Kampo Berde...Where Love Is All Around!

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a place made with love... (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

There is indeed no place like home... but sometimes, we too need to give ourselves a chance to disconnect from our routines and allow our souls to rejuvenate, to heal. We need to go someplace..  A refuge for hearts-a-hurting. A haven for families to bond, rebuild connections. A sanctuary in finding romance and a retreat for individuals who seek inspiration....

As spiritual beings and like you and me, we all have this instinct....
an inner voice.....

a place where you can be free! (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

a force which tells us to go back to the source... The power source which holds the planets in place and drives us to wake up each sunrise. The power which moves our face muscles to smile and allow our hands to reach out to the people we share our lives with. The power which fuels our dreams to materialize. The power which inspires artists to create and poets to scribble. The power which aids us to stand up again in times of adversity and defeat... The power which fills us with life... The one power which we were basically made with. LOVE

Where can you find pristine love amidst this chaotic and ruthless world? I, my friends have found it in a secluded place not really far from busy polluted Manila. I found it in a humble place called KAMPO BERDE "The Green Camp" located in Alfonso, Tagaytay City.

the grand entrance!(photo by: Frank Ruaya)

Tagaytay is well known for its cool breeze, great quality beef, cheap produce and a great view of the world's smallest volcano. In all the fancy overlooking places in Tagaytay, why do I prefer Kampo Berde? The answer is really simple. For me, this place is special. why?... because it is a place made and maintained by LOVE. And with LOVE, you can never go wrong!

Your 1 way ticket to paradise starts as soon as you enter the gates and be greeted by a warm and loving smile by the people maintaining the place. Fall in love with the beauty of the blooms and greens which surround the area. Feel peace and tranquility as the cool breeze enfolds you... filling you with the energy which you need.

a symbol of undying love

Yes, this place is indeed made by love. Kampo Berde is managed by a very warm loving family headed by Mr Dan Villas and wife Cristina who have been happily married for many years and I would attest that they are still very much in-love with each other up to this very day...

A love that has stood the test of time...Something that is very rare to find nowadays. If only you could hear their love story, it'll surely send you a lot giggles (I'm such a love junkie). The place I believe is the living proof of the love which they share. You may find their symbol all over the place as reminder of how undying their love is. You can definitely feel that love is all around!

meet the Villas!

Maui, Buchak and me!

I have been very very fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend some of my weekends with them. Their 3 lovely daughters Michelle, Maui and Glyf plus their granddaughter Linsey is such a delight to be with! I feel that I have found a family in them. I have had my share of good laughs, great food and great conversations with the Villas! Just mere looking at them as they work and relax around the place makes me feel really good. I feel very safe in this oasis especially at times when my heart needs mending. It's the best place to bond with your friends and loved ones.

the fab facade (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

the facade at night (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

a very spacious place where you can run free and just be yourself!(photo by: Frank Ruaya)

The place is 2100sqms big. It has 1 huge bahay kubo which serves as the dining area with a kitchen right beside it. It has 1 main house which can accommodate 9 guests complete with toilet and bath, fridge, and a nice veranda. For those of you who wanna have a more "native" feel, you may opt to stay at the huge bahay kubo which can house up to 8 guests (with toilet and bath).

dining area (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

dine at the grand kubo! (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

the cozy main house! (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

relaxing beds.. (main house)

a great place to chill (main house)

toilet and bath (main house) (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

me acting crazy again!

you may also stay at the big kubo (good for 8pax)

toilet and bath (kubo house)

inside the kubo

sleeping time.... (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

Videoke with the gang (photo by Frank Ruaya)

Pick your perfect place under the sun with the various relaxing spots you can choose from. If you're a shutterbug like me, this place is truly a delight with the various subjects and flowers which you can photograph! It's an ideal place to hold photo shoots! Perfect for bondings of all sorts.. reunions, retreats, weekend barkada getaways etc.. a perfect place to make great memories!

great for photography enthusiasts!

great for bondings of all sorts!

meet the Mafia with big boss Frank!

hehehehe I may act silly most of the time but they still accept me nonetheless (Photo by Frank Ruaya)

It was a perfect day!!! (Photo by Badeth Compuesto)

Whenever I spend the weekend here, I really enjoy walking along the pavements, occasionally greeting the friendly animals and daydreaming while I lay my back at the hammock. I'm proud to say that there is no wifi in this place.... this means, you can really disconnect and have the "me" time you deserve!  

No temptations, No pressure, No stress... exactly what YOU NEED!!!

entrance to the main house. I really love walking along these pavements.. (photo by: Frank Ruaya)

chillax, reflect, rejuvenate, daydreaming about my crush.... *sigh*

my view while chilling at the hammock

hanging out with the resident animals!! They often holler for some fresh grass!

hehehehehe as long as I got the basics with me... I'll be fine!

plotting yet another evil plan...(photo by: Frank Ruaya)

The best thing you can do is to give yourself a breather... Disconnect from worldly worries and reconnect with your true self or spend it with the people who matter most to you. To really "recharge" isn't achieved by expensive spa treatments or massages..... it is attained by clearing your mind, spirit and filling it with much much LOVE...because it is what really fuels us to go on.

