A retirement home like no other

My dear friend Grace Eleazar has always been a maverick of sorts, having pioneered a number of innovative concepts in the country. Over a decade ago, she started Wholesome, the first natural food store in Pasig, with wooden shelves, fresh bread, and lots of natural produce. Following the store’s success, she decided to expand. However, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis forced her to discontinue the venture.

Her newest baby is her retirement home in Tagaytay, known as La Bella, which I have had the privilege of exploring firsthand. It is beautifully and artistically appointed amidst the lushness of the environment, with each unit having a feel of nature. The soft programs that go with it are what make her “offering” unique. We have always been kindred spirits in terms of health. Like me, she is a staunch believer in exercise and a largely non-chemical approach towards wellbeing.

Our country has so much to give. Our greatest strength is our resources and our people. Grace’s concept maximizes these strengths to benefit the more senior members of our society. 

I particularly like the concept because of the services such as health and fitness, medical practitioners specializing in alternative medicine... even community service! The development also includes a hotel for tourists or visiting family members, as well as residences for the younger market. Entertainment and necessities are abundant thanks to La Bella’s multi-faceted commercial cluster, restaurant cottages, heritage center and kid’s hub. The big attraction here is the cost. The area looks very upscale and one can access the environment with all its services for a mere P5,400 a month! Well, there are payment levels — so for more luxurious settings, one would pay more. But I went around and even the least expensive setting looked nicely comfortable. 

 Grace’s conviction is that the Philippines can be the premier retirement capital in Asia because of the intelligence and temperament of the Filipino caregiver, our tropical climate and our largely inexpensive medical services. Here, the elderly or even the Filipino expatriate can bask in a quality lifestyle that feels truly like home because of the gentility of the Filipino temperament and the comfort of our climate (we don’t have the severity and dryness of winter). In Tagaytay, even the summer is comfortable. 

You can view this link  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R22urE3VXt0  for a “Labella Tagaytay 3D walk through animation.”

It’s worth a visit.  For inquiries, contact Vicky Coronel (359-3459 or 726-3376, local 107) or Dave Sherwin B. Reyes (+639926-688-6397), or visit www.labellatagaytay.com.

* * *

I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.