Harmony in Nature: Pievana's Serene Retreat in Batangas

EmbraceTrue Nature Retreat at Pievana in Batangas as it offers a rejuvenating and immersive experience in the lap of nature. The retreat is designed to help you reconnect with yourself and find inner peace through various activities.

The day begins with an uplifting yoga class conducted in a serene setting overlooking the picturesque, emerald green fields. As the sun rises, you can enjoy the beauty of nature while practicing yoga postures and breathing exercises, promoting physical and mental well-being.

With the peaking demand and desire for refreshing and rejuvenating nature retreats surrounded by impressive beauty, the designs of residential properties and public spaces are now being shaped around the context of connection, flow, and experience.

Nature-Embracing Living Spaces 

 

Imagine the pleasure of residing in a premium leisure estate that combines the beauty of nature and wellness for a luxuriously enriching experience — a reprieve from the chaos of daily life and a refuge for one's well-being.

 

Set within a natural terrain in the heart of Santo Tomas, Batangas, Pievana is Brittany's 25-hectare development inspired by the loops of a flowing ribbon, tying together formerly fragmented and subdivided spaces into a continuous and sprawling property with overlooking views of Mt. Makiling, Mt. Malarayat, and Mt. Banahaw. 

 

Pievana will be home to high-end mid-rise condominiums and grand residential lots, villas and spas, unique retail concepts, lifestyle centers complemented by vast green spaces devoted to gardens, and quiet and unmatched luxury. 

 

Pievana's perfect setting offers those seeking privacy and an opportunity to be part of a few groups of owners while still being handy to all the conveniences of modern life. 

Human Connection with Nature

 

By melding the concept of biophilic design and wellness, Pievana embraces its natural environment with expansive spaces that flow freely into each other, just like nature's embrace, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, gardens, and courtyards that allow for connectivity to nature.

 

A 5.5-hectare residential development is well-positioned to accommodate the next owner's dream home with outstanding panoramic mountain views. Pievana will offer spacious lots ranging from 600 sqm to 1,200 sqm. Ownership includes a share of an architectural central amenity area complete with a gym, spa, relaxation rooms, and entertainment areas set on the most private side of the estate. 

 

An exclusive 9-hectare vertical village comprised of 8 to 15-story buildings will soon rise as part of the development, offering one-bedroom units (46.36 sqm), one-bedroom corner units (50.96 sqm), and two-bedroom units (101.15 sqm). As a low-density residence, the residential buildings will only have 6 to 10 units on a floor for exclusivity and privacy.

 

Pievana's design carefully straddles a line between passive and active leisure and recreational spaces where residents can enjoy the great outdoors through pocket gardens and serenity walk paths or indulge in mindfulness and slow living through purpose-built facilities focusing on the residents' connection, health, and well-being.

 

Tucked away in this breathtaking estate is a 5-hectare commercial area that effortlessly incorporates the beautiful surrounding landscape and rich local flavors into the overall wellness experience. The estate also prides itself on its unique restaurant concepts, with a design that blends into the natural scenery, beautifully curated and thoughtfully created. 

 

A 3-hectare leisure development for spas and villas, events places, and flower and garden farm features will also be part of the commercial area. 

Convenient Location with Utmost Privacy

 

Pievana is a covetable destination near the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio and to different lifestyle centers, historic shrines, and restaurants. Yet, its exclusive community is carefully secluded from busy roads and communities through lines of trees, parks, and green spaces. 

 

Pievana is also within a short distance from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Star tollway. 

 

With a mission to pursue the beauty of life, Pievana will soon be a sanctuary where nature and luxury meet. An exclusive place where one can truly rest and feel at peace with oneself. A home away from home. 

 

Wellness is a lifestyle that should be embraced and indulged, and acquiring a permanent address within a premium wellness hotspot is the ultimate expression of living the good life.

 

For more information on Brittany Corporation's collection of luxury properties, visit www.brittany.com.ph. You may also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Travelers are now able to discover and explore the most unique spaces all over the world with Airbnb

Ever wanted a special stay for that long-awaited work recharge or a weekend getaway to celebrate loved ones? If you’re not sure where to start searching, Airbnb’s new Categories search tool is set to change that with the launch of 56 new categories. 

