Camaya Coast

Finally, Your Own Private Island

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
Published MOD March 2010

IMAGINE owning your own summer villa with an amazing view of the South China Sea, and next door are not your usual neighbors but the sun, sea, flora and fauna, all easily within reach.

This is now possible via Camaya Coast, an ecotourism development destination complemented by commercial establishments and residential enclaves. It is 173 kilometers north of Manila and less than three hours from Manila by land.

Manuel Ilagan, president of Earth and Shore Leisure Communities Corporation, the developers of Camaya Coast, says, “The merger of the commercialism with nature is distinctly Camaya. We are going to redevelop the properties on the beach. In Camaya, we aim for continuous adaptation of environment.”

What Ilagan is presenting in Camaya Coast are villas and condos in modern tropical look developed by Philippine GeoAnalytics Group of Companies. “We are proposing a Mediterenan look, thin clean lines that are able to mesh well with seaside development, for the lot owners who we will allow to build after they submit their designs,” Ilagan says. The first clusters of the condominium and villa are expected to be delivered by first quarter of 2011.

Apart from the residential units, Earth and Shore is also developing a hotel in the area that it expects to be finished by 2011. Ilagan says the hotel has about 75 to 100 rooms, and Earth and Shore partnered with Club Leisure, operator of Camp John Hay, for the success of the hotel.

Earth and Shore is also putting up a nature park in a 40-hectare space, setting aside about 15 to 20 hectares for the expansion of the nature park that has mountains and springs that lot owners can treat as their own backyard. Ilagan says, “It would be more fun for the buyers if there would be an abundance of mountains. If we develop it this way, the children will have an idea of an environment integrated with community that they are in. So, with that in mind, we’re also protecting the future generations in understanding the environment, not just develop for profit. We have three waterfalls and natural springs that merge with the sea. Actually, they are developable, but we are going to leave them as is.”

With all these, you’d think Camaya Coast is as it is. But no, it offers more, like endless possibilities for leisure activities. Ilagan shares, “The romance of the sea is timeless, so that is definitely something that we will bank on in Camaya. The swimming pools, chill-out bar, and karaoke room are something for people to enjoy in the day.”

Ilagan looks forward to building a sports mall where speedboats, banana boats, kayaking, biking, zip-ling, and various interests groups can bank on. He says, “We’d let various interests groups come in, tying up with the group that already exists. We do not have a limit on what can be done.”

Camaya Coast premium beach resort and residential community highlights the best of coastal living with a variety of water sports, resort clubs, and commercial facilities. Ilagan shares, “Our main focus is to enjoy life now and not later on, at the same time not hurt your budget.”

For more about Camaya Coast, visit its showroom at the ground floor of Prudential Building., Annex No. 31 EDSA Mandaluyong City, or check out www.camayacoast.com

Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry

Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry

‘Everything That We Do Affects the Environment’

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA

Mod Decemeber 2009

AS the 2008 Miss Earth, Karla Paula Henry has been occupied with programs and events as an ambassador of the environment. Doing relief operations for the recent typhoon victims and cleaning up beaches are some of projects that she is now involved in—all while looking good.

Bigger Picture. One good thing about Ondoy is that Filipinos have realized calamity change. Sana naman ma-realize nila na everything they do affects the environment. Ondoy made me realize more that there is so much more to be done. The relief goods—those are temporary. The bigger picture and the first thing that needs to be done is how we going to convince the people na unahin natin ang pag-aalaga sa kalikasan.

Go for Zero. The government is somehow doing its share with the Clean Air Act and Republic Act (RA) 9003, which aims for waste management. We really have to segregate our waste. For those biodegradable materials, we can dig through our backyard and use them as fertilizer, while those recyclable materials can be relayed to junk shops. Whatever you can do, aim for zero basura.

Clean Up. As Miss Earth, I participated in a lot of environmental projects, the most recent of which is the Boracay Cleanup which was in preparation for the Miss Earth pageant. Plus, sustainable cleaning din ‘yan. It’s not only for the Miss Earth candidates but also for the residents of Boracay as well as making Boracay a destination focal point here in the Philippines. We want to focus more on Boracay being an environment-friendly place.

