Photo by ANTONIO BONIFACIO III

Think Batangas, a province in Southern Tagalog, and what pops into one’s mind might be “balisong” or butterfly knife. Batangas is famed for the production and sale of this exquisite blade. It is actually quite common to see stores that sell balisong all lined up in the roads and highways of the province, particularly in the town of Taal where the blades originated.

But “balisong country” is now slowly turning into a playground for the rich, powerful, and famous as its landscape has been transformed by real estate developments. One such stakeholder in the transformation of Batangas is Landco Pacific Corporation.

One weekend in October, we were made to feel how it was to be rich and famous when Landco invited a group of newsmen to the burgeoning leisure tourism estates in Batangas.

Only two hours away from Manila via SLEX, the province of Batangas boasts of pristine beaches and towering mountains—a perfect destination for adventure seekers or those who simply wish to relax. Most of these spots are slowly being developed into luxurious homes with the concept of the perfect vacation getaway.

The first stop in this “exclusive” journey was Playa Calatagan in Barangay Sta. Ana, Calatagan, Batangas. Playa Calatagan is the country’s first leisure tourism estate built around a beach community. Its 94-hectare area is divided into residential and commercial establishments. Tenants of the “playa” enjoy complete privacy and total relaxation from the stress attendant to city living. In the place of Manila’s tall buildings, factories and smog, Playa Calatagan has tall trees, cool sea breeze and verdant fields while one is ensconced in comfortable and modern amenities.

Next, we breached the great divide between the mountains and the sea in Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Landco’s flagship seaside development. This lovely village combines the best of what Nasugbu, Batangas has to offer while enhancing it with a Balinese-inspired architecture. Terraza de Punta Fuego is divided into two areas: The Peak and The Peninsula. The Peak gives tenants a breathtaking view of Batangas’ mountain ranges. This would definitely give someone the exhilarating feeling of waking up on top of the world… literally. On the other hand, for those who prefer to stay near the shore, then The Peninsula is the perfect spot. Just like Playa Calatagan, The Peninsula offers a quiet retreat for those who just wish their worries to be washed away by the sea. Somewhere between The Peak and The Peninsula is the Amara en Terrazas. It is a unique concept for a condominium because it fuses the sophistication of a luxury condo and the relaxing environment of a resort. It’s almost like living in a perpetual vacation.

The final leg of the trip brought us to Club Punta Fuego where an amazing Spanish Food Festival awaited us. Located in Nasugbu, Batangas, Punta Fuego is the country’s pioneer in seaside luxury developments as it marries the beauty of land and sea with the conveniences of modern facilities. The Club was not boasting when it claimed that its extensive lineup of recreational amenities, diverse dining outlets and personalized services would take us less than three hours from Manila yet worlds away from city life.

We were served the finest Spanish cuisine by the renowned Basque resident Chef Mikel Arriet. Chef Arriet wowed us with his unique way of serving delectable Spanish cooking through a wide variety of tapas and sangria (Spanish appetizers) and various Spanish entrees (such as Paella). Aside from the barrage of nirvana-inducing sensations on the taste buds, Club Punta Fuego also has the Upper Beach Club that features a double Infiniti pool overlooking the calm blue waters of the South China Sea. However, if one fancies an outdoor affair, then the Lower Beach Club is the more suitable option. Just grab some good, old-fashioned tiki torches and the beach is ready for one rip-roaring party. For those who prefer a more intimate setting, then the San Diego Garden part is highly recommended. What could be better than lush greens providing the privacy and the setting sun providing the mood for the ultimate date experience? Club Punta Fuego’s guest rooms, or what they call the Casitas, can hold their own against most five-star hotels in terms of aesthetics. Each room has its own mini garden and an astounding view of the ocean. Imagine waking up watching the sun rise without having to leave the comfort of your own bed.

Aside from these leisure tourism estates, Landco also put up Playa Laiya in San Juan, Batangas, leisure farms in Lemery, Batangas, Hacienda Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, MonteLago Nature Estates and Stonecrest in San Pablo, Laguna, Monterrazas de Cebu in Guadalupe, Cebu, Woodgrove Park in San Fernando, Pampanga, Ponderosa Leisure Farms in Silang, Cavite, The Courtyard at Lakewood Golf Estates in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Woodridge Garden Village in Lunzuran, Zamboanga City, Playa Azalea in Samal Island, Davao, Waterwood Park in Baliuag, Bulacan, and TRIbeca Private Residences in Sucat, Muntinlupa.

With kapeng barako and balisong as its famous representations, Batangas is slowly turning its rural countryside (without compromising the natural splendor of the place) into residential resorts. And with this new development, Batangas may slowly cut through the field of land development as the new playing field of the rich and famous—without having to use a balisong to do it.

(Visit www.clubpuntafuego.com)