An investment in leisure
MANILA, Philippines - There are a lot of resorts and vacation places that offer weekend fun for families and individuals who want respite from city stresses, but nothing compares to an exclusive club experience in a world-class leisure destination that takes weekend getaways to luxurious levels of rest and recreation.
This is what the Funtila family felt upon entering Hamilo Coast’s Pico de Loro Cove during a site visit as prospective buyers. Angel and Rommel Funtila, farm owners in Batangas, fell in love with the place at first sight. They recognize the deep, simple joys brought about by owning a club membership at the exclusive Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club — the community’s centerpiece amenity — as it provides an immediate escape from the city’s madding crowd and toxic fumes. Many developments describe their views and landscape as breathtaking, but only Pico de Loro is able to back its claims with its encompassing mountain and sea views surrounding the entire property.
Similarly, Lipa-based Enrique and Melanie Macaso judiciously choose vacation trips that are worth their while, being extremely busy with their schedules as industrial doctors and parents to nine-year-old Luigi. As Pico de Loro club members, their regular trips here are something that the family truly looks forward to. They say that such a nature-based leisure paradise as Pico de Loro is a delight to their son, as he calls the place his very own big playground.
For the Funtilas, the decision to invest in a membership at the Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club came swiftly. Their experience is instructive for those who have never owned a club share — it was as simple as talking to a sales agent in a mall where the family was strolling. Angel says they experienced gracious service from the agent of Pico de Loro, from point of inquiry to scheduling a site visit. After exchanging questions and answers, and receiving brochures and e-mails, husband and wife gave the down payment even before visiting the site. It takes a lot of trust to sign up for something that you haven’t physically inspected, but that was precisely what happened in their case.
“Take care of your financial needs first,” counsels Angel, “then if you can afford it, grab the opportunity to make your desires come true.”
That kind of faith is not based on a whim. After all, the developer of Hamilo Coast is SM Land, a dependable, well-known brand, with the financial muscle to deliver on its promise of a world-class nature and leisure destination. The Macaso family also goes by this tenet in making a sound investment — making sure that the developer is capable since many real estate projects these days go beyond their target dates to complete.
Today, since the doctor couple does not always have the time to physically check on the progress of their investment, Enrique always makes time to read regular club member updates that they receive through newsletters, e-mails, or on the Hamilo Coast website. They are kept abreast of exciting developments, from the release of rare pawikan hatchlings along Pico de Loro’s coast, to the recent opening of the Country Club last May.
Complementing the social and outdoor scene at the Beach Club, the recently opened Country Club provides a more active and recreational venue with a pool complex, courts for ball and racquet sports, a bowling and billiards hall, a gym, and spacious locker rooms; a family area with a kiddie room, library, and a family restaurant that allows al fresco dining, juice and snack bars, a Wii room, game and karaoke rooms; and a 350-seat ballroom that can be divided into three separate function rooms.
The Funtilas are amazed at the rate of construction in Hamilo Coast — progressive and fast, but following a master plan that respects the lay of the land. Mom Angel says that every time they come to visit the place, a significant construction milestone surprises them. First was the beach club last year, then the low-impact condo clusters, and most recently the Country Club.
According to the Macasos, they bought shares not for the investment potential, but because they wanted to enjoy the club for rest and recreation. Indeed, the development promotes the good life with its lineup of amenities, restaurants, and building design that naturally blends with the environment.
Meanwhile, the Funtilas, who reside in Caloocan, are happy that they no longer have to travel very far to places like Palawan or Bohol for the family to enjoy nature. Well-paved and secure roads now lead to Pico de Loro, and they are also excited about the upcoming ferry service from the SM Mall of Asia complex. The thought of weekend overnights at Pico de Loro makes the Funtilas happy. By 2011, the exclusive 150-room Pico Sands Hotel will be up and ready to accommodate members and guests. For now, some of the ground floor loft units in the Jacana condominium are available for lease for club members who wish to stay longer.
Members also enjoy a special discounted rate at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay, to provide an overnight alternative to driving home late at night.
One of the best reasons for investing in a membership at Pico de Loro was offered by Funtila kids Aichiro, Aljero, and Amheiro who share that their vacations in Hamilo have provided them valuable insights into the fragile relationship between humans and nature. To see and experience other beach resorts littered with trash and then have the opportunity to frolic in the pristine, protected beach of Pico de Loro, one realizes how one’s actions affect the bigger picture.
The sweet irony is that as you hide from the noise and bustle of city life, you are able to find yourself again at Pico de Loro and locate your place in the ecosystem. Surely, not many investments are able to do that.
To know more about Hamilo Coast and Pico de Loro Cove, call 858-0333 or visit www.hamilocoast.com.
