Redefining quality of life

Young urban professionals seeking relief from the pollution and the frenetic pace of big city living are finding an alternative lifestyle in Santarosa Estates 2, a thriving community in the heart of the dynamic self-contained Sta. Rosa in Laguna.

Offering scenic views but within reasonable commuting time to the Makati, Pasig and Manila business districts, this LPHI-developed community offering house-and-lot packages has become a haven for young families. A short drive from Tagaytay, Santarosa Estates 2‘s main attraction is its idyllic surroundings, the kind city folk long for constantly. The Santarosa Estates landscape includes a wide-angle view of Mt. Makiling, mist-covered cane fields, puffy clouds, blue skies and cool breezes from Laguna de Bay. In the evenings, the sky is ideal for stargazing.

A Santarosa Estates resident, Vicky Pangilinan relates that it is easy to forget the tensions of her professions as a fashion accessories designer and informal partner of her architect husband John after a day’s work. "Our stress levels easily subside once we enter the village," she relates.

The Pangilinans were content to reside in a busy Parañaque subdivision until their son, Miguel, now three, developed bronchial problems when he was only a three-month-old infant. At six months, he was dependent on asthma maintenance medicine, a development that prodded them to seek a community with fresh, unspoiled surroundings. Together with their firstborn, Stella, now three, the couple soon after purchased a Santarosa Estates property.

In their cozy Santarosa Estates home where they grow their own herbs, Miguel hardly gets sick and neither does Stella. It helps that early mornings are almost always pleasant and that the climate is several degrees cooler than in Metro Manila. In addition, the Pangilinans have peace of mind that they live in a serene and secure community. "We no longer need to have protected steel grills on our windows," she smiles.

For Giselle and Arnold Dayrit, a condominium in the heart of the city was fine until they began expecting their firstborn. Like many other couples who purchased house and lots of Santarosa Estates, they moved to allow their 15-month old Joaquin the privilege of living close to nature in a community where all of them could easily make friends. "In Santarosa Estates, we all enjoy quality of life," says Giselle, and for this reason, it is easier to cultivate neighborliness.

Quality of life is very much helped by the fact that supermarket, church, village commercial center and a wet market that carries the bountiful produce of Cavite and Laguna are all within a two-kilometer radius. Giselle runs a franchise of David‘s Salon near her home and has to only cross the street outside her village gate to go to work. For his part, Arnold telecommutes and can get the job done within the comforts of his house. Should either of them desire to be employed, job opportunities are offered by the many multinational manufacturing, electronic and IT companies operating in Sta. Rosa.

When Joaquin is of school age, Giselle and Arnold will be able to choose from among a range of educational institutions in the area the one best suited for him. These include Brent international school, De La Salle Canlubang, Don Bosco and even a Waldorf-inspired playgroup called Acacia. Should they eventually ahve a girl, she would be able to attend St. Scholastica’s Westgrove.

Homes at Santarosa Estates 2 range from 90-165 sqm. in lots that are from 159-561 sqm. in size. Various models offer a number of layouts as well as room for growth. By year end, the community’s leisure facilities will have completed. These include a 3,400 sqm. landscaped park with clubhouse, basketball court, swimming pool, jogging path and fitness trail.

Residents at Santarosa Estates 2 say they have a standard answer to the question: Will you be going out of town? They reply with relish: "But we live out of town." And love it, as well.