With the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon (also called Canlaon or Kanla-on), all eyes are on the island of Negros in Western Visayas. The country’s third most active volcano lies between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, about 32 kms southeast of Bacolod.

Being the highest peak in the Visayan island, Kanlaon is popular among mountain climbers and hikers. The fact that it is an active volcano adds a certain kind of thrill for the most adventurous. Apart from trekking, it has a zipline and it also offers river trail adventures.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on June 5, reported that the Kanlaon Volcano’s state of unrest has been decreasing even as it remained under Alert Level 2. 

Good thing, our group of Manila- and Iloilo-based media, educators, and vloggers had enjoyed the fresh air, beautiful sights, fantastic cuisine, and the warmth of the locals of Negros Occidental last May 19-21 -- way before the threat of the volcano’s eruption. Our trip was a privately-organized tour for food, eco-tourism, and heritage adventures of Negros Occidental in cooperation with the locals and friends from Bacolod.

Indeed, Negros Occidental is more than Kanlaon, organic produce, and delicacies such as piaya, napoleones, cansi, and chicken inasal.

We were in for the biggest surprise of our life as Melba’s Farm, our home for two nights, is actually a forest, secretly tucked between Talisay and Bacolod City.

After several interviews with sponsors in Bacolod and a tour of Silay, we finally met Melba’s Farm manager Edz Ornillo, for a quick dinner at Chicken House Bacolod. Then we headed to the mountain of rough roads, narrow and forested roads devoid of electricity for nearly an hour. Edz, on his motorcycle, and our Montero car driver Tamtam, skillfully traversed the seemingly forbidden road and brought us safely to the top of the forest!

DOT-accredited agri-tourism site

Melba’s Farm, one of the agri-tourism sites accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT), is located at Sitio Masanglad, Brgy. Cabatangan, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Since its opening to the public in 2009, its mission has always been to provide a serene natural refuge with Mother Nature and to encourage guests to practice environment conservation. With the recent several episodes and various forms of natural calamities which the Philippines and the world experience, Melba's Farm owner Alvin M. Carranza continues this advocacy for protecting and taking care of Mother Earth.

Citing man-made abuses such as illegal logging and deforestation, among others, that led to climate change, Carranza works hand in hand with Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc. headed by Davoy Castor and with the Department of Tourism to promote Negros Occidental as a sustainable destination.

Melba's Farm is located within the 13-hectare property of the Carranza family. The vast property houses an open-air hall, villas and infinity pool surrounded by lauan trees and other species, an assortment of flowers and plants, and greenery, which the family personally planted.

The infinity pool, filled with fresh spring water, overlooks Talisay and Bacolod

The Lauan Room, located on the left wing of the main hall can comfortably bed up to five persons but can room up to ten if needed. 

It’s time for a quiet time to commune with nature and God. 

The forest farm offers “relaxing lodging, forest bathing, and peaceful getaway.” This hidden gem, whose location isn't still available via Google or Waze, can easily be reached via the accredited service providers of Melba's Farm, the MECA-J rent-a-car.

Outdoor advertising honcho Carranza named the farm after his beloved mother, Melba. With the penchant for developing one-of-a-kind properties and turning them into establishments that people can enjoy, Carranza also owns Cafe Lupe Family Restaurant, specializing in Mexican-Ilonggo fusion cuisine. He also opened Casa Alegria, a resort in Tagaytay.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, students and environment advocates engaged in tree planting activities at Melba's Farm where the boy and girl scouts used to camp out to plant. It was also a training ground for Teens Azkals where Carranza’s son, Skie, was a member.  

The place also used to be the spot where the candidates of Miss Earth years back visited and did their tree planting and photoshoot.

Many climate change fora, advocacy events, and extreme sports have been done at Melba’s Farm. This secret spot boasts of a conserve, preserve and protect mantra. Categorized as a healing and forest bathing facility, Melba’s Farm offers a different kind of take on corporate meetings, seminars and conventions, the kind that gets you closer to nature.

A walk under the trees is the best form of forest bathing 

Professional bikers negotiate the rough and narrow road for an extreme bike competition

At night, we slept our tired bodies and worried minds with the invigorating energies discharged by the trees. While mornings began with refreshing dip at the pool of unadulterated spring water and a farm life breakfast of boiled banana & camote, fried danggit, freshly steamed rice and corned beef and vegetable soup over a cup of brewed coffee, prepared by Ate Rosalie. A leisurely walk under the trees and some banter about the farm and nearby communities with the farm’s caretaker, Teddy Rojo, before heading out to other destinations, completes the much-needed rejuvenation.

Promoting Negros Occidental as a sustainable destination.

According to DOT, Melba’s Farm could help visitors “to learn about zero-carbon footprint agricultural systems and other innovations which shall guide them in taking care of the earth we live in.”

For Carranza, his dreams for Melba’s Farm is to become another forest and ecological park for Negros to propagate awareness to save the environment and help abate the issues on climate change – even by just simply planting trees. 

“As you can see, Melba’s Farm has a good potential to become a City Botanical Garden, Forest Park, and Zoo in addressing Climate Change. This park would serve as a living museum of biodiversity, showcasing the region’s rich array of plant species. This green space would not only protect native flora but also promote environmental awareness among residents and visitors. Hopefully, the DOT and the City of Bacolod or Talisay would pick up and help develop it since it’s the nearest forest in Bacolod and Talisay.”

Alvin also calls on officials from the LGUs and concerned government agencies towards working on the realization of this “forest gem that we all need.” After all, the roads in the nearby communities of Melba’s Farm are in dismal shape.

“Our farmers need farm-to-market roads. Likewise, our students need roads to schools,” he emphasized.

Melba’s Farm sits on top of the highland with more or less 600 meters in elevation above sea. Standing on the pool side, one can see the vast aerial view of Bacolod and Talisay. This cool and cozy abode is truly a must visit in this side of Negros Occidental offering the perfect rewind of what holistic and sustainable living should be.