Modern Living

Life at your leisure in Pampanga

August 13, 2011 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - It is said that early in the 16th century, before the arrival of the Spaniards, the people of Pampanga or Kapampangans, as they are known, were ruled by kings and not mere chieftains, as were the other tribes on the islands.

Perhaps this explains their sense of importance and pride in their rich culture and lifestyle, which is evident to this day. Kapampangans are well-known for producing great cuisine, and entertaining in their grand ancestral houses in the exuberant company of large families and countless friends. In short, they know how to enjoy the good life.

Their natural sense of family and inherent taste for the best that life has to offer extend even to the choices that they make when it comes to acquiring property or buying land. Such was the experience of Catherine P. Yosuico, project head of WoodGrove Park, Landco’s high-end residential development in San Fernando, Pampanga, which is likened to Makati’s Forbes Park. “Our lots are the most expensive in the area,” Yosuico says.

Live life at your leisure at Landco’s WoodGrove Park in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Many of their clients come from the affluent families of Pampanga. They own ancestral homes and they buy lots not only for themselves but also for their children.

“We had one client who bought eight lots,” Yosuico relates, “for themselves and their five children.”

It’s a wealthy market, willing to spend and appreciate a better quality of life. Yosuico calls them the “affluentcers.” They tell their friends, those they’d want to be their neighbors, about the new residential development that promotes a lifestyle of leisure, for which Landco has made its mark in Philippine real estate leisure development.

The sprawling 48-hectares residential development is located in barangay Del Carmen, not far from the San Fernando NLEX exit, which makes it convenient for those working or studying in the metropolis. They can be going to work or school in Metro Manila and still be home for dinner every day. WestGrove Park is just a few minutes away from the Robinsons Mall and SM Pampanga, making it convenient for residents to enjoy their weekend shopping and entertainment.

You can see Mt. Arayat in the distance from the master bedroom.

The area where WoodGrove Park is located used to be planted to sugar cane. It was not unlike the whole of San Fernando, which has been known to be flood-prone. But this concern was more than adequately addressed by the developer with the laying of bigger drainage pipes and raising of the street level. Now, even during a heavy downpour, they do not experience any flooding. “We even schedule site trips when it rains, so our clients can see for themselves,” Yosuico says.

Besides those from Pampanga, other clients come from Bulacan, Tarlac, and Bataan, among other places. Eighty percent of Phase 1 has already been sold and 40 percent of Phase 3.

Prime lots, grouped in four clusters or phases, measure from 250 to 532 sqm. each. The landscaped entrance gate opens to wide concrete roads and tree-lined sidewalks. The model unit follows a Southern American theme, with a typical front porch and wood paneling. From the master bedroom, one of three bedrooms on the second floor, you can see Mt. Arayat, standing alone in the distance, in the middle of the surrounding flatlands.

The amenities in WoodGrove Park include a clubhouse and free-form lap pool, basketball court, play area, pocket parks between clusters and a central park as well as jogging trails.

Pampango cuisine featuring batute (stuffed frog) and buro (fermented fish with rice).

WoodGrove Park in San Fernando, Pampanga, is one of a number of Landco’s hometown community developments located in key cities. Other similar developments are located in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Urdaneta, Pangasinan; Baliuag, Bulacan; San Pablo, Laguna, and Zamboanga City. Other premium properties include the Ponderosa Leisure Farms in Silang, Cavite, as well as the high-end resort community, the Terrazas de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

While these developments are located in highly populated, growing urban areas, “it’s a different atmosphere when you get home,” says Alfred “Alby” Xeres Burgos III, president and CEO of Landco Pacific Corp. “There’s a lot of open space and fresh air to breath. Relax and enjoy the amenities. Spend time with your family and your self, and enjoy God’s natural gifts.” That’s living “life at your leisure.”

It’s an open invitation.

As the Kapamapangans would say: Mekeni! Come.

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For information, call 836-5000 or visit www.landco.ph.