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A little history about this place:
Aklan Sampaguita Gardens Resort, Inc.
is the brainchild of Samuel John Butcher, an American artist and creator
of Precious Moments artworks that promote messages of loving, caring and
sharing. Mr. Butcher, who owns Precious
Moments Park
in Carthage, Missouri, put his plans into action in
December 2001 and in June 2003, the resort began commercial operations.
The name Sampaguita was chosen because of
three reasons:
(1) it is the national flower of the Philippines;
(2) Sam was fascinated by the little
children who sold these flowers in the streets of Metro Manila; and
(3) it bore the first three letters of his
name.
( from Sampaguita Gardens Resort website)
( from Sampaguita Gardens Resort website)
Everyday is Christmas @ Sampaguita Gardens
This is the one liner marketing of the resort that you will surely remember every time you will hear it name because of Jojo's Christmas Cottage. Sampaguita Gardens has become famous for celebrating Christmas all year round. It is currently being marketed as more than just a destination but an experience.
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| Jojo's Christmas Cottage Day & Night |
JOJO's CHRISTMAS COTTAGE - A
three-storey structure including the attic, with a very Western interior and
majestically seats at the center of the resort is considered to be the most
popular attraction in the resort and have served at its landmark since it
started commercial operation in June 2003. Considered to be the only all-year
round Christmas Store in the country, it manufactures and distributes Precious
Moments dolls.
If the structure of the cottage looks interesting outside, it's even more amazing and interesting inside. You will really feel the spirit of Christmas because every corner of it you will see all sizes of Christmas tree and decors plus the real Santa Claus.
On the first floor you will find Hundreds, if not thousands, of Precious Moments dolls. These dolls with teardrop shaped eyes are for sale. You'll be surely amazed with the huge collection and with the different variety of this dolls.
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| Precious Moment Doll Collections |
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| More of the Collections |
On the second
floor you will be greeted "Merry Christmas" in different
languages posted along the stairs. You will also find here collection of
Precious Moment "belen" and Christmas Small
Village.
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More
of these collection and toys will be found on the third floor. For only 10
pesos (entrance fee for the Christmas
Museum) you will
be transported to Christmas land inside Jojo's Cottage. You will feel like a
child again who's always excited for Christmas and Santa. You'll also be amazed with doll
and toy collections.
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| The rooms; Jojo's Cottage; Pathway at night; Sammy's Circus; Carousel |
Even though we've been
there for work related training its been a great experience staying at
Sampaguita Gardens Resort. You will feel relax by the ambiance of the resort
and for the "Everyday is Christmas" theme. There rooms are
clean and cozy with the veranda facing the beach. Staff are all accommodating
and makwento. I remember the caretaker of the Chapel, he was really
eager to share with us the story behind the chapel, how Mr. Butcher personally
painted the walls and the ceilings of the chapel.
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| The Chapel |
Our group was so fortunate that one breakfast we had the chance to meet and greet Mr. Butcher (the creator of Precious Moment Dolls and owner of the resort). He even welcomed us to his mansion but unfortunately we don't have enough time to visit it.
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| The Group with Mr. Sam Butcher |
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Ang Mansion ni Mr. Butcher
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Photo credit: to my friends and officemates (poor eh, walang sariling camera...). Next time that I will have a chance to visit this resort (sana may camera na ko sarili...) every corner of this place will surely be documented.
After nga pala ng stay na to nag-segway kami
sa Bora as in sumilip lang, and may next post will be about it. (Teaser for the
next entry...hehe...)
----- Au revoir. :) MJ
----- Au revoir. :) MJ
