Around Town: Fun Farm in Sta. Elena

There are places you like visiting, but there are some that are worth escaping to. Especially if your family lives in an urban setting, there’s nothing like breathing in fresh air, taking in lush scenery, and basking in recreational comfort that comes with interacting with nature. 

Just one hour away from Manila is such a haven, and it’s chock-full of family and kid-friendly attractions that are sure to etch wonderful memories. 

Located within the Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate in Laguna, the Fun Farm is just near the Cabuyao exit of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

The Fun Farm was developed by fashion designer and mom Hindy Weber-Tantoco about 10 years ago. “It was my husband Gippy's brainchild,” she says. “He wanted to offer the children in Sta. Elena an alternative play area, a place where they can commune with nature, run around, get dirty, and be free from all the chaos in the city,” all for only P300 per head.

The farm is home to an enterprise, including the Holy Carabao! Holistic Farms, which sells organic produce, as well as a yearly anticipated event, “Balik Bukid”, a country fair supporting local products, family-friendly activities, food and entertainment.

Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by nipa huts, freely roaming lambs, a sand playground, swings, a hanging bridge and mini-zipline for the adventurous. 

A pavilion beckons visitors to seek shade from the sun, to take a breather, or to indulge in some snacks or refreshments. Guests can also make use of the picnic tables near the pavilion. “The picnic grove is my favorite because I think it's a sacred space,” shares Hindy. “No matter how busy my day can get or how many people there are in the farm, when I go there, all is quiet and well.”

Kids can also have fun fishing for tilapia or feeding the ducks in the fish pond, or paddle a boat in the lagoon. 

Navigating the farm becomes a treat as anyone can feed carrots to adorable animals such as bunnies and guinea pigs within their own bamboo enclosures. Beside these, you’ll find a lovely group of ostrich right across horse stables, a pen for the farm’s plump pot-bellied pigs, and chicken coops. Visitors can also enjoy a carabao (water buffalo) cart ride or horseback rides, or they can bring their own bicycles to tour the farm via the bike trails.

 

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If guests are up for more activities, they can traipse the vicinity further to discover an obstacle course complete with bamboo structures for crawling under, an aerial walk, logs for clambering over, as well as for rappelling. There are washing and shower areas available for visitors’ convenience.

At present, Fun Farm also accommodates field trips, and venue bookings for birthday parties and weddings.

At the end of the day, it’s providing a different experience to children that has been most rewarding for Hindy, and there are plans to add more attractions to the farm. 

“We are working on a riding school, a special venue for events like weddings and art exhibits, as well as more Balik Bukid fairs,” she says. “I get so much [memorable feedback from parents] and mainly it's that their kids really enjoyed in a different way than what they're used to. Their kids really connected with the earth, the animals, and especially with their loved ones. [It’s about experiencing] the simple joys of childhood.”

Want to get a virtual tour of Fun Farm? Check out our snapshots when you click “View Slideshow”!

Fun Farm is located at the Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate in Barrio Malitlit, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily. For more information, visit http://holycarabao.com/. For inquiries and reservations, call 0920-913-1349, 0929-752-1076, 0918-888-6588, (049)573-2725 or 0939-803-2409.

 

Photos by George V. Cabig