Baguio has been popular for its attractions like Burnham Park, Mines View Park, and the strawberry farm, but an adventure farther down Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet will take you to a cultural, environmental, and gastronomical experience like no other: BenCab Museum.
Apart from galleries of magnificent artworks by the national artist himself, Ben Cabrera, among other creators, BenCab features a farm, a garden with a breathtaking view of a forest (which BenCab is said to have bought as well), and a restaurant, Café Sabel. It’s one of the best places that more people should see for themselves. Something to be proud of as a Pinoy and something through which we can nourish our tummies and our minds and souls as well. It’s a piece of heaven in our own precious soil.
We had breakfast at Café Sabel and tried out some of their sumptuous offerings like Farm Fresh Green Salad (with strawberry vinaigrette), longganisa, brown rice, BenCab’s Chicken Paprika, and our favorite, lemongrass pandan tea – refreshing, soothing, and comforting for that extra chilly morning. The dishes were so colorful and just too good. When you’re eating something healthy, it makes a simple feast all the more enjoyable. What more when you’re eating with such a scenic and serene view!
Touring the galleries only proved the fact that there’s no scarcity in Filipino talent. From paintings to sculptures to photographs, Pinoy artists really have so many stories to tell the world. What struck me the most on a deep personal level was Lynyrd Paras‘ “‘Wag mong damdamin ang mga bagay dahil ang mga bagay ay walang damdamin…”
Papa’s favorite, meanwhile, was Abigail Dionisio’s “Begin To Hope.” Her attention to detail, making her work look like a photograph, is just spellbinding.
Here’s to hoping I could visit again soon! 🙂
The Winged Wonder 