Ugu Bigyan Garden, a must-visit in Tiaong.

Tiaong is a landlocked municipality in the province of Quezon and its borders are the city of San Pablo in Laguna, and the municipalities of Dolores, San Antonio and Candelaria in Quezon.

It is not as popular as the other tourist destinations in the Philippines but it has a charm of its own. I am from Tiaong and it will always be my home.  I may not have explored the whole of the town, but this first class municipality, two and a half hour drive from Manila, offers its own authentic tourism to Tiaongins and visitors. Ugu Bigyan Pottery Garden and Restaurant is a must-visit in this town.

Nipa and brick-inspired huts

This seasoned well-maintained house of the owner is right in front of the entrance gate.

The garden owned by the famous potter Mr. Ugu Bigyan in Baranggay Lusacan, in Tiaong, Quezon, a 10-minute drive from the town proper, offers a very relaxing and cozy ambience. A weekend visit to the garden together with my high school friends made me appreciate the creative skills of a fellow Tiaongin, Mr. Bigyan. 

My visit one weekend of August was my first time. I can't help but admired and be amazed at the unique works of Mr. Ugu during my two-hour visit to the garden. The dominantly green garden contrasts perfectly with the nipa and bricked-inspired open huts and function halls. 

Nipa-inspired Open Huts or Kubos

The recently opened Café U which caters to walk-in guests like us is likewise designed to offer a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Every design element in the café is rightfully and carefully placed.

These stone decorations outside the Cafe U define elegance from beautiful simplicity.

Entrance of the Cafe U. The glass door allows you to still have a glimpse of the garden. The unique door handles are also attention catcher.

One of the cafe's dining table. The glass walls allow guests to still have a clear view of the outside.

The English menu for food and beverages has it Filipino equivalent printed.

The cafe which is open up to 7pm serves snacks or merienda. A reservation is to be made for group meal sets. (for a minimum of ten persons). 

I enjoyed my suman sa lihiya order and kapeng barako in that raining Sunday afternoon. My friends also took delight in their puto and dinuguan, classic halohalo and pansit habhab orders.

My suman sa lihiya and kapeng barako order.

These are just some of the items displayed in the pottery gallery shop which are all designed by Mr. Ugu. The items are all for sale.

Our group, all Tiaongins, posed for a picture inside the Cafe U. At the back is the portrait of  Mr. Ugu Bigyan.

Our eyes feasted on the beauty of this secret garden in our hometown. That weekend visit might just be a short one, but catching a glimpse of the place made us enjoy the garden's beauty and appreciate the works of a great artist. Unfortunately, Mr Ugu is not around during the visit.

We are definitely returning! 

Other Photos.....