Sonya's Garden - Philippines

Time was when rumors of a secret garden tucked in the gentle rolling hills of Tagaytay inevitably sneaked into conversations of Manila’s inner circle on what is new and exotic. Stories were told in awe and delight about a flower garden planted in “organized chaos” yet soothingly pleasing to the eye, as if choreographed with artistic perfection. And then there is the simple yet incredibly filling country cuisine with fresh and organically grown ingredients from the garden, served in fine tableware that complements the idyllic setting. Then there is Sonya herself with her memories of growing up in her grandmother’s country garden in the Philippines, her life as an expat in Europe and the US, and her dreams of carving out a place in the country where she can live her philosophy on “the art of doing nothing”.