / bookings@garinfarm.com
Inland Resort Amenities with Rates
Entrance Fee: Php 150 per person
Excluding children below 1 year old
Senior Citizen discount is applicable to cardholders only
Strictly no outside food and drinks allowed
Hilltop Swimming Pool – Php 80.00
Hilltop Fishing: Php 30.00/kilo
Billiards: Php 60.00/hour
Hilltop Horseback Riding: Php 60.00
Zipline (300 meters X 2)
Sitting: Php 250.00
Superman: Php 350.00
Golf Cart (3 Pax ride)
Entrance to Pavilion: Php 60.00
Pavilion to Cross: Php 90.00
Executive Conference Room (15-20 Pax): Php 2,500
Hilltop Boating:
Single Kayak: Php 40.00
Double Kayak: Php 90.00
Pedal Boat: Php 90.00 for 2 pax
Rubber Boat: Php 120.00 for 4 pax; Php 240 for 8 pax
All-Terrain Vehicle (20 minutes): Php 200.00
Restaurant
Canteen
WiFi Access
Laundry Service
24-Hour Security
24-Hour Electricity
ROOM RATES
Hilltop Family Room: Php 3,500.00
Hilltop Twin Room: Php 2,500.00
Hilltop Single Room: Php 1,500.00
Fully Air-conditioned
Extra Bed: Php 350 with breakfast; Php 200 without breakfast
Available for Family & Twin Rooms only and limited to 2 extra beds.
Check-in guests have complementary breakfast and free use of the hill top pool.
Disclaimer: The Purple Slippers family is not connected or associated to Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort in any way. For bookings and reservation click here.