Hidden Garden, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

It lives by its name - it is hidden. The Hidden Garden in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is one of the city's most popular attractions. But because it's situated in a remote baranggay, tourists who are on a quick backpacking spree pass up on the garden to get the most of the nearer attractions.

We got a kalesa in Vigan's Plaza. The price is P150 per hour (although I've heard that you can still haggle the price to a hundred.) It took about 20-25 minutes for us to get to the Hidden Garden.

The Hidden Garden is owned by Francisco Flores, a landscape architect. Four years ago, it started as Flores' personal garden therapy. After suffering from three heart attacks, he knew it was time to change his lifestyle; and thus, the Hidden Garden came about. After a few years, it became a business. Today, the Hidden Garden stands as a showroom. They sell a wide range of plants at very low prices - bonsai, fortune plants, etc. They also offer landscape services.

But more than just being a showroom, it offers a very relaxing ambiance. Here, you'd find shades, greens, wooden chairs, blooming flowers, colorful birds, and friendly smiles.

Right in the heart of this hidden bliss lies the Lilong and Lilang Coffeeshop. The Lilong and Lilang Coffeeshop is famous for its Ilocokano specialties - bagnet, pakbet, dinengdeng, longganisa, and empanada. Tourists also never fail to give their refreshing drinks a try. Fruit shakes and buko juice are perfect thirst quenchers after a long kalesa ride.

If you want to buy plants, it is ideal to drop by the garden during the day so you can scour every corner in broad daylight.

But, if you're looking for a relaxing ambiance, visit the garden at night time. Enjoy the low lights and the chirping of birds in the background.

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