Time, Peace and Love.... the most precious things in life which I believe we should invest in. So go on... give in to what your heart tells you. Let the vibe of this place help fill your heart with the love and healing which you need! Let this place be the canvass as you paint smiles and memories to be etched in your heart and mind. Treat yourself and your family to an unforgettable weekend here at KAMPO Berde...

For rates and booking inquiries, you may email me at eamska@gmail.com

Special thanks to  Frank Ruaya of Eye Street Photography for providing this article with wonderful photos =)

A Reboot......

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..... like you, I also have my down days.... Days wherein I would have constant headaches and wished that I had nothing to do.
Days where I couldn't get any inspiration no matter how hard I try. Artist's block as what they call it.  I've been experiencing this for some weeks now.... been wanting to clear my head... a reboot! Of course, I just didn't sit around  and wait... instead, I  said yes
to what dear universe had to offer.

This weekend I got invited by Frank's family to join the 10th birthday celebration of Blashnel at their place in Montalban. I knew it was gonna be a grand experience as always as their family has been really really nice to me eversince I met all of them last year. What do I think of them? Cooler than cool!! One of the coolest families  I know. I've known some of them from my childhood days no wonder I feel at ease with them. They seem to be very fond of my antics and the kids are so fun to play with! With them I'm not ashamed of the crazy things which I do (they even seem to like them). I feel very at home and safe.... I can be myself. Another thing which I really like about them is that they are all very polite and humble. I hope they realize how fortunate they are for having such a happy home. I'm sure many people
would die to have that kind of clan. I am very much honored and blessed to be welcomed by them.

I may say, their place is pristine perfect! It may lack some of the basics for now but frankly speaking, it didn't
really matter, for having them all around plus the fantastic sceneries are more than enough.

My new favorite adobo by Ate She

a very tasty pancit canton

Ate She slicing Joewel's special Maja Blanca

Paypi and the birthday girl Blashnel!

Beans aka: Junatan

the resident loony intruder from the taliban land of Abu Ridu

makes me feel relaxed...

climbing our way to their place

Lana and JingJing

every minute cherished...

Rhea has been really really nice to me since I met her.

another spectacular view

yours truly while realizing how cold the water is....

father and daughter bonding

Blashnel with Pipay

Goofing around with Paul

and Beans of course!

I'm blessed to have been there to capture this moment. I knew I was at the right place and time.

today's drama: a crazy terrorist! lol

me with my hostage! ahahaha  I love this little lady a lot! she acts well too! lol

meet the uncle of the century... Frank

my new chum Julie

Badeth doing her thang!

it just felt sooo right!

Uncle Frank strutting his stuff....

 

and here is the masterpiece

a moment

a product of smart cropping...

priceless....

This place has given me the fresh air and inspiration which I have been searching for. It made me
wanna take meaningful photos once again. I can feel my instincts working more and I can now feel the shots as I click on my shutter. This place made me feel like I'm no photographer but more of
a storyteller. Yes, a storyteller! When I sing a song, I tell a story. When I write songs and lyrics.. I tell stories.
I write articles and tell tales.
When I take photos, I also make more and more stories. My life has been all about telling tales of people and mine.

Photography is but only a part of the other forms of self expression which I'm into.
I may not have recovered from these migraines yet but at least I have filled myself with much gladness.

Honestly speaking, there are also times wherein I wish
I was never an artist so that I can live a more simple life... Sometimes I wonder why some people tell me
how much they wanna be more like me. .. couldn't help but think if my life is really that "ideal" to be
idolized by some.... My life, like yours has its own yins and yangs which we all need to balance to achieve harmony.

hhmmm I guess the only thing which sets me apart from other women is that I'm one of the few females who live with conviction. I have somehow learned not to be threatened by the stupid norms which are still very much clouding the society. I've achieved a balance in a sense that, I see myself as a very modern and liberated woman and at the same time choose to be very conservative in many many ways. I guess I'm not that liberated at all due to my conservative principles and morals which I always defend.
 I'm not saying I'm the best but I do know that 

I'm perfect the way I am... like you!

So my message to those who wanna be like me, thank you for choosing me as your ideal person but  please don't ever dare to be like me because I'd like you all  to be yourselves instead.. like what I did! =)

You can only be yourself  so might as well, invest your energies in developing your gifts rather than being someone you're not. Do your own thing... Cast you own spells and discover the gem in you.

As for my finale  this weekend, I'd like share to you what I had for lunch as sort celebration for surviving yet another chaotic week. It's more than just food for me... it's basically fried fish with red sauce and cheese... but to me it's more of a symbol of something good which I deserve.

Peche Parmigiana: this week's reward

Overall, I'm still very much thankful for everything around me.

May you all have a great week ahead!!