The lobby of the main clubhouse of the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. A huge sculpture with circular motif hangs above. (Photo by NOEL PABALATE)

It seems that exclusivity, just like a residential purchase, is a valued commodity these days. Leisure clubs, predicated on the seduction of privacy, are definitely increasing in number, offering potential clients a bewildering combination of views, amenities and the possibility of a weekly getaway. Though some might prefer a club that is not too far away from home, others would want to roll on the road for hours on end, the verdant green of the countryside unfurling, and sink into the welcoming embrace of a club that is a small paradise in itself and able to whisk the stress of travel in minutes.

Such is the allure of Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club that is within Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas, touted as “a master planned destination development seen to build a network of leisure communities.” Hamilo Coast is the first foray of SM Land in the leisure lifestyle category whose property is large enough to accommodate a nature fantasy of some kind: 5, 800 hectares of land, 13 coves and 25 kilometers of coastline. 

Hamilo being a protracted development, SM Land is developing the Pico de Loro Cove which already asserts its manmade splendor. I got to see the initial cluster of condominiums that will soon accommodate homeowners in this enclave swathed with the blue of the sea, the bristling green of hillocks, and the pervading quiet of a true nature hideaway. Inflected with seacoast Australian architecture, the residential towers pull a bewildering surprise in a place that seems to be totally new to human habitation.

What is operating in full-swing is the beach and country club that already provides service to members and their guests for a weekend fun. Nothing as tasteful and elegant can rival the look of the beach club that is punctuated by furniture creations of Filipino designers, a lookout area, and a multi-level structure that has a bar, restaurant, and convention areas.

If the beach club is already a breath-taker, the country club exponentially increases the sense of delight. Its lobby is one to behold; a huge sculpture with circular motif hangs precariously amid the well-appointed layout of lounge chairs. The structure lies beside a sprawling swimming pool that is five-foot deep across, lapping against a man-made lagoon that will be completed together with the condominiums.

One welcome thing about the country club is that it is symmetrically bisected to accommodate two different pursuits: leisure activities and sports. On the left wing are the library, the KTV nooks, the ballroom, the children’s playground, and the six-lane bowling alley, an instant favorite. On the right wing, on the other hand, are the amenities designed for the active ones: six badminton courts, two squash courts, basketball court, tennis court, and gym.

Levi Layug, the club’s general manager, oversees the many functions, activities, and amenities of Pico de Loro. That is why he believes in taking note and responding to feedbacks which will determine, more or less, the members’ sense of satisfaction. “We make it a point to get to know our members better,” he says. “What we do is we go from table to table asking members what they like about the food or the service then we adjust according to their comments. We keep track of what they like and don’t like by maintaining a database of our members’ previous comments and suggestions. We pay close attention to our members’ needs.”

One of the needs currently being addressed is a hotel where members and their guests can stay if they want to extend their trip at Pico de Loro Cove. Slated to be completed early next year, the hotel will feature the architectural look of the other towers and face the lagoon as well.