Sampaguita Gardens is more than the Christmas Cottage. The Resort includes The Gallery which host Mr. Butcher’s private collection of his artworks. It includes collector’s items of Precious Moments porcelain figurines, his paintings in oil and watercolor. The centerpiece of The Gallery is a replica of his private residence in the US, which I was informed (by the receptionist/tour guide) underwent three major revisions to suit Mr. Butcher’s taste and spent Php 500,000.00 for the final product.
The Gallery also houses memorabilia’s, certificates and plaques of appreciation from various organizations. It also serves as a viewing room of a video on how Mr. Butcher started drawing and painting, which was later known all over the world as Precious Moments. Included in the video is a presentation on how he built the Precious Moments Chapel by the Sea at Sampaguita Gardens, the second ‘Precious Moments Chapel’ after the one in Carthage, Missouri(I will upload in my next post a video I made of the Chapel at Sampaguita Gardens).
Sampaguita Gardens Resort and Spa, more popularly known simply as Sampaguita Gardens in 506 Rizal Street, Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan, a 10-minute ride from the Kalibo Airport aims to be a world-class resort for local and foreign guests. Not a far out idea especially that Mr. Samuel J. Butcher, the creator of ‘Precious Moments’ and a stockholder of the resort is the one responsible for the creative design for most part of the resort.
The (Jojo’s) Christmas Cottage, a three-storey structure including the attic, with a very Western interior and majestically seats at the center of the resort is considered to be the most popular attraction in the resort and have served at its landmark since it started commercial operation in June 2003. Considered to be the only all-year round Christmas Store in the country, it manufactures and distributes Precious Moments dolls, not only of American influence but have extended to recognize Asian culture such as Chinese Angel Doll and Precious Moment Thai Doll which sells from Php 1,000.00 to Php 2,000.00 a piece online.
The ‘cottage’ also sells Philippine hand-crafted gift items, Christmas decors and souvenir items. Proceeds of sales from dolls sold are donated to the Samuel. J. Butcher Foundation which supports the Children Library and Feeding Program of the Province of Aklan.
Sonya’s Garden Country Cottages Bed and Breakfast is one of the better sights I’ve seen at dusk lately. More than the imposing structures of what appeared to me as Old-English cottages for (their) accommodation, is the lush and rolling wildflower garden with numerous ground lamps in various colors that come so alive like fireflies at night!
I am sharing with you here a video clip I have made of a scene which I will remember forever, being by nature amazed with anything that lights up and give color to the darkness of the night.
What started to be a retirement home for Sonya have become an envy of a retirement home for everyone. It’s not only a sanctuary of wildflower species and herbs, not only known for its dining at the Conservatory and bed and breakfast at the Cottage Inn, but it has extended its hospitality to nourishing the soul through its Sensous Spa; the body by offering freshly-baked breads and homemade spreads through its Panaderia; and The Greenhouse is now open for functions.
I am sharing with you here a short video clip featuring, among others, the three (3) new places at Sonya’s :
Casino Filipino at the Manila Pavilion is one of the better lighted buildings in the Metro at the onset of the Christmas Season. If you happen to be in the vicinity, that is at the corner of U.N. Avenue and Ma. Orosa Streets in Manila, pulling over to watch the amazing display of lights at the Hotel (incidentally, now under the management of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos) is well worth it.
I am sharing here a short video I have taken few days ago:
Intarsia – a form of wood laying within a solid matrix. It is a craft using varied shapes, sizes and species of wood fitted created together to create an almost 3-D inlaid, mosaic-like picture. The word intarsia came from the Latin word ‘intersere’ which means ‘to insert’ developed in Siena, Italy in the 13th century by crafters using inlays of ivory inserted in wood as well as wood inserted in wall murals, table tops and other furniture. Originally though, the art of Intarsia was developed in the Islamic world and introduced into Europe through Sicily before it was finally perfected in Siena. (Lifted from Wikipedia).
Ron, my brother in law, makes Intarsia and four of his “handcrafted” artworks are located in our family house in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, one is Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, and two in Manila. Above (“Horse”) is the piece Ron brought as present to us when he first visited in November 2004.
Here is a piece dedicated to my father who loved the sports of ‘cockfighting’:
After seven months of blogging and more than a hundred posts, 200 images and videos uploaded, and an attempt to close down at one point, Constantine is reborn! After a record breaking number of entries here at BKS for NovemBoracay Series, Constantine is re-baptized! Constantine shall now be known by his new name and signature:
How a name came about may not be explained better by the one who have it, but by the person who gave it. I am importing here a comment by John when Ritch asked why the name ‘Torn’:
Mt. Luho, Bat Cave, Crystal Cave (also known as Bat Cave 2) are places strange to me before I got to Boracay, but no longer when I left the Island.
As if things have fallen on their right places, we witnessed, on our last night, fireworks display in Station 2 (a portion of which is included in the video in my previous post).
For the last day, I ended it with an adventure, not on the beach, but in Boracay’s highest peak at 100-ft above sea level – Mt. Luho (Viewpoint/Viewdeck).
Let me share with you a short video of Boracay’s other side as we navigate the road less travelled:
It is at night that Boracay really comes alive! Wine and dine at the beach, in restaurants, or in d*talipapa, shopping at d*mall, henna tatoo and hair braid shops are still open among others, and the adventure never stops until dawn.
I am sharing with you here a short video I have made of clips taken at night:
It is in the afteroon that Boracay starts to come alive. It’s when most people are out strolling in the beach, shopping in alleys, doing sports, or simply sitting on the sand or taking a while somewhere else at sunset.
I have uploaded here a short video taken in the afternoon, showing some activities on the shores of Boracay before the sun sets:
One fast growing sports in Boracay is ’skimboarding.’ We met skimboarder’s Mads (and his companion, I forgot the name) one night in Station 1 and we had the pleasure to try the sports with their help. It was so fortunate that it was in the evening – no one else saw how we tripped and stumbled; and unfortunate because we never had a perfect routine. (Videos of skimboarding on the next page.)
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Posted by biagkensiak 
Posted by biagkensiak 
Posted by biagkensiak 
here at BKS for NovemBoracay Series, Constantine is re-baptized! Constantine shall now be known by his new name and signature:
