Laag Pilipinas: Our Lady's Garden

What will you do if you have a four-hectare lot?

I would probably create a paradise just like the one we visited. The place is owned by a Filipino-Chinese businessman who also owned the famous Joe’s Chiken Inato that originated in Dumaguete City now with branches in Cebu City and in Sibulan.

Entering the paradise was like, heavenly. Though you get to pay a hundred box for an

Entrance fee, to minimize visitors, but for me it’s worth it.

Our Lady’s Garden, situated in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, and was created after the Blessed Virgin Mary visited the owner in sleep. The garden was at first for the owner’s consumption only to honor the Blessed Virgin through the collections brought from different places visited, but several people asked permission to view the place, out of curiosity. “Kay bisan kinsay makakita” would wonder what the place is for because of the huge statue of Mother Mary.

When I entered the place, I wondered, where the mountain meets the sea.

It was one in the afternoon. The sun’s heat was horrible. My grandfather decided not to join with my sisters because they found it very expensive. It should have been for free, as lolo said “kay sa Birhen gud na”. Unfortunately, the place wasn’t owned by the government nor maintained by them, it was a private property. I insisted of going though.

The statue of Mary was surrounded with different ornamental plants. There were bonsai everywhere. Exotic plants and rain forests were plenty. Orchids and cactus were grouped in different areas. I was stunned. I actually envied the owner. “Grabeh!” The rest house of the owner was situated on top of the mountain over looking the sea and the island of Cebu with a swimming pool in front of his house directly at the back of the statue. Wew. Can you imagine it? When you turn to see the other side, you’ll meet the rest of the mountain. That’s when I understood the slogan, Our Lady’s Garden, where the mountain meets the sea.

While walking, we met the care taker attending the bonsai. The care takers live there with their families. The place does not have security guards so they need to stay in-house to guard the place with the hope that the guests will not steal or do terrible things that could destroy the property. “Kay dili lang baya ang dili maka afford” to pay P100 steals, even those who have much. “Dili man pud tanan diba, a handful lang gud.”

We descended to the other part and saw the owner’s puppies. I actually pity them. They were caged. They smelled bad because of there waste. I thought maybe they could have just allowed them to play in the spacious area. But maybe scheduled, I don’t know. Toy dogs are very expensive. Hayz.

There were ponds with Kois in it. There were different kinds of birds also. There’s this chicken that looks like a puppy, Chinese Silky. An open cottage made of real wood with antique solid wood furniture displayed inside. Wew! I sat there, stunned. I need a business to finance my dream to create a paradise better than this.

There’s this spiritual shelter where you could pray and just be quite. It was featured as one of the Holy Week’s destination if one wanted silence. And I think it’s a perfect place for reflection. The shelter was blessed by Bishop Du on 2006, Archbishop of Dumaguete City. They said that the owner was a convert, Protestant to Catholic. The seats of the shelter were made from solid wood really, very shinny; angels were hanging on the wall and a soothing music was played in the background. In the entrance, there were sculptures of nuns, Mother Theresa’s community, Missionaries of Charity welcoming guests. Did I mention that the shelter is unlike the usual chapel? It’s an open house. On both sides, water is running like a river. Isn’t it nice?

An eloquent Visayan hut stood close and I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed of its beautiful stature. Beside the hut was a caricature of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and there were ostrich and chicken beside it as well. The landscaper must have been very proud of what they made of the place.

There’s this Tagalog cottage also but I didn’t bother getting near as there were guests sleeping, resting that is. You can actually use the cottage for free; just make sure you don’t destroy nor leave trash.

Our tour ended with sunburned feet and a hungry stomach yet contented although jealous. L The garden is not yet finish and there’s still a vast area for transformation. What to expect next year when we come back? I marvel.