🌸 Buwakan ni Alejandra – Cebu’s Hidden Garden in the Mountains

✍️ By Mery – Skyviewhome Superhost & Real Estate Salesperson

📍 Nature Escapes Near Cebu IT Park

A Stairway Lined with Flowers in the Mountains

Hi, this is Mery.

let me take you to a quiet little place—perfect for when your mind feels heavy or when you just want to put your phone down and take a deep breath.

About an hour away from Cebu IT Park, winding up and down the slopes of the Transcentral Highway, you’ll reach a small mountain village called Balamban Gaas. Tucked into the side of that hillside is a humble but lovingly tended flower garden: Buwakan ni Alejandra.

In the local Cebuano language, “buwak” means flower, and “buwakan” means flower garden. And that’s exactly what this place is—a garden where flowers are the main character.

🎟️ Entrance Fees (as of April 2025)

Type	Fee
Adults (11–59 y/o)	₱100
Children (6–10 y/o)	₱75
Seniors / PWD	₱75
Photoshoot Package	₱1,250–₱2,000

🕒 Open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM

☔ Closed on rainy days to protect the flowers

🅿️ Parking – A Bit Tricky

There is no official parking lot at Alejandra. Most visitors park along the sloped roadside just outside the entrance. Many wedge stones behind their wheels to keep their cars from sliding down—a common sight here.

Since the road is steep, first-time visitors and drivers should take extra care when parking.

🍴 A Simple Meal and a Special Shake

Inside the garden, you’ll find a spacious, open-air restaurant.

We ordered spaghetti and mango shake that day—and as always in the Philippines, mango shakes never disappoint. 🍹

The shake came topped with a tiny paper parasol, and between the fresh flavor and the crisp mountain air, it felt like a little moment of joy in a cup.

There were other options too—chicken, hotdogs, burgers, and hot wings.

Simple meals, but just enough to fill you up and make you smile.

💡 Since the area sits high in the mountains, a light jacket or scarf is recommended, especially on windy days.

🌼 What to Expect at Alejandra

• Beautiful flowers arranged in layered, stair-step terraces

• A walking trail-style layout that follows the garden’s natural curves

• No large crowds—just the quiet presence of locals and small groups

• A space where you can focus on the breeze, the view, and the blooms

This place isn’t about dramatic installations or extravagant scenes. It’s about letting flowers tell the story. It’s the kind of garden that makes you put your camera down...and just look, breathe, and be.

🛠 Honest Thoughts – What Could Be Better

To be transparent—there were parts that felt a bit neglected. Some of the sculptures had missing parts or fading paint, and certain areas, like gazebos and side paths, felt slightly untidy.

It’s a shame, because this garden is visited not just by locals, but also foreign guests who clearly come here to relax. With a bit more attention to detail and maintenance, this place could truly become one of the region’s most cherished hidden gems.

📶 Wi-Fi Vending Machine – ₱5 for 2 Hours

At the entrance, you’ll find a unique ₱5 Wi-Fi vending machine that allows 2 hours of internet access.

How to use:

1. Press the button → wait for connection prompt

2. Select the Wi-Fi name on your phone

3. Insert a ₱5 coin

4. The screen will show a password

5. Enter the password → Connected!

💡 The speed isn’t fast, but it's good enough for messaging and basic photo sharing.

🗓 Mery’s Ideal Half-Day Plan

🕘 Morning

• Enter Alejandra → Take a slow walk through the flower paths

• Snap a few natural-light portraits

🍽 Lunch

• Sit down for a light meal in the garden restaurant

• Enjoy a fresh mango shake with the mountain breeze

💬 Final Thoughts

Buwakan ni Alejandra isn’t glamorous—but the quiet nature, the hand-tended flowers, and the people who care for itgave it a warmth I still carry with me.

There was something about walking slowly, not rushing to take photos, but just letting the petals and the breeze wrap around me...that made me feel peaceful in a way I didn’t expect.

If you’re craving a slow, gentle kind of day—this might be exactly where you need to be.

📍www.skyviewhomecondotel.com/skyviewhome-units