Black Saturday: Family Day of Reflection and Togetherness at Illuminada Gardens Resort

For most of the Filipinos, Black Saturday, or others call it Holy Saturday, is used to spend quiet time with family, travel, and reflect spiritually.

With our family, we spend the day reflecting on the benefits of Christ's crucifixion and how these favors of Christ's sacrifice bind us together in togetherness.

We took a meaningful trip to Illuminada Garden Resort in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental - a beautiful 2-hour destination from Cagayan de Oro City. It turned out to be a day well spent and filled with beauty and reflection.

The cool breeze of pines and old trees made the place extra refreshing and relaxing, but the best part of it is the unexpected, astounding beauty of the resort that made it truly remarkable.

(A vintage car awaits you at the entrance gate of the garden resort.)

The serene surroundings made us reflect on how beautifully God created nature, drawing us closer to Him in a quiet amazement. I will describe each image to give you a clear glimpse of what lies beyond the tall fences of Illuminada - hidden gems waiting to be discovered by you.

A row of heart-shaped bushes lights up at night, creating a welcoming vibe for the newcomers of the resort.

*The romantic couple swan is the best spot for lovers to take photos. *

It was the biggest and highest swing I've ever encountered. A sight to behold.

The biggest and most vibrant ostrich statue I've ever seen was there. It faces the front gate right next to the heart-shaped bushes.

Colorful and full-bloom flowers of various varieties spread across the whole ground. Truly an amazing place to reflect and relax, with wooden chairs in every corner.

The kids' playground is huge enough to accommodate children and provide them with fun and enjoyment.

A windmill house where you can go up, climbing up the stairs, and have an overlooking view of the whole garden.

Tents and A-houses under the lush greens, for overnight stays and camping experience with families.

An open space for campfires and chit-chats. These two have meetings about their business proposals hahahahha.

Wishing well and swimming pool

Sky is enjoying Wahig. A manual pump is used to get water from the ground.

It was truly a memorable exploration with my family. I do hope you, too, had a meaningful and reflective Black Saturday. Whether you went somewhere or stayed home together with your loved ones, what really matters is that you had a quality time with your family.

If you are still with me up to this point, thank you. May God bless you more. This is @jeanieviv84, see you in my next stories.