The Sampaguita Gardens Experience

Sampaguita Gardens Resort, is a world-class resort located at New Washington Aklan. Been there twice and probably be back this May. It was no ordinary nor typical resort because you'll have a great experience from there. What I like most in that place is its artistry. It is themed with the Precious Moments artworks that promote messages of loving, caring and sharing.



Jojo's Christmas Cottage - the first all-year round Christmas store in the Philippines. Collection of Precious Moments dolls can be bought here.


The Samuel J. Butcher Mansion I think is the most expensive part of the resort where the collection of antiques and the Ningyo (Japanese dolls) collection are located.



The Precious Moments Meditation Chapel is the latest feature added in the resort. It is a replica of the one in Precious Moments Park in Carthage, Missouri. All the paintings on the wall and ceiling are hand-painted by Mr. Sam Butcher himself, the artist behind the Precious Moments artworks.


This authentic Ford Model T c. 1925 still runs and is sometimes used as a bridal car in select weddings.








The resort has three restaurants that also cater to business organizations for conventions or seminars. Then the Sammy's Circus Rides is where children can enjoy riding the carousel, mini-train and Ferris wheel. Other features of the resort are the 43 ft. aquarium, the Sammy's Showboat, Timmy's Library, the Butterfly Farm and Gift Shop, the Oriental Garden, and the Precious Moments Gallery where Sam Butcher's artistic creations can be found. Their amenities and facilities also include Jojo's Fitness Center and Spa, and they also have swimming pools for children and adults.

The last time I went to Sampaguita Gardens Resort was last February 2008. The entrance fee was just PhP50 and that is consumable. We were not able to consume that either because you have free access anywhere except the Mansion. But the entrance fee for the Mansion was only PhP10 so we just saved our PhP50 consumable entrance fee for our food. We took lunch at the poolside. We thought their food were very expensive but the price was reasonable enough. The other one with entrance fee I think is the Precious Moments Gallery but it was closed when we went there. Probably it opens at night only because the first time I went there, we arrived in the afternoon and stroll around in the evening and we were able to go there.

It was really fun going there. Especially that it is located in Aklan, you must not miss it if you are to take a vacation at Boracay. Its just a 1- 2-hour ride from Caticlan to New Washington, Kalibo. Another thing that makes your visit or vacation at the resort so overwhelming is the warm treatment of their staff. Even if you are just an ordinary person entering the resort, you are very well accommodated and assisted by their staff.