MANILA, Philippines - So, where are you attending Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Well, if you want a High Mass (literally speaking), you can always hie off to Tagaytay Highlands where the air is nippy and everything is Christmasy and chirpy.
Surely, it feels a lot like Christmas at Tagaytay Highlands, barely an hour’s drive from Manila yet far away from toxic city pollution and other aggravations of daily living.
“Yes, we have officially welcomed the holiday season with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree located at the Sports Center of the Club, which, by the way, is a yearly tradition,” Claire Kramer, Tagaytay Highlands general manager, shares some glad tidings with one and all.
Sure to delight everyone — once more with much more feeling — is the brightly lit Christmas tree that’s so tree-fic it will have you belting out, O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree.
The traditional Simbang Gabi (a series of nine dawn Masses) started yesterday and will be celebrated until Dec. 23 at the Highlands. And on Christmas Eve, all is calm and all is bright as members of the close-knit Highlands community huddle together and find love and warmth on a cold December morning in the “Panunuluyan” featuring a live belen at the Holy Family Chapel.
“For us at Highlands, Christmas is, indeed, a time for reflection and thanksgiving to our Almighty God,” declares Claire. “Tagaytay Highlands also caters to the spiritual needs of our beloved members.”
Caring to share not just on Christmas but the whole year through, Tagaytay Highlands has its Bigay Puso sa Calabuso program. Calabuso is a nearby barangay which Tagaytay Highlands, ever the good neighbor, is helping.
While providing nourishment for the soul, Tagaytay Highlands has a lot to offer in terms of food for the body — belly good food, if you ask me. “Aside from our special dishes offered all year-round, we also offer the Wine Buffet and Tapas Bar at the Highlander Steakhouse,” Claire shares the delicious news. “Our members can wine, dine, and enjoy good Latin music during an early evening cocktail. We have a Wine Buffet, Tapas Bar and Buffet Combo every Saturday of December, from 5 to 7 p.m.”
She hastens to add, “Our members consider Tagaytay Highlands as a place where they can reflect, eat good food, and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, so we always aim to make their stay here as memorable and stress-free as can be— most especially this Christmas.”
This year, Christmas at the Highlands is even merrier as Santa Claus comes knocking on doors on Christmas Eve to give goodies and presents to kids.
The Highlands also brings to homeowners the first members’ bazaar, The Country Fair, this Christmas. Think the most delish home-baked goodies, pastries, and dishes prepared using time-cherished secret recipes. Also on sale are crafts, personal items, trinkets brought from members’ travels, and many other products that may be on your Christmas wish list. (For more info, members can call the Marketing Office at {046}483-4137.)
And a lot more happy tidings. Says Claire, “We have a lot of new offerings here at Highlands. First off, there is the soon-to-open additional Nine Holes to the existing Tagaytay Midlands golf course, dubbed as the ‘Midlands Lucky 9.’ It was designed by golf-course extraordinaire John Olenoski. The course will be initially played as a separate nine-hole, but in the future, it will complete the 36-hole Tagaytay Midlands golf course.”
Also launched this year is the green community of Sycamore Heights where homes work together with the natural environment. The environmental design of the model units, by Leandro V. Locsin Partners, makes use of the sun and wind for natural lighting and ventilation. Homes at the Highlands are encouraged to use solar passive design strategies to be more energy-efficient and simultaneously increase thermal comfort inside. Large picture windows maximize light and available heat, as well as make ample use of the view so residents may enjoy the surrounding lush environment and the incomparable natural landscape (picture the awe-inspiring Taal Volcano and Lake).
And what’s up at the Highlands for the New Year?
As the old year fades away, the whole family can dance the night away to the music of the Spirit of ’67 and marvel at the grand fireworks display afterwards. “This will definitely ignite the fire as we bring a brand-new look to the clubs with our Golf Club and Sports Center renovations,” says a visibly excited Claire.
Now you know why everyone’s in high spirits at the Highlands this Christmas.