To wake up early on a Sunday is not something usual in our household. That’s why on the morning of Mother’s Day 2014, I was up more than an hour early for fear of oversleeping and not having enough time for our trip to Balik Bukid.
“Balik Bukid?” my 6 year-old daughter asked quizzically when I told her what our plans are for Mother’s Day. Actually, I only heard about the event from my online mommy group. It sounded interesting, plus I was craving for something different to do on Sunday. Nakakasawa na kasi mag-mall. Week in and week out, our automatic go-to place is the mall. So when I found out about this country fair in Cabuyao, Laguna, I started researching about it.
Hindi naging mahirap maghanap ng information about the said event. Turns out this year’s is actually the fifth year that the organizers Gippy and Hindy Tantoco are holding this country fair. Ginaganap ito sa Sta. Elena Fun Farm sa Laguna. Sa aking pagbabasa tungkol dito, mas lalo akong natuwa dahil kakaiba ito sa usual pasyalan naming mag-anak.
Since the gates open at 8am, umalis kami ng bahay ng alas-7. It only took us around 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to the farm. We took SLEX, then the Cabuyao exit. From there, madali rin naman naming natagpuan ang aming destinasyon.
What’s nice about getting there is the free entrance. We were 5, plus the driver and we were able to get in without paying anything. However, may ilang activities na kailangang mag-bayad ng P350 para makasali. Napansin ko lang na turns out, hindi istrikto sa pag-check ng bracelet (proof that you paid P350) ang mga bantay sa animal feeding, horseback riding, etc. Actually, never may nag-check ng bracelets. Parang nanghinayang tuloy kami sa P700 (two entrance bracelets/pass) na binayad namin.
Anyway, maliban sa obserbasyong ito, natuwa naman kami sa aming naging karanasan sa Balik Bukid. Enjoying the outdoors is something my daughter misses, lalo na’t kapag summer ay mas gusto ko lang magkulong sa bahay dahil napakainit ng panahon. Sa Balik Bukid, my daughter got to run around the grassy areas, ride the swing and the see-saw, and bask in the sun.
Isa sa mga paborito naming activities doon ay ang animal feeding. The guinea pigs and bunnies were adorable, and really hungry. Or maybe they’re no longer hungry, dahil sa dami ba naman ng taong nagsusubo ng carrots sa kanila… maybe malakas lang talaga ang appetite nila. Nariyang mag-agawan sila sa iisang carrot stick, whereas nakailang beses na silang pinakain.
Our next stop was the Fishing Area. May kainitan lang sa lugar na ito due to the limited shady parts, but my kiddo didn’t stop until she was able to catch one tilapia. The smile on her face was priceless, as she couldn’t believe that she was, indeed able to catch a fish. My mom, who was also with us, was also able to catch a tilapia. Surprisingly, hindi pinansin ng anak ko ang boating area. She’d rather stay and see if she can catch another fish. Unfortunately, matatalino ang mga tilapia… kinukuha lang nila ang bulate pero hindi sila nagpapahuli.
We strolled further and we tried the swing made of rubber, rode the see-saw and tried the bamboo obstacle course. None of us dared to try the zipline, though. One factor was the scorching heat, we just wanted to proceed to the nearest faucet or washroom to wash our faces and change our shirts.
Alas-diyes pa lang ng umaga pero parang nakaramdam na kami agad ng gutom. So we opted to rest sa food area. Interesting ang lugar na ito, iba’t ibang klase ng pagkain, mostly organic and locally produced ang makikita mo. may kamahalan nga lang ang karamihan. May organic lechon, iba’t ibang klase ng salads, vegan food, at iba pa. We opted to try some empanadas, freshly buttered corn, sago’t gulaman and fruit shakes.
For the comfort of the visitors, they installed industrial fans and an ATM, and the washroom was well-stocked with paper towels and soap. Faucets were everywhere for those who want to freshen up every now and then. There was also a booth where families can borrow native mats that they can spread on the grass. Lounging around while parents watch their children run and play with new friends was a delightful sight, for this isn’t something we can normally do in the mall. Too bad they ran out of mats real fast. And because it was Mother’s Day, there was a huge board where love notes and greetings for moms can be scribbled on. I particularly love the garden sets they arranged by the trees. The idea was just awesome and the seats are just so tempting.
Pero ang pinakapaboritong bahagi ng anak ko ay ang Waldorf Activity Area. Isa itong malawak na tent kung saan naglagay sila ng malalaking banig. Inayos nila ito na mala-daycare complete with arts supplies and educational materials. May area din for pretend play. Dito ay nag-paint ang anak kong si Aliya ng abaniko, gumawa ng yarn art, at naglaro ng plato-platuhan/bahay-bahayan kasama ang mga bagong kaibigang doon lamang niya nakilala. The wooden play sets provided by Waldorf are interesting, as well as the rag dolls. Every little girl would surely love to have some of those at home.
Come lunch time and we bought chicken inasal, mais con hielo and ice cream. Pagkakain ay pumunta kami sa bazaar area kung saan maraming baguhang entrepreneurs ang nagbebenta ng mga interesting and mostly home-made products like perfume, soap, rag dolls, trinkets and jewelries. We went carabao-riding after and my daughter went back to fishing. As a souvenir, we bought a bubble making set woth P100. To end our day in Balik-Bukid, we listened to some ethnic music before heading home.
Sa kalahatan, naging masaya at kakaiba ang aming naging karanasan sa Balik Bukid. Sana’y mas dumalas pa ang ganitong mga events at maging mas accessible sa maraming pamilya. Sa panahon ngayon, nalilimitahan ang experiences ng batang Pinoy in the sense na hindi na sila halos nae-expose sa buhay sa bukid, kaunti na lang ang pagkakataong makihalubilo sa mga farm animals, at nasasanay na lamang sa paglalaro ng mga gadgets at panonood ng TV. Ang Balik-Bukid ay hindi lamang naging avenue for entrepreneurs to market their products, kundi isang napakagandang bonding activity para sa mga pamilya.
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