A-MAZE-ing Sunflower: Get Lost and Have Fun | Tayug, Pangasinan

A-MAZE-ing... 

This has been the famous post lately in social media particularly in Facebook and Instagram. They are referring to the first ever (and probably the only) sunflower maze in the Philippines.

Arial view of the sunflower maze. [Credit to the owner of the photos]

A-MAZE-ing Sunflower, located in Barangay C. Lichauco in the humble town of Tayug in Eastern Pangasinan, is a masterpiece in agricultural landscape unveiled last February 15, 2017. It is owned and managed by Allied Botanical Corporation (ABC), the only 100% Filipino Seed Company that has its own research and breeding facility. The giant sunflower maze occupying the 2,100 sq.m. of the 3-hectare demonstration farm and composed of around 8,000 sunflower plants is part of ABC’s effort in promoting sunflower as one of the high-value flowers that growers can profit from.

Sunflower or Helianthus is one of the most popular flowers in the world. It can grow up to 1.8 meters (or 6ft) tall. During growth, sunflowers tilt during the day to face the sun, but stop once they begin blooming. This tracking of the sun in young sunflower heads is called heliotropism. By the time they are mature, sunflowers generally face east. (Wikipedia)

GET LOST AND HAVE FUN!

The maze, which is the main attraction of the farm was designed by landscape artist Toni Rivera. The pathways are wide enough to fit four people walking side by side. There were no obstacles in the maze, of course, so it's safe for everyone. It's just that, if you were not able to take the right path to the exit, you will get lost in the middle. This is normal for first-timers. But don't worry, getting lost in the maze is part of the adventure. Take it as a challenge and try to search the path that will lead you to the maze's "secret gardens". Three of the dead-ends are "secret gardens". These gardens, offer selfie/groufie-perfect backgrounds and resting place where you can think and try to figure-out how you can exit.

1. The Pallet Garden

This garden can be booked and rented for photo-shooting.  

2. The Garden Set

2. The Comfort Zone

Tourists can also get some ideas on how junk things like drums, tires, sprinklers, cabinet drawers, chairs, farm boots or even toilets are turned into pots and adorned with plants. The old Ford truck of ABC founder Willy Co planted with different edible and ornamental plants will be greeting you as you enter the maze. 

Aside from sunflowers, the farm also showcase different kinds of ornamental plants and vegetables. There are more than 500 varieties of vegetables that are planted in the vegetables farm, just beside the maze. A watermelon, melon and sweet corn farm is also located near the maze. Visitors can pick vegetables, melons or sweet corn from the farm and pay accordingly. Seeds and seedlings of many kinds are also available for sale for those who are planning to put up their own farms or gardens. 

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS:

1. ABC's Annual Open Days is from February 17-May 17, 2017 only. The  first bloom of sunflowers will last until Feb. 27, 2017. Effective Feb. 28, the Sunflower Maze will be temporarily closed due to slight damages caused by heavy foot traffic and withering of sunflowers. The next bloom is expected on the 3rd week of March and it will be open again for tourists. However, the vegetables garden will be open for visitors.

2. The farm is open from 7:00 am to 5:00pm

3. There is a Registration/Entrance Fee of P100.00 for regular visitors while P80.00 for Senior Citizens, Students and Persons with Disabilities. Senior citizens and students must present their valid IDs to avail of the discounted fee.

4. Don't forget to apply sunblock/sunscreen lotions or wear sun protect gears. The plants needs direct exposure from the sunlight so expect harsh heat from the sun.

5. Comfort/Rest Rooms are available at the ABC or Allied Agro Building, near the registration area.

6. Food carts and booths are available near the farm, so don't you need not to worry about it.

7. PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES. Do not pick flowers, or step into the plants.

8. Do not forget to bring your cameras. The farm is really picturesque.

9. Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Leave nothing but footprints.

With today's influential Facebook and Instagram, A-MAZE-ing Sunflower has caught the attention of thousands of tourists and since its launched, around 1,500 visitors flock to see this Sunflower maze per day. 

Agri-tourism is now a booming industry in our country, and A-Maze-ing Sunflower is an accredited tourist spot by DOT as a Day Farm. 

How to get to Sunflower Maze

The farm is located in Barangay C. Lichauco, Tayug, Pangasinan. For commuters, tricycle ride costs P120.00 per trip. For me, this is overpriced. I don't know if this is the approved  fare matrix or if the local government of Tayug knows about it. 

Date of Experience: February 23, 2017