While planted only for selling purposes, an accidental share on social media turned this simple garden into one of the most visited gardens within the city of Cebu, thus it is just worthy enough to be part of your Cebu City day tour.
Celosia is a genus of edible and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. The generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek word κήλεος (kḗleos), meaning "burning," and refers to the flame-like flower heads. Species are commonly known as woolflowers, or, if the flower heads are crested by fasciation, cockscombs. The plants are well known in East Africa’s highlands and are used under their Swahili name, mfungu. - wikipedia.org
The garden owner had first hired workers to take care of the plants in the lands of Sirao, Busay, she wanted to sell the flowers once they mature. When the flowers started blooming, some hikers and mountain climbers passed by the garden and took photos with these firey flowers made of colors red, yellow and orange, those colors of the golden hour.
Of course it caught attention of several social media users within Cebu. It instantly became famous and soon more and more people were coming to take photos of them. I was not an exemption, of course I'd love to have snaps of these flowers as they look really cool and amazing at the same time
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One has to find a perfect spot to take a photo, make sure no photobombers are around!
However, when we first came, it was a total disappointment. It was a matter of expectation versus reality. In the photos shared, the flowers looked definitely wonderful but when we visited it, most of the plants jad withered and because it has been raining when we came, the muddy grounds caused visitors to hold on to the plants, breaking their stems and damaging their beauty. In fact, it was a mess and it discouraged me to even take a shot. I was super sorry with what social media had done to this simple farm.
The truth is, the garden's fame was instant and unexpected, it was not ready at all so it became a disaster. Selfies and selfishness of the human nature destroyed its beauty. I couldn't do anything but be sad with how these humans were acting just for the sake of posting their faces in social media.
Sirao Garden's owner made an official statement of closing the garden because of what happened to her garden. After which she made rules and regulations, implementated strict guidelines regarding how guests and visitors should act while inside the farm. It gave me hope that this time around, we would see a much better garden than our first visit.
Indeed Sirao Celosia Garden opened its doors again and this time, I pretty much enjoyed it that I had to feature it too for others to support it. The locals who are the care takers at the same time has lesser workload as they don't have to harvest the flowers anymore.
They'd just plant, water them, pay attention to any possible pest to ensure that the flowers would be in perfect state as soon as they start blooming.
The management had added accessories too within the garden such as a mini windmill inspired by Amsterdam's de Gooyer. Bikes and costumes are also available for anyone who'd like to play Dutch.
Sirao has now earned its way to be a part of the itineraries when visiting Cebu City. It is quite amazing to find gardens of flowers just few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's another way of refreshing one self from all the stress that one could incur whilst working within a busy community.
To be with nature resets our mind and enlightens our mood. That is why it is recommended to be with nature every once in awhile.
Closer photo of the Celosia Flower
Aside from Celosia, the garden hosts other flowers such as sunflowers.
How to get there?
From downtown Cebu, take a public jeepney with code 17B which will pass by JY Mall in Lahug. If one is coming from SM City Cebu, take 04L. Tell the driver you need to be dropped at JY Mall.
From there, motorcyles for hire or "habal-habal" specifically are available to take you to the exact location. It would cost you Php 100-250 per ride depending on your haggling skills. However, you must beware of those drivers who take advantage of their passengers. There have been lots of complains about thesd abal-habal drivers in Lahug.
Angkas however can save you from these habal habal opportunists. It acts like Grab or Uber, once you make a booking, you'll immediately know the price you'd have to pay and they are much more cleanier and safer compared to the unmonitored habal habal habal drivers.
Or one can take a cab or rent a car to get there. It is always nice to be able to travel at your own pace.
Entrance fee:
Php 30 for adults, this allows visitors to have an unlimited time at the garden.
Php 200 per person involved in photoshoot such as prenuptial esession and the like.
Sirao Garden is open everyday from 7am to 6pm.
Disclaimer: All photos are originally mine. Forgot to add watermarks, or too tired to add them. Feel free to use but please add credits!
Camera Used: Canon 1000D / Nikon D5300
Lens: 50mm / 17-55mm Nikon Mount
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xo JUNEBRIDE xo
