As part of the media team invited to cover the Bambanti Festival, we took a 10-hour trip from Manila to Isabela. Our first stop was a welcome dinner at Meraki Garden in Reina Mercedes.
Meraki Garden spans 4.2 hectares and has over 3,000 varieties of bougainvilleas sourced from different parts of the Philippines. The owner has a profound love for these flowers. Also, the garden offers various amenities to ensure a delightful visit, including an events space, café, and a children’s playground featuring a train ride.
Meraki Garden Experience
Upon our arrival, we were directed to the events space for dinner. In the middle of gorgeous flora and vibrant hues, we had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Lyn Marcaida, the garden’s owner, who shared the story behind Meraki.
Meraki Garden opened in September 2021, amidst the pandemic. During the lockdown, Ms. Lyn decided to pursue her passion for gardening and growing bougainvilleas. She meticulously sourced the best and most beautiful bougainvilleas from around the Philippines. She shared that she contracted COVID-19, and her therapy became her plants and flowers.
As her collection flourished, friends encouraged Ms. Lyn to share her botanical haven with the public. Embracing this idea, she expanded the property’s amenities to enhance visitors’ experiences. The name “Meraki,” derived from the Greek word meaning “to do things with love,” reflects the garden’s ethos, evident in its Greek-inspired aesthetic of blue and white tones.
Ms. Lyn, the owner of Meraki Garden
Our dinner at Meraki Garden was a culinary delight, featuring a selection of delectable Isabeleño dishes and an array of delicious kakanin. These desserts were heavy and rich, but I made sure to sample them all.
The garden offers an array of attractions suitable for families, including the Taverna Café which provides food and beverages for guests.
Children will also enjoy the playground, train rides, and trampoline. Also, there are daily performances by a local band, and on weekends, when more families visit, magician performers entertain guests. For special occasions, the event space can accommodate up to 150 guests, making it ideal for celebrations and gatherings.
We also had the opportunity to revisit Meraki Garden the following day to see the property in daylight. The difference between seeing it at night and in the morning was striking. We were awed by the bougainvilleas in various shades of orange, red, and violet. Plant enthusiasts can also explore a selection of household and garden products available for purchase, catering to their love for bougainvilleas.
Every corner of Meraki Garden presents an opportunity for stunning photographs, making it a haven for Instagram enthusiasts. Our experience, whether by day or night, was nothing short of spectacular, reaffirming Meraki Garden’s timeless charm and appeal. A visit to Isabela wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Meraki Garden.
Meraki Garden
– Address: Brgy. Napaaccu Pequeno, Reina Mercedes 3305, Isabela.
– Operating Hours: Open daily, 6:30 AM to 10 PM.
– Contact Numbers: (0927) 708-3571, (0917) 512-7355.
– Entrance Fee: Php50
– Facebook Page: Meraki Garden
How to get to Meraki Garden
Meraki Garden is located along the highway in Reina Mercedes, Isabela. Visitors can easily reach it by car using navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps. Alternatively, Cauayan City serves as a convenient jump-off point, only a 25-minute drive from its center.
You can also get in touch with the Provincial Tourism Office of Isabela for any assistance with regard to your travel to the province.
Isabela Provincial Tourism Office
Address: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Contact Numbers: (078) 323-3146 and (0917) 317-3820
E-mail: isabelatourismoffice@gmail.com
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