Travelers are now able to discover and explore the most unique spaces all over the world  — including Campers, Treehouses, A-frames, and Domes.  To get you started, Airbnb has rounded up some of Filipinos’ most wishlisted unique stays on the platform. 

#VanLife Campers

For those thinking about moving into a van and traveling the world, why not get a taste of #vanlife first with these beautiful trailers:

• Jeepney Camper in Rizal: This cosy jeepney-turned-camper promises to provide a truly Pinoy #vanlife experience. Nestled in the lush rainforests of Sierra Madre, the stay comes with a campfire pit and a pool so guests can enjoy the outdoors.

• Vintage Airstream Suite in Batangas: The very first Airstream accommodation in the country, this vintage 25-foot footer camper offers a living area with a couch, dining area, kitchenette, and a bedroom with a queen-sized bed. Even if you are not a fan of tiny houses, it is easy to fall in love with this trailer's rustic charm.

  
  

Whimsical Treehouses

Go off-grid with these glorious homes perched high on the treetops:

• Treehouse by the Ocean in Batangas: In this vibrant and proudly local hut located in sunny Calatagan, guests can enjoy a private pool, coral reef beach and starry night skies perfect for stargazing. It’s also near Cape Santiago Lighthouse for a quick historical trip.

• Treehouse de Valentine in Cebu: Unconventional for all the right reasons, this treehouse is the perfect nest away from the busy Queen City of the South. Guests will find it hard to pick their favorite feature of this treehouse villa – be it the wooden hot tub, patios overlooking the rainforest, or charming rustic decor.

Gorgeous A-frames

Whether oceanside, lakeside, or mountainside, these vacation homes are as fun as they are cosy:

• Mango Nest Hut in Zambales: Planning a glamping trip for two? Located just fifteen minutes from Subic’s waterfalls and beaches, Mango Nest is a 12sq m tiny hut located in a garden. Outside, you can enjoy a picnic and say hello to the Host’s friendly poodles wandering about the garden.

• Alhibé Farm Exclusive Homestay in Cebu: Check out Alhibé Farm, a boutique mountainside homestay complete with its own nipa hut and swimming pool with water from the nearby springs. A bantawan (covered bamboo deck) for private events and movie night experiences inside the mini forest is a bonus point.

  
  

Rejuvenating Beach Homes

These homes are the perfect rejuvenating getaway, where you can listen to the waves crashing against the sand in the morning and lulling yourself to sleep with the sound of the sea every night:

• Anilao Beach House in Batangas: This oceanfront glasshouse in Anilao comes with a reef at your doorstep, making it the perfect spot for avid divers. You can also rent diving gear, jet skis and windsurfing equipment for an ultimate adrenaline-packed weekend.

• Floral Island in Palawan: With its great food, incredible snorkeling spots, and warm hospitality, Floral Island is undeniably one of the best private islands in Palawan. Each booking includes access to six villas, a private restaurant, beachside bonfire, and massage hut; plus exciting activities like kayaking, island hopping, and even coral reef planting. 

  
  

Geodesic Domes

Experience the wilderness in these geodesic domes, perfect for long nights of stargazing:

• Domescape in Batangas: Located in Nasugbu, Domescape features six tastefully styled domes surrounded by lush greenery and natural pools, letting nature-lovers experience the great outdoors without compromising comfort. Each dome comes furnished with comfy beds, an air-conditioner, and mini-fridge. 

• Dome Mufli King in Laguna: Situated in a glamping site that looks straight out of a sci-fi film, Dome Mufli King is fully run on solar power. Bookings are inclusive of a home-cooked breakfast and free use of kayaks, floaters, and fishing poles, which you can enjoy in the waters of Lumot Lake.

Phinma Properties launched Phinma Maayo San Jose, Batangas

There’s a saying that goes like this “If you want to find happiness, you need to find where you belong first.” And last March 19, 2022, that is precisely what the real-estate expert, PHINMA Properties, has unveiled. In a Facebook Live event entitled “Come Home to Something More,” the property maven opened its doors to virtually launch its first horizontal residential project in Batangas, PHINMA Maayo San Jose.

