Pet-a-Palooza at Ayala Westgrove Heights

MANILA, Philippines - “Owning a pet and finding enjoyment in its company increases opportunities for socialization,” says Michael Landa, CEO of USA’s natural pet food brand Null and founder of Los Angeles-based dog-walking service The Pet Staff.

“I take my dog for a two-mile walk every day, and I run into five to 10 people whom I stop and talk to,” he adds.

A separate study in Austria showed that pet ownership led to various positive gains. These include an increase in social contact, such as neighbors chatting as they walk their dogs, and a greater perception of a friendly community.

That’s something the residents of Ayala Westgrove Heights (AWH) already know.

Ayala Westgrove Heights is one of the thriving communities of the Ayala Land Premier portfolio, which include leisure development Anvaya Cove and high-end community Forbes Park. As part of the community’s 12th anniversary celebrations, ALP hosted a unique open house event called “Pet-a-Palooza,” once more opening the doors of the vibrant community to prospective residents and the pets they love.

“The Pet-A-Palooza event showcases the Ayala Westgrove Heights community’s love and care for animals,’ says Tin Raval, project development associate, Ayala Land Premier. Special activities dedicated to both pets and their owners were put up at the venue. These included a massage area for owners and a pet grooming station for their pets, a special banquet, and a photo booth.

“The event is a fitting celebration of the rich culture of the Ayala Westgrove Heights neighborhood that complements the distinct elements within that help build and nurture the community’s human landscape,” Raval notes.

Engel de Ramos, an Ayala Land Premier real estate agent who brought his two-year-old male Siberian Husky Tyro, believes that the uniqueness of the AWH community makes it an ideal haven for both pets and people.

Here comes the groom: Pets get all dolled up.

“I walk with Tyro either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, together with my friends and their dogs,” he says. “The Westgrove Heights community is perfect for spending quality time with pets because of the fresh air and the trees that abound within.”

Tisha Tolentino, who visited her cousins at Westgrove Heights to join the event with her male Shih Tzu Truffles, agrees. “The community is very ideal for pets and pet lovers like me because of its green surroundings,” she says. “I also see a lot of people here who play with their pets. In Manila, it is very hard to find good places where you can enjoy the company of your pet.”

Pet-A-Palooza feted residents, guests, and their animal friends with a preview of the benefits of living in a nurturing environment that not only puts residents in touch with neighbors who share the same values and interests but also caters to the needs of pets and the families that love them.

Significantly, the event generated a total of P90 million worth of lot reservations from 15 parties who inquired about the development.

“This is an impressive testament to the continuously growing community of Ayala Westgrove Heights,” says Mayi Rodriguez, project development manager, Ayala Land Premier.

The natural contours of the land give Westgrove Heights residents varied views of the community’s natural landscapes which turn into beautiful nightscapes, ideal vistas to look at while relaxing in the evenings with soft music playing in the background or while having a warm cup of tea in the afternoon.

Most of the houses within the community take advantage of the breeze and the sunlight; huge, floor-to-ceiling windows have become a staple in the neighborhood, allowing residents to enjoy natural light, the fresh air, and spectacular night views of the stars or the city lights. These views are undisturbed by concrete poles and electric or telephone wires, because these are placed underground. Aside from the improved aesthetics, this also keeps houses and residents safe from falling wires, cables, or electrical posts during fierce storms.

Ayala Westgrove Heights takes the serenity, the peace, and the relaxing elements of spas and resorts and carefully integrates all these into a residential community. Just a 20-minute drive down South from Alabang and about 40 minutes away from Makati, the 12-year-old community has grown to approximately 200 families, with even more people discovering this Southern residential development each year.

With the unique living experience that pets and pet owners gain in living at Ayala Westgrove Heights, everyday is more than just a time to play and unwind. It’s all about living alongside the people — and the pets — you love.