LOVE IS STORYA

One of my favorite films growing up is Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, with its impressive images of towering plants and lush foliage that you leave awash with wonder and awe.

- CHRISTINE DAYRIT

One of my favorite films growing up is Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, with its impressive images of towering plants and lush foliage that you leave awash with wonder and awe.

Rendezvous CHRISTINE DAYRIT at God's handiwork. Just like the movie, Istorya Forest Garden has towering lush trees and verdant surroundings. It was a quiet mango orchard of Magdalena Bediones Bermejo, filled with family memories. Her dynamic son, Jun Bermejo, turned it into a place where family members could gather, celebrate, and come back to.

In 2019, Istorya became an events venue with love—grounded in heritage, warmth, and togetherness. Today, the estate boasts eight hectares of land with three villas and 23 superior rooms that have been described as world-class, elegant, functional and cozy. It now also provides a farm-to-table experience, where food is made with fresh local produce.

"We help them create an itinerary based on their group's preferences, pace, interests and travel goals," says Cheska Bermejo Almalbis, GM of Istorya. More than a resort, Istorya is a home for stories.

The resort seamlessly blends its surrounding history, embedding their heritage into the smallest details. At Cafe Blanco, the chairs date back to the early 20th century, while the flavored bricks forming the wood-fired oven were reclaimed from a historic sugar central in nearby Iloilo. Each Superior Room showcases floral accents and scenic prints drawn from early Philippine literature.

Add to that, an authentic calesa from a bygone era charmingly serves as a nostalgic selfie spot, providing guests with a picture-perfect moment.