Experience the longest zipline at "Camp N" Nuvali

If you are a fan of outdoor adventure, you will surely love what Camp Nuvali N offers. It boasts of Adventure Tower which houses the longest rollercoaster zipline in Asia, which of course I tried  to simultaneously with the short zipline, I should say that the short zipline has the steepest slope ever. I have been ziplining since the last 3 years, I have tried it 5x already, so I conquered my fears altogether.  Camp Nuvali N has the longest zipline I have been through, and it was fun flying through the trees with its slope and fast speed. There are of course questions in your mind while reading this, and I would provide them for the curious and thrill seeker in you. There are 5 things to consider before ziplining.

1. Make sure you are physically up for the ride. You must be able to climb the stairs leading to the ziplines. There are ropes that you would be gripping on for your dear life, make use of your muscles you never knew you had.  Eat your meal before proceeding to the course and make sure to have a bottled water alongside your mini messenger bag. 

2. What should I wear? You should wear light and comfortable clothing that isnt too loose, the one that would never snug on your harness. Wear shoes that are close-toed, flipflops or sandals are definitely a no-no. Tie your hair up, so as to not get tangled in equipment. 

3. Is ziplining safe? At Camp Nuvali, safety is their top priority. They use the best equipment in outdoor sports imported from Germany.  Their harnesses and carabiners are made of extremely durable materials. Their staff is highly trained and would double check your harness before you climb the stairs. They make sure you understand safety procedures before you begin your ziplining tour and provides special helmets as well. 

4.  Can I bring my kids on a zipline tour?  If you're the kind of mom who wants to experience this with your kids, go but take extra precaution. If safety is your priority, then you and  hubby should leave the children at home. But if they are grown ups and would like to try this out, why not. 

5.  Know your limits. Most zip lines have a weight limit. Ask yourself if youre healthy enough to try.  If you're pregnant or if you have a heart condition, if you think the stress just might be too uncomfortable, if you are afraid of heights, take a pass. Try the aerial walk first or go biking. 

Within the heart of Nuvali lies “Camp N”, touted to be the eco-city’s premier outdoor  adventure and team-building facility that serves as an incubation for self-discovery through obstacles and challenges testing one’s physical limits, mental abilities, and even character and values. Located just south of Manila, Camp N is convenient for bonding among coworkers, families, and friends looking for active fun this summer season.

 “We designed Camp N in such a way that outdoor play and self-discovery are integrated seamlessly so people can enjoy bonding while being surrounded by nature. Camp N’s philosophy— expressed through providing people outdoor amenities where one can commune, learn, grow, and interact socially— jive perfectly with the sustainable philosophy of Nuvali being an eco-community,” said John Estacio, Nuvali general manager.

John Estacio, Nuvali general manager.

Camp N’s thrills-based and skills-based facilities include the Adventure Tower, which has the biggest roller coaster zipline in Asia, as well as free fall, wall climbing, and rappelling facilities. The Obstacle Course has three challenge levels from basic to advanced, encompassing a broad spectrum of skill levels. The Aerial Walk is a series of rope-based challenges set high in the air. The High and Low Rope Initiatives is a series of balancing platforms and tightropes set just a little above ground and requires the participation of small groups.

Right beside Camp N is Greens & Patches which serves as a tree nursery, a demo organic farm, as well as an art and meditation center for those seeking an introspective approach in self-development. Guided tours and programs will soon be offered here so guests can learn about nature’s processes and gifts.

Camp N’s lush and scenic trails include paths for trail running beginners and mountain biking for kids and adults.

“Camp N is for everyone and anyone who is not only looking for some outdoor adventure fun but also a place where they can recharge and connect with other people or even themselves, while being surrounded by nature,” said Estacio.

“The presence of Camp N provides the community a convenient outdoor adventure stop. For Nuvali’s existing communities, it’s a fun learning camp within the neighborhood where they can take their kids out to play and learn. As Camp N evolves further, there will be more activities that will develop their physical and creative skills all within the comfort of nature,” added Estacio.

On April 16, Camp N will be the venue for the first leg of the “AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016”, a multi-stage adventure race similar to The Amazing Race, also popularized by the AXN network. Adventurers will go through intense obstacle challenges in Camp N and the first 20 finishers will head to Boracay for the final round. Only 200 teams from Manila may join the AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016. Registration is through the AXN website.

To get to Nuvali, one can take any of the five South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) exits at Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan, and Canlubang. Nuvali is also easily accessible via public vehicles from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Balibago.

Nuvali is a 2,290-hectare mixed-use development of Ayala Land that straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna. It is a integrated self-supporting eco-city that is home to 12,000 residential units, two business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, two prestigious schools, and the 150-room Seda Hotel, which can provide accommodations for stay-cations and teambuilding activities.

 As a veritable stomping ground for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, Nuvali offers nature amenities such as its 35-kilometer mountain bike trail, a multi-functional lake, hiking paths, and a wildlife and bird sanctuary. Ayala Malls Solenad has over 400 shopping, dining, and entertainment options, making it the primary go-to leisure destination for residents in Laguna, Tagaytay, Batangas, and Muntinlupa.

Try out the first archery challenge maze at SandBox Alviera

If you are a fan of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games fame, you should know by now how effective she is as a hunter and how she shoot well, if you want to channel the Katniss in you, a few lessons and tricks from the SandBox outdoor archery in Alviera, wont hurt as I got to try out outdoor archery once again last January 30 together with selected bloggers.

In archery, setup is the act of raising the bow. Katniss raises that bow fast, but then delivers a knockout punch.  Katniss’ setup is a good start. The basic key I guess is your stance, foot position and that your right arm should raised above your shoulder. I guess I need a  little practice to be like Katniss, but Im getting there.

