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An example of a typical house at Aldea de Pameral, a combination of old-world charm and modern amenities will characterize the homes expected to be built at the residential community.
Photo credit: PRANZ KAENO BILLONES
What does it take to live the hacienda lifestyle? Will it entail having a retinue of servants at one’s beck and call? Will it take hours spent in the midst of a plantation managing hundreds of workers? Or will it entail lounging around a grand porch while sipping glasses of mint julep (or as in the Philippine’s case either cold sangria, rhum or fiery lambanog)?
The answer: Hardly. After all, such a lifestyle has long vanished—gone with the wind so to speak—and nowadays at least, not practical. Nonetheless, echoes of such a languid and elegant lifestyle still exist if not in appearance, then at least in substance at Aldea de Pameral—Hacienda Escudero.
Yes, this residential estate is being built right smack a real hacienda in Quezon province and is dubbed (at least by its developer Landco Pacific) a plantation resort town—one that considers its unique provenance while at the same time providing modern amenities and lifestyle choices to its future residents.
As an introduction to this unique community, Landco was gracious enough to provide a tour of the estate and we were, to say the least not at all disappointed as to the domestic possibilities that this future “township” will provide. Perhaps it was the sylvan and bucolic landscape that one encounters on the way to the development, or the still mainly agricultural lifestyle of the communities that one encounters on the way to the site, but the trip from bustling Metro Manila on the way to the “Hacienda” does prepare one to the special experience awaiting any guest. Indeed, the trip was so seamless that one is actually surprised to find oneself along a coconut tree-lined driveway (parts of an existing coconut plantation) that leads to one of the community’s prized jewels—the Clubhouse.
Occupying a site near a rotunda, the Clubhouse complex is grandly situated and mimics to some extent the plantation houses unique to Quezon province (as can be seen in the old Hacienda Escudero plantation house) with its sloping roofs, use of decorative finials on the roofline and an encircling porch. As mentioned, the clubhouse is actually a complex of buildings connected to each other by pathways. Again this characteristic provides echoes of a plantation lifestyle as a plantation’s main house actually has several outbuildings connected to it for housing workers and in times past, stock. Nonetheless, the mainly agricultural preoccupation of haciendas of the past have been replaced by the amenities that the clubhouse actually provides like providing future residents with a venue for gatherings and various recreational pursuits (e.g. swimming pools etc.)
Up close, a minimalist and Asian-inspired sensibility pervades the Clubhouse. This is very much apparent in the foyer which sets the tone for the whole complex of buildings—at least when it comes to interior and decorative accents. As mentioned, the lobby is spare and has walls painted white and neutral. Decorations and furnishings are kept to a minimum with resort-inspired furniture groupings placed on either side of the room. At this point, guests are given two choices when it comes to “paths” to take. On the right side is the path leading to the grand ballroom, while on the left is a pathway leading to the resort section of the complex.
If one chooses to go to the resort side, one immediately encounters a “wall fountain” the use of which serves to mentally prepare a guest to the delights of the swimming area. This feature also serves to hide the dressing rooms behind it, as well as provide the soothing sound of water that may also hide unwanted noise from other parts of the complex. Regarding the pool area, what distinguishes it the most is the combination of a traditional pool and an infinity pool at its farthest end. A unique feature of this area is actually a low wall on one side that provides bathers with a measure of privacy. This wall is hardly noticeable from the bathing area although it provides a formidable appearance from outside the complex.
At the opposite end of the pool area is the main events venue of the complex. This area is distinguished by the grand ballroom that is housed in the complex’s biggest building. Surely, this building is—at least construction-wise—one of the most impressive structures at the hacienda to date. A striking feature of the building is probably one of the longest porches in the country today. The porch, which faces the lawn, we were told, is a favored venue for informal parties and gatherings. Not surprisingly, the porch is furnished with groupings of lounge chairs and sofas that are characteristically low-backed, thus further accentuating the vistas that the porch provides.
Although, not exactly a part of the Clubhouse complex, a short visit to the so-called “great lake” was also made. The said area is expected to provide another venue for recreation in the future (e.g. watersports). Of course, the development’s houses will likewise be located along its shores and it requires little imagination not to see how impressive the landscape of land and shore will be in the future when equally impressive private houses are built at Aldea de Pameral. For now, however, the Clubhouse complex remains supreme and is no doubt a potent reminder of a life that could be lived with elegance and ease.
source:manila bulletin
www.mb.com.ph
By CYRIL DE LEON
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