Our Story
Kilyawan Farm Resort began during a time when the world slowed down.
In 2020, as lockdowns kept many at home, the Ganzon family found themselves back on their farm in Ibaan, Batangas, together again after years of living apart. What had always been part of their lives took on new meaning. Here, there was space to breathe. Children could run freely through the orchard, ride bikes, and play outdoors without worry.
Grateful for this kind of everyday freedom, the family felt a desire to share it—with friends, with the community, and eventually, with others looking for the same sense of ease.
Kilyawan sits within Villa Vicenta Farms, a working farm that has been part of the land for decades. Some of the structures guests see today carry that history. The cabins, imagined only a few years ago, are built on the original frames of former poultry houses from over 30 years back that once held 55,000 chickens. Instead of starting from scratch, the decision was made to preserve and build on what was already there, giving new life to old spaces.
Across the farm, small choices come together to shape each space.
Bamboo harvested on the property forms the window walls, while old mahogany and reclaimed wood from previous buildings are used for stairs and structural elements. Inside, banig ceilings, woven by women from a small island municipality in Batangas, add warmth and texture. The walls are made from ecobricks, repurposing thousands of plastic sachets, and many of the furnishings are crafted from recycled materials.
Beyond the cabins, local craftsmanship continues to be part of the story, from handwoven textiles by the Ibaan Sunrise Weavers to custom furniture made by local makers and social enterprises.
These are not grand gestures, but quiet, intentional ones; ways of building that value what is already there and the people who help shape it.
Kilyawan is a shared effort, made by many hands.
It was brought to life through the vision of architect Dominic Galicia, whose thoughtful design shaped the resort’s award-winning spaces, and realized on the ground by an Ibaan-based construction team led by Joselito Samson, who took on the challenge of bringing these intricate ideas to life.
The interiors were developed in collaboration with Morfosis, a multi-disciplinary design studio known for creating bold, thoughtful spaces that go beyond function, infusing the resort with subtle moments of color and character that complement its natural palette.
The surrounding landscape was shaped by Plontur, a landscape architecture and design studio that focuses on creating spaces where people and nature come together, ensuring that the farm’s environment feels cohesive and deeply connected to its setting.
It is shaped by farmers, builders, creatives, and a team that continues to care for the space each day. From the forest playground made with repurposed materials, to the open-air dining area designed to welcome light and breeze, each part of the farm reflects a balance of function, creativity, and care.
More than a destination, Kilyawan is a space to pause.
Whether it’s waking up to birdsong, sharing a meal in the courtyard, or simply spending time outdoors with family, friends, workmates, or even alone, we hope your visit feels grounding and quietly memorable.