Detox Farm and PINK Pleasures

Toxins from the bloody presidential election held three weeks earlier were coming out of our ears.  

Son #3 noticed that these were causing us—especially his aging parents—unnecessary anxiety, and declared we all needed detoxification. 

“My treat,” he said and booked an overnight stay in a farm in Bali, Indonesia on Philippine soil. 

What I remember of Bali, where I once attended a meeting, are all at Dewi Sri Farm, only better. Everything is natural—from hydroponically grown veggies and fruits to organically fed fish, chickens, and cattle. 

The air is pollution free as the farm is tucked in a 10-hectare lot away from the highway. And because it is in Laguna, where the soil is richer than many places in Metro Manila, all flora and fauna are ten times bigger, taller, and healthier than what we have in our garden. 

That blissful and peaceful weekend, we were the only guests—just Tony, two sons, and me. We claimed all as our own—the swimming pool, gazebo, fish pond, birds in the air, animals freely roaming around, and all other areas that the two boys toured on young, sturdy legs. Tony and I pretty much kept ourselves around the Indonesian villa. 

A surprise bonus: PINK pleasures were here and there—the décor, art pieces, flowers, and leaves. Why, even the tilapia was PINK! 

Beside the swimming pool, while the cicadas sang, the geckos rasped, and the birds chirped, I had a spirited chat with the farm manager, who is a kakampink. We reminisced about the campaign, and how it inspired volunteerism and awakened love for country. 

“I am looking forward to the Angat Buhay NGO,”  he said, “so I can help the needy with citizen Leni leading us.”  Like me, this is the first time he has ever participated in a political campaign in his life, although he had been a student leader in a state university. 

PINK made its presence felt. 

Whether in a toxic environment or a detox farm, hope occupies a space. With detoxified ears and eyes, we can clearly hear and see it, and appreciate the grace it brings. 

". . . if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21 ESV)