Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort: A Sustainable Escape in the North of Laguna

POSTED BY: Lionell Go Macahilig
2025-10-16 04:35:41 PHT

Whenever “Santa Maria” is mentioned, most people think of the municipality in Bulacan. However, did you know there is another Santa Maria—this one in northern Laguna? In the southern part of this municipality lies a sanctuary where people and nature harmoniously connect: Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort.

Nestled in a serene mountain forest, Shepherd’s Ridge was initially conceived as an exclusive family vacation retreat during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to owner and general manager Vinia Abragan. “We secured the property in 2020 and settled in 2021. We had some visitors, and my daughter-in-law, who is an architect, came up with the idea to build some structures here,” she said.

Since then, nearly one hectare of the 3.2-hectare property has been developed, blending seamlessly with the lush greenery and rugged terrain.

Accommodations include A-houses, tiki houses, cabins, and villas crafted from indigenous materials such as bamboo. At one of the resort’s highest points, four glamping domes—complete with air conditioning, bathrooms, and viewing decks—can host up to 16 guests. Nearby are a bar with a viewing deck and a bonfire pit for nighttime gatherings. Guests can also enjoy panoramic views of Rizal province and Laguna de Bay from picturesque spots such as Eagle’s Nest, the Heart of Shepherd’s Ridge, and the resort’s swimming pool. Fixed accommodations can house up to 60 guests, and the capacity rises to 100 with tent pitching.

Beyond its nature-inspired lodgings, Shepherd’s Ridge offers a variety of recreational activities. “While other resorts in the area offer only camping or glamping, we also provide activities to keep visitors immersed in nature. We have airsoft, archery, a zipline, and wall climbing. Visitors can also try our ATVs (all-terrain vehicles),” Abragan said. During our stay, we rode ATVs from the resort to Marilag Eco Park in northern Santa Maria. After nearly an hour’s drive, we trekked uphill for another 30 minutes to reach the hidden Three Falls (Marilag Falls), where we enjoyed the scenery and cool water.

Back at Shepherd’s Ridge, we had lunch at Don Genaro’s Restobar, where we savored Filipino and Italian dishes, finishing with a cup of coffee made from locally sourced beans. The resort also grows its own herbs and vegetables.

“Even in the restaurant, we envision sustainability. We are connected to the garden, maximize the ingredients we have, and turn food waste into compost,” said Mayelle Edades, head chef and food and beverage manager. Chef Gene Gonzalez, the resort’s culinary consultant, added, “Before, we had to get a lot of supplies from Manila. Now we can harvest many ingredients on-site. We have a great environment to highlight Filipino cuisine amid lush greenery, where guests can eat fresh.” Gonzalez works alongside chefs Toto Erfe, Gino Gonzalez, and Francis Roman.

Shepherd’s Ridge is the only Department of Tourism–accredited resort of its kind in Santa Maria, Laguna. “We are the first to lead tourism here, and our DOT accreditation helped us extend our reach. We were able to attend travel expos and help revive the tourism association Turismo Marilag, which fosters collaboration between the tourism sector and local businesses,” explained marketing manager Kai Roa and operations manager Vince Jandayan.

This collaboration has supported businesses and created jobs for Santa Maria residents and those from nearby municipalities. “Most people here are very thankful because they have work. We hired locally—none of my employees is from Metro Manila, except the electrician. Some employees even come from Mabitac and Pakil,” Abragan noted.

Recognizing the resort’s economic contribution, Mayor Maria Rocelle Carolino said, “Santa Maria was a fourth-class municipality. This year, thankfully, we were reclassified as second-class. The Department of Finance determines an LGU’s ranking based on income and considers establishments that emerge in the municipality. Shepherd’s Ridge contributed to our reclassification.”

Agriculture remains a primary livelihood in Santa Maria, which ranks third in land area among Laguna’s cities and municipalities. Seeing the town’s tourism potential, Mayor Carolino added, “To sustain the influx of visitors who want to see Santa Maria’s natural beauty, we are focusing on livelihood training to empower our constituents, especially women, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and DOT.”

Abragan shares a similar vision for the resort’s role in education. “We are working on getting TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) accreditation for bartending and pastry making. I believe that if you want to help families, don’t just give them money—educate them. I want the resort to become a TESDA training facility in the future,” she said.

Who would have thought that an idea born as a private family retreat would evolve into a destination for adventurers, riders, and camping enthusiasts—and a sustainable hub promoting life on land, good health and well-being, and decent work and economic growth, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort is managed by Approche Hospitality Management. For more information, visit https://www.approchehospitality.com/.