Discover The Farm At San Benito

It’s a jungle out there. I’m talking about the urban kind, the intoxicating sprawl that is Manila, where I was born and raised. After over a decade’s absence

I decided to revisit the city that stays permanently awake. And just barely a week since touching down, and before the city’s energy got under my skin, I escaped to The Farm at San Benito, a wellness sanctuary hidden within a more natural, expansive jungle habitat. Here, the night sounds of city traffic are replaced by the guttural calls of bullfrogs, the constant buzz of cicadas, clucking lizards and a symphony of unfamiliar creature sounds. 

The Farm sits within 52 hectares of tropical jungles thick and deep, with towering coconut and bamboo trees providing the ideal seclusion many visitors to the resort crave, including myself. Within this organic environment, the mind and body start to relax, stress levels dissipate even before the treatments begin. And a big part of that is the quintessential Filipino hospitality that comes from the heart and polite service that’s unrivalled anywhere else in the world. 

For over two decades The Farm has been bridging the gap between traditional, and holistic diagnostic techniques and treatments, while at the core of its approach are four programmes. The Pure Body Reset is designed to detoxify the body to improve digestion and boost the body’s immune defences, with the Resilience & Recovery programme structured to restore emotional balance, soothe the nervous system and support deep psycho-physical healing. The Sanctuary of Self focuses on renewing radiance inside and out by improving circulation through lymphatic cleansing, and  Metabolic Reboot/Weight Management, a physician-supervised protocol involving powerful detoxification therapies coupled with a personalised nutrition plan. Integral to all these programmes is a nutrient-dense vegan/vegetarian diet to complement treatments such as colon hydrotherapy, IV vitamin infusions, kidney and liver compresses, traditional Filipino-style massages such as Hilot Pandanggo and Tres Banyos Lunas, as well as mindful movement activities in the form of Meditation, Yoga and Qi Gong or Tai Chi. 

Treatments can also be tailored based on the individual’s medical condition and personal goals. Prior to my visit, I completed an online form covering my overall health, which enabled a team of doctors, dietitians and holistic experts to put together a personalised programme. During my initial consultation with Dr Ron (short for Rounville Bardonado), we discussed my concerns about inflammation, the root cause of illnesses and premature ageing. It’s a known fact in the medical world that 70 percent of our immune system resides in our guts, and my top priority was to jump-start my sluggish metabolism and boost my immune system through detoxification. A body composition analysis machine measured my weight, body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass, metabolic age and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Next morning, my treatment started in earnest with a Colon Hydrotherapy or Colema. The process involved gently flushing the lower part of the colon with a warm water solution made of coffee to stimulate the elimination of trapped toxic waste. Although the experience felt bizarre, it was painless, thanks to practitioner Clotilde’s expertise and caring nature. I was later given a herbal tea and probiotic while a hot water bottle calmed my delicate tummy for half an hour. I felt good, cleansed and much lighter. 

My afternoon was all about getting pampered with a Chlorophyll Body Bath at the Spa & Mindful Living Sanctuary. The ritual began with full body salt and coconut oil scrub, after which I was wrapped in a herbal concoction of pure Moringa, which  cleanses the lymphatic system. It also helps to alkalise the body, while chlorophyll’s anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties work on renewing the skin. The ritual ended with a hot, soothing bath that left my skin feeling silky soft.

It was worth rising early the next day to join a Qi Gong session at the Amphitheatre overlooking the dreamy lagoon and Mt. Malarayat beyond. The air was heavy and humid even at 7:30 am, so it didn’t take long to work up a sweat. I’ve always struggled with yoga sitting and kneeling positions, no thanks to stiff muscles and joints. But I found the breathing, Tai Chi poses and balancing a lot easier. This ritual really does wonders for the mind and body, leaving me feeling energised and ready for my vegan breakfast.

My third day focused on more cleansing rituals. The liver and kidney are the body’s main detoxing machines, which is why they need special care. Painkillers, medications, as well as stress, take their toll on the liver, and a half-hour liver compress using organic local herbs, such as Malunggay (Moringa) and Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd) help to heal this overburdened organ. Another half-hour of kidney compress helps maintain fluid and acid-base balance using the leaves of Sambong, Lemongrass and Pandan.

Capping off the afternoon was a full body Relaxation Massage, which eased my muscle aches and stiff shoulders. Tempting as it was to retreat to my villa for a nap, I booked a golf buggy instead to take me around the resort’s organic farm, where huge papayas and bananas are grown. And it was joy to hear cockerels crowing to their heart’s content from the other side of the fence. 

THE CUISINE 

An important component of the healing process is a plant-based diet packed with enzymes, fibre, and antioxidants produced by vegetables, herbs and fruits harvested from the resort’s organic gardens. Although not strictly vegan, I enjoyed the wholesome, tasty, clean cuisine at ALIVE! Restaurant. It was a refreshing change – just what my body needed. Executive Chef Marie Pagcaliwagan has been responsible for bringing healthy food to the table since The Farm’s inception, working closely with the integrative medical doctors to create dishes with detoxifying and curative properties. Fruits with low Glycemic Index (GI) are used for smoothies, sweetened with coco sugar instead of honey. Cashew butter and coconut cream substituted for butter and dairy creams – a lot tastier and guilt-free. The menu is well-balanced and varied, but the Scrambled Tofu and Tofu Steak laced with turmeric were among my firm favourites. 

Over at PRANA Indian vegetarian restaurant next door, the tempting Ayurveda-inspired menu included Paneer Tikka roasted squash salad and a moist, rich chocolate cake made from gluten- and dairy-free ingredients. But unlike most Western medical resorts that impose rigid diets, The Farm allows guests with no serious health issues to enjoy a few indulgences in moderation. In my case, it was coffee brewed with native Barako beans grown in Batangas that satisfied my caffeine cravings. 

Since The Farm was named Marriott’s first Autograph Collection resort in the Philippines a few years ago, it expanded its culinary offering to include PESCE, a pescatarian restaurant inspired by the Blue Zone diet. Then there’s UPPERDECK, which serves Mediterranean dishes, and the adjacent Souffle De Vie, where typically rich French cuisine is given a healthier spin using organic ingredients sourced from the resort’s vegetable farm, meat from pasture-raised poultry and wild-caught fish. These non-vegan, non-vegetarian choices cater to guests who simply wish to combine the benefits of a wellness retreat with a variety of culinary experiences.

THE SUITES

A restful sleep is vital to the body and mind’s recovery, and my Narra Villa’s peaceful location enveloped by bamboo forests helped me recover from a lingering jetlag. The private pool was a refreshing respite from the humidity, and watching a passing tropical shower through floor-to-ceiling glass windows from the comfort of my bed was a calming moment. A total of 60 luxury suites and villas are spread across the estate, and the larger villas have a private spa and larger infinity pools. 

My four-day sojourn at The Farm might have gone by quickly, but the benefits of my treatments and vegan diet will hopefully go a long way towards maintaining a healthier lifestyle. A final consultation with Dr Ron was an enlightening discussion about the stages of sleep, and how we can summon the power to achieve our goals during the first seven minutes of waking up. His insights and advice on attaining psycho-emotional and spiritual health in our modern digital world were certainly thought-provoking.

Staying at The Farm made me more aware of nature’s power to heal, I came away feeling calm, cleansed, more mindful about my diet and lifestyle. This is paradise and heaven rolled into one.  

www.thefarmatsanbenito.com

Written By:  ROWENA MARELLA-DAW