Heeding the call of the east: Where nature and progress grow side by side
Bright lights, big city:One of the most stunning features of Antipolo City is the mesmerizing view of its skyline. Photo by WALTER BOLLOZOS
MANILA, Philippines — Get dressed with your best, and all of you, join us. Why? Where are we going? To Antipolo, where it’s always fun,” the first lines of the Filipino folksong, Hinulugang Taktak, best captures the ideal of the accessible mountain city just outside the bustling metropolis. A greenback haven where the towering skyline views merge seamlessly with the stunning emerald sweep of the Sierra Madre mountains. At nights, it is swathed with the stars of the twinkling lights of modern development, marrying with the calming hymns of crickets and cicadas. With the daylight, the glorious splendor of its restful environs is displayed, standing undisturbed by the congestive growth just across.
These are the two sides of Antipolo’s face, a serene, idyllic pilgrimage city caught in the heart of greater Manila’s Eastern Growth Corridor. Yet, instead of a chaotic contradiction, the city manages to keep its suit as a supportive neighboring city by maintaining its natural endowment of restful, refreshing, and unadulterated environs. No wonder many denizens opting for a break from the choking overcrowding of their metropolitan cities trail here, whether for a brief visit and a breather, or a permanent change of pace. And, luckily, the few, likeminded developers who decide to pitch their tents here fall for Antipolo’s charms just the same, going to great lengths to keep it that way.
In last quarter of 2016, one of the country’s largest developers, Megaworld, and its subsidiary Global Estate Resorts, Inc., unveiled a P5 billion development in a prime 640-hectare spot of land just along Marcos Highway. Bringing along its integrated blueprint of residential, commercial, lifestyle and corporate developments known across its other successful township projects around the country, Megaworld’s Eastland Heights aligns itself with the city’s newfound position as the metro’s most dynamic expansion corners, without compromising Antipolo’s long-given position as Manila’s natural breathing room.
“Our goal is to create a balanced environment where the community is also encouraged to enjoy and appreciate nature. Given the entry of Megaworld in Antipolo, this will definitely drive the city towards more progress through commercial, residential, and other relevant institutions the community can benefit from. However, we still aim to preserve the bounty of nature at Eastland Heights,” vows Karen Arcilla, Eastland Heights’ sales and marketing head.
Despite the abundance of green spaces open for growth, Eastland Heights isn’t too keen on punctuating the landscape with much too many livable and commercially-viable structures. “Preserving as much of the natural landscapes is one of our top priorities for this development as we are offering the best of nature as an extended amenity for the Eastland community,” Arcilla explains. “Approximately 40 percent of the whole property is committed to open spaces and lush greens. Beyond this, we will be partnering with environmental organizations, and internally we will have a dedicated group that will look after how we are going to sustain the natural resources,” she adds.
One of Eastland Heights’ acquired attractions in the property is the former Forest Hills 36-hole fairways and country club which comprise 20 percent of the whole property, a feature that one of the country’s more progressive developers is eager on enhancing. “Eastland Heights is the first lifestyle integrated community by Megaworld, and we are focused on lifestyle and community-building. So, we definitely consider the golf course as one of our prime amenities,” Arcilla admits.
Long seen as a sport for the upward elite, Eastland Heights, however, emphasizes golf’s benefits in personal well-being and community building. “Not all of the exclusive villages in the metro have their own golf course within the comforts of their own village. The golf club is a place where neighbors can meet and enjoy the fairways with their families and friends,” Arcilla enthuses.
Soon, the revitalized country club, christened the Springs at Eastland Heights, would include lush, landscaped pool decks for adults and kids, and a dedicated spa, a basketball court, tennis court, gym, and an event pavilion, would figure as the oasis of the serene and secluded community. And with sprawling residential spaces on lots of up to 2,000 sqm., perched 1,000 feet above sea level, Eastland Heights maximizes Antipolo’s natural vista as one that offers natural respite in a refreshing, unobstructed environment, where the chirps of birds or the whispers of the mountain breeze are the only noise bound to stir the peace.
With a lively green-print design, a suitable location, a variety of health and wellness amenities on offer, and powered by one of the country’s top developers, Eastland Heights elevates Antipolo City’s position from mere destination to one of an aspirational, attainable home. “Our future residents are primarily those who value exclusivity, convenience, and a healthy family life. By living in an exclusive village thriving in nature, residents can benefit from the security and upkeep of the whole development, the community retail area, the world-class amenities, the fresh air, and the wide, open spaces. They can get all these privileges while still being within close proximity to the city,” Arcilla assures.
So, on your next visit to Antipolo, expect a new stop, where you can enjoy the fresh air, the sweeping views, the sounds of nature, or the rush the great outdoors at your whim, and, perhaps, also marvel at the city’s speedy yet sustainable growth and development. And it is also worth knowing that you can choose to stay for good.