Led by the host, model, and author Bianca Valerio, the event showcased what Batangas offers – inspiring destinations, well-established traditions, a proud heritage, and the latest addition to all these, PHINMA Maayo San Jose. A unique Filipino community on the rise that is inspired by Batangas’ rich culture and diverse lifestyle. Through the lens of the digital screen, local Batangueños discovered an excellent reason to stay closer to their loved ones. At the same time, those people living outside Batangas who always visit for vacations realized that they could finally own a home near their favorite getaways. OFWs who only want the best for their families found a way on how they can invest their hard-earned money in a home that is made with the needs of their family in mind.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony is a milestone led by the visionary Management Committee—Raphael B. Felix, President and CEO of PHINMA Properties, Rogelio M. Garcia,  VP for Business Development, Franciz Z. Villegas, VP for Project Management, , President and CEO of Community Developers & Construction (CDCC), Cris M. Igelsias, VP for Operations of Community Developers & Construction (CDCC), and Mia Reyes, Corporate Communications & Marketing Manager. 

(L-R: Roberto S. Nuez, Franciz Z. Villegas, Raphael B. Felix, Rogelio M. Garcia, Mia Reyes, Cris M. Igelsias)

 

It was indeed a breakthrough moment not just for the lead team but for every Filipino family that will now be able to own their dream home in a  development that is masterplanned even to the smallest detail. To show this, special house tour speaker Julia Rivera from Presello took on-ground and virtual guests on a home tour of Rosario, a two-storey townhouse and one of three house designs at PHINMA Maayo San Jose.

 

Room by room, Julia, together with the guests, discovered how spaces inside this beautiful modern Filipino home are ergonomically designed. The kitchen comes with bigger cabinets and a longer L-shaped counter with durable granite and laminated plywood finishes built to give its residents utmost comfort and convenience for a long time. Also, there is still room for you to install cabinets for storage while leaving enough space for residents to move around. Another thing to like is the strategically-placed wide windows that allow natural lighting and ventilation.

Even the staircase is well-thought of with its graspable handles, non-slip matte tile flooring, and customer-tailored step width and riser height. Outside, the yard is a flexible open space that can be converted into a garden and each house has a spacious service area for laundry and clothes drying. Through the virtual home tour, we were able to appreciate how the house was skillfully designed to provide a dignified and modern living experience.

 

Bianca and Julia spoke about how PHINMA Maayo San Jose is filled with exciting and beneficial amenities while still providing residents with enough areas for relaxation and bonding. Boasting 48% open space, the development has its own jogging path, garden, park, kids’ playground, separate adults’ and kids’ swimming pools, and an outdoor lounge. On top of these, PHINMA Maayo San Jose also makes indoor living less stifling and more exciting with various function rooms, conference rooms, a kids’ play area, fitness studio, gym, and a basketball court.

 

They also discussed the community’s commitment to provide a safe and secure community through the following: RFID access on the entrance gates, CCTV surveillance, and 24-hour roving security. 

And just when we thought PHINMA Maayo San Jose has revealed all that it can offer, the development also presents a life that is more sustainable and better for our planet. Each home comes with a rain water collection system which will help residents save on water bills because it can be used for cleaning or watering plants. It also comes with solar panels for better energy efficiency and lower electricity bills. The community will also have its own materials recovery facility for single-stream recycled materials. 

At the end of the program, one can’t help but say, “Ala eh! Tira na ga sa Batangas!”

 

PHINMA Maayo San Jose has three types of homes for you to choose from. Each caters to every Filipino family’s need. There is the Rosario Townhouse (50 sqm), the Salva Townhouse (80 sqm) and the Trinidad Single Attached House (125 sqm).

 

PHINMA Maayo San Jose is located at Pres. J.P. Laurel Highway, Brgy.Banay Banay Dos, San Jose, Batangas. To know more, visit any of their sites below:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHINMAMaayoOfficial/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phinmamaayo/

Website: http://phinmaproperties.com/maayo/sanjose/

 

The SM Store spreads holiday cheer with new school building, toys

Smiles as bright as Christmas lights, and laughter that invigorated like Christmas carols—these filled the grounds of the Looc Elementary School in Nasugbu, Batangas as The SM Store gave the students there an early Christmas present that is #SoMagical.

Staying true to its commitment of bringing joy to communities where it is present, SM recently turned over its 100th school building donation, and The SM Store distributed toys to children.

Students of Looc Elementary School celebrate after receiving their new toy from the SM Store’s Share a Toy program.

