Philosophy and Intention

Canta Homestead is where we grow food, homeschool our children, learn skills, make art, build community sufficiency, and lead community development projects. It's where we incorporate our various passions and advocacies into creating systems and experiences that is beneficial for the whole ecosystem, making it a space truly for LIVING.At the core of our vision is a philosophy grounded on connection and natural conservation. We believe that we are all inherently interconnected – to our Selves, to our communities, and to the land we inhabit.Inspired by Permaculture principles, we've designed our spaces to have a circular system as well as to be family-friendly and child-inclusive. We believe that this advocacy is best shared to children as they are after all the next generation and they are all learning from our example.

Offerings

We wanted to open up our home to friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers– to share our vision, dreams, and projects. We host a variety of experiences, ranging from fire-to-table dining, workshops, creative hangouts, book clubs, to gatherings focused on learning more about sustainability and design systems.Our food and products hold personal stories of family, childhood memories, travel explorations, and our own journey of self-discovery, made into something tangible. Somehow, a way of reconnecting with our roots, history, culture, and community. We source as local and as less footprint as we can – from our own homestead, our neighbor's farms, and suppliers within Cebu. All made with intention in the homestead.

Canta Camping

One belief that we’ve always advocated for here in the homestead is to be present. Pause, take a breath, and see.. truly see what’s right in front of you. Truly listen to how the environment sounds like. The swaying of the trees, the songs of the birds, the calls of the insects. Nature is rich and alive. One of the best ways to experience Canta Homestead is to give in to the slowness of time, the diverse sensory that is all around you, and to just simply be. This is an invitation to slow down and to reconnect with nature, perhaps to your loved ones, but most importantly, to yourself.We do have plans to eventually build a tiny home experience in the middle of Canta Homestead’s forest but while we’re not there yet, we have an offering for guests who want to experience this kind of lifestyle: a comfortable camping overnight accommodation in our gathering shed.It’s not full-on camping however it’s also definitely NOT glamping; the experience sits somewhere in between. One that you need to experience to fully grasp what we are talking about. But to give you an idea on what to expect, we’ve collated a list on what you may experience, what’s included, guidelines, menu, and other things to note.

Introductory Rate: Php 2,000 / night good for 2 pax
Extra Pax: Php 800 (maximum 8 pax)
Children 6-12 years old: Php 400
Children 0-5 years old: Free

The Canta experience & space:

  • We have on-street parking available around the homestead.

  • Private and exclusive use of the gathering shed, eco playground, and outdoor shower. The tent will be pitched inside the gathering shed. The gathering shed can accommodate 2 tents maximum, and each tent can accommodate 4 pax comfortably. We allow up to 8 pax maximum per stay.

  • Communal use of the compost toilet. We have written instructions inside on how to use it but we will also brief you when we welcome you to our space.

  • Shampoo and soap are provided inside the shower. Linens are also provided.

  • There are banigs available for guest use. You may set them up on the grass or wherever you prefer.

  • Hammocks can also be set-up inside the gathering shed. You may ask assistance from our team.

  • There are reading books available in the gathering shed, with our personal collection of books on design, architecture, parenting, life, and travel.

  • We also have toys and games for children and the children-at-heart ;)

  • We have optional tours around the vicinity available upon request: Hike up the hill, visit the Cantabaco Crag (20 peso entrance fee), or visit Experimental Forest (added fee since this is a few kilometers away)

Check-in & check-out:

As we advocate for slow living, calming our nervous systems and being truly present, one of our main objectives during your stay is to avoid the rush. So we’ve adjusted our check-in and check-out times so you can maximize your stay with us.

  • Canta Camping is available any day of the week as long as the date is available.

  • Check-in: 12:00 noon

  • Check-out: Anytime before 5:00 pm the following day

Inclusions:

  • Camping tent (can fit 4 pax comfortably)

  • Foam mattress with bed sheet

  • Mattress size: 2" x 54" x 75" (for extra pax, there will also be additional mattress)

  • Pillows & fleece blankets (1 for each guest)

  • Bath towels

  • Shampoo & soap

  • Rechargeable lights

  • Electric fan

  • Flashlight / Emergency lamp

  • Wifi connection

  • Use of outlets

  • First aid kit (bandaids, mosquito reppellant, salves, etc)

  • Mineral water & rechargeable pump dispenser

Guidelines:

  • We don’t allow cooking in our gathering shed and since we also use our kusina for service, we also cannot allow guests cooking there. You may ask assistance from our team or borrow utensils, plates, glasses as well as request for cold water in a pitcher.

