Turning ‘magical gardens’ to business of bliss

Sonya’s Garden allows guests to master the art of doing nothing

There came a time in her life when Sonya Garcia felt a certain sadness. She spent a quiet moment to connect with her inner self, and deeply contemplated, “What can make me truly happy?” She found herself going back to her childhood glee of growing up in the magical garden of her grandmother.

It was a reflective meditation that ignited her desire to recreate the early years of her life: an endearing memory of being in awe of glorious blooms, being captivated by a rhapsody of scents that perfume the air, experiencing the thrill of climbing trees to pick fresh fruits with abandon, relishing the delectable indulgence of fresh harvest from the garden. She then forgot that she was supposed to feel depressed.

When she successfully breathed life to her own garden of pleasure, she opened her door to dear friends, who would joyfully share their experiences at her romantic sanctuary. In 1998, an enchanting evening of secret amorous proposal took place. And the enigma of the garden rippled—until curious souls found their way to her humble abode, seeking to be served, and take strolls around the spectacular splendor.

The property is not even situated in a prime area, but in a completely laid-back, far-flung agricultural zone.

With every visit, guests would leave feeling rejuvenated after enjoying a cool climate, walking in splendid, riotously-colored, flower-paved pathways, the royal treatment of dining on fine bone china over starched hand-embroidered linen.

Rooms here offer a peaceful retreat.

Then there is the luxury of savoring freshly harvested organic greens with aromatic herbs and flowers from plot-to-plate—not to mention the spread of gastronomic delights where one can interactively create his own salad, pasta and bread toppings, endlessly enjoy drinking freshly-squeezed seasonal fruit juice, and unwind with signature desserts.

Art of doing nothing

The evening transforms in a fairytale spectacle—as one walks in a garden path of lights sparkling like precious stones, spellbound with rapture of scents emitted by evening blooms that lullaby guests to sleep, cuddling in a posh bed with fine linen. Every waking moment is greeted by a symphony of jubilant birds and the aroma of morning dew.

She started advocating the “The Art-of-Doing-Nothing,” where one can embrace the present moment, cherishing the pleasures of life—breathe scented air, see heaven in a wild flower, whisper a prayer of gratitude, write love letters, curl up with books, listen to a kundiman, have a pampering spa treatment, romancing the ordinary and more simple joys.

Master class on Filipino B&B

After 21 years, the Philippines’ pioneer of elegant farm tourism enterprise decided to impart her wisdom through a pioneering “3-Day Master Class on Filipino Bed and Breakfast” last July 12-14 at Sonya’s Garden. I felt blessed to be the facilitator for this legacy class, where I gained access to gems of insights.

It was an enormous surprise to see kindred spirits who traveled far and wide, from Southern Luzon, Bulacan, Palawan, Negros, Davao, Bicol and Batanes. They are professionals from different fields who own an idle land, operate a farm, thinking of retirement options. They brought with them a lingering dream of having their own Filipino bed & breakfast enterprise.

Sonya’s Garden has nooks and crannies where you can relax, unwind and find solace.

At the venue, elegance was in every detail—from dainty fine linens, bone china plates and pots, rose-scented hand towels, gorgeous flowers and fragrant herbs on the table, and freshly baked ensaymada paired with hot chocolate.

Fresh air filled the room through wide mesh screens—half covered with intricate lace curtains to reveal colorful blooms that set the mood for the class.

For three days, guests were treated to the wit of the country’s catalyst of Filipino B&B, as she shared the evolution of Sonya’s Garden, how to set up a Filipino B&B, operations management, sustainability principles, and more enlightening topics. There was also a guided farm tour to observe the organic farming practices, followed by a demo from the fresh harvest.

Sonya’s family heirloom dishes were served, including chicken binakol, adobong takway in olive oil, ginataang labong, chipirones en su tinta, tendon callos and oxtail kare-kare.

Soul of intention

As I was observing Sonya share her business acumen, it dawned on me that Sonya’s Garden was never anchored on a Masteral Degree on Entrepreneurship nor Business Administration, but on the intention of honoring the Divine—by respecting and cultivating the gift of nature through its purest form, finding an inner bliss, joyfully uplift the lives of others, and by bringing the lowest part of the communities as part of the agricultural tourism supply chain to feel the real essence of inclusive growth.

Guests at Sonya’s Garden are treated to freshly harvested organic greens with aromatic herbs and flowers.

In a modest tone, she said: “I always believe in the innate heart of the Filipino people, once accorded with kindness and a chance to prove themselves, they will shine. And so they did.”

When the third day ended, everyone was inspired to take action and build their own B&Bs. As the master class certificates were handed out to graduates, they conveyed their eureka moments. The former president of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Georgina Bordado, shared a moving message while on the verge of tears, “Maraming salamat po, Ma’m Sonya.  Matagal ko na po itong pinapangarap.  Pero ngayong naka-attend ako ng class ninyo, nagliwanag po lahat, uumpisahan ko ng buuin ang pangarap ko.”

Ripple effect

In a span of two decades, Sonya’s Garden bloomed by advocating integrated organic farming, and eventually became a sustainable tourism enterprise. It is Sonya’s earnest wish that the success of Sonya’s Garden business model may be replicated in different parts of the country, through the series of master classes she has been conducting.

“With Filipino bed & breakfast and farm tourism, we can collectively create bliss while alleviating poverty and hunger, break the bondage of illiteracy, champion the Filipino brand of hospitality, create job opportunities, offer off-the-beaten-path accommodations and experiences, advocate organic farming, develop ambassadors of cultural heritage, empower local communities, and advance inclusive growth,” Sonya concluded.

The next series of three-day master classes on “Farm Tourism” will take place on Aug. 21 to 23, while the “Filipino Bed and Breakfast” will be on Sept. 12-14. Interested parties may send an email at [email protected], call (0917) 533 5140 or book online at www.SonyasGarden.com or  Facebook page Sonya’s Garden.

The author is a curator of Philippine Gastronomic Experiences, a resource speaker and trainer, a food and travel host, an award-winning publisher of “Food Holidays,” cited as one of the Best in the World at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.