In Ibaan, Batangas, lies a tranquil escape called Kilyawan Farm Resort, an idea born during the three-year pandemic.

With restrictions in place everywhere, the 8.5-hectare property provided its owners, the Ganzon family, more than enough space to commune with nature.

Kilyawan is situated inside Villa Vicenta Farms and is just a 90-minute drive from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway.

Vicenta, who was married to businessman Bienvenido Medrano, is the name of the maternal grandmother of the Ganzon girls running the resort. Medrano was the first in Ibaan to establish various large companies — Ibaan Electric Corporation, Bangko Kabayan and California Manufacturing Company, makers of Lady's Choice and Monterey Farm — which provided employment and services to the people.

Francis and Tess Ganzon, the latter being the daughter if the Medramos, lived in the farm for 20 years while their daughters were pursuing their careers. It was during the lockdown when three of their daughters – Tina, Fiddy and Ces — rediscovered farm living along with their husbands and children. 

They wanted to share their experience with everyone, starting with the community, as they took turns running, walking and biking in the orchard, mask-free. Thus began Kilyawan, the farm resort.

Harvest of the earth

The local black-naped oriole (kilyawan) may have been the first to find the space a safe haven, as they flock to the place that now beckons to people seeking nature's embrace.

To explore the orchard, the resort offers a day tour where guests can hop onto the tractor or go on foot for a brief interaction with native farm animals. The farms grows various fruit trees, plants and vegetables but its three main products are cacao, golden queen mangoes and bamboo.