A Blooming Day Trip to Sunflower Fields Down South

Flower fields fascinate me and I have always wanted to see the famous lavender and tulip fields. However, this blog is not about these flowers, but to an equally beautiful Sunflower fields of Tupi in South Cotabato.

My Facebook wall became an instant virtual garden due to the sunflower crave brought by the blooming petals in Tupi's Sunflower field - Blooming Petals Agri-Tourism Park. With the power of social media, the park became an instant tourist attraction in South Cotabato as people flocked to the farm everyday. 

I remember joining two separate groups - my friends and officemates - to check out the now-famous Sunflower Park. It was totally the same fascination I felt with the different travel group, because of the yellow brightness that the sunflower brought. It has been the newest tourist destination in Soccksargen Region that day-trippers have been raving about. It's something unique in the area even given the numerous scenic places throughout around and it's attracting visitors coming in droves. The sun was high when we arrived at the place as it was an open field. But you can't see a visitor backing down not getting a good photo for keeps.

Accordingly, sunflower’s yellow color symbolizes vitality, intelligence, and happiness. The color yellow also traditionally symbolizes friendship. Its name comes from its tendency to reposition itself to face the sun. It’s genus, Helianthus, is rooted in two Greek words — “helios” meaning sun and “anthos” meaning flower.

It’s no surprise sunflowers get so much attention with their massive presence and big, happy petals. Sunflowers also symbolize worship and faithfulness in various religions because of their resemblance to the sun, which is associated with spiritual knowledge and the desire to seek light and truth.

Aside from the sunflower plantation carefully landscaped and carefully grown, the entire 13-hectare land does not only boast of its radiant and aesthetic sunflowers, it is also known for its fresh produce sold in their pasalubong area. You may even pick-and-pay your own vegetables. Plus! You can also buy sunflowers cut fresh from their garden.

How to get there:

For commuters from Cotabato City City:

1.) Ride a bus from Husky Terminal to Tupi Transport Terminal. Fare ranges from 100 php (for students and senior citizens) to not more than 150php. Getting there will only take you less than three hours (including the bus stops).

2.) From the transport terminal, ride a tricycle to Blooming Petals, Inc. There’s actually nothing to worry about since the drivers around are already familiar with the place. As soon as you step out of the bus, you’ll be surrounded by drivers. Tricycle ride will cost you 20php, and you’ll get there in more or less 10 minutes.

For those with private vehicles like us:

Getting there won’t be much of a hassle. From the national highway, take a turn to where you will see the “Blooming Petals” tarpaulin. Go straight ahead, and you will see another sign telling you to turn left. Just follow the arrows and you’ll get to the entrance of the park.

The Park opened their gates to the public at an entrance fee of PHP 30 for adults and PHP 20 for children.

For those who missed the impressive sunny flowers of blooming petals, don't be sad. You can check out their fb Page - Mariano's Blooming Agri-Tourism Park for updates on when will be the season for blooming petals.

Love, 

Cotabatena Wanderer