10,000 Roses: How Fake Flowers Led Me To Life’s Real Treasures

Where were you when 10,000 Roses took Cebu by storm in 2017? Did you rush to this cafe to witness its enchanting garden of LED-lit white roses come to life? Or were you content scrolling through the sea of dreamy posts flooding your Instagram feed? 

I can still remember the buzz when 10,000 Roses became a sensation years ago. 

Everyone was in awe, and it drew photographers, influencers, and curious wanderers from all over the island.

And like most introverts, I didn’t jump into the frenzy.

I waited patiently for the perfect time and moment to visit this garden cafe.

While it did seem attractive, crowds tend to overwhelm me.

Seven years have passed, and somehow, I still haven’t seen this café in person.

I’ve been throughout the Philippines, exploring remote mountains and underrated towns.

And yet, for some reason, I didn’t have the chance or will to see 10,000 Roses.

Then, on one random Saturday, I found myself standing in front of those plastic roses. 

And in that moment, I discovered something more meaningful and more precious than those LED flowers. 

It was a treasure that I have somehow overlooked in recent months.

My 10,000 Roses Experience 

It was a beautiful and sunny Saturday when my family and I decided to go somewhere on our island.

We needed a break from the chaos of modern life, and we needed to celebrate the gift of life.

After a hearty lunch in SM Seaside, we went to a relatively new bookstore in Cordova known for selling used books by kilograms. 

On our way to the bookstore, we searched for options on what to do next.

The bookstore might be great, but a side trip would surely add more fun to our Saturday outing.

My half-Korean-half-Filipino brother-in-law, Eugene, then suggested that we visit 10,000 Roses.

That’d be great, I said.

I haven’t been to 10,000 Roses, even though it’s pretty near our home.

I’m not exactly fond of fake plastic roses, but going there wouldn’t hurt anyway.

So, after a short shopping spree at Bookchigo Cebu, we drove our way to the nearby garden cafe.

Since it was an out-of-nowhere, impromptu decision, I had to do some research about the 10,000 Roses entrance fee.

I asked Google how much is the entrance fee for 10,000 Roses.

Even with the existence of AI tools, like Chat Gpt, I still prefer Google when doing my research.

I work with AI tools daily, and I know their weaknesses and tendencies.

But this time, Google led me to a blog with some strange answers.

The website said it costs 100 pesos per person to enter this garden cafe.

Wait.

What?

100 pesos for a photo-op?

Are you kidding me?

I don’t skimp on experiences, and I have spent a fortune on my trips and climbs.

But I spend them wisely on experiences that would help me gain wisdom and discover my purpose.

I asked my brother-in-law about the rates, and he said he wasn’t sure about it.

Soon after, we arrived at the parking lot of 10,000 Roses and went immediately to the ticket counter.

To my surprise, the 10,000 Roses entrance fee costs only 20 pesos.

I wasn’t complaining. 

I mean.

What can you do with 20 pesos these days?

That’s like a short 1-kilometer tricycle ride.

And I don’t think 20 pesos can buy you a bag of chips.

Everything is so freaking expensive nowadays. 

Entering 10,000 Roses Cebu

Once we settled the fees, we stepped inside the cafe and were blown away by the beauty of the garden cafe.

It’s not a hyperbole.

I know I’ve seen more jaw-dropping sights before, and I’ve mentioned that I’m not fond of fake plastic roses and photo-op spots.

Yet, this experience seemed unique and special.

Why was it out of the ordinary?

Was it because of the perfect weather?

Or was it because our Saturday outing was a breeze?

I didn’t know the answer to this question.

But in a moment, it would hit me, and the answer would slowly come to me.

Snapping pictures of the LED-powered roses 

From the entrance, my sister, mother, nephew, and brother-in-law went directly to the cafe to check out their food options.

Meanwhile, my niece and I took photos of 10,000 Roses, Cebu from different angles.

As I’ve said, there’s nothing really special about 10,000 Roses.

It looks great, but I prefer outdoor adventures and natural wonders, like Casaroro Falls.

Furthermore, it’s nowhere as majestic as the Islamic architecture in Mindanao, such as the Grand Mosque and the Pink Mosque.

And is it as iconic as The Ruins Bacolod?

I don’t think so.

Still, this whole day felt magical.

Maybe, the answer to the question I had earlier lies in the company.

Yes.

That must be it.

Suddenly, I had flashbacks of my adventures in Cebu.

Nostalgic moments 

Years ago, I spent most of my weekends exploring the hidden wonders and uncharted areas of Cebu.

And though some of the places we visited weren’t iconic or jaw-dropping, each trip was special and unforgettable.

The secret to those memorable adventures?

The people.

You see.

Any trip can be fun, exciting, and magical when you’re surrounded by the right people.

Even a simple tiny waterfall, like Taginis, can turn into an extraordinary adventure when you have the right people with you.

That was my secret ingredient to a satisfying adventure before.

That was how I battled the endless parade of stressors years ago.

Even though I now go on solo trips and join other climbing groups, and even though I’ve evolved, I still believe in that special ingredient.

As I admired the stunning skyline of Cebu from 10,000 Roses, I suddenly remembered those happy days.

Perhaps I should explore Cebu a bit more often.

