Farm Days at Kilyawan Farm Resort

A day at the farm can do wonders for that much needed change of scenery from the hectic urban pace, recharging your energy levels and rejuvenating your tired spirits. Just an estimated 93 kilometers south of the metro or roughly a two-hour leisurely drive via the South Luzon Expressway, an expansive 8.5-hectare farm property awaits your arrival...

The lush and verdant greens of the property greet your arrival for a refreshed perspective at the secluded bamboo-lined resort down south in Batangas. This is your long-planned getaway and escape from the city. Named after the local black-naped oriole, find your hidden secret refuge at Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

In collaboration with Pix Republic PR, an idyllic break from the daily grind offered a unique and memorable experience to end the year on a high note with the fresh flavors harvested straight off the farm plus a weekend kitchen takeover by acclaimed La Union dining destination KRISP known for its signature Corned Krispy Pata. Read on for a change of pace from the mad holiday rush, and give in to the rustic charm of Kilyawan Farm Resort...

Nature trails draped in a bamboo canopy are just some of the features of the secluded property. The farm property once served the family's business as a poultry contract grower for one of the country's largest food conglomerates, and has since been repurposed as a modern farm resort. The idea for the conversion began at the height of the lockdowns due to the quarantine experience when the property became the family's safe haven during the global pandemic. In a time when normal priorities were often reviewed in a changing new normal, the idea for a farm resort seemed more relevant and timely. And this is felt immediately the minute you enter Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

The transition to Kilyawan Farm Resort of the former agro-industrial complex is a masterful weave of elegantly refined design aesthetics and architecture using local materials while maintaining the pristine nature of the environment. It's this delicate balance that sets Kilyawan Farm Resort apart from the usual destinations. 

The seamless integration of local materials and design becomes evident with its impressive Reception Building and its open layout concept. The original steel trusses clad in bamboo, recycled narra wood, colorful handcrafted native mats by local weavers and hand-made clay bricks adds a natural warmth while the impressive central skylight washes the spacious interiors with a calming glow. The Reception Building connects the lobby, function halls and restaurant leading to the property's impressive blue-tiled pool. 

The property's key structures were designed by renowned architect Dominic Galicia, receiving accolades at the recently concluded World Architecture Festival in Singapore and shortlisted for the 2024 World Brick Awards in Vienna. Once checked in, your rural escape at Kilyawan Farms Resort begins...

Throughout the property, you'll find your own spot to decompress and recharge your body battery for a full recovery. At Kilyawan Farm Resort, everything is enjoyed and experienced at your own pace. The fragrant breeze energizes each step around the farm property, and already the charm of Kilyawan Farm Resort is at work healing your mind and body. A quick nap on the hammock? That's the plan...

The 30-meter pool at the farm property becomes another tempting option. A few laps or simply just floating on the tree-lined pool works to wash away all the built-up stress and worries from your body. Around the pool, you'll find shaded tables for your cozy al fresco dining spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Back at the Reception Building, the refreshing notes of a chilled Sangria becomes a tasty preview of the farm property's culinary offerings...

...as the owners welcomed guests to Kilyawan Farm Resort. The family behind the unique farm resort shares their intimate retreat to an increasingly adventurous market constantly on the search for new experiences. In addition to memorable bonding moments for a family getaway, Kilyawan Farm Resort is also an ideal venue for intimate corporate team-building sessions too. 

The farm-to-table concept is at the heart of Kilyawan Farm Resort's culinary offerings and you'll find some of their fresh homegrown produce bottled and packed at their gift shop. The Papaya Atsara is one of many tempting and tasty options at the gift shop along with native Tablea made from cacao grown at the farm. 

The row of rustic cabins offer spacious accommodations ideal for families featuring two Queen or two King Bed configurations in seven cozy and well-appointed rows of Cabins separated by courtyards and one Master Villa. The warm earth tones from the clay bricks, tiles and recycled narra wood in each of the accommodations at Kilyawan Farm Resort becomes your home away from home. Each cabin and master villa also includes large private bathrooms and showers too. Guests can also enjoy complimentary wifi access and a work area in case you need to submit those last-minute reports to the office. On the bed, you'll find a carving of the yellow kilyawan which the farm resort is named after adding to the charm of Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

One of the many highlights at Kilyawan Farm Resort is the farm tour where groups are shown the property aboard a tractor-pulled trailer. The tour takes you deep into the day-to-day operations of an actual and real working farm along bamboo-lined trails and orchards that's perfect for the kids and family. 

Along the trail, guests can enjoy a close look at fruit-bearing trees including mangoes, papayas, vegetables and local cacao which eventually lands on the farm resort's restaurant for a pure and all-natural farm-to-table dining experience at Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

The farm tour also brings you up close to the farm's local residents like native black pigs, ducks, rabbits and heritage chickens. You can even feed the animals if you wish, and be prepared to be surrounded by hordes of animals to complete your experience. Feeding time at Kilyawan Farm Resort is one of those activities not to be missed. 

Back at the trail, the tranquil stillness at Kilyawan Farm Resort reminds you that all the worries from the city are far behind you. If you're lucky, you can even spot the native yellow kilyawan or black-naped oriole on the property. You'll hear its distinctive song in the early morning or late afternoon, so keep your eyes peeled for that memorable sighting. 

Escape. Experience. Connect. An overnight stay at Kilyawan Farm Resort allows you to do all that and more. As local travel returns once more to everyone's bucket list, the search for a unique experience-based escape is high up on the list. The farm resort concept brings another layer to the growing list of local travel options while setting itself apart from the usual. And it's a welcome trend.

In the evening, Kilyawan Farm Resort takes on a different vibe adding yet another layer to your memorable experience away from the city. The illumination and star-lit skies above provide a dramatic backdrop for yet another spectacle of the culinary kind to tease your palate. 

In a kitchen take-over, one of La Union's emerging and innovative dining concepts takes the stage. Known for its signature Corned Krispy Pata, a popular and enduring local staple receives a modern and novel spin from the creative chefs behind KRISP. From up north to down south, KRISP prepared a sumptuous spread for a lavish boodle fight of comfortingly familiar local flavors with a refreshing twist at Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

Slowly, the feast begins to take shape as more savory dishes are piled high on the long banana leaf-covered tables by the pool of Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

Chef Jinggoy and his team at KRISP then presented their culinary masterpiece for the evening...

...with slabs of chopped Corned Krispy Pata. Brined for 48 hours like the traditional corned beef, the meticulous curing process adds richer flavors along with a delicately light crispness. A visible result of the unique brining process gives the slab of pork a bright pinkish hue with deeper darker shades of pink around the edges similar to the smoke rings of classic barbecue. It's crispy pata, brined and perfected. 

Tender and juicy capped by a layer of crisp crackling, the Corned Krispy Pata by KRISP delivers pure and clean flavors followed by a lingering savory richness. The north clearly has a winner with the Corned Krispy Pata by KRISP, and for a few days guests at Kilyawan Farm Resort experienced indulgent flavors with the kitchen take-over by KRISP. 

Servings of local Lato or sea grapes with tomatoes, onions and salted egg dressed in a light yet flavorful vinaigrette opens up the palate with its fresh and vibrant notes...

...followed by the Inihaw na Pangasius, a soft whole fillet of fish with its delicate notes romanced by the flames of the grill. Then, the KRISP team served the rest of the epic outdoor feast...

...with grilled Chicken Inasal, Sambal Laing and Adobo Rice bannered by the Corned Krispy Pata served with a vinegar dip and a side of pickled atsara completed the dinner menu at Kilyawan Farm Resort. The food and setting combine for a hearty and fun-filled evening under the stars at one of the best kept secret hidden spots in Batangas. 

The style of cuisine by KRISP is a refined take on familiar flavors while taking it up a notch with masterful execution and fresh local ingredients. Brining crispy pata or adding some sambal to a dish like laing are just some of the creative and playfully inventive touches from the innovative concept from Port San Juan in La Union. 

It's a novel concept that fits in nicely at Kilyawan Farm Resort, which continues to amaze with its many charms that first day. 

The sumptuous flavors of the boodle fight feast by KRISP is just the opening salvo in a perfect getaway at Kilyawan Farm Resort, with many more flavorful surprises in store. 

Hot dogs and hot chocolate made with local cacao harvested from the farm property over a camp fire? Yes, please. 

Early the next day, the blue-tiled pool at Kilyawan Farm Resort tempts you to take a dive...