Green-Minded. I was honored when I was invited to the Miami Fashion Week and I enjoyed it a lot. I attended the show of the Piña collection of various designers. Even here in the Philippines, designers are pushing for green fashion. It’s really up to us, on how we are going to patronize this type of clothing.

All in the Mind. To be beautiful, you need to get enough rest. Never stress yourself. If you have a positive outlook, it will reflect on you. If you think that you look good, you will look good. It’s all psychological.

Plans. After I turn over my crown, I plan to go back to school, possibly next semester because of time constraints. I hope to be able to juggle school and work.

Club Balai Isabel

Stepping into a Glorious Escape: Club Balai Isabel

Text by Ana Kristine B. Valenzuela

Published: What’s on & Expat: Destination, January 13- 19, 2008

Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” These words were blaring out of the shirt of Nelson Terrible, owner of Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas. And to put truth to what can be read on his gray shirt, he did begin his journey – to set up one of Talisay’s famous resorts- one step at a time.

It wasn’t an ordinary journey as he accompanied a group of writers around his resort and its nearby attractions. Surrounded by nature’s bounty, it offers a panoramic view of the Taal Lake.

The Club Balai Isabel, which sits at the lakefront of the world famous Taal volcano would not have been discovered if not for a soft drink company which was scouting for a place as a venue for its teambuilding activities.

Terrible, a real estate developer saw the potential and prospect for growth of the placeand instantly took the challenge of constructing a resort and gallantly transforming the 3.5 hectare property from a simple hut into a trailblazing resort. A few months later, the resort in Talisay, Club Balai Isabel, was built and named after his daughter Isabel who now manages the entire place.

Now, the resort is fast becoming a home to corporations and family outings wanting to host special occasions. Its proximity to Taal’s famous attractions – it offers a vantage view of the Taal Lake and volcano and its verdant surroundings is the resort’s big draw. Furthermore, guests also choose to hold their special functions like weddings, debuts and anniversaries in the resort as no less than Makati Skyline is catering the resort’s food.

Short Retreats

If you want to have a short retreat from the noise of the of the city, Club Balai Isabael is highly recommended. This resort, with a homegrown feel to it, is furnished with rooms and villas built like with five star standards yet it has a pleasant functionality of a condo unit complete amenities. Guests can opt to rest, or engage themselves in the resorts range of activities – a good game of basketball, a round of either tennis or badminton or they can challenge themselves through the rope swings and tunnel hoops in the obstacle cours. For the sporty types, kayaking in the lake is a fine option.

For sailing enthusiasts, the club even offers boats for this sport. The resort has partnered with the Taal Lake Yacht Club for this purpose. Guests can either leisurely direct the winds with the rigger, rudder and dagger and speed up the boat along the lake.

Pool of the Lake

Guests, they can have a dip in the water with the resort’s unique inflatable pool. The inflatable pool or mobideep was invented by a Frenchman and presently this kind of pool can only be found at Club Balai Isabel. The mobideep is one of a kind innovation, it’s a cluster of floating pools within the lake. One can play water games and host cocktail parties in the mobideep inflatable pool. Guests can simply dive into clear and clean water, said to be clean enough for drinking. The pool filters the water up to six micron. With the mobideep safely sitting on one of the biggest lakes in the country, guests can really enjoy sunbathing and swimming amid the distinctive environment.

Apart from the unique amenities, Club Balai Isabel is also taking steps to maintain a clean environment. They have formed a bantay dagat (guard the sea) team to monitor the activities of the lake in Talisay and keep the lake water unpolluted along with the local government.

“Best Service Possible”

Club Balai Isabel is continuously expanding and improving its facilities, with the objective of “never to be boring and providing the best service possible to its clients”, outside the resort is Paseo de san Guillermo, a small trade fair and a complex area managed and operated by Club Balai Isabel. They recently obtained the next-door resort, plus more cottages being built by local carpenters.

Not even a year old, the place has already accommodated as much as seven thousand guests in 2007. Most of the guests have known about Club Balai Isabel through the favorable blog entries from previous guests, proof of the place’s hospitality and unique ambience.