Maybe my journey across the archipelago has made me recognize the value of my hometown, Cebu.

The truth is, this is my first story or blog post about Cebu in almost 2 years.

And Cebu never runs out of ways to entertain you.

From trendy cafes to museums, the island has plenty of options for those who need to escape their hectic city life.

Yes, the traffic and crowds can be at times frustrating, but it’s still one of the nicest places to live in the Philippines.

I guess it’s time to explore Cebu again.

Honestly, I miss those moments when I’d arrive early at dawn at Cebu South Bus Terminal.

And I miss those times when we get wonderfully lost in the middle of nowhere in a remote part of Cebu.

Cebu is a treasure, and I need to spend more time exploring it again.

Well, all I need is to assemble a team of people or friends who are willing to pursue some of my expeditions.

These expeditions won’t be as crazy, daring, and bold as before, but I’m sure they will help beat stress.

Wandering around the garden cafe

10,000 Roses isn’t exactly massive.

But it has plenty of space where you can relax, stretch your legs, and just live in the moment.

We went to a lovely spot in 10,000 Roses that provided a gorgeous view of Cebu and the 8.9-kilometer CCLEX.

Afterward, we went to the cafe and checked out the food and drink options.

As I expected, the rates are a tad expensive, which is normal for any popular tourist attraction, like 10,000 Roses.

My mom and sister ordered some food and desserts, while the rest just chilled and soaked up the surprisingly laid-back atmosphere.

Everything seemed so wonderful and perfect.

If only my daughter was around, this visit to 10,000 Roses would have been absolutely perfect.

She has been to this garden cafe before, but I’m sure she’d had a blast at 10,000 Roses with her father and cousins.

The treasure at 10,000 Roses 

We went back to the sofa spot at 10,000 Roses and did a little sunbathing and sightseeing.

My brother-in-law said that we should, next time, visit 10,000 Roses at night because it looks stunning with its dreamy glowing LED roses.

I agree that 10,000 Roses at night is a unique experience.

But I realized I didn’t need to see Cebu’s 10,000 Roses at night.

Sure, it will be wonderful and exciting, but it’s going to be crowded with people and tourists from other countries.

And besides, any attraction or trip can become pleasant when you have the right people with you.

Then, something hit me, an epiphany revealing the real treasure of my experience at 10,000 Roses.

Here’s the thing.

The real treasure of this story is not the glowing, dreamy plastic roses or the attractions in Cebu.

It’s something more profound than any of the attractions in Cebu.

10,000 Roses reminded me of one of the themes in Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist.

It made me realize that the treasure we seek is often closer than we realize, but we need the journey to recognize its value.

I traveled all over the Philippines, searching for something that would make me happy, content, and at peace.

I climbed the country’s highest mountains, danced with the tribes, and explored the most uncharted regions.

But as I explored 10,000 Roses, I realized the treasure was just buried here in my hometown: my family.

10,000 Roses felt so magical and unforgettable because of my family.

I was around with the people who stuck with me through thick and thin.

I was with people who supported me when I struggled and failed early in my career.

Are we perfect?

Heck, no!

We do have our disagreements, misunderstandings, and low moments. 

There are times when tempers flare when words come out sharper than intended. 

And there are days when our differences feel like insurmountable mountains. 

Yet, no matter how tough things get or how many times we find ourselves at odds, we always find a way back to each other. 

We may be flawed, but every challenge, shared laugh, and quiet moment brings us closer.

At the end of the day, we come together, stronger and more united, with a deeper appreciation for the resilience that defines us as a family.

As I’ve said in other blog posts, friendship is like a revolving door in today’s fast-paced world.

People enter, stay for a while, and then move on to the next chapter of their lives. 

But family?

They are constant. 

They’re the ones who see you at your best and your worst, who celebrate your victories and pick you up when you’re at rock bottom.

They’re not perfect, but they’re real, steadfast, and unwavering.

And here’s the thing about my family.

We’ve been through a lot in recent years after a series of setbacks.

Sometimes, I travel to faraway lands to escape and forget all my worries and traumas.  

In fact, we did this outing because we were so overwhelmed by recent events.

And thankfully, this experience at 10,000 Roses is helping us bond and enjoy one another’s company.

Leaving 10,000 Roses

With crowds slowly flocking to the cafe, we decided to go home and call it a day.

And it was a fun and pleasant experience.

Though the roses were fake, the experience felt genuine. 

As the day unfolded, I realized the magic wasn’t in the roses or the setting.

It was in the company all along. 

Sometimes, the simplest moments with loved ones become the most unforgettable treasures.

How much is the entrance fee for 10,000 roses?

The entrance fee to 10,000 Roses Cebu is only PHP 20 per person. This includes stunning sea views and unlimited photo opportunities.

How to commute from SM Cebu to 10,000 Roses?

From SM City Cebu, take a V-hire bound for Cordova. Ask the driver to drop you off at Gaisano Grand Cordova. Once there, take a tricycle ride to 10,000 Roses, Cebu.

How do I get to 10k roses from Mactan Airport?

There are taxis or Grab cars that can take you directly to 10,000 Roses from Mactan Airport. There are also many tour operators who can arrange your visit and sightseeing tours in Cebu. Just take note that prices are a bit steeper for some tours offered at the airport.