A garden wedding is always a romantic thing, but a marriage on a cactus farm? Completely justified when you know that the bride’s mother owns the place, and also happens to be my usual suki for cacti. So my annual cactus-shopping spree to Benguet last month had a dual purpose, all the better for me.
Held in Atok Benguet at Km. 19, Halsema Highway, just 30 minutes away from Baguio, the event was well-attended by 300 or so guests from all over, including us Succulentophiles from Manila. Apparently, to have guests from out of town elevates the prestige of the event, so our presence was well-appreciated. Even ABS-CBN was on hand to cover the ceremonies owing to the native traditions, and unusual venue that was complemented by a beautiful view of the Cordillera mountains.
While it felt good to fulfill our social obligations, we definitely had more selfish intentions in mind… SHOPPING! Succulents of all forms and shapes are to be seen, and rows upon rows of them! After I’d finally made my choice, I paid for it but decided to leave it there for another three to four months to grow in this ideal setting, after which I would have it delivered for free to the Manila Seedling Bank for pickup – Oltina Andizo and Elaine Daclis have their stalls there at the flowermart.
So, if you cactus-loving freaks happen to be up north and want to avoid the usual tourist traps, go straight to the source where they are actually grown The eyeful of succulents alone, as far as the eye can see, is almost worth the trip. But who would want to go home empty-handed?
For those interested in visiting the cactus farms of Benguet, get in touch with Ultina Andizo (09205249867), Km. 22, Bgy. Calinking, Atok Benguet. Another interesting place to visit for cacti shopping is the Benguet State University’s Orchidarium in La Trinidad (behind Landbank), where there are about 20 stalls selling plants from different cactus farms of Benguet. – With Reports From John Besa