Monterrazas de Cebu unveils ‘The Pavilions’

CEBU, Philippines - Very welcoming views greet guests to the recent launch of ‘The Pavilions,’ a modern Filipino structure equipped with a free-form pool erected at the North Ridge of Monterrazas de Cebu, up the iconic range of Guadalupe Hills, this city.

According to Lormilo “Dodong” Galo, vice president for Business Development, and Aristotle “Ting” Agbisit, vice president for Construction and Technical Planning, the P70-million clubhouse is just the first of two clubhouses for the Monterrazas project, a premier residential community here. The other would be for The Peaks.

North Ridge and The Peaks are Monterrazas’ two distinctive communities.

Designed by Archt. Augusto “Toti” Villalon, the clubhouse is one of the manifestations of Genvi Development Corp.’s pioneering vision to “realize the importance of providing the right physical surroundings that preserve and enhance the Cebuano values of friendship and neighborliness by designing its development in a manner which provides a series of large and small green open spaces that bring close contact with nature, clustering of residences that encourage human interaction, constructing sports facilities and clubhouses for relaxation, all provided with an eye to increasing neighborly contact and a relaxed lifestyle among residents.”

Already being touted as Cebu’s best clubhouse yet, it ushers in an urban innovation by literally raising every homeowner’s horizons as one enjoys a four-kilometer expanse of light, air, and matchless views found nowhere else in the city, casting premier urban living in a progressive light.

Hosted by Miss Cebu 2010 4th runner-up Carole Monique “Blinky” de Leon, the launch commenced with a Holy Mass and blessing officiated by Msgr. Roberto F. Alesna, followed by warm welcoming remarks by Archt. Toti, president and chairman of Genvi Dev’t Corp.

A festive Sinulog performance by the San Diego Dancers made for a delightful opening salvo. Guests, likewise, enjoyed live performances by Filipina bossa nova sensation Sitti while feasting on delicious dishes courtesy of David’s Catering. Finally, a grand fireworks display by Pyroworks International capped off the celebratory affair.

As for concerns on the environmental impact that had put Monterrazas on headlines in the past, Galo and Agbisit disclosed that business has bounced back after suffering from a setback.

“Yes, we were affected and had a hard time explaining to the buyers what really happened,” Galo said. “We had to explain to every person over and over again that it was not Genvi’s entire fault that there were settlers on a natural catch basin, and that the eight waterways and two major tributaries have to pass by other gated communities.”

“Of course the losses can be recovered as our rates for lot cuts are 50 percent higher than flat areas; what we can’t quantify is the apprehension of the market,” he added.

According to Agbisit, the condition then was worsened by the presence of grills put up in an attempt to prevent water from coming in a fenced community. “Plastic trash and all the other garbage got caught in the gating, thereby slowing down the water’s acceptance into the drainage. The water level rose in the process spilling in other directions, the pressure damaging structures,” he explained.

So, basically the problem was more on the now-magnified lack of urban planning, Galo pointed out. “If we look at the archives, flooding already occurred in the past. That was even when there were yet a few settlements here. The mountains are barren, so imagine the volume of the runoff. But because the natural waterways weren’t blocked yet, the tributaries can accommodate the volume. Today, with problems on urban decay, siltation, and structures even on easement zones which is a perennial challenge in third-world countries we have to forge strengthened community partnerships to prevent a recurrence.”

Monterrazas de Cebu is Genvi’s first real estate venture. It is the largest contiguous property (covering around 200 hectares of land), offering magnificent views of Cebu, Mactan, and Bohol from over a thousand feet above sea level. This integrated master-planned community with varied residential, institutional, and commercial clusters aims to uphold the city’s rich culture and heritage by promoting key elements of the authentic Cebuano lifestyle.