They say that before
you can love, you need to heal first. And healing starts when you choose to
walk away from darkness and move towards light.
Be healed at Natures Healing Home, a secret, shining gem of a place in Bacsil Ridge, San Fernando, La Union. The place is owned by Fil-Am Prescilla Segundo Garrett, a certified life coach, Dahn yoga master, reflexologist and energy healer. She previously lived in Washington DC, Paris and Morocco, before returning for good to the Philippines to manage full time her nature-inspired lodging home and yoga studio. She is being assisted by her life partner Richard Roselli, a clinically US licensed social worker and therapist.
Precy bought the sprawling five-hectare property in 2005 and developed it into a simple yet lovely healing place for those who are broken, love to commune with nature, or simply want to get away from the noise, pollution and stressful city life. A car accident sometime in 2013, changed her view in life and lifestyle. She found her physical and spiritual healing thru yoga. And she was happy to finally realize her long-time dream of having a home and yoga retreat center on top of a mountain far, far away from the crazy and madding crowd, when she founded and opened Natures Healing Home.
I had a hard time commuting from Manila to San Fernando. It was a summer weekend, and it seems like Manileños were heading towards the beaches of Ilocos and La Union to cool down. All the major buses bound for Laoag, Vigan and Abra were fully booked Friday night until Saturday morning. I had to cut trip, travel longer, and even sit on the bus floor, in order to arrive early morning in San Fernando. The hassle and inconvenience were worth it, once I arrived. It was calming seeing bougainvillea flowers in full bloom from the gates leading to the main house.
The terrain of the place is uneven, it’s a cross between a hill and valley. And it is a picturesque, green paradise guarded by adorable and friendly dogs.
I was warmly welcomed by Precy, who also shared with me how she was able to acquire and eventually cultivate the place.
A small nipa cottage near the entrance is supposed to be the reception area but no one is manning the place. It also used to be a restaurant that caters mainly to cyclists and bikers who frequent the area, especially during weekends.
There are different types of accommodation (aircon and non-aircon rooms) good for family, couple or small group, scattered within the expansive compound.
I stayed in a basic nipa hut with futon, ideal for single camper. There’s no need for an electric fan, because it is relatively cool in the area whatever time of the day, but much cooler in the evening. The hut has no electricity but I was provided with a lamp. There are also common and clean bathrooms for guests’ use.
Precy is also accepting long term tenants; and they are mostly foreigners who want to live in a stress-free environment in the countryside, where the sound mostly one could ever hear are the chirping of the birds and the leaves rustling in the wind.
Guests have access to the main kitchen and the al-fresco dining area, where the complimentary organic breakfast is also served. I definitely enjoyed all the health meals that were served particularly the chocolate pancakes, chicken Italian pasta, burger, and freshly-brewed iced tea.
Most of the ingredients were sourced from Precy’s backyard garden. Some of her plants, which she planted herself are mangoes, tomatoes, dragon fruit, aloe vera, basil, dill, ginger, guava, guyabano, oregano, lemongrass, lagundi, and mahogany.
Yoga changed Precy’s life and she’s excited to continue growing spiritually and sharing her knowledge, wisdom and healthy lifestyle to her guests at her own yoga studio. Her yoga classes take on the traditions of both Eastern and Western philosophical principles. Guests may request for Dahn yoga which is good for beginners or Kundalini Yoga, which is for the advanced.
Hanging on the wall of her yoga studio is a tarp of “Map of Consciousness” developed by David Hawkins. The map was created to develop an understanding of how powerful our thoughts are, and how they directly influence our lives. Of course the highest level one could attain is enlightenment; I only want to reach peace.
Aside from yoga and meditation, Precy also offers counselling services, which address a wide range of problems and concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, substance abuse related issues, physical and psychological trauma, and emotional abuse.
There is also an outdoor reflexology zone, which is beneficial in alleviating body pains by applying subtle pressure on feet.
Hikers would also love exploring nearby attractions such as the Bacsil Ridge Monument, and the cyclist’s lane to adjacent barangays that offers panoramic view of San Fernando City and the West Philippine Sea. I spent my early morning and late afternoon, walking around the area, simply relishing the breathtaking view.
Sunsets and dusks are also spectacular and therapeutic.
I’ve read somewhere
that the place of true healing is a fierce place of monstrous beauty and
glimmering light. Natures Healing Home is, indeed, one of those.
From Manila, take Vigan, Laoag or Abra-bound bus (bus terminals in
Cubao, Sampaloc or Pasay). Get off in San Fernando, La Union (town plaza).
Though there are jeepneys going to Bacsil Ridge, better hire a tricycle to take
you directly to Natures Healing Home.
Natures Healing Home,
F. Ortega Highway, Bacsil,
San Fernando La Union,
Tel. no.: 0917-7775138
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