Tour to My Garden 2022

 

Zimarinthegarden is for Rental

Zimarinthegarden is located in Neogan, Tagaytay City, Philippines.  It is 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Makati City, Metro Manila with bearable traffic.  The climate is pleasant with cooler temperatures at night.  It is perfect for couples who want to celebrate their special moments, small groups of friends who need to recharge from a busy work week, or for families who would like to spend their bonding moments during a quiet and relaxing weekend away from the city.  

The house is surrounded with lavish greenery in a slope area of 900 square meters.  It is a tiny house reminiscent of the Fil-Hispanic era with century windows and doors, and collections of antiques and other vintage finds as decorations, which makes the house feel like a time capsule.  You can hear birds tweeting, see butterflies and dragonflies fleeting around the man-made falls or in the garden with hundreds of varieties of plants. 

Our guests will have exclusive access to our facilities, which include:  Two (2) fan-cooled bedrooms, a living room, Two (2) kitchens, indoor and outdoor dining areas, two gazebos, Ifugao house, Bohemian tent, and two (2) parking slots.  Very clean indoor toilets/showers with heater, and another one (1) accessible from the garden area.   The entertainment room is available only by request and for additional fee. It is equipped with television, kitchen, dining area, and toilet/bathroom. 

A taste of Tagaytay freshly brewed coffee welcomes guests upon arrival. Filipino Breakfast may be provided upon request and for additional fee.  Airport transfer may be arranged as well for an additional fee.

Pet dogs are allowed. 

Our caretaker is available to assist you, but she will stay out of your way unless needed. 

If you have any questions during your stay or you need assistance which is beyond the caretaker’s duties, do not hesitate to call me at (+63) 917 8095291 or (+63) 968 3061336. 

Friendly important things to note:

Staying in Zimarinthegarden is by invitation only, treat it as if it is your home.  Likewise, this is a gated subdivision and we are abide to follow simple rules:

1.        The guest who made the booking must be present for the duration of the staycation Period. Otherwise, please advise ahead of time.

2          Advise the gate guard that you are “guests” of the Mendiolas.  Per subdivision’s       security policy, they will ask for your Driver’s License. Please comply, this is for your
own security too.

3.         If you intend to cook, you may bring all your cooking condiments (e.g. oil, vinegar, salt, sugar, charcoal, etc.).

4.         Water is safe to drink, but suggest you may opt to bring your own drinking water. 

5.         Tipping is not necessary, but if you wish to show your appreciation to the caretaker,  it is most welcome.

6.         If you have lost or forgotten any of your personal belongings, please inform the host  immediately.  Any unclaimed items will be disposed of 10 days after your check-out.

7.         Hope you take good care of the items as they are rare/old/expensive pieces and,
most of all, with sentimental value to me.  Items must not be taken away as souvenirs.

  8.         Other simple family rules:

            -  When you are kind, you are WELCOME.
            -  When you LAUGH, laugh OUT LOUD.
            -  When you TALK, talk A LOT.
            -  When you LOVE, love A LOT.
            -  When you GIVE THANKS, be grateful.
           
            P.S.
            -  When you OPEN something, please CLOSE it.
            -  When you SWITCH it ON, please SWITCH it OFF.
            -  When you MOVE it, please PUT it BACK.
            -  When you MAKE a MESS, please CLEAN it UP.
            -  When you USE it, please HANDLE WITH CARE.
            -  When you BREAK it, please REPLACE or PAY for it.
            -  When you DON'T KNOW how to operate it, please ASK the CARETAKER.

ENJOY THE PLACE and MAKE MEMORIES.

Rate   (Per room – sharing with other guests):  P1,500/room/day for 2 persons

             (additional person will be charged P500/day, minimum of 3.  if no occupant in the
             other room, maximum of 4). 

            (Whole house) :      P4,500/day for 2-6 persons

                                                   P6,500/day for 7-10 persons

 Check-in and check-out:  1PM and 12PM, respectively.

Early check-in or Late check-out Request:  If the room is available before check in, or
            there will be no in coming guests on your departure, we allow request up to 2 hours
            without an additional fee.  Requests for late check-out or early check-in must be made
            within 3 days before the arrival date.
            In excess of two hours will be charged an additional fee of PhP500 per hour.