It was only October 16, but it felt like Christmas morning. The students and teachers of Looc Elementary School could not contain their excitement as they took part in a morning of fun and games, a day before the official unveiling of the two-story, four-classroom new school building.

Christmas came early

Situated in front of the school’s sprawling grounds that offer the students an unobstructed view of nearby mountains is a covered court. On that day, employee volunteers from The SM Store Batangas, The SM Store Lipa and Savemore Nasugbu worked like Santa’s helpers to transform it into a festive spot, complete with balloons and party tables and chairs.

Students from Kinder to Grade 2 eagerly lined up, thrilled to witness a lively program and party with their friends and their newfound ates and kuyas. They were treated to fun performances from a magician, clowns, a balloon-twisting artist and a bubble artist. They also had their faces painted with flowers, butterflies, and superheroes. At the end of the program, they were given cuddly plush toys from The SM Store’s Toy Department, clothes from its Children’s Wear section and grocery items from Savemore.

Christmas came early for these kids. It was a new and unforgettable experience for the children of Looc, whose families are engaged in farming or are working at nearby resorts.

Mikko, one of the students of Looc Elementary School, shared how he loved the gift and enjoyed the festivities, which was a rare treat in their school.

“Masaya po ako sa natanggap ko na regalo. Masaya at maganda din ang program kanina, nagpafacepaint pa nga po ako. Minsan lang po kasi may ganito dito sa amin. (I am happy with the gift that I received. I really enjoyed the program. I even had my face painted. It’s not often that we get to enjoy celebrations like this),” Mikko said.  

Dr. Luciana Tulagan, Principal of Looc Elementary, said that this event didn’t just bring joy to the kids but also taught them the value of sharing.

“Malaki pong kaligayahan ang naibigay ng SM dito sa mga mag-aaral ng Looc Elementary School. Dahil sa Share A Toy ng The SM Store, maimumulat namin sa mga bata na dapat hindi lang tuwing Pasko ang pagbibigayan, kungdi lagi. (The SM Store brought great happiness to the students of Looc Elementary School. Because of Share a Toy, we can educate the children that sharing happens not only during Christmas, but there are everyday opportunities to do it.) 

#SoMagical Christmas

Truly, the spirit of Christmas is in sharing. This Holiday season, The SM Store continues to nurture just that through its Share A Toy campaign.

“SM values creating a positive impact in the communities where we are present. We are really grateful that SM gave us the opportunity to be a part of this meaningful event and the chance to share the spirit of Christmas through the gift of toys with the kids of Looc Elementary School. This is a memorable experience that we’ll treasure,” said Shelamie Marasigan, Assistant Branch Manager of The SM Store Lipa.

The SM Store is encouraging its generous shoppers to give back and make a kid’s Christmas #SoMagical by donating a new or pre-loved toy at the Share A Toy booth in all The SM Store branches nationwide. For every toy donated, the shopper will get a P50 discount voucher. The campaign runs from November 15, 2019 until December 31, 2019, with toys to be donated to beneficiaries of the SM Foundation.

These toy donations are a simple but meaningful gift for kids. More than just play items, toys are beneficial to a child’s development according to studies. Toys can help increase their learning retention, stimulate their creativity and imagination, enhance their senses, spur their emotional and social development, and help in developing their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Share A Toy is just one of the ways The SM Store inspires a culture of sharing and purposeful giving among its shoppers. Early this year, it conducted its Share Shoes program and Donate A Book campaign. Since its launch in 2015, The SM Share Movement has already collected more than 1.3 million items which include shoes, school supplies, clothes, toys, disaster kits and hygiene kits, which have been distributed across different parts of the country.

For more updates about the Share Movement and ways you could donate, visit www.thesmstore.com and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 announces winners

My brother (Richard) is a professional diver and whenever he's in the country for a vacation, he keeps nagging me to join his diving trips to Batangas.

But I always say no because I feel claustrophobic wearing that diving mask; fearing that it won't fit my face and that I might drown because of that--or the fact that I really don't know how to swim.

I can float a bit, but that about sums up my swimming skill.

Still, I've always wanted to see what was beneath those corals, to see if his stories about differently colored fishes and beautiful underwater creatures were true and most importantly discover why he's become so passionate about diving.