Learning to shoot a bow and arrows is simple when you realize your shot starts from the ground up. From setting your foot position (stance) to releasing the arrow, to focus on your shoot. Consistency is the key to great shooting.


Following the success of SandBox outdoor archery, Alviera presents the first ever archery challenge maze in the country, the Aqtiv Archery.  Nowhere else can archers run through a maze and face moving targets and obstacles, all under time pressure. Survive an infestation of man-eating monsters. Shoot their life source using your bow and arrow. You only have 2 minutes to complete the task. Fail, and feel the wrath of the hungry ones and get to wear the coolest head gear depends on who you want to be on that day. Isnt that exciting already.

Rate for Aqtiv Archery is at P250 per attempt on the challenge maze and a package rate of P400 includes 30-minute target archery.

This new SandBox attraction in Porac, Pampanga has been dubbed Aqtiv Archery and is expected to provide a whole new exciting outdoor experience.

The SandBox outdoor archery range, operated by Oculus Archery, has had over 5,000 visitors since the attraction opened last year. Children as young as 7 years old to some strong seniors, all new to the sport, have found their bliss in this outdoor feature as they learn the basics of archery in a stationery setup consisting of 12 lanes of targets.

With Aqtiv Archery, participants are given a mission that must be completed within 3 to 5 minutes in the maze depending on the mission’s level of difficulty. Unlike target archery, participants must expect turns and twists and moving targets. For the first mission, archers will face off against Monsters of the Wall. They will be on the run, which adds difficulty to the activity. And in keeping with a themed and more fun setting, participants will be wearing costumes and headgear.

“For the recreational archer, it’s the next step to improving their skills and enjoying archery even more at the SandBox,” said Krizia Chu-Tranquilino, General Manager of Oculus Archery. Themed settings will change over time, so if you’re a court jester in this adventure, you may be a witch, a Viking or even a hippie in the next. 

The SandBox offers different archery packages but first-timers can try the 30-minute target archery first. It includes basic lessons, equipment and a stationary target. This is a pre-requisite before guests can try Aqtiv Archery, which requires basic archery knowledge that has to be combined with agility and hand-eye coordination. Archers who beat the set time for the challenge will be granted Archery Elite status and will win some tokens from Oculus Archery. Every end of the month, the top 5 fastest archers that completed the challenge will be showcased.

Alviera and Oculus Archery will look into hosting tournaments in SandBox in the near future, in partnership with academic and sports institutions.

Other SandBox attractions have been bringing families, friends and even corporations to the park regularly in large numbers. The longer and now tougher Aerial Walk takes visitors through an obstacle course above ground. The  Giant Swing keeps riders thrilled 10 meters up, and many are lined up for the Adventure Tower’s offerings:  rappelling, wall climbing and free fall. Other thrill seekers enjoy Avatar One, Asia’s first roller coaster zipline at 180-meters long. The SandBox’s open fields are ready for outdoor activities like camping, kite-flying, field games and other sports.

“The launch of Aqtiv Archery is only the beginning as SandBox continues to expand in size and attractions in 2016,” said John Estacio, General Manager of Alviera. “Other attractions to be launched this year include a 3-hectare Urban Karting, Airsoft, and Paintball facility together with the opening of restaurants.”

Visitors can also watch out for exciting signature events such as the upcoming summer music and camping festival, Brightscape Campfest.

Alviera is a 1,100 hectare masterplanned development by Ayala Land in partnership with Leonio Land. The property will have residential communities, shopping and dining establishments, offices, and academic institutions as it becomes the new regional growth center of Luzon. Upcoming developments include the Alviera Country Club and the Alviera Industrial Park.

For more information on SandBox at Alviera, visit http://www.alviera.ph/ and http://www.facebook.com/AlvieraPH.  For inquiries, email info.alviera@gmail.com or contact 0917-803-3099 / (045) 432-0014.

Nuvali stages "Dirt Weekend" at Nuvali, Laguna

There is something about mountain biking that thrills the riders.  When you descent upon rocks, trails, roots and rough terrain, the satisfaction never ends there, the fact that you have mastered the road and trails gives you the healthy edge among others. It is the best workout so far, as you use your muscles for pedalling and maneuvering.

To those who are joining the Dirt Weekend on November 6-8 , pack lightly and don’t ever place anything in your pack that could jeopardize you in the event of a crash. Move your body and shift a lot, and support yourself with food, pump and multi-tool.

Nuvali launches Dirt Weekend last October 13 at Mind Museum. The event was hosted by Frank Garcia and Fox representative Aica Danas.

Nuvali has announced that it will be staging this year’s Philippine qualifying leg of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike (MTB) World Championship at the annual “Dirt Weekend” on November 6, 7 and 8 at Nuvali in Laguna. UCI is the international governing body on sports cycling and competitive cycling events. Started in 2009, Dirt Weekend is now recognized as one of the country’s premium racing events among professional MTB riders and enthusiasts alike.

“We are honored that Nuvali is hosting this prestigious international cycling event. Biking is part of the environmentally-responsible culture that we are cultivating in Nuvali. We continuously develop programs that are attuned to the local biking community - programs that promote a healthier lifestyle by encouraging biking as a mode of transportation and recreation. Also, we would like to serve as a platform for globally competitive athletes from the Philippines to get a chance to compete in the global stage,” said John Estacio, Nuvali General Manager.

Nuvali is a 2,290-hectare masterplanned mixed-use development that straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna. It is Ayala Land’s largest estate development to date with approximately 50% of the whole development dedicated to green and open spaces. Through the years, it has become a notable stomping ground for outdoor adventure enthusiasts via its nature amenities such as the 35-kilometer mountain bike and running trail. It also features a multi-functional lake, hiking paths, and a Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. To get to Nