When you hear the word “garden,” I know a scene suddenly appears in your mind: green surroundings with lots of flowers blooming like a magnolia in May—but this one’s different; it offers more than you imagined. Located in Ciudad De Victoria, The Garden features numerous sections of plants, animals, and even activity areas. For example, it was once farmland, but as the area developed, it became this masterpiece that will hypnotize you with its big, beautiful formations and landscape. We know it because we’ve been there, and here’s how the adventure began.

“The Garden’s entrance at Ciudad de Victoria, where a cobblestone driveway lined with pine trees, bonsai, and trimmed shrubs welcomes visitors before they step inside.”

After the long trip of heading to The Garden, we finally arrived at 1:46 in the afternoon. And we were rewarded with the sight of the bonsai display at the front. I should say the group was lucky to get the entrance fee discount—300 pesos—so saving 250 pesos was a relief. Finally, the employees signed our tickets, and we walked inside.

“The gazebo in the maze area, tucked behind sculpted shrubs and bright flowers, offers a place to rest and enjoy the view.”

The first time we saw The Garden, we were immediately impressed by how green, colorful, and well-maintained it was. Every corner feels peaceful because the plants and trees are neatly arranged and well maintained by the workers. We also noticed how the workers care for the surroundings and how much effort they put into keeping the destination vibrant.

“The glass house of Cactus Land, fronted by potted bonsai-style trees, is one of The Garden’s creative plant displays”

As we walked further, we encountered various botanical displays, including a collection of cacti, bright blossoms, and shrubs shaped like animals. The most prominent feature is the giant plant-made peacock, constructed from living plants, standing near the Flower Dome and the House of Plants. With its cool air and dense foliage, the Garden resembles the climate of Tagaytay and contrasts with a busy city.

“The red bridge adds a bright touch of color to the pond area, tucked among the greenery.”

After admiring the beautiful plants for a while, we went to the other side of the park and were greeted by koi fish and several species of birds. In the first garden, we saw ponies, deer, and donkeys. We even spotted a sea eagle perched high up on a tree and a musang in a small cage. As we continued to the second garden, an iguana and an aviary caught our attention and made us eager to see what was waiting inside.

“Bird information signs line the path to the aviary, where the colorful birds can be seen up close.”

One highlight of our visit was the aviary. We got to enter and see the birds up close, and honestly, it was one of the most memorable parts of the trip. We were fascinated by the colorful cockatoos, including the Palm Cockatoo, Salmon Cockatoo, and Sulphur Cockatoo. Among them, the Macaws caught my attention the most because they were my favorite. The Scarlet Macaw was quite talkative, while the Blue-and-Gold Macaw was a little defensive because it had an egg nearby. We also enjoyed seeing the colorful lovebirds and pigeons flying and moving around the shelter.

What made the experience even more interesting was the facts we learned while we were there. When we spoke with the lady gardener, she said most of the birds inside the aviary are talking birds, and many of them aren’t territorial, which makes it safe for visitors to be around them. We also learned that some birds, such as Macaws and Cockatoos, can’t be easily identified as male or female just by looking at them. They need DNA testing to determine their sex. It was fascinating to learn this while seeing the birds right in front of us.

“Trimmed plants take the shape of a peacock, one of The Garden’s most eye-catching sights.”

Our adventure continued at Animal Land, where we came across monkeys and tortoises. As we went further down the garden, the surroundings changed again. Remember the Giant Plant-made Peacock area? That is where we saw almost all the animals, like the camel, zebra, doe, and a horse, and, of course, the peacocks, who lived inside the flower dome to keep them from escaping. Seeing these animals throughout our visit made the experience feel like a package. For me, it was a chance to get closer to nature, discover animals I had never seen before, and take home new experiences and memories.

“Calm waters mirror the trees around the pond, one of the quietest corners of The Garden.”

When we reached the Garden, we noticed how still everything was—the kind of stillness that makes you want to slow your steps and just breathe. Stepping into a place like this felt strange at first, like we had to remind ourselves it was okay to wander without rushing.

We spent time doing simple things: walking around without a plan, stopping to take photos whenever something caught our eye, and sitting down for a while to enjoy the view. Being surrounded by this kind of place made every conversation worth having. It felt like a quiet escape from the weeks of academic stress, away from screens, schoolwork, and even problems we couldn’t share with others.

What made the trip memorable was the staff. They were all very friendly and welcoming whenever we had a question. During our visit, we could tell the staff took pride in their work and kept the environment well cared for. All the corners were clean and tidy; even the less monumental areas were well cared for. It was clear they put effort into not only The Garden’s appearance, but also its maintenance.

However, we didn’t get to explore it at the best time of year. Because of the heavy rain a few weeks before our visit, several parts of the place were still recovering. The plants that were meant to bloom but were affected by the heavy rain were still recovering, and some areas looked a little bare compared to what we had seen online. It was a minor letdown, but it also gave us an honest view of what it takes behind the scenes to keep a destination like this vibrant. Still, the trip left us with a good impression of the Garden because of its calm ambiance, which we were looking forward to, since we saw it as a simple break.

“The heart arch at the end of the brick path marks our final stop before leaving The Garden.”

Conclusion

Our trip to The Garden in Ciudad de Victoria reminded us not to rush through everything, to see the beauty in the simplest things, and that nature is deeply connected to us. It wasn’t entirely about the plants or animals we saw during our visit, but about the joy we felt in the quiet, calm places that made us feel relaxed and refreshed. Looking back, it was a much-needed reset for all of us, and that made the whole trip worth remembering.

About the Authors:

We are third-year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management students. As part of our final project for Travel Writing and Photography (TWP), we explored and documented the Garden of Ciudad de Victoria through travel writing and photography.

Our work aims to capture the destination’s beauty and appeal while highlighting how travel experiences promote tourism and appreciation for local attractions.

Adriano, Karen Angela
Alentajan, Mary Claire
Diaz, Lois Ross
Figueroa, Bea Bianca
Pagsanjan, Jasmine

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