Last week, after attending the #anilaounderwatershootout and seeing all the winning photos, I sent my brother a message and made him promise that he'd bring me to his next diving trip in Batangas. Now, I have to enroll myself in underwater photography.

Last Dec 1, we were invited to witness the awarding of the 6th Anilao Underwater Shootout winners mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort Mabini, Batangas.

DOT hosts the 6th edition of the Anilao Underwater Shootout from November 27 to December 1, 2018.

This event were joined by more than 220 divers and underwater photographers from all over Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America and to showcase Anilao’s immensely rich biodiversity and to promote the area as a world-class diving destination.

 The Awarding of Winners

Home to some of the rarest species underwater, the rich seas of Anilao were masterfully captured in photographs—Dubbed as the “World Cup of Photo Competitions” .

Here are the winners to the 6th Anilao Underwater Shootout, mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in Mabini, Batangas.

Divers/photographers competed for the  Open Class, Macro/Supermacro, Open-Marine Behavior, Nudibranch, Fish Portrait, Compact Class, the Macro/Supermacro, Marine Behavior, Compact Nudibranch, Fish Portrait categories.

In the Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category, winners are: Yun Na Thing from Indonesia, 1st place, with a photo of a wide-eyed fish, its vibrant orange color stand stark against the blurry background; China’s Cai Heng, 2nd place; and UK and France’s Henley Spiers, 3rd place.

Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category, Yun Na Thing

Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category China’s Cai Heng

       

France’s Henley Spiers

                                       

In the Open-Marine Behavior, Dennis Corpuz from the Philippines took home the 1st prize for his photo of a shrimp struggling from the grip of the cephalopod’s tentacles; Brook Peterson from the US, 2nd; and Cai Heng from China, 3rd.

Open-Marine Behavior, Dennis Corpuz

Philippines’ Bebot Esteban bagged first prize in the Nudibranch category with her shot of a pastel-colored nudibranch. Taking the next two spots are Hong Kong’s Lai Kam Moon, 2nd place; and Malaysia’s Mohan Thanabalan, 3rd place.

In the Fish Portrait category, Peri Paleracio of the Philippines bagged first place for his photo of a vibrant red fish with glowing eyes lurking in the shadows; PJ Aristorenas from the Philippines and Marco Steiner from Austria won 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively.

Fish Portrait category, Peri Paleracio of the Philippines

Fish Portrait category, PJ Aristorenas

For the Compact Class, the Macro/Supermacro category winners were Ericson Yee from the Philippines, 1st place; Narumon Pimsirinath of Thailand, 2nd place; and Philippines’ Ex Liao in 3rd place

For Marine Behavior, Maria Nerissa Fajardo of the Philippines won 1st place for her photo of a translucent cephalopod against the pitch black waters; Jayson Apostol from the Philippines took home 2nd place, and Korea’s Gyoungmi Lee settled for 3rd place.

In the Compact-Nudibranch category, 1st place went to the Philippines’ Marc Stephen De Leon for his beautiful close-up shot of a glowing nudibranch “dancing” in the darkness; China’s Haojie Lin, 2nd place, and Ronald Dalawampo, 3rd place, complete the winners’ circle.

In the Fish Portrait category, the fish opens its eyes and mouth wide open in the photograph snapped by Philippines’ Regie Casia, 1st place. The two other winners were Sudong Lim from the US in 2nd place, and Indonesia’s Ajiex Dharma in 3rd place.

Special prizes were won by Ria Crucero of the Philippines in the Special Beginners category; and China’s Cai Songda in the Blackwater/Bonfire category.

China’s Cai Songda in the Blackwater/Bonfire category

FSH3 Marco Steiner

The Philippines took both titles for the DOT-PAL Photographers of the Year with Dennis Corpuz for his Open-Marine Behavior entry, and Regie Casia for his Compact-Fish Portrait photo.

The international event has been organized by the DOT since 2013, in line with the identification of diving as a priority tourism product in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP).

This year’s panel of judges had some of the most respected names in underwater photography, namely, widely published French naturalist photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta; award-winning Belgian underwater and wildlife photographer Ellen Cuylaerts; macro photography expert and 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Indra Swari; renowned Singapore-based underwater photographer William Tan; and Underwater360 founder and Asia Dive Expo’s official organizer John Thet.