Thursday, December 26, 2013
Sampaguita Gardens, New Washington, Aklan
From Guimaras, we were fetched by our rented van at Parola Wharf. We dropped by first at the famous Biscocho Haus in Iloilo.
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| Janelle easily made a friend from Iloilo |
Biscocho Haus is known for the famous butterscotch... favorite ko to! There are also piaya, barquillos, and the famous biscocho.
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| Janelle and Rianne during the 5-hour travel from Iloilo to Caticlan |
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| Arriving at Kalibo! |
Aklan Sampaguita Gardens Resort, Inc. is the brainchild
of Samuel John Butcher, an American artist and creator of Precious
Moments artworks that promote messages of loving, caring and sharing.
Mr. Butcher, who owns Precious Moments Park in Carthage, Missouri, put
his plans into action in December 2001 and in June 2003, the resort
began commercial operations.
Today, Sampaguita Gardens is recognized as a landmark in the Travel & Trade Industry, and provides employment for hundreds of Aklanons as well as training opportunities for students not just from Aklan and nearby provinces but from as far as northern Luzon and southern Mindanao.
This sprawling 2.6 hectare multi-awarded boutique resort offers world-class facilities, amenities and services and is recognized as a landmark in the Travel & Trade Industry. It is home to Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, the first all-year round Christmas store in the Philippines.
The name Sampaguita was chosen because of three reasons: (1) it is the national flower of the Philippines; (2) Sam was fascinated by the little children who sold these flowers in the streets of Metro Manila; and (3) it bore the first three letters of his name.
The resort is an attraction in itself, and true to its Vision, is focused on a dynamic and motivated organization that continues to grow and prosper as it provides world-class amenities and services to an ever-growing clientele.
The Mission of Sampaguita Gardens is to operate a world-class resort that values customer satisfaction at every encounter, providing a seamless experience from reservation to departure, and, cognizant of its role as a good corporate citizen, is committed to its employees as it moves forward to achieve superior return on shareholder investment.
The sprawling 2.6 hectare property features 48 Guestrooms and Suites; three restaurants; Convention Facilities; Business Center; Spa and Fitness Center; 2 swimming pools; Circus Rides; a 43 Ft. Aquarium; Oriental Garden, Precious Moments Gallery; the Samuel J. Butcher Mansion with its vast antique collection and stunning pieces of bric-a-bracs and other Orientalia; Precious Moments Meditation Chapel and Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, a Victorian cottage showcasing Precious Moments collectibles and the unique JCC Museum of Christmas.
Sampaguita Gardens has become famous for celebrating Christmas all year round. It is currently being marketed as more than just a destination but an experience.
Today, Sampaguita Gardens is recognized as a landmark in the Travel & Trade Industry, and provides employment for hundreds of Aklanons as well as training opportunities for students not just from Aklan and nearby provinces but from as far as northern Luzon and southern Mindanao.
This sprawling 2.6 hectare multi-awarded boutique resort offers world-class facilities, amenities and services and is recognized as a landmark in the Travel & Trade Industry. It is home to Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, the first all-year round Christmas store in the Philippines.
The name Sampaguita was chosen because of three reasons: (1) it is the national flower of the Philippines; (2) Sam was fascinated by the little children who sold these flowers in the streets of Metro Manila; and (3) it bore the first three letters of his name.
The resort is an attraction in itself, and true to its Vision, is focused on a dynamic and motivated organization that continues to grow and prosper as it provides world-class amenities and services to an ever-growing clientele.
The Mission of Sampaguita Gardens is to operate a world-class resort that values customer satisfaction at every encounter, providing a seamless experience from reservation to departure, and, cognizant of its role as a good corporate citizen, is committed to its employees as it moves forward to achieve superior return on shareholder investment.
The sprawling 2.6 hectare property features 48 Guestrooms and Suites; three restaurants; Convention Facilities; Business Center; Spa and Fitness Center; 2 swimming pools; Circus Rides; a 43 Ft. Aquarium; Oriental Garden, Precious Moments Gallery; the Samuel J. Butcher Mansion with its vast antique collection and stunning pieces of bric-a-bracs and other Orientalia; Precious Moments Meditation Chapel and Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, a Victorian cottage showcasing Precious Moments collectibles and the unique JCC Museum of Christmas.
Sampaguita Gardens has become famous for celebrating Christmas all year round. It is currently being marketed as more than just a destination but an experience.
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| Jojo's Christmas Cottage |
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| Sammy's Circus Ride |
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| inside Jojo's Christmas Cottage |
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| Precious Moments Meditation Chapel |
I designed the chapel for those who wish to find a place of comfort and peace in their certain time of need. I have painted each mural for you and I have carefully selected each verse from the Bible as a way to instruct, inspire and bring the viewer closer to the Lord.
Everyone has a crisis, celebration and other reasons to call upon God in their lives and the chapel is a sanctuary for you to find Him in your special time of need.
The chapel does not represent a church or special church denomination. It was created for everyone. The verses that are used are simply from the same Bible that is used by Christians everywhere, it was designed like that so that people so people from all walks of life can feel that they are invited inside.
It is my pleasure for you to visit the Precious Moments Meditation Chapel and I trust that you will enjoy your stay at Sampaguita Gardens.
Samuel J. Butcher
artist, owner and founder of Sampaguita Gardens
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| Hahaha =) scary look... |
These are my photos when I got here the first time...
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| Sammy's Circus Ride |
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| going to Precious Moments Meditation Chapel |
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| Samuel John Butcher Mansion |
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| 43 feet aquarium |
Adult and kid's swimming pool
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| Jojo's Christmas Cottage at night |
Visit Sampaguita Garden's Official website at
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guimaras
It's our first time to plan a mega vacation with my other two siblings, Raymond and Riza. I am the eldest kaya itinerary ko ang nasunod, hehe... It will be a 4-in-1 vacation. Guimaras, Iloilo, with Washington, Aklan stop-over, where Sampaguita Gardens can be toured, and of course, ang paborito ng lahat, Boracay.
Our itinerary was to arrive at Iloilo airport to tour Guimaras and Iloilo. Travel by land from Iloilo to Caticlan, with stop-over at New Washington, Aklan to visit Sampaguita Gardens where Everyday is Christmas. We departed at Kalibo Airport coming from Boracay on the last day.
Our itinerary was to arrive at Iloilo airport to tour Guimaras and Iloilo. Travel by land from Iloilo to Caticlan, with stop-over at New Washington, Aklan to visit Sampaguita Gardens where Everyday is Christmas. We departed at Kalibo Airport coming from Boracay on the last day.
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| daddy saan ka ba talaga sumakay? Cebu Pac o PAL? |
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| Bantog siblings |
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| Sandoval Family with Janelle |
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| Bantog Family |
The ferry boats are easily being filled with commuters coming from Iloilo to Guimaras so I am wondering why we rented the whole boat from Ortiz Wharf in Iloilo to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras. So to save more, wait for the ferry to be full and pay only a minimal amount of Php12/person. The whole boat can be rented at Php400.
Located southwest of Panay, Guimaras is separated from Iloilo by the Iloilo Strait, a narrow channel which takes about fifteen minutes to cross by pump boat from the Ortiz landing in Iloilo to Jordan, Guimaras. Other ferries leave from the Parola wharf in Iloilo to the municipality of Buenavista, Guimaras. The Parola wharf is used exclusively whenever the water is rough. There is also a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry that travels around five times a day.
(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guimaras)
Guimaras is a fourth class island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas Region. Among the smallest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros. To the northwest is the province of Iloilo and to the southeast is Negros Occidental.
The province consists primarily of Guimaras Island, and also includes Inampulugan, Guiwanon (or Guiuanon), Panobolon, Natunga, Nadulao, and many minor surrounding islands. Geologists have concluded that the island once formed one landmass with Panay.
Guimaras, formerly known as Himal-us, was a sub-province of Iloilo until it was made an independent province on May 22, 1992.
(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guimaras)
We rented this service vehicle for Php450 from Jordan Wharf to Nueva Valencia.
Guimaras is well-known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 of these trees are planted. The Guimaras Island is famous for producing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world. Guimaras mangoes are reportedly served at the White House and Buckingham Palace. Guimaras' largest event of the year is The Manggahan Festival (The Mango Festival). The variety of mangoes produced are also best for making dried mangoes, jam and other delicacies.
(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guimaras)
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| parang laging may aagaw eh, hahaha =) |
We were accommodated at Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod, Poblacion, Nueva Valencia. Among the tourist destinations in the province, this is the most accessible to both local and foreign tourists. It is accessible by boat and land transportation. Tranquil cove like... beach line even during turbulent seas makes it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and fun games. Known for its pinky sand, blue waters, its rustic ambiance and panoramic view attract both local and international tourists. This resort has an area of 1,008 square meters. If one travels by land, Raymen Beach is 40 minutes from Jordan Wharf. If one chooses to travel by boat, it will take an hour from Iloilo Wharf. Contact Persons are Annabelle Estaya and Salvacion Gentizon with numbers 033-3960252/ 0918-5207271. Accommodations here are very affordable. We took the 4-beds-AC-bedroom good for 8 persons at Php1,700.00 only.
Island hopping is Php550/boat. We rented two boats for the group.
during the island hopping...
At the Pawikan Feeding Station in Brgy. Lawi, Jordan, Guimaras.
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| sleepy? hahaha =) |
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| jayshelle at Turtle Island |
Turtle Island
sands at the Turtle Island
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| hahaha =) |
After Guimaras we travel back to Iloilo and proceed to Caticlan by land in 5 hours. We rented a van good for all of us at Php 4,800. It is a good idea to rent a service vehicle so you can have stop-overs to tourist attractions like the Sampaguita Gardens located at New Washington, Aklan.
For accommodations in Guimaras, click here.
