Cintai: Corito's Garden

Welcome to Corito's Garden

     We went here for our 50th Monthsary Celebration -- and we're glad to have seen this really beautiful place tucked away in the town of Balete in Batangas.

     Since we weren't sure about the weather (it was raining non-stop for the past 2 days because of Typhoon Falcon), we just called up on the day itself, but Ms. Patty gladly welcomed us. We were the only ones there, aside from their personal visitors. We had the whole place to ourselves as usual! =p

     We availed of the day tour package. It was priced at 1500php but then Ms. Patty told us that they have a promo until the end of June for 1000php. Another great savings for us! 

     It was already noon when we arrived but before having lunch, Sir Christian and Ms. Patty proudly showed us their paradise. He took us to see the villas as well as the structures still to be put up.

Cintai = LOVE <3

      Cintai (pronounced "Chin-tai") is Indonesian for the word LOVE.

     The Garden started out as an ordinary private family rest house that the family visited every weekend. In 2005 however, their mother Corito was diagnosed with a terminal disease. To help her recuperate from treatment, the family often brought her to the garden because the place made her relax and temporarily forget her sickness. Two years later, Corito finally succumbed to her illness.Her husband together with his 4 children then decided to focus all their efforts into making the garden a paradise since she loved the place so much. They wanted the beautiful memories they shared there to live on thus the creation of Cintai… love for their mother and love for his wife. - http://coritosgarden.com/aboutus.php

THE VILLAS

The Villas

     The villas were all spacious and had very nice furniture -- all Balinese inspired. They used plush linens and designed the room in a cozy way.

Inviting! :)

     Corito's garden offers three different villas: Terrace, Garden and Executive Villas.

Four poster bed! :)

Softest sheets and plumpest pillows

     The smell of the room was very nice -- earthy, soothing, just makes you want to relax and sleep in the whole day. They made sure to provide the most comfortable beds with the softest sheets and plumpest pillows. The rest rooms were clean, fragrant and had the essentials -- shower gel, shampoo, soap, and towels. You wouldn't need to worry about anything! :)

     The Executive Villa is similar to the others except that it has its own bar, pocket garden and jacuzzi outside. What an extravagant way to live! =D

Mini Bar

Jacuzzi! :P

LUNCH TIME!

     We were supposed to eat in the future resto but Ms. Patty told the servers to bring the food outside Pavilion Abadi so that we can appreciate the view and to experience al fresco dining. After the short tour, a home-cooked meal (comfort food!) was served.

     We had tinola, pusit, liempo, ginataang alimasag and buko juice. For dessert, we were served fresh, sweet langka.

Ginataang alimasag & Tinolang Manok

Liempo & Adobong Pusit

Buko Juice & Langka for dessert

     We then went around to all the nooks and crannies that Sir Christian wasn't able to show us to take more pictures!

THE PAVILIONS

     The Pavilion Abadi offered space for events like weddings, debuts and the like. Cocktails prior to the main meal may be served here.

Pavilion Abadi

Lighting

     Next up: Pavilion Tresna. They wanted to build a gate to enclose the space, and probably to showcase this magnificent hand-carved work of art! There were also statues, molded out of cement, of Indonesian design by the gate, also hand-carved.

By the gate

 Indonesian monkeys

     Ms. Patty shared with us how the big hand carved statues outside the pavilion were supposed to be finished in a month in time for her wedding. They met the man (formerly a tattoo artist) responsible for the works of art in Boracay. He now works for them, designing more Balinese inspired statues and walls. :)

 

 Pavilion Tresna

     Pavilion Tresna is the largest one in the property. It can accommodate more people than Pavilion Abadi (about 200 guests). Inside, a huge mirror framed by white marble is placed on one wall. There are also two magnificent chandeliers. The wooden beams are not yet done -- they still have to be carved with Balinese inspired patterns. It also has its own kitchen, in case the host has his own caterer. 

WHAT CORITO'S GARDEN HAS TO OFFER?

     They had villas, pavilions, pools and lots of space to relax and enjoy Mother Nature. It was a feast for the eyes! We've just seen the different structures and yet, there's more! :D

 

 Indonesian god?? Hehe! ^_^

Wall art

     Each villa had a different carving or wall feature like the one on the first picture, all made by the former tattoo artist. We saw him in action, working on a gate but only from afar. Ms. Patty shared with us how fast he needs to work since cement dries fast. This goes to show how talented he is, having the design in his mind and executing it at a speed.

Comfort room

Balinese inspired sculpture

     The wooden furniture and doors have intricate patterns, all carved by the very talented artist. His hands and creativity really are amazing! The Comfort Room door is so unique that it just looks like a cabinet door. Hehe! :)

 Restroom/ Changing Room

     This is the biggest restroom/ changing area, located near the pool. The walls, again, have unique designs and were very pleasing to look at! Great works of art! All the cubicles have rain shower heads. (gotta love those!)

Cabanas by the pool

Our own spot

     The place had four swimming pools, one for the kids and 3 large ones -- all very clean and serene to look at (makes us want to lounge the whole afternoon!) There were also a few cabanas by the pool. It's our first time to see cabanas like that. We enjoyed taking our pictures on it. It became our temporary shelter when it rained for a while =p It was relaxing to watch the raindrops falling on the pool (while laying in the cabana).

Play Time! :p

     They also offered a place for kids to play in -- they had a mini jungle gym, complete with slides, a small wall to climb, swings and poles. We had a great time goofing around the swings and the mini wall climbing area! It's so much fun to be a kid! :p

Free roaming animals

     There were also free roaming animals such as geese, hens, chickens, and a peacock! There were also caged birds and a monkey! :) Add to that is the koi pond by the entrance to the main garden. This reminded us of our trip to Nuvali in Laguna. We chased the peacock to get a good picture while it's flaunting its feathers. =D

MERIENDA!

     Snacks were included in the day tour package. We were served authentic suman from Batangas and the famous kapeng barako -- a perfect merienda for the lazy afternoon. Hehe! :)

Suman and Kapeng Barako

THE CINTAI EXPERIENCE

With Ms. Patty

     We had such a great experience, thanks to the owners who welcomed us and gladly showed us around their place. It's nice that they can share this paradise to others. It was unlike any place we've been to! It felt like we were really in Bali! (Can't wait to go to Indonesia! Haha!)

     More construction is being done to expand the place. Cintai has been in progress for 5 years now and it's still not finished. Sir Christian is not an architect but he designed everything in the garden. It was for his love for his late wife. Ms. Patty who is a chef plans to open a restaurant in 3 months. We'd love to come back to try her specialties. :)

Cintai-filled! <3

Cintai Corito’s Garden

Sitio Pandayan, Malabanan Balete, Batangas

www.coritosgarden.com

+63917.833.1508
+63922.828.6789
+63922.877.8665