Weekends at Nuvali
Welcome to Camp N
MANILA, Philippines — Whoever said “There are not enough days in the weekend” must have had Nuvali in mind. Since its launch eight years ago, in the summer of 2009, great strides have been made in its integrated development, making it an exciting weekend getaway destination south of Metro Manila.
Sprawled on 2,290 hectares in what used to be a sugar estate, Nuvali is Ayala Land’s largest mixed-use integrated eco-community in Laguna. It straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba. Its name is a blend of the word “nova,” referring to a star, and “valley.”
“We are actually located in a valley, at the foothills of Tagaytay ridge,” Nuvali general manager John Estacio explains. In the distance one can see the Sierra Madre and Mt. Makiling.
A total of 1,458 hectares or 64 percent of the 2,290 hectares have been developed in the past eight years, with a 50/50 ratio allotted between built and open space. About 6,000 residents have made their home here, in 21 residential subdivisions with multiple residential developments by Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida, and Amaia.
Xavier School and Miriam College together support a student population of 1,200. Everest Academy is scheduled to build its first structure in 2018. Some 6,000 jobs have been generated, primarily by BPOs such as Convergys and IBM. With 60 hectares taken up by IT related companies, Nuvali can very well become another SiliconValley in the future.
Recently, QualiMed, the pioneering healthcare chain, opened a 100-bed general hospital in Nuvali, its first in Southern Luzon, with state-of-the-art preventive care facilities and comprehensive in-patient and out-patient health care services.
“With the establishment of the QualiMed Training and Research Center, QualiMed in Nuvali also serves as an advanced center of research and training for all QualiMed healthcare professionals from all over the country,” Estacio shares.
“Our latest offerings are leisure and recreation facilities that promote wellness and healthy living,” says Jennifer Chua, Nuvali marketing manager. Jogging and biking trails, a wildlife and bird sanctuary, and a two-hectare tree nursery and demo farm called Greens and Patches where you can find vegetable plots, vertical gardens and a greenhouse for growing micro greens, make up an interconnected nature trail system extending about 40 kms.
The latest addition is Camp N (“a premiere incubation camp for learning”) with its state-of-the-art adventure facilities ideal not only for corporate team-building activities but also for individuals, small groups, and family bonding.
With over 40,000 sqm. of retail space housing more than 300 shopping, dining and entertainment choices, Ayala Malls Solenad, Nuvali’s retail and lifestyle hub, has fast become a complete shopping destination in the region. The mall is complemented by S&R Membership Shopping for those nostalgic for US-style bulk shopping and imported goods. Beyond retail therapy, the mall also provides open-air and green spaces, naturally-ventilated zones, generous pedestrian walkways and a two-hectare Activity Park with an outdoor playground.
And for that ultimate staycation, there is Seda Nuvali, “the eco-friendly hotel that promotes a healthy lifestyle in an exciting destination.” The 150-room hotel sits beside a four-hectare manmade lake that offers boating and koi fish feeding activities. The hotel also features an infinity pool, children’s playroom and game room as well as a gym and spa. The all-day dining restaurant, Misto, offers international dishes, with chef Danny Gallardo, who specializes in healthy Japanese cuisine.
Seda Nuvali Hotel received a special award in Urban Land Institute Philippines’ Healthy Places Awards. It is also the first hotel in the Philippines to receive the LEEDSilver Certification from the US Green Building Council.
“From inception, the hotel was meant to distinguish itself in the industry through its commitment to sustainability, in line with the values of its owner, Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp., a member of the Ayala Land group of companies (ALI),” the release states. “ALI maintains that sustainability is the blueprint by which every Ayala land development is designed, as a way of contributing significantly and positively to society.”
“Ever since, the vision was all about development with sustainability — economic, environmental, as well as social,” Nuvali GM, John Estacio says. “You can live here, you can work here, spend your weekends here and enjoy your time here.”
It is estimated that there are about 60,000 visitors in Nuvali on weekends. It is less than an hour’s drive from Metro Manila. To get there, you can take any of the five South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) exits at Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan, and Canlubang. Nuvali is also easily accessible via public vehicles and P2P from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Balibago.
