Weekends at Pico de Loro

MANILA, Philippines -  For many, the time they spend at work is the most important as it is time well spent making a living. But how about getting a life? Leisure time is just as important. Wouldn’t it be nice if, after a whole week of working hard, you can have a full weekend of pure pleasure? At Pico de Loro, you can.

At a special open house held recently, guests got a taste of the seaside leisure community experience at Pico de Loro. Among the activities were a swim race at 3 kms., 5 kms., and 8 kms. in the calm waters of the South China Sea, as well as an exhibition game of beach volleyball between top college varsity teams. Families enjoyed a beachside barbecue with live percussion band entertainment, and airbrush face painting for the kids.

Pico de Loro’s exclusive, members-only Beach Club started operations in February this year. The Lobby Lounge opens to a lap pool and kiddie pool with a clear view of the sparkling sea below. A unique feature is a dedicated kiddie locker room right next to the male and female locker rooms, which are easily accessible from the pool area. There are open cabanas where a relaxing body massage can be had to soothe those tense and tired muscles. The al fresco Brisa Bar, named after the northeastern wind, is found on the upper level, as well as the Arribada Lounge, which also serves as a venue for club members’ meetings, conferences and social gatherings. The weekend buffet at the Beach Club’s Sun Coral Café features international cuisines such as Filipino, Californian and Mediterranean.

The Country Club, built farther away from the beachfront and closer to the clusters of condominium buildings, is expected to be completed by yearend. It will feature an Olympic-size swimming pool facing the sea. A boutique hotel with 150 rooms is also being built for the exclusive use of club members and their guests.

Pico de Loro is the first seaside community to rise at Hamilo Coast, SM Land’s premiere development in Nasugbu, Batangas. With 13 coves and 24 kilometers of coastline, the 5,800-hectare property is master-planned to be developed in phases to make the least impact on the environment. Only 1,800 hectares of the total land area will be developed following the natural terrain, leaving the rest of the mountains and sea untouched.

Pico de Loro, together with Santelmo and Etayo coves, was recently declared a marine-protected area.

“The cove is unique with its narrow mouth and deep inside,” Hamilo Coast project director Herbert M. Herrero said. “It is perfect for providing shelter and protection. Two ridges extend on both sides all the way to the back, making you feel as if you are wrapped in an embrace.” 

Five clusters of six-story, low-density residential condominiums are being built around a four-hectare manmade saltwater lake.

The progressive turnover of units at Jacana, the first of the condominium buildings to be completed, started in November, with units at Myna soon to follow. A variety of spacious unit types are available, from typical one-bedroom to three-bedroom units, special units with lofts, as well as penthouse units.