The high life at Timberland Heights

Imagine living away from the harried city life but still close enough to enjoy the good side of the city. Imagine wallowing in the soothing warmth of your loved ones in a home where the comfort of nature and the amenities of modern times blend seamlessly. Finally, imagine a home on top of a mountain with the gentle breeze blowing to soothe the soul.

These amazing experiences are usually outside the city. Some would even say the easiest way to go is to settle in places like Baguio or Tagaytay. But one can stay right here to experience the pleasure of living the perfect life in an upscale residential setting.

Timberland Heights, the sprawling 677-hectare mountain resort town in San Mateo, Rizal, is designed to answer the needs of people who want to live in comfort and want to take a respite from the pollution and din of city life without really moving far away.

Timberland Heights is a master-planned ecological sanctuary of agroforest farm estates and chic residential communities resting gently on rolling hills within the confines of thickly forested valleys, with the  promise of a vibrant town pulsating with many possibilities.

 “The idea, no matter how incredible, came from the vision of a man who was not afraid to take chances, somebody who looked beyond the unimaginable,” said Albert Morales, project group head of Filinvest Land Inc.

Morales was obviously referring to Andrew Gotianun Jr. of Filinvest Inc., who envisioned building a community within the confines of nature but still within reasonable distance from the city.

“Like any other big-budget projects, Timberland went through birth pains. From the planning to the actual construction of roads and the supervision of architectural designs, we were there every step of the way. Now we can say that the dream is finally coming true,” Morales said.

Tremendous planning and energy were put to make what was formerly an NPA-infested area into a paradise it is now.

“The place was nothing but a mountain and a series of hills and valleys before. Little by little, Filinvest is putting the right pieces. We are looking at five to 10 years of development,” Morales said.

Located 200 to 400 meters above sea level and twice higher than nearby Antipolo, Timberland gives a lavish panorama of the metropolis in the center, with the bays of Manila and Laguna on both sides. Yet it is only a 15-minute drive from Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

“Right now, we have several highenders who are looking to own properties here,” said Lennie Mendoza, vice president for business development, Leisure Project Group. Mendoza also says that talks are ongoing with a group from South Korea that’s looking to put up a retirement home in the Philippines.

“The splendid views and cool climate make it a perfect place for people who just want to settle into a blissful life,” Mendoza added.

Right now, blueprints are ready for the development of a commercial center, perhaps a mall inside the sprawling property and probably more.

“We are dreaming of making this place the next commercial district for high rollers. It isn’t easy to put up a settlement. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but hey, we are going in the right direction,” Mendoza said.

The shaping of the high life at Timberland Heights was initiated in 2003 with the formal launching of Mandala Residential Farm Estates I. The following year, a showcase farmhouse was completed. From then on, the development has never stopped. The construction of the Banyan Ridge began in 2005, the residential farm lots were ready for turnover to owners in the same year, and the Timberland Sports and Nature Club broke ground in November.

Perched on an eight-hectare hilltop of Timberland Heights, the Timberland Nature Club will open its sports, recreational, relaxation and dining facilities exclusively for members, including homeowners of Mandala Residential Farm Estates early next year.

The 500-million club was designed as if to embrace the natural contour of the land and will offer indoor and outdoor facilities with breathtaking views of the Sierra mountain ranges from behind and the city skylines up front.

The facilities include a swimming pool, a family restaurant, a spa lounge and dining outlets. It also boasts a gym that can accommodate up to a hundred visitors, an eight-lane bowling center, indoor wall climbing, and a multi-purpose court for badminton, basketball and tennis.

“The air up here is fresh and cool, and so is the environment. Timberland Heights was created and developed precisely because its movers envisioned a haven for people who can afford to spend the rest of their lives enjoying the fruits of their labor,” said Morales.