Luxury living at Lakeshore
American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” This adage made me think that when the experiences we gather are translated into tangible creations in one’s own homeland, success sings sweetly. For exceptional architect Nestor Mangio, who has traveled the world extensively and derived immense inspiration from what he has seen, the wisdom of Emerson couldn’t have been more apt.
Imagine these: it’s a clear sunny day in nearby Mexico, Pampanga. Birds hover above as if beckoning one to stay. Fresh air invigorates as it inspires country living at its finest. In the middle of a spectacular 12-hectare man-made lake where giant tilapia, large–mouth bass and sea bass, mangrove jack are cultured, family-planned activities like fishing, sailing, kayaking, biking and picnicking are created. Lakeshore Estates, the consummate getaway for both local and foreign tourists in this region, is the jewel of secluded lakeside luxury featuring 300 hectares of prime property and extensive activities designed for its guests and residents.
Strategically located along Km 71 of the North Luzon Expressway, this progressive development attracts residents and business owners due to its proximity to the Balintawak Toll Plaza — a mere 30 minutes away and just a 12-minute drive to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport inside the Clark Freeport. From SM City Pampanga and Robinson’s Starmills in the City of San Fernando, it is a quick 10-minute drive.
My late father Vincent Ting Dayrit hailed from San Fernando Pampanga. I guess it is this sense of belonging to this wonderful province that makes me particularly proud of success stories such as that of architect Nestor Mangio as he shares his vision and mission while we leisurely cruise around the lovely lake at Lakeshore.
“I am proud of our Lakeshore project for it has changed the landscape of the Pampanga countryside and has raised the bar in property development. It has improved the living environment and lifestyle of the homeowners and its neighbors. I run the company paternally and I consider our staff as family. Our employees are very respectful and we manage by role-modeling,” Mangio said.
He added, “My passion is to create new things and create developments that are well-balanced, healthy and livable. My vision: to help improve the lives of our countrymen, their standard of living and lifestyle; to build beautiful and functional structures and communities.”
It is no wonder this luxury lakeshore concept has created a buzz in the property development industry as Mangio proves that larger cuts of land created in a luxury ambiance are a novelty that our kababayans have been looking for. He further shared that families here can frolic in Mediterranean-inspired lakeside parks and playgrounds linked by scenic boardwalks with palm-lined streets, lakeside restaurants and a promenade with street cafes and an exclusive shopping arcade, a waterfront resort hotel, a business park, a school and an air-conditioned chapel where regular Sunday Mass is celebrated. These activities are afforded only by lakeside residential living. The Lakeshore is not just a real estate haven but likewise the perfect venue for doing business, what with the influx of more firms impressed with the area’s first-rate telecommunications, cable systems, sufficient water and electric power supply. In fact, the Lakeshore boasts of a four-hectare Business Park ready for development and approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The Lakeshore, aside from being a homeowners’ haven, is also the perfect venue for events like weddings, birthdays, product launchings and other similar activities. Also, the Lakeshore boasts high-end amenities and features that are tailor-fit for any event.
Of late, the Lakeshore is home to prime and well-known business establishments like McDonald’s, Petron, Treats, Mocha Blends Coffee Shop, Razon’s Halo-Halo, Kitaro and our family’s all-time favorite Apag Marangle where we enjoy local delicacies like fried hito in burong mustasa and deep-fried crispy frog with mangang hilaw and bagoong. Their halo-halo and leche flan are simply divine.
The proprietors of Apag Marangle are longtime friends and business partners Manuela Cherry Pasion-Tan and Mark Edmon Navarro whose exposure to authentic culinary experiences has become an integral part of their heritage. The former, being a true-blooded Kapampangan, thus a natural cook, breathes a distinct and discriminating taste into her food, while the latter is a committed believer and lover of nature and traditions. Apag Marangle (meaning Hain sa Bukid) is a restaurant that offers an authentic medley of mouth-watering Kapampangan dishes and related cuisine.
Families can fully enjoy the lake while engaging in either relaxation or play. In addition, a premier gasoline station and prominent fast food outlets are on track. Another first is the soon-to-rise first-of-its-kind outlet of a multinational-owned home construction depot. Negotiations are already underway between CCEI and the foreign company to start this venture to further boost the viability of the Lakeshore to become the premier residential, leisure and industrial hub of the country. The Lakeshore, envisioned to be the next big thing in sprawling Mexico, Pampanga, is owned and developed by Central Country Estate.
My siblings and I first heard about fabulous weddings held at a glamorous venue at Lakeshore from our dear friend Noah Manarang whose long list of single friends has been shortened as they happily tie the knot at gorgeous locations like this. Noah shared what a wonderful wedding she attended during one particular New Year’s celebration there. According to winsome PR and events manager Abby Tuason, the Lakeshore is a one-of-a-kind events venue where nature and romance are in perfect harmony. Imagine having the majestic Mt. Arayat, 12-hectare man-made lake and the lighthouse tower as your backdrop.
What better way to end the day than having dinner at Apag Marangle as we savored these Kapampangan delicacies that are simply divine: potcherong bulig (mudfish in tomato sauce with banana and petchay), ningnang bulig sampalok ampong baguk (broiled mudfish with unripe tamarind juice and fish paste), kalderetang bibe battue, succulent stuffed frog and the most delectable mole crickets or camaru. My father used to declare how delicious the camaru dish was but I only got to try it recently. It is simply gastronomy at its most savory.
Over our hearty dinner, Mangio and his equally gracious wife Marion, our dear friend Fr. Corsie Legaspi and I thanked the good Lord for our countless blessings as we celebrated life, laughter and the gift of true friendship — a priceless blessing, indeed.
At Lakeshore, we all realized that no journey carries one far unless it extends into the world around us, and goes an equal distance into the world within. At the end of the day, when our passions in this world are fulfilled, our hearts can flash a genuine smile knowing that, in our own humble way, we have made a difference in the lives of many.
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For more information re Lakeshore Estates, log on to www.lakeshore.com.ph. Call 725-9518 or (045)455-5253.
For Apag Marangle pre-orders and reservations please call (045) 900-2553/436-1600 or 0922-8880568.
E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.