Guests and Visitors (Occupant for the whole House only):  You may entertain guests

            during day time but in no case,  the total number of guests must not exceed 15,
            including the headcount as booked.  Please advise ahead of time.  We have enough
            plates, cutlery and glasses for your groups.

Payment:      To guarantee the booking, an advance deposit which is one-night room charge is required.  Bank account will be made available upon request. 

Cancellation Fee:  Three (3) days prior to arrival date is free.  Two (2) days prior to arrival date    or no show fee is equivalent to one (1) night room charge.

Thank you very much.


 

Hosting a Party

Christmas Party in my Gardenhouse

I always enjoy hosting parties specifically during Christmas as it is the best season to gather families, relatives and friends.  Hosting a Christmas Party needs at least some preparation and a lot of thinking.  It puts a lot of pressure on how to make the guests feel the festive atmosphere, not to mention the choice of a delicious/bountiful food to serve.  I like keeping the party simple and less expensive yet providing a luxe feel which make it more fabulous.

I may not be an expert to give tips but it always surprises my guests (and me) that I could bring such a joyful feel—may it be the ambiance, the decorations and the camaraderie or plainly there is love in what I am doing.  Things always come out so great.  Here are some simple ideas to get you started:

1. Put love in what you do.  (What you think, what you feel and what you do must move in harmony.)
2. Think of a theme to start with (e.g. type of meal, food to serve, buffet or sit-down, the work space, occasion)
3. Gather your tables, chairs, linens, table wares and accessories (it does not have to be the same.  Create mix and match pieces.)
4. Create a focal point, a centerpiece (my favorites are things derived from nature coupled with collected items that look vintage and even rusty over time. I think it is the easiest and most inexpensive way to decorate but always gives an elegant look.  Include a lot of greens, reds, blues and glittering elements that could work perfectly for Christmas. Add some lights for a festive feel.)
5. Do not over crowd.  (Keep the balance of decorating.)
6. Lastly, do not expect anything from guest/s. (Expecting meet disappointments whereas in hoping, we invite surprises … and even miracles.)

Below are some pictures to show how fun it can be surrounded with your love ones and pictures that illustrate how amusing to decorate with love when you free yourself from the present time to another whimsical dimension.  Enjoy decorating or better yet enjoy hosting a party!  

So enjoy the Christmas Season.  Wrap the presents. Prepare your home in a festive way.  Make memories with your family & friends.  BUT DO NOT LET THIS CHRISTMAS PASS WITHOUT SPENDING SOME TIME WITH JESUS!

My elementary & highschool friends. I salute you  myfriends.

MY FAMILY -- the love of my life

Our dogs that keep us jolly ...

So happy to be with Roger and Tess Anderson

My college friends -

Hermie & Bernie below ...

Congratulations to Romy & Tita Maranan for having such a wonderful children.  Wendel, Marj & Em

Marj Maranan

3 pictures below were taken by Roger Anderson. Nice shots.

Hug Your Love Ones

A Tribute to My Mama dearest

We are nine in the family and each one of us has different characters.  My mom was also surrounded with difficult people.  But how did she deal with us?  With full of love and understanding.  She told me once, that she has also attitude problem but each morning she would ask for God’s forgiveness and the Lord never get tired of her.  She said her prayers at 4:00 in the morning without fail.  In spite of so many adversities in her life, I am honored to learn from the way my mom lived and loved.

“Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.” – Luke 7:47

The passing away of my mom was the lowest point and the most difficult time in my life.  Letting go of the crying, releasing the grief and the healing of loneliness are too easy said than done. 

“Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8b NLT)

During my mourning, I learned the real meaning of empathy.  I become more prayerful.  In pray for all the departed loves ones and all souls in purgatory.   To  the real persons who wept and comforted me in the most difficult season of my life, I thank you from the bottom of my heart-- I will always be indebted to you.

I would not be like what I am now if not because of my mom.  To you my mama dearest, your memories will always remain in our hearts.

Going to my gardenhouse reminds me of the loss and it triggers the pain.  Most of the times, I find myself both crying and laughing as my house has full of my mom's good memories.   Slowly, I am in the process of going to the path towards healing.  Sharing with you some photos of the last contribution of my mom in my garden house.  Aren’t they lovely?

- Key to overcoming loneliness is to “STOP BUILDING WALLS AND START BUILDING BRIDGES”.

- I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.                –Mother Theresa.

New collections ...

Other surprises in my garden ...