Most industrialized countries—the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, most of European nations and even some parts of Africa—experience four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn.
Among the four seasons, I really like spring; it follows winter and precedes summer. It is the time of the year when flowers are in full bloom. Various colors in different forms come alive before your eyes: red, yellow, orange, blue, violet, pink and white.
In the US spring happens from March to May—yes, only three months. If you happen to visit in one of the foothills of Mount Apo (the country’s highest peak), you get to experience spring all-year round.
“Once the plants start their to wither, the gardener immediately uproots all the plants and change them with new ones,” explained Richard Reyes, who accompanied us during the tour, on why flowers are always blooming.
A plant nursery is at the back of the 8-hectare area (100,000 square meters). The plants are raised from seeds, stems or cuttings, until they are ready for transfer as replacements for those that withered already.
The plants are handled with care by the gardener. In fact, the leaves of those that are attacked by pests are soaped individually. About 100 people are maintaining the sprawling complex as each 10-sq m has a personnel in charge.
If during a tour you wonder why most of flowers are unfamiliar, it is because most of them are imported from other countries. Every day at least seven trucks of water are consumed to maintain the gardens and their landscapes.
The place is in Barangay Tamayong in Calinan, Davao City. It takes more than an hour (due to traffic and speed limit) to get there. You know you are almost there because you will find some pineapple plantations as you approached; fruit trees, like durian and mangosteen, also abound.
It is known as “The Garden of Eden Restored,” but most people preferred it to be called as the Covenant Mountain and Prayer Center. The reason: There’s a barangay in Toril named Eden, and some visitors have mistaken it to be the place.
“Mountains have always placed a special role in God’s dealing with men,” its web site points out. “The laws were given on a mountain. God has chosen a mountain wherein He would reveal His plan to man. God has given His covenant in a mountain.”
The significance of the place is that it is the birthplace of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. It was here that Executive Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy was born, grew up and trained spiritually for five years.
According to Cristina San Pedro, who is the human-resource manager, the building structures were completed within six months of 24-hour nonstop construction in 1999. “With his own team of architects and engineers, Pastor Quiboloy himself administered the construction,” she said.
At first, the place was only for the members of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ. “But five years ago, we opened it to the public,” San Pedro said. They allowed only 100 visitors per day. “If there’s more than that, a special arrangement from the management is needed.”
The place is open from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Wearing of shorts, particularly for women, is strictly prohibited. Closed footwear is most preferred. Visitors are advised to bring their own umbrella to protect themselves from the scorching heat of the sun.
How do you get there? From the downtown proper in Davao City, take a jeepney that goes to Calinan. Once you are in Calinan, disembark at the area where there’s a lot of habal-habal, or motorcycles. Tell the driver that you are going to Tamayong Prayer Mountain, although it is more popularly known as Quiboloy’s. Ask first how much, and tell the driver if he can wait for you when you return back (the place is far and secluded, and you may have a hard time finding a ride going back).
For those with vehicles, go straight to Calinan. From the Calinan junction, turn left to the town proper, then proceed to the jeepney terminal. Once you passed by the Wangan Bridge right after the jeepney terminal, go straight ahead going to Barangay Sirib. From Sirib, turn right going to Davao Pineapple Plantation. When you get to Barangay Cawayan, take the road going straight to Lower Tamayong (where you could see a big signage leading to the Covenant Mountain and Prayer Center). From Tamayong Barangay Hall, turn left, and go straight ahead.