The Farm At San Benito, Lipa City

Five years ago, we spent new year in Batangas to get away from the noise and pollution of Metro Manila. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Malarayat on the outskirts of Lipa City is a 47-hectare spa resort amidst lush, verdant greens, serene ponds and manicured lawns. The landscape is simply awesome. Facilities include the reception hall, the restaurant, library, a large swimming pool, orchidarium, spa, gym and villas.

The health resort can accommodate around 55 clients. There are five different kinds of accommodation each according to style,size and price. We stayed at the Sulu Terraces which are designed after rice huts and have open seating areas on the ground floor. All rooms are air-conditioned. They call the restaurant 85/15 Gourmet Restaurant, meaning, the food served is 85% raw and 15% cooked. The food is a bit pricey though and you are not allowed to bring “baon”. Where would you find a cup of coffee worth P350.00? I almost choked when I saw the price but it was all worth it. Such bliss in a place like this, because I love every corner of their vast gardens. It was another family road trip that we all enjoyed.

Their reception area boast of a water fountain in front and a small store that sells souvenirs.

Just love the verdant greens….

Looking at the views from here, can’t wait to explore the place.

Taken in front of their large swimming pool.

It was more than a two-hour trip from Metro Manila. Tired….

They have these in all corners…meditation huts where you could rest your tired feet.

My youngest…..

Exploring…

#10 Sulu Terraces

We occupied two huts. Good thing they have small safes installed for valuables.

Can’t wait to see what the place has to offer.

The gate of Sulu Terraces…nice long walk.

The ferns are taller than I am.

A close-up view of the peacock, showing its lovely form.

So peaceful, I could stay here all day  just watching the pond or reading but they have a lovely library nearby.

  The lagoon, my  favorite spot during our stay here, a perfect place to idle the time away.

A century old tree…I forgot its name!

Dreaming of my own garden like this!

Ah! The Secret Pool, we all loved it and had a night swim later. The water is heated and the place is secluded.

Look at the intricate carvings at the door, it was simply beautiful.

Going on road trips is such a joy, discovering new places, just relaxing. It was the first time we spent new year away from home.

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A Simple Path

Fifteen years ago, right after Mother Teresa’s death and a few days after Lady Diana died in a car accident, I looked for some books that would remind me of them both. And I found this, A SIMPLE PATH, a lovely book on Mother Teresa’s thoughts and experiences in helping the poor. Would love to share with you some beautiful quotes from it.

“When you know how much God is in love with you then you can only live your life radiating that love.”“God made the world for the delight of human beings– if we could see His goodness everywhere, His concern for us, His awareness of our needs: the phone call we’ve waited for, the ride we are offered, the letter in the mail, just the little things He does for us throughout the day. As we remember and notice His love for us, we just begin to fall in love with Him because He is so busy with us — you just can’t resist Him. I believe there’s no such thing as luck in life, it’s God’s love, it’s His.”

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty — it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There’s a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”

“Prayer feeds the soul–as blood is to the body, prayer is to the soul–and it brings you closer to God.”

“Start and end the day with prayer. Come to God as a child.”

“Examine your heart first, though, to see if there is any lack of forgiveness of others still inside, because how can we ask God for forgiveness if we cannot forgive others?”

Today, we are celebrating Blessed Mother Teresa’s 15th death anniversary.

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