Trailblazing Resort

People are starting to regard Taal not just with Tagaytay but also with Talisay. Little by little, what first comes to mind when Talisay is mentioned is Club Balai Isabel; and Club Balai Isabel is fast becoming synonymous with Talisay.

For Reservations: (02)776-1521 or (043)728-0307

How to get there:

From Santa Rosa, Laguna and Carmona, Cavite, the trip takes only an hour and 15 minutes if traffic is light.

At the Tagaytay Rotonda, you turn left and after 6 km turn right to Ligaya Drive, a well-paved zigzag with subdivisions and communities along the way. The 9-km road leads right to the town proper and the lakeshore.
http://www.balaiisabel.com/

Hagedorn’s Dogeaters Staged

Hagedorn’s Dogeaters Staged
By Ana Kristine B. Valenzuela
What's On and Expat November 25, 2007

Considered the “vanguard artist’ of her generation, Jessica Hagedorn has come to the Philippines and PowerBooks has sponsored the balikbayan author’s book signing last week. Highlighted at the event was the author’s play and book “Dogeaters.” The work is a mix of comedy and tragedy, which echo many different aspects of the Filipinos’ experience, like the influence of America through radio, television, and movie theaters. It also demonstrates the complexities of the love-hate relationship that many Filipinos feel toward their identity, culture and past. Most importantly, it reflects the struggle that went on during the Marcos era. The play’s last run is on December 2 at 3 pm, Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. For ticket information call Atlantis Production (02) 892-7087 or 840-1187 The book “Dogeaters”, along with other works of Hagedorn: “Burning Heart,” “The Gangster of Love” and “Dream Jungle” can be purchased at all PowerBooks specialty store.

Plato Platina: Resto review

Plato Platina
Half a Minute

resto review
by Ana Kristine B. Valenzuela
What's On and Expat October 7-13, 2007

So all I ask is for you to come away with me in the night / Come away with me, ” carols Norah Jones invitingly to the modern day interiors of the Italian restaurant Plato Platina at the Blue Wave Complex along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. Come away with me, come away and dine. What more can I say to the relaxing ambience and modern interiors playing host to an Italian feast…It was the night the Italian town of Naples celebrated the matrydom of San Genarro di Napoli yet I was revelling inso much more! My taste buds were aplomb!
On the palatable menu, I was filled with served pasta, pizza and paella. A good way to start, I thought, was with the pasta. As I was taking in the Arrabita-Fettucine, I got into some conversations

with a few people. That was when I learned Plato Platina is owned by interior designers and husband-wife tandem Ced and Ces Rodriguez. They named their restaurant after the Italian philosopher Plato and the first cookbook librarian-author Platina.
Changing courses was as easy as the first song ending and continuing with Polish singer Basia crooning, “What is there to say, when every dream just fades away, in half a minute”. These are the instances that I wished the minutes had not ended as I relished a slice of pizza. Honestly, I prefer the Gambertti Funghi con Pesto over their specialty pizza Pizza alla Carlitos. The former has this cracker-like crust. More than its thin, crispy crust, it’s the cheese that melted

onto the shrimps and mushrooms that made it extraordinary and inventive. This made me reserve it for my last bite.
Next the waiters served paella. On top of the rice were slices of round tomatoes, beans and a few other vegetables. Sure you might think that if you found a big tomato, a fist-sized one at that, it would be perfect for this vegetarian paella dish. Well, what’s more for a girl like me who eats tomatoes munching on them like they were apples. I definitely liked it but I think the Paella Verdure is a little too tomato-ey. But for someone who adores tomatoes, I didn’t mind, of course. The waiters also plated up Paella Nero made of seafood. The paella was named after the Roman emperor Nero who was believed to be either behind the burning of Rome or was playing the lyre as his city was being burned to ruins. The Paella Nero’s blackness comes from squid’s ink. A thing to watch out for are the shells because the dark lighting made me nibble on them.
As the night ends, Bacharach’s music filled the air, giving my hearing perceptions the right impressions of a soothing ambience. Good food, good music and great interiors make Plato Platina that one-of-a-kind Italian resto. The song Look of Love followed Bacharach’s note preference as my eyes gave their own “look of love” to the feast that satisfied my cravings.