  • You may order food and drinks (your support will be highly appreciated) but you are also welcome to explore karenderias and other food options outside the compound.

  • All food orders should be ordered prior to your stay as we prep, harvest, and source ingredients as fresh as possible and to avoid wastage.

  • Food is slow-cooked over woodfire in the abuhan.

  • We allow bringing of fingers foods / snacks / drinks, etc; we only request that you bring non-biodegradable waste with you upon check-out.

  • We allow pets of all kinds however guests are solely responsible for pet’s safety, control, and cleanliness. Note that we also have pets in the vicinity (both ours and neighbors’)

  • No smoking / vaping inside the gathering shed. If needed, kindly smoke / vape only in our designated area outside the gathering space.

  • If you decide to bring or buy liquor, we request to please drink moderately. A friendly reminder that you are staying in our home and in a residential compound.

  • Since we are located in a residential area and in respect to our neighbors, quiet time starts at 9:00 pm.

  • Maximum of 8 guests and only overnight guests are allowed to enter the premises.

Things to note of:

  • We are located inside Highland Silangan Compound, Brgy. Cantabaco, Toledo City, Cebu. You can search us in Google Maps to see our exact location - kindly search “Gathering Shed by Canta Homestead”

  • If you need transportation, we have a partner van service (back and forth pick-up/drop-off) for an added fee that will depend where you will be coming from. Please advise at least 7 days prior your stay.

  • Our neighborhood is quiet most of the time. Occasionally and most especially during fiesta season, there might be karaoke, music, and the like. As much as we’d like to assume that it will be quiet during your stay, these things are outside of our control since these sounds come from outside the compound.

  • A reminder that we are in nature: mosquitoes, other insects, and animals are to be expected. We believe in co-existing with these creatures who also play an important role in our ecosystem. However to make your stay comfortable, we are providing mosquito repellants, healing salves, and a few other stuff in our first-aid kit.

  • If you want to thank the Canta team by giving a tip, kindly drop it at our tip box located in the store.

  • If you want to support Canta Homestead’s projects in line, you may also consider giving a donation – may it be through monetary, gifts, skills, time, etc. Some examples of what we can make use of in our projects are: heirloom seeds, seedlings, native plants, wood/timber or used metal roof we can recycle, natural fabrics or yarn, books of all kinds, etc.

Cancellation or Rebooking Policy:

  • We allow rebooking but please let us know atleast 7 days prior your stay.

  • Free cancellation within 48 hours from booking date. After that, the reservation becomes non-refundable.

Needless to say, please respect the space. It is our home and we put so much care and value into creating this space. Most of what you see around are built, planted, and woven with our own two hands alongside our children and together with the Canta team.We are proud of having been able to create something from the ground up, slowly and intentionally – designing, sourcing, recycling, sowing plants from seed, caring, growing, and evolving – one day at a time. We sincerely hope that you enjoy and appreciate your stay with us!

Photo Gallery

Canta Slow Moments

Php 1,800 per person

  • private use of space / exclusive

  • reservation is good for the day 9a - 5p

  • permaculture walkthrough of our space

  • lunch served family-style buffet

  • choose from our full Canta Family Menu

  • selected drinks are unlimited

  • access to Canta's library – books, games, decks

  • Optional: 5 min hike up the hill

  • Optional: 10% off any activity from the Art Menu

Wanderers Pause

No booking fee. Order ala carte.

  • shared use of space with other guests

  • reservation is good anytime between 10a - 5p

  • may order food & drinks from Ala Carte Menu

  • food options are limited & seasonal; changes depending on what's available at the time of reservation

  • advance order is preferred

  • food is slow-cooked over wood fire, serving time can be between 20-50 minutes depending on dish & number of people

  • may order art experiences from our Art Menu

  • access to Canta's library – books, games, decks

Comfortable Camping

Php 2,000 / night for 2 pax

  • overnight camping stay at the gathering shed

  • what is provided: tent, foam, linens, soaps, first-aid kit, fan, and more

  • full details are in the link below

  • may order food & drinks from Ala Carte Menu

  • food options are limited & seasonal; changes depending on what's available at the time of reservation

  • advance order is preferred

  • food is slow-cooked over wood fire, serving time can be between 20-50 minutes depending on dish & number of people

  • may order art ecperiences from our Art Menu

  • access to Canta's library – books, games, decks