Idyllic images of sun-kissed Terrazas

As the story goes, time was when the only way to get to Punta Fuego, located at the tip of the flame-shaped peninsula in Nasugbu at the northwestern coast of Batangas, was via helicopter. "Before its development, there were no roads leading to this place," says Pedro Roxas, CEO of Roxaco Land Corp., co-developers of the Terrazas de Punta Fuego, together with Landco Pacific Corp., in partnership with the Pedrosa family, the original landowners. As a young boy, Roxas remembers coming by boat to enjoy the fine, white sands of the secluded beach. Now, it can be reached by land without difficulty. An easy two and a half hours drive from Makati, via the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Tourism Highway, it is just 30 minutes away from Tagaytay City.

After the successful development of the Peninsula de Punta Fuego, where wealthy lot owners have built grand weekend-getaway houses, now comes the second phase of the development, the Terrazas de Punta Fuego. With 42 hectares of prime seafront property, the spirit of the development is youthful, fun, relaxed.

Still catering to the triple-A segment of the market, Roxas says, "We would like to build a community of friends, where the neighbors know each other. Here, they can enjoy the amenities and conveniences of the city in harmony with the environment and natural setting."

"Our parents would be happy to see what has been done to this place," Lito Pedrosa said at the ribbon-cutting and blessing of the clubhouse at Terrazas de Punta Fuego. "It has set the standard for other development." It is meant to be not only an investor’s paradise, but also a peaceful community. As of two months ago, 82 percent of the lots have been sold. "Our problem now is inventory," says Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr., president and CEO of Landco Pacific Corp. "We are grateful that the Pedrosas agreed to share a piece of this paradise."

Before Boracay, there was the white sands of Nasugbu. "This was our challenge, to live up to the prestige of the finest beach in Batangas," says Carmelo "Meloy" Casas of Recio+Casas Architects, the Terrazas de Punta Fuego beach clubhouse architect. "We worked close to the natural terrain and vegetation, without cutting any trees," Casas reveals, "from the entrance gate, the drop-off point, down the winding road to the reception pavilion from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the cabanas, the restaurant which serves Spanish and continental specialties, as well as the infinity pool below, and the fine, white beach and clear, blue sea beyond."

"We chose the spot for the swimming pool area precisely where there were ancient trees that would provide the canopy creating the shade and shadows for the pool," Casas explains. "The free-form infinity pool rests on an elevation so swimmers can have an unobstructed view of the beach. It incorporates an adult pool, lap pool and kiddie pool. The sound of running water fills the air as the pool’s waters cascade to the lower level where five individual bubblers allow you to soak in solitude or bond with family and friends." For those who are sun shy but still enjoy the beach atmosphere, they can lounge in the comfort of the cabanas by the poolside with its fluffy cushions and low teak tables where they can be served the club’s refreshing coolers. There’s a KTV room, a game room, complete with billiard table and darts, and spacious locker room with individual lockers and private showers and a large changing area.

Lot owners of Terrazas de Punta Fuego can be nominated for membership in Club Punta Fuego which allows them to use the clubhouse facilities in both Peninsula and Terrazas de Punta Fuego. "We are planning some future activities such as a regatta and a golf tournament," says Club Punta Fuego general manager, Ignacio Gandarias of the Barcelo Hotels and Resorts. Only 26 years old, this charming bachelor from Madrid has an impressive resume which lists among his accomplishments graduating with honors from a postgraduate program in hospitality marketing and sales at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Switzerland as well as graduating with distinction with a BS in Business Administration with major in marketing and accounting at the Institucion Empresarial Europea in Madrid. He worked in a number of hotels in Mexico as well as Barcelona and Madrid. Before Club Punta Fuego, he was executive assistant manager at Barcelo Pearl Farm in Samal Island. "The Barcelo Hotels & Resorts has over 70 years of experience in the tourism industry and currently manages 120 hotels and resorts worldwide including the Pearl Farm, Barcelo Asturias in Puerto Princesa, Eagle Point Resort in Mabini, Batangas and Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay," says Francis de Leon, marketing and communications officer of Barcelo Hotels & Resorts.

"We are confident that Club Punta Fuego members will share in our pride and confidence in presenting a world-class facility for their enjoyment and will appreciate the painstaking effort we have taken to preserve as much of the natural environment as we can," Xerez-Burgos remarks.

At the Terrazas de Punta Fuego, you can find subtle sophistication co-existing comfortably with quaint rural charm, from the weather-beaten shrine of the Blessed Virgin by the winding roadside coming in from the gated entrance, to the fishwife peddling freshly-caught lobsters at the beach. The swimming beach had long been known to be the best in Nasugbu, and is also good for snorkeling, jet skiing and banana boating. For refreshments after all those activities, the juice bar serving drinks and light snacks at the boardwalk beckons.

"The main project component of the Terrazas beach clubhouse, which was built as a cluster of structures on different levels following the natural terrain, is the Terrazas boardwalk," says architect Meloy Casas. With the architectural theme "Hispanic architecture design fused with tropical Asian influences," the inter-linked clusters of casitas along the boardwalk were built around the old towering trees hugging the sides of the hill facing the 800 meters of fine, white sand beach and the clear, blue South China Sea.

Teak furniture, colorful pillows, and flimsy cotton curtains create the perfect ambience for simply lazing around and relaxing. Should you decide to get a massage, you can choose any one of the casitas equipped with roll down bamboo blinds for total privacy. Just make sure to roll the blinds up again just in time to watch the stunning sunset – the fiery red ball in the sky slowly slipping into a bed of clouds hanging low in the horizon. In an attempt to capture this memorable moment, Club Punta Fuego’s signature cocktail – a delightful mix of Patron tequila, lime and orange juice and grenadine – was created and christened the Terrazas Sunset. It is just one of many reasons you are convinced the Terrazas de Punta Fuego is not just a place but an experience that lingers long after the sun has set.