The progressive, little town of Bongabon in Nueva Ecija lies at the foothills of the mighty Sierra Madre ranges. And tucked away in its suburbs, amid lush foliage, is Giron Botanique, a complex which includes a small museum, art gallery, botanical garden and nursery.
A stream runs through the greenery. In the garden, surrounded by potted plants in bloom, is a marble Buddha from Myanmar, a neighboring country now in the headlines. And just a few steps away, in the open-air dining room, is a big representation of the Crucified Lord.
Two Persian cats lord it over the premises. And they are not shy about demanding food—namely, the heads of fish being served to guests wh…
Keep on reading: A cultural hideaway in Bongabon