Garin Farm
Travel

Garin Farm / San Juaquin, Iloilo City: A Glimpse of Heaven on Earth

Garin Farm / We had a unique experience visiting Garin Farm. It was both recreational and spiritual.   You will surely like this place if you are a nature lover. It has a farm that produces poultry products, milk, and meat. Then, there is a resort with a swimming pool and an artificial lake, plus a worship place; they call it pilgrimage hill, wherein you can take time to personally talk to yourself and find meaning in all your experiences in life.

Farm

We passed through the vine-covered passageway from the main entrance to the farm’s amenities. Because of the vine curtain and big shady trees, we did not feel any discomfort whatsoever despite the hot weather.

We had a 20-minute walk before reaching the main area of the property. For us who live in the city, it is always refreshing to see chickens in coops laying eggs, a flock of doves flying freely in the air, goats and carabaos in their natural habitat, and other farm animals I can no longer remember at this time.

The vine curtain gives shades to visitors as they walked around this sprawling Garin property /
Photo by Joarniel John S. Hinolan

Resort

Aside from the agricultural feature of Garin, we were also treated to the breathtaking view of the resort area. The hotel rooms are neatly lined in one area overlooking the swimming pool and an artificial lake. Since we were on a day tour, we did not check the resort’s amenities. Visitors can try out the zip line, ride an ATV (all-terrain vehicle), and go night swimming, kayaking and fishing.

We took our early lunch at the resort’s restaurant. We had corned beef and spam with a sunny-side-up fried egg. They also served fresh goat milk and chicken empanada – both the farm’s products. There were pasalubong items on sale in the restaurant too.

The panoramic view of the resort as viewed from the restaurant. It features hotel rooms, swimming pool, lake for fishing and other boat activities as well as zipline for the adventurous guests.
Fresh goat milk and empanadas are some of the food guests may eat at the farm’s restaurant.

Pilgrimage Hill

The most important part of this sprawling property is Pilgrimage Hill, which is the favorite subject of many pictures on Facebook and Instagram. We climbed around 500-step stairs leading to the symbolic white cross at the end of the hill.

The Pilgrimage Hill is about 500 steps upward which provides guests the opportunity to talk to God.

While climbing the steep hill, we were transported back to the days of Jesus as we saw the recreation of the major biblical events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Pilgrimage Hall

The tableau features life-sized images of the biblical characters, and yes, the emotions on their faces were artistically differentiated. I can feel the pain and agony Jesus endured with his tormentors when He was sentenced to death.

It was an achievement reaching the top of the hill. We looked around and entered a dark room with a sign – Divine Mercy Dark Meditation Tunnel.
The other sign on the wall said that this represents our life on earth. At the end of the dark passage, was the image of the Divine Mercy. We paused for a while and prayed. Then, we moved forward and ended up in the all-white space at the end of the tunnel.
There were white angels and white life-sized figures of people in immaculately white clouds. Obviously, this is a glimpse of heaven and the figures were souls now enjoying their life in heaven.
The brother and sister team pose before entering the dark tunnel leading to the Divine Mercy Prayer Room
Our visit to Garin Farm is relaxing not only to our physical body but to our soul. We had the chance to appreciate the little things we failed to notice because of our busy life, like seeing chickens in coop lay their eggs or noticing how graceful birds fly.  It was also a chance to meditate and know what we value most.

Did you experience traveling to places like this? Share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.

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30 Comments

  1. Iloilo is one on my list to visit here in the Philippines saka gustu ko pumunta dyan sa may heaven on earth. Awesome photos!

  2. What a beautiful grain-form at Pilgrimage Hill, article is very informative and photos are very beautiful.

  3. I will definitely gonna visit with my family.

  4. The place looks amazing…How i need to go there and spend a few days…Soon I hope.

  5. What a wonderful place to explore!! I would love to wander around there… When we are allowed to again!

  6. Rose Ann Sales says:

    The place looks so great,it's perfect now that Holy week is coming. So sad,vacations and Bisita Iglesia can't happen because of the quarantine.

  7. Ha..ha.. yes. if not for quarantine, this is the best time to visit because of the Holy week.

  8. Thank your for appreciating my photos. This is from the Philippines and we welcome you to this place.

  9. Yes. This is the best time to go here. as a holy week retreat.

  10. Yes, Gigi. I hope you will find time to visit the Philippines and enjoy our hospitality b=and the many tourist destination we have.

  11. I hope to see you someday in the Philippines.

  12. Wow , that sounds great. Travelling with family is the best.

  13. Very interesting place. Curious to visit it.

  14. IIoilo looks so lovely. I have some friends from Philippines. Hopefully, one day i will visit there

  15. Beautiful happy memories!

  16. This place looks really interesting. My parents loving visiting places like the Pilgrimage here. They've gone to so many of them here in the states. I'll definitely let them know about it if they ever visit the Phillipines. Thanks for posting!

  17. This is an awesome place to explore. Nice

  18. This is a place to visit so beautiful. This is nice I must say

  19. Hi. Its great knowing that you have friends here.

  20. Yes. It is very relaxing here, especially if you are in the countryside.

  21. So nice to know that. Where exactly in the Philippines do live or you have relatives?

  22. Hope to see you soon in the PHilippines

  23. Hope to see you soon in the Philippines

  24. I've been to a working trip in Iloilo once but I didn't get a chance to explore. This looks like a wonderful place to visit.

  25. This is very interesting with all the animals statues standing and people. It makes it more of an amazing attraction for travelers.

  26. What a stunning and interesting place to visit. Iloilo seems incredible how long would you recommend someone stay to see everything.

  27. Looks like a great place to explore. Due to country lockdown we are not going anywhere this place looks quiet amazing I would love to visit this place

  28. The place looks very good and nice pictures!

  29. I think this is one of the best place to visit in the Philippines, it's really beautiful and it feel so relaxing to be there.

  30. I haven't been to Iloilo yet but it sure is a nice place to visit. Overall, I miss my home country Philippines. It has been a while since the last time I visited.

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