Tucked away in the heartland of Central Luzon, this centuries-old food granary of Luzon is two hours’ drive from Metro Manila. The Grill offers a venue for soon-to-be-weds in search of a fresh alternative to the urban scene.

Coconut Grill

"Some have termed this concept ‘agro-tourism’," says Milit Baron, who runs the complex. "But I prefer to describe it better as a back-to-basics experience, where one can bask in the bliss of harmonizing with nature."

Certainly the visitor is awed by the sheer expanse of space that the ‘agro-tourism’ complex provides. The sprawling venue is able to accommodate hundreds, even thousands of guests in a spacious bucolic setting unspoiled by its well-placed modern facilities. Only the occasional quacking of ducks or the distant humming of a tractor punctuates the overall tranquility of the complex.

Near the MacArthur Highway, a restaurant provides specialty Filipino cuisine that is earning praises from visitors. An Internet blogger writes, "Their sinigang na maya-maya is good but it still cannot beat the sinigang na maya-maya I once tried at Coconut Grill in Capas, Tarlac."

Supplying the food for the wedding receptions is the Manila Catering Services, an outfit that has received the Consumers’ Choice award for three years running. This company serves its renowned Pampango delicacies but offers other kinds of equally delectable cuisine as well.

A variety of other facilities at The Coconut Grill allows for bigger functions to be held there. An area with large white tents surrounded by trellises, cacti gardens, flowering vines, and twinkling lights can accommodate hundreds of guests and is easily decorated for events.

There are other areas for those who want their settings even more natural. A special feature in the west side of The Coconut Grill is a pair of man-made lakes, the bigger of which is spanned by a picturesque bridge. People can relax on the grass of the lakeside, soaking up the scenic splendor of one of nature’s greatest artistic masterpieces: the golden hues of a sunset reflected on the placid surface of the lake’s waters.

Guests who wish to immerse themselves even more in the soothing beauty of the lakes can go boating or fishing in them.

In addition to these lakes are man-made fishponds with walkways. Here, guests can explore the tranquility of a fish farm. At the center of each fishpond is a videoke hut.

Another large area which can seat eight hundred persons is shaded by boughs of native fruit and hardwood trees and illuminated with fairy lights.

Those with a green thumb can try their hand at harvesting and other farm work in the vast farmlands planted to crops like corn and vegetables. Beyond the cornfields is a poultry farm where guests can pick eggs or feed the chickens.

The agri-tourism concept behind the Coconut Grill enables guests to not just commune with nature but also to interact with it in an earth-friendly and organic way. In these farms, guests can connect with the environment and their native Filipino roots through the uncomplicated, low-stress pleasure of farm living.

Two resthouses are available for those who would like to prepare for their weddings, or for guests who might stay overnight in order to enjoy the facilities even more. One of these is a charming thatched Filipino-Balinese hut that overlooks a pond of stunning lotus flowers and koi. Beside the hut are man-made waterfalls; the rhythmic sounds of cascading water can easily lull the visitor to sleep.

Around the ponds, nature lovers can sit on grass lawns dotted with graceful dwarf coconut trees, or sip drinks at tables crowned with large, elegant parasols. They may also choose to swim or loll in an outdoor pool under a country sky.

Guests who wish to maximize the relaxing experience can opt to get massages (available upon request from the management) in the Filipino-Balinese hut or in the privacy of their own rooms (for those renting resthouses).

Indeed, Coconut Grill offers much for soon-to-be-weds looking for a place where romance meets nature.