The west fest

CEBU, Philippines - The Ranch Resort, which had a soft opening in April of last year, hosted a Western-themed fair showcasing a country fair and a cookout, for families who sought to immerse in the provincial, laidback life, last November 2-3 in Bato, Toledo City.

The first day of the activity, dubbed “The West Fest,” was themed “old west ghost town” in line with the observance of Halloween. The second day observed the mother theme of the ranch – Wild Wild West.

Activities include apple bobbing wherein apples were made to float in a pail of water, and that children were tasked to get one with their mouth. After they picked the apple with their mouth, they had the option to coat it with chocolate or honey as a prize.

Sheriffs walked around the vicinity of the carnival and randomly chose people to put in the Jail Booth. So-called captives were allowed to bail out by paying an amount, or catching a pig within a fenced area of the carnival to pay for release, or staying in jail for 30 minutes to an hour.

In the evening, there was a bonfire where the kids were able to roast their marshmallows, while a storyteller entertained them. To top the night off, parents engaged in line dancing to get their west on!

Those you still hadn’t got enough of the activities retired to a great film screening done in the great outdoors.

Dan Miranda, sales and marketing manager, said that The Ranch Resort is conceived as a place for rejuvenation among friends who would come for the weekends. It is a 60-minute drive away from Cebu City - westward - and is set on a seven-hectare property. It has air-conditioned rooms with en suite bathroom, windows that overlook fruit and vegetable plantations.

It offers seven swimming pools, a bird sanctuary, a bee farm, and an organic garden. It has Arabian horses for those interested in horseback riding.

“The place is designed for families who are too tired to travel abroad and are already bored with the Mactan shoreline,” Miranda pointed out.

Interestingly, the ranch has a zipline with rope courses. “It’s not just the common single zip. It has four corners wherein one gets to zip and then get to move to the next station through a rope course; then zip again, do the ropes before going back to main station,” she added.

How to get there: GT Express mode of transport is available at CitiLink Terminal. Bus bound for Toledo City is at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Once in Toledo proper, drive to Barangay Bato which is six kilometers away. Tricycles are also plying the route. After the national high school, follow paved interior road on the left. Drive 300 meters and spot the site on the right side. Book in advance through (032) 358-9599.  (FREEMAN)