SVD Farm — Attraction in Tagaytay

The original plan was for us to visit the farm earlier in the day because we were interested to see the actual vegetable farm and probably pick vegetables for our week's meals. Kaso skeds got mixed up and we ended up heading for the farm late in the afternoon and got there when the sun was beginning to set.

It's a good thing though that they had a restaurant/Cafe in the farm that was offering a valentines day dinner package so we opted to ask if they can still accommodate us, and by God's grace, they had one more slot available.

We usually go to the Pink Sisters' Chapel but it was the first time yesterday that we chose to see the farm/restaurant/cafe, and one of the FB page admins mentioned to us when she stopped by our table to greet us a happy valentines day that the restaurant/cafe was only opened to the public 2 years ago.

Going back to my story. When we got there, it was really a pleasant surprise. (I was expecting the usual farm set-up, just the vegetable plots and a small part for the restaurant/Cafe.) Instead I was welcomed with a view that was magnificently beautiful, and a place that is well maintained. There is a chapel at the farm and they say masses there regularly and if you want to confess, just approach one of the staff and they will ask an available priest to come and hear your confession.

They had a very neat valentines dinner set up. Each long table had 2 groups of people dining in, so each group/couple had enough privacy while being a part of the entire valentines day program. Uh, program. I did not expect that. We did not expect that. But we were open to whatever came with dinner and we came to unwind and have a relaxing quiet night.

We found out that what they had in mind was not the simple valentines dinner but they also had priests serenading each couple/group, then one of the younger priests would come and pray for the group/couple, and later on there was a mini talk/retreat at the open mic/dance area where married couples danced and a final blessing where the head priest for that night went from table to table blessing people.

(The mini retreat/talk focused on what it meant for married couples to be ONE FLESH with one another, and what it means to be ONE FLESH with the Lord Jesus Christ as each married couple who went through the sacrament of marriage joined themselves in the church and to the church which is the body of Christ, ergo becoming one flesh with the Lord. Whew! I hope I remembered that correctly. At least that was what I understood sa talk ni padre. And also the part when he said that once you hurt your spouse, you say a heartfelt apology and say "I AM SORRY" to which the other one must respond with a likewise heartfelt "I FORGIVE" and to which both spouses must choose to "LET'S MOVE ON" together.)

It was a fun and relaxing evening, and we were able to form good memories from the entire experience.

I always thought of priests as the holy servants of God in the Eucharist but last night I saw them as people enjoying themselves with other people, graciously opening their home (the SVD Farm) and their hearts and their pugon kitchen to the people who chose to celebrate love with them.

Grateful to God that He led us to this beautiful place for Valentines day. We felt God's love for us as well as the love of our fellow human beings for us.

I guess yun naman talaga ang essence ng Valentines day: the outpouring love of God for us through Jesus our Lord, and because we have received the love of God in our lives through Jesus our Lord, we also pour out that love to others in our lives: our spouses/loved ones and family and the greater extended family we have in the church.

Such a blessed night. Salamat Lord. 🙏 Salamat...

SVD Laudato Si’ Farm in Tagaytay is a serene eco-spiritual destination that harmoniously blends faith, farming, and food. Operated by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), this five-hectare sanctuary offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life. The farm features lush gardens, organic vegetable plots, and tranquil walking paths, making it an ideal spot for reflection and relaxation. The Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor hosts regular Masses every Saturday at 10:00 AM and Sundays at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM, providing spiritual nourishment to guests. Additionally, the Ecospirituality Center offers accommodations for retreats and recollections, catering to those seeking a deeper spiritual experience. Culinary delights await at the SVD Café and Oies Kitchenette, where farm-to-table dining is a highlight. Guests can savor heirloom Filipino dishes prepared with fresh, organic ingredients sourced directly from the farm. The warm hospitality of the staff and the welcoming presence of Fr. Sam enhance the overall dining experience. Notably, there is no entrance fee to visit the farm, though donations are appreciated to support its maintenance. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own eco-bags when purchasing produce from the Gulayan ni San Rafael, aligning with the farm's commitment to sustainability. SVD Laudato Si’ Farm stands out as a hidden gem in Tagaytay, offering a unique blend of spiritual enrichment, sustainable agriculture, and Filipino...

for the long weekend, we opted to go to svd farm given the great reviews that i have seen, including from my friends. as expected, there were lots of people, but the place is actually really big to accommodate large groups of people. the weather was thankfully fine because it would've been harder to go around if it rained since the venue was mostly outdoors. the kubos, where you eat, are clean and well-maintained, and the staff were very approachable and answered to our inquiries especially since we were confused on how to order and where to stay during lunch time. the food prices are reasonable for me and serving was more than enough for our family. we enjoyed the bulalo so much 🤍 other than the restaurant, they also have a cafe where they sell pastries and drinks, and a station where you can buy fresh plantation.

given that the area is huge, expect lots of walking and climbing up the stairs. there are also ramps, though, for senior citizens and PWDs. at the highest part of the farm is the adoration chapel where you can spend a few minutes of prayer and quiet time.

there are no entrance and parking fees, but donation boxes are placed in different parts of the farm to help sustain the place. overall, i recommend this place to those who are interested in connecting with the Lord, their families and...