A Day Trip to Mariano's Blooming Agri-tourism Park

Have a sunshine-filled morning people!

Last Wednesday, my peers and I planned a day trip to the famous Mariano's Blooming Agri-Tourism Park in Tupi, South Cotabato. It is an agri-tourism park filled with different varieties and colors of blooming flowers but is most famous for their sunflower garden as you can see from the photos below. 

If you love sunflowers so much then this sunflower haven will definitely take your breath away. They also sell these flowers so you can take some home for your loved ones. 

We went there around lunch time, so that was around noon and the heat of the sun is too strong. It was really hot and we forgot to take some umbrellas. Thus, I should say before heading out to this place, make sure you have your protection gears from the strong heat like hats, caps, and umbrellas. 

In my opinion, sunflowers are very pleasing to look at no matter what mood you are in because for me they signify bliss, euphoria, ecstasy and all the words synonymous with happiness. They feed on strong rays of sunlight because as their name implies, they are sunflowers and they need a strong exposure to sunlight to bloom fully.

Even though sunflowers aren't my favorite, I guess I could still say sunflower would be my happy flower. Also, I gotta say sunflowers are best to see during the summer season.

If you are just looking for an Instagram-worthy place then this is the one for you. We weren't able to explore the whole lot and take a look at the other varieties of flowers because it was really hot and I fell into a very unfortunate situation -- my shoes got stuck in the mud. So watch your steps if you don't want to ruin your trip early. 

We paid 50 pesos for entrance fee because we are adults. As for the kids, I think it was around 30 pesos. The price is not a bad thing if you are really hyped to see this sunflower haven. As what I have observed, they are starting to develop the place because you could really see workers constructing several structures for improvement. 

No foods and drinks allowed but you and your family can dine in their restaurant.

You can also buy one or two of these cute succulent plants to decorate your bedroom, apartment or restaurant for a reasonable price. It won't exceed a hundred, I suppose. 

And yes, this sunflower is as big as my face. 

If you want to know more details about this place, you can check out their Facebook page 

Mariano's Blooming Agri-Tourism Park

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend ahead.  

Winter-like Christmas

It was the last minute late night firework competition invitation that took me to this White Christmas-like magical land full of dazzling lights that totally enlightened the bare humdrum plaza of my dear hometown.The view has totally gotten me into the warmth embrace of the Christmas spirit and from that very moment I told myself to keep every image stored in my mind as if it will never be seen for the rest of my life and that I have something to bring with me in the future to remind me what the real essence of Christmas is.

It was amazing how  an interval of at least half an hour has left me standing there at one point gazing into all the beautifully made Christmas decorations. It was unique. Something extraordinary that has really gotten me into deep inspection of the materials they've used. I was deeply astonished by the people's creativity and innovation. Their ideas were something I cannot think of that when combined or be put into one figure will result to a brilliant classy decoration. Hands down to everyone who made those.

It wasn't just the lights that astounded me. It was also the group of people around me. Families. There I said it. If anyone who doesn't know what real Christmas is, then let me tell you just a brief information in my own kind of way.

I was standing, aware of my surrounding. I was able to take notice to every move my eye vision could see. Happy families walking altogether lurking the place uttering their best "wow " to every light they see. Kids pulling their mums to take them a picture together with Olaf the snowman. That was really cute. Grandfathers and grandmothers that are still able to manage to stroll have also enjoyed. Fathers carrying their child up on their chests.What I've cited were proofs that Christmas does not only equal to presents and parties. Its about appreciation. Sometimes,we make things harder for our selves when actually it only takes simple things to truly realize that we've got what we want for the rest of our lives and that is one happy complete family or if  not so, at least we are near enough to our loved ones to say i love you and thank you.

Christmas season could be compared to the idea of the magnet. It just bring all the people back into their loved ones, both positive and negative ( if you don't know what I mean, what I was trying to say about the negative and positive is that, it represents the people.Negative ones are the enemies and positive ones are the friends. What usually happens on Christmas is the resolution of someone's fight over a certain issue so it brings them back together)  no matter how far they've become or how far they've been apart.

However, besides the wonderful scene I've seen, there were still some street people who made me feel frustrated. Frustrated in a way that I don't pity them anymore. Frustrated because I think they've got a chance long ago that they've taken for granted and never really  made an effort to at least get themselves out of the abyss. I believe in this adage " It was never your fault when you were born poor, but it is your fault when you die poor."

 I am not even trying to step into anyone's life when I don't know what their real story is. I am just stating my personal opinion and that is no biggie.

 As for about the fireworks competition, it took just half an hour and it was a total cliffhanger. I've seen fireworks competition before and to be honest, I'm starting to get used to seeing it and I get the same feeling as eating the same meal for breakfast,lunch and dinner. However, at that moment where I have let myself float in the air, I've realized to be more like the fireworks. No matter wherever or whatever everybody's doing they'll stop and look at my colors explode in the sky regardless whatever the weather is. People would look at me as if they've seen the missing part of them, someone to look up to become inspiration that no matter how dark the sky will be, there will always be someone who can rescue them and ready to make them feel better even for just a couple of minutes. To make others happy with my success. To become a blessing.

I remembered during my high school days, our values teacher taught us to become a blessing to others. A blessing does not only come in material but also in persona. One's self can be a blessing to anyone in the world just by doing simple good deeds that could make anyone's life better ,easier. And that even just for a minute you have passed into one's life, he/she would always remember you as a blessing.

To my dear reader, I wish you  a Merry Christmas! I hope you  spend total leisure time with your family and closest friends and don't forget to be a blessing to others not only this season but also for the rest of your life. x