Upon the invitation of noted landscape artist and plant grower extraordinaire Jaime Chua, a small group of the Philippine Orchid Society (POS) members flew last weekend to Cebu to visit his farm and tour the city and environs.

We arrive early morning Saturday and were met at the airport with a van lent to us by a friend of mine for the weekend. POS President Susan Lee’s friend, Esther Lim, was on hand to bring us to The Reef Condotel for a hearty buffet breakfast.

Being thus fortified, the group proceeded to the Temple of Leah, a shrine to the late wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, of Teodorico Adarna, now termed the Taj Mahal of the Philippines. It’s a magnificent Roman-style temple with Doric columns, marble statues, and a grand staircase featuring a massive statue of Leah on the landing. Filipinos, being suckers for a grand romance, are now flocking to it as a unique tourist attraction in Cebu. Its location on a mountainside with a view of Cebu City adds to its allure.

Next, we got a taste of the famous Cebu lechon at the House of Lechon. After stuffing ourselves full, it was time for a shopping spree of Cebu goodies. We had tasted bolinao, a small dried fish, at the Reef and had to buy some to bring home. There was dried squid, dried mango, otap, and more goodies as well.

It was time to check in to the Seda Central Bloc, freshen up and rush to the Nustar Hotel and Casino for a long-anticipated dinner at Mott 32, famed for its Peking duck. It was a sumptuous meal, with the Peking duck sharing top honors with the super-tender and tasty Iberico pork char siu. Thus ended our first full day in Cebu.

The apartment-style room we booked was spacious with a well -equipped kitchen and the furnishings were first class. We slept well after an early morning flight and a hectic first day. The buffet breakfast featured a wide variety of food and we definitely had more than we should have.

We proceeded to Esther’s place in an exclusive neighborhood up in the hills overlooking the city. What a revelation it was! A definitely modern house that should be in an architectural magazine, it features a sweeping view of the city from expanses of glass walls that open to the outdoors to an infinity pool. Esther’s husband, Perry, being in the construction business, spared no expense in showcasing their company’s products in their home. The wall paneling was superb with different textures, and were I to redecorate our home, it would be with this beautiful, classy material that lasts years and doesn’t need painting.

After tarrying a bit to admire Lim’s well-landscaped abode, it was time to finally meet Jaime, who warmly welcomed us to his two-hectare farm full of beautiful plants that he uses for his landscaping projects and as décor for events he caters to. A large pond provides a beautiful view from a pavilion-style living room which offers serene sight of water lilies with large white and red flowers.

This being a POS activity, our attention turned to Jaime’s collection of orchids especially his “waling waling” and other Philippine species. We had a great time choosing orchids for shipping back to Manila. Jaime served a “simple” lunch which turned out to be sumptuous. Esther brought baked scallops to add to the feast.

The next destination was The Tops, which boasts of a fantastic view of the city from its mountain perch. A multi-story building allows for many activities in a cool atmosphere and many restaurants to choose from.

Our last destination was Senorito’s Garden, a 50-hectare spread owned by the Lhuilleirs. Jaime’s friend, Norberto Siacor, is the garden’s landscaper who did a great job with this wide expanse. Hundreds of flowering bougainvilleas dot the landscape in a riot of colors. A pavilion that can seat a hundred guests welcomed us with a nice merienda spread.

Norbert outdid himself with a landscaped “forest” that features lots of orchids, ferns, bromeliads, rare variegated plants of all kinds, statuary, palms and trees festooned with Spanish moss. But the piece de resistance has to be its restrooms adorned with big aquarium walls in its cubicles, with koi and other large fishes swimming around while you do your ablutions.

It was then time to head back to the city, pick up our pre-ordered Cebu lechon before the flight home. But we will be back to the Queen City of the South soon for a stay at Safari Garden, featuring a stay at its villas where you have a wake-up call from the giraffes from your window.

With local destinations like these, coupled with relatively cheap airfares, we should patronize our domestic tourist spots more. Agree?