Unconventional beachfront rises at Pico de Loro Cove

MANILA, Philippines - In a tropical country like the Philippines, people are mostly beach-loving. However, the challenge is to provide a unique experience for every beach destination. This is why beachfronts have evolved from being a mere jump-off point for ocean adventures. What used to be a flat stretch of sand dotted with trees and greens is now a destination or amenity on its own, offering alternative options apart from typical seaside exploits.

It’s now customary to find commercial establishments lining the boardwalk, and various sand-based sports and activities spread out next to the water. The beachfront is now sharing the spotlight with the sea as a favored spot for relaxation and recreational activities.

Not far from Metro Manila, a new leisure destination in idyllic Nasugbu, Batangas takes the forefront in offering a one-of-a-kind seaside development that promises this, and more. 

Pico de Loro Cove, the first phase of SM Land’s premier leisure development Hamilo Coast, will soon complete landscaping of its beachfront. The cove’s kilometer-stretch of fine sand is continuously being enhanced by a well-planned landscape to complement its natural environs.

Tapped to create an inspired design for this component of Hamilo Coast is landscape design consultant Frank Borja of DQA Designs, a company that specializes in integrated environmental design, notably for seaside resort developments.

Borja brings with him 20 years of experience in the industry. He revived images of Waikiki in Hawaii — where he once resided — in designing the landscape of Pico de Loro’s beachfront, which stretches from the Pico de Loro Beach Club to way past Pico Point, Hamilo Coast’s visitor center.

“The idea was to create a landscape that is more fitting to a beach park environment, so we selected plants that can survive better in this condition such as coconut trees, shrubs, and other varieties native to the area,” explains Borja.

“Another goal was to come up with a design landscape in a three-dimensional format, so we gave undulation into the area by placing gentle sloping mounds around the lawn. The mounds, which rise from three to four meters, give a little bit of change in elevation so that people can see the beachfront in different perspectives,” he adds.

The mounds also serve to funnel the views into the beach — for those coming from the main road and heading toward the Beach Club. Borja refers to it as a “peak-a-boo” effect where glimpses of the dazzling oceanfront are unveiled then alternately cloaked by trees and the mounds. This then directs the view toward the Lagoon Promenade, which sits on the other side, and offers a picturesque scene of the four-hectare saltwater, man-made lagoon surrounding the residential condos of the cove.

A serpentine sea wall made from quarried rocks sourced from the area was also installed along the beachfront, to delineate the types of activities that can be hosted by the beach. The active and sandy portion is nearer to the water, and allows sports such as beach volleyball and sand football.

The passive area, meanwhile, includes the mounds and other open spaces scattered across a grassy terrain, where spectators can lounge around, read a book, sunbathe or watch an unfolding game of ultimate frisbee.

There is also a beachfront gazebo to admire sunset views or have cool drinks under the night sky. An amphitheater-like spectator mound adjacent to the Beach Club can also host twilight concerts, wedding receptions and other social events.

“By doing that, we actually make the beach feel larger than it is, so there’s more sand areas now. It also has a dual purpose; in case of high waves coming in, the sea wall will serve as a barrier to lessen the impact on the landscaped lawn,” Borja said.

The architect likewise refers to the sustainable design of the landscape, by way of selecting materials more suited to the beach environment. These include the lino, which is a beach strand plant that does very well in coastal areas. Ornamentals like Spider lilies, plumerias and gumamela add some splashes of color to accent the fairly green shrubbery. These plants can handle the salt sprays and are drought-tolerant so they won’t require much watering. The coconut trees are added to give the feel of a traditional beach-type community as the veil of the landscape.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable here while enjoying a resort lifestyle. We based our concept on how people would interact, especially for Filipinos who like to go in their own small groups so we incorporated this by carving quaint nooks and crannies where they can congregate. At the same time, the expansive open spaces encourage everyone to gather for community events so it’s pretty versatile,” Borja says.

The DQA team took almost a year to complete the execution of their landscape design, with only a few touch-ups to go. The last phase is a children’s zone which will host a kiddie pool, camp facilities, and climbing and net structures for outdoor play. A summer camp will offer recreational and sports programs for children to learn in a creative, stimulating, and nurturing environment.

These nature-centric activities are among the delightful offerings of Pico de Loro Cove, designed for residents and club members looking for a distinctive leisure lifestyle.

Pico de Loro aims to provide a convenient weekend leisure experience, with its condo living set-up and its centerpiece amenity, the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. Imagine the comforts and luxuries of a full-service country club such as that in the city, but now amid the unique seaside environment of Hamilo Coast.

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SM Land is the new brand of property development by SM Investments Corp., offering properties from primary homes and residences to leisure developments and integrated business districts. For inquiries about Hamilo Coast, call 858-0333 or log on to hamilocoast.com.