A Trip to Fun Farm

I was at Bonifacio High Street once and a mom was exclaiming how her toddler was touching grass on his feet for the very first time that day. I realized how experiences that were most probably "natural" for us then have to now be scheduled and, for lack of a better word, "fabricated" for our own kids. While we grew up running on grass, occasionally getting mud on our feet, finding salagubang in the park, picking up leaves from the ground and using them in our imaginary kitchen in our imaginary sinigang, most of our own kids know of rubber puzzle mats, airconditioned playgrounds and motorized wind up salagubang (aka Mushikings hehe!). I was even thinking some kids probably think fruits came into supermarket shelves the way canned goods do, and would be so surprised to learn that fruits grew on trees!And this is why places like FUN FARM are such a hit, not only to us parents who yearn for our kids to go back to basics, (away from the gadgets) and just have good, simple fun, but more for our kids who will learn about what we had, and love it because it is a totally new experience for them.Our last trip to the farm was for the birthday of Javi, son of Renan and PJ. PJ is one of my close friends from High School. I was excited to be with my friends again and celebrate Javi's birthday together, at the same time I was excited to be at Fun Farm with them. Only Zach and Reese could come though because Gary and Coby had a basketball game that Saturday.It was a perfect day for a day at the farm. The afternoon was sunny but thankfully cool. We found PJ with birthday celebrant Javi and her sister Joanna and her kids enjoyed this carabao cart ride. A rare and fun treat for city kids.Here's my Reese posing with the carabaoAfter one round around the farm on horseback with this beautiful stallion, we went on to feed the bunnies and guinea pigs.Fun Farm's staff were very helpful and we noticed very generous with the carrots. Lucky guinea pigs! Then the bunnies--I think she planned to take this home in her basket heehee:)Me and Reese, and the bunnies...There were ducks roaming aroundand Zach was doing the same:)There was also a small pond with tilapia where we could fish. Worms would be used as bait and these normally hyperactive kids sat down for some time motivated to get a catch.Joshua and Anya fishing.......and Joshua now with Zach...fishing teaches patience. Joshua is proof of that haha)Pascale and Inigo waiting for a biteWith a little time and patience (or A LOT, in the case of Joshua), almost everyone caught a fish. Zach and I caught a medium-sized one which we threw back into the pond. I was surprised that Reese who is the animal-lover in our family, preferred to stay away as soon as she realized that the fish might be getting hurt by the hooksInstead she chose to escape to the sandbox playgroundWe even had some seesaw time togetheruntil she discovered the zipline!Excitedly, she went into the teepeeand cautiously crossed the hanging bridge into the other teepee where the Fun Farm crew was waiting.Here, the staff put the safety harness on herand off she went!the first of countless zipline rides she had that dayZach tried the zipline too and soon the kids just took turns all the way till sunset.The day was a memorable one. Part of going back to nature is being able to focus on company instead of activity. Check out our friend, my twinny Pauline who encourages all of you to come to the Fun Farm. (If you are not encouraged by her happy pose, there's something wrong with you, hehe.)It's not a surprise to know that behind Fun Farm is a mom as well and most of us know and admire her, Hindy Weber Tantoco. When we featured Hindy in Urban Mom last 2012, she shared about her motivation for moving out of the city and opted for a slower pace, natural and more intentional lifestyle for herself and her family. She mentioned in that interview with Urban Mom editor, Jing Lejano, that she enjoys many days strolling in the farm with her kids and just allowing them to do what they want and enjoy nature."Honor your calling...Everybody has one."Thankful for Hindy Tantoco who heeded her spiritual call to set up this space not only for her own family to enjoy but made it available to other families like ours.Thanks Javi and your mom and dad for the super fun time! Happy birthday!!---BALIK•BUKID, Fun Farm's very popular country fair is all set!Celebrate Mother's Day at Fun Farm's BALIK BUKID happening on May 11, Sunday8am-6pm | FREE Entrance | P350 all-inclusive for kids' activities. SHOPPING BAZAAR • LIVE MUSIC • KIDS DAYCARE • COCKTAILS • SPA&HEALING • FRESH FLOWERS • YUMMY HEALTHY FOOD • PICNIC GROUNDS • LOADS OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES.Shop ~ Feast ~ Play ~ Unwind ~ Spoil your Mother!Contact 09088878348 for details or find us onTwitter+ IG: @balikbukidfairTo learn more about Fun Farm: http://holycarabao.com/?page_id=41or The Holy Carabao farm for organic produce: http://holycarabao.com/TO learn more about Balik Bukid: https://www.facebook.com/balikbukidThink of the Fun Farm for field trips, family picnics, birthday parties, weddings, and other special occasions! From Fun Farm's website:Entrance Fee is Php 300 per head (2 yrs old and above), inclusive of all activitiesOperating Hours 9am-4pm. By appointment only.For bookings and inquiries, email us at holycarabao@gmail.com or call 0920 468 8785Farm Activities & Amenities: Carabao-cart riding, Horseback-riding, Animal feeding (bunnies/guinea pigs), Mini Fishing, Mini Row-boating, rope course & obstacle course, mini zipline, outdoor playground, running and biking trails, sandbox house, Farm Pavilion, picnic grounds.Directions to Fun Farm:FROM SLEX / SOUTHBOUND:Exit Cabuyao / Sta Elena. After tollgate, make a right. About 500 meters is the Sta. Elena Village Gate. Enter there and follow the sign to the Fun Farm (Holy Carabao is within the premises of the Fun Farm).