Road Traffic Situationer - Summer 2009

Via SLEX
Expect heavy traffic on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Magallanes up to Alabang. This is due to the ongoing 2-year construction project extending the Skyway to Alabang. To avoid heavy traffic on your way to Agape Springs, leave no later than 9am or take the Skyway.

Via Coastal Road
For those who need to pass this way, the bottleneck will be at Bacoor, which will be tolerable during non-rush hours.

A Glorious 2009 Summer Ahead

It's officially summer, and the resthouse bookings for weekends are filling up fast. Agape Springs is in full bloom again, and absolutely gorgeous.

Can't decide which fun thing I'm going to do there first, but here's a list:

Find 'helicopter flowers' to twirl
Picnic lunch under the 100-year-old Nardong Putik tree
Pick ripe tamarind pods to make into sauce
Hike along the river & find the hanging bridge
Read & nap in the hammock under the santol tree
Lie on the grass and cloud-watch
Jump into a humungous pile of freshly fallen leaves
Take macro shots of nature patterns & make people guess what they are
Hunt for edible wild herbs
Roast hotdogs and marshmallows at the sunset bonfire

... oh heck -- maybe I'll do them all before the summer's through.

Caccam-Perez International Reunion

Last January 25-26, the Perezes came to Agape Springs all the way from Baguio, La Union, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, and the US. Caccams came from the US and Iraq, joining the Caccams of Pasig. Three generations of Sisons from Los Baños (by way of Pangasinan) arrived too. From Dasmariñas, Cavite they all journeyed to Baguio City, and then to La Union before going back to their respective international homes.

Click on the photo for a larger view. For more photos, click here.

UPCYM Retreat

The UP Christian Youth Movement (UPCYM), the youth organization of the UP Church of the Risen Lord, spent their spiritual retreat at Agape Springs last January 14-15. Pictured with them is their facilitator and counselor Vida Mei Rivera. Click on each photo for a larger view.

Resthouse Blessing

Guests sang the hymn "For The Beauty of The Earth" as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of Agape Springs and the blessing of its new resthouse last January 7. They were accompanied by a string quartet from the UP Conservatory of Music. Property developer Pio Caccam gave the opening remarks.

Pastor Kevin Alamag of the UP Church of the Risen Lord led the thanksgiving service in the orchard, and with church elders performed a building dedication ceremony. Among the guests were neighbors from Barrio Manalo, De Molay brothers (Jose Abad Santos Chapter), three generations of friends from UP Diliman, and balikbayan friends from the US.


View the rest of the pictures here and here.

20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago, a group of friends invested in several hectares of land in Dasmariñas, Cavite, and called the place Agape Springs. "Agape" is defined as "the unconditional love God has for all of his creations". There are two "Springs" -- one on the southwestern slope of the property along the Dasmariñas river, and another on the eastern side of the property in Barrio Manalo. The land was planted with either pineapples, native sweet corn, or peanuts. Every summer, the children of these friends would hold their church camp there, where part of their activities included helping build a bamboo - and - rattan "bahay kubo" resthouse (right).


As the years passed, Agape Springs was carefully developed as a "green island" amidst expanding urban sprawl. Different species of trees and vines and flowering ornamentals were planted throughout the farm. In 2005, the old resthouse was torn down. A new building was built in its place, offering a number of amenities for the comfort of its guests (photos here). Agape Springs celebrated its 20th anniversary and and New Resthouse Blessing last January 7, 2006. It is now being managed professionally by Jadehouse, Inc.

Your Private Retreat & Events Destination

Agape Springs Farm & Resthouse
Barrio Manalo, Bgy. Sampaloc III, Dasmariñas, Cavite

Agape Springs is only one hour's drive away from Makati via the Southwoods exit of the South Luzon Expressway. Playing golf, going to the beach or going sight-seeing? From where we are you can reach Tagaytay City in 30 minutes; Taal, Batangas in another 45 minutes.

Our resthouse lies in a natural, forested setting surrounded by birdsong. It's perfect for weekend family reunions and groups on spiritual retreat. Companies will also find Agape Springs an ideal place for intimate corporate planning / team-building exercises. Especially welcome are nature lovers of all ages.



For inquiries and reservations, call our Manila office: (02) 637-8081 (Tel.) / (02) 631-6523 (Tel/Fax) or at 0917-9081633 & 0917-5272151.

Email us or simply leave comments below. See you this weekend!