...as breakfast is prepared at the restaurant. There's just no better way to start your day than with Kilyawan Farm Resort's homestyle rendition of breakfast expressed through comforting local flavors. And Kilyawan Farm Resort pulls all the stops for a hearty breakfast guaranteed to satisfy any appetite. 

Breakfast at Kilyawan Farm Resort showcases many of the property's abundant harvest of fresh fruits, vegetables and their very own cacao for a thick and soothing cup of Tablea Tsokolate. Farm-to-table is more than just a concept at Kilyawan Farm Resort, it's the farm property's mission. 

Sunny side-up or scrambled? The Egg Station has you covered with fresh eggs prepared a la minute for that perfect customized start to your day at Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

The morning breakfast buffet spread included an all-Filipino cast of traditional staples like Beef Tapa...

...Pork Longganisa or local sausages...

...and crispy fried Danggit or dried fish with its delectable crunch. Garlic fried rice and eggs completes your breakfast plate at Kilyawan Farm Resort. 

Not to be missed is the farm property's specialty Champorado made with their own harvest of cacao. The thick chocolate rice porridge is just one of many tempting treats on the breakfast buffet spread that morning...

...along with fresh fruits from the farm. 

A drizzle of fresh milk or condensed milk smoothens the deep, nutty notes of the chocolate with a creamy finish. What's a farm getaway without the farm-to-table dining experience? 

A second serving on the way becomes a natural response...

...with another cup of Hot Chocolate, and it just doesn't get better than that at Kilyawan Farm Resort. It's just another day at the farm, and I'm loving every minute of it. 

After breakfast, a walk down the bamboo-covered trails on the farm or a few laps in the pool builds up your appetite for lunch. Meanwhile, the team behind KRISP and the kitchen take-over at Kilyawan Farm Resort prepare another flavorful surprise from the kitchen. Lunch is served...

For lunch, KRISP served a garden-fresh salad dressed in a fruit-infused vinaigrette opening up the palate with its clean and vibrant notes...

...followed by a hearty Pesto pasta dish. But Chef Jinggoy and his team at KRISP had one more trick up their sleeves that day. 

Described as an "accident," the Sisig Grilled Cheese Sandwich is another creative rendition of a local classic transforming the familiar savory notes and textures of the pork dish into a refreshingly new flavor experience. 

Imagine tender slabs of pork mask and onions draped in melted cheese in between buttery toast. One bite and the rich burst of savory goodness from the sisig punches through smoothened by the creamy finish of the cheese. Each bite delivers layer upon layer of flavors and textures capped by the crisp toast. Just like their Corned Krispy Pata, the Sisig Grilled Cheese is one more elevated take on familiar staples reinvented for a novel expression in pure unrestrained flavors. 

For dessert, KRISP served a triple play on bananas with their aptly named Banana, Banana, Banana with soft banana cake, cream and crumble to end the kitchen take-over at Kilyawan Farm Resort on a high note. As we enter another new year, it's safe to say you can expect to hear more from KRISP. 

An overnight stay at Kilyawan Farm Resort gives you a taste of the unique farm experience, and you'll wish you had one more day to explore the property. The farm resort experience brings a refreshed new layer to your local travel bucket list, and Kilyawan Farm Resort opens up exciting new possibilities as we welcome another new year. Where else can you experience a true working farm and savor the flavors of a fresh harvest just a two hour drive south of Manila? 

Before the drive home, be sure to bring some of the farm's specialty produce and local delicacies like pickled Papaya Atsara, Tablea Chocolate and Batangas Tamales. An escape from the mad rush and hectic pace of the city is always high up on the list of travel options. Add Kilyawan Farm Resort to your list, and take it slow. At the farm, you'll rediscover time at your own pace surrounded by lush and verdant greens to rejuvenate your mind and body serenaded by the songs of the black-naped oriole. Need a break? Head on over to the farm and experience farm days like no other. At Kilyawan Farm Resort...

Kilyawan Farm Resort is located at Villa Vicenta Farms, Brgy. Tulay, Ibaan, Batangas. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/KilyawanFarmResort/ and https://www.instagram.com/kilyawanfarmresort/ for updates or call 0915 266 4305 for inquiries. 

For more on KRISP, visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/KrispLaUnion and https://www.instagram.com/krisp_ph/ for more updates. 

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