A Holy Week Tagaytay Escapade

My friend Yum asked me to do her wedding. She's in Qatar together with her family and fiance. It's really an honor for me to be her wedding planner since we've been good friends for more than 20 years. We live in the same building at Bliss and grew up together like sisters.
Since I love doing events, I am very happy to give her my services. It started from family reunions, my own wedding, my son's birthday, friends' wedding, or hosting somebody else wedding had become my diversion aside from teaching.
Anyway, it was a thrill for me to go around and look for a wedding venue for Yum at Tagaytay. It is now the wedding capital of the Philippines because of its romantic scenery and fresh ambiance. Fortunately, we have a house there so it is also a chance to visit my mom. We stayed there for 4 days. The 4 glorious days of rest!
It doesn't seem to be a "Holy Week" were every one should be in solemnity to remember Jesus' death. People from Manila swarmed Tagaytay to take advantage of this long days of no work. The main road is in heavy traffic going to Batangas where people want to take a break by the beach. While the others relaxed and enjoy the cool breeze of Tagaytay. By the way Tagaytay is also a haven of delicious cuisines, and restaurants which serves different delicacies.
First stop, Tagaytay Japanese Garden. It is located just beside Picnic Grove. It is usually rented for Christian weddings. Enough to hold 200 guests. Most plants, of course, are Japanese. Dominated by Bonsai and Pine Trees. You'll love the fresh air and the smell of fresh pines. The grass should be green, unfortunately we found it dry and dusty. I've talked to the caretaker, she said it is the effect of El Niño. Yes, even Tagaytay is getting warm nowadays. Only at night time you'll feel the cold air. But she said, as the weather shifts to colder months the garden will revive its green and flowers and will soon be blooming. So right in time for Yum's wedding, the garden will be spectacular!


We tried to avoid the main road because of the traffic. As we headed back, we turned to SVD road and saw "Moongarden". I was intrigued by its marvelous gate. So I asked my hubby to stop so I can check out the place. My mom went with me inside and we were surprised to see such a lovely garden. A pavement with hanging colorful flowers which leads to this serene parlor where wooden antique chairs and tables is facing a glorious pond. I am not very much familiar with different plants and flowers but whatever that floats on that pond is truly a grand site. We can't help but take pictures of us together with magnificent portraits of flowers hanging on the wall. It offers a comfort away from home, it is a place you can repose and recharge. We've talked to the owner, Peter, a Belgian with gray eyes. We were laughing to find out that he is very fluent in speaking Tagalog yet at first we tried to speak in English. He lives in Tagaytay for 20 years now. He is nice and accommodating. A place like this costs P40,000. Yum wants to have the wedding with live band and Peter said it would be impossible to do that because Moongarden is just beside SVD, a religious house, I thought Japanese Garden maybe best for the wedding ceremony and reception and Moongarden will be their honeymoon spot. I reserved a room for Yum and Erwin because I want to them to experience the serenity of Moongarden. This is still of course under the couple's approval. If they want they could stay here during their wedding day. Room is only P2000 per night.

Last stop is Bag of Beans. I love kapeng barako so I take this moment to stop at the famous coffee shop in Tagaytay. The smell of brewed coffee is a haven as you enter the premises. We took the steps going down
and surprised us with the zen inspired restaurant. Must try of course it their kapeng barako. Nothing beats it! Then order their cinnamon roll, perfect combination with your coffee.We also tried the raisin bread loaf and their lasagna. Truly a sumptuous meal! Bag of Beans offers the best coffee in the world and of course expensive which is the roasted Coffee Alamid which has a sweet, chocolaty aroma that heightens the senses -- light and naturally sweet. What makes this amazingly expensive is that the coffee beans are digested by the Philippine civet (a cat) which ferments the coffee beans and excreted as whole beans. Interesting! Maybe next time I'll try the Alamid coffee. We didn't notice it was already getting dark because we were so engaged with our conversation and the place is very relaxing that you don't want to leave yet. There's still next time. Well, I'm really excited to tell my friend about my discoveries today. That's what I like about wedding preparations, there's always adventure and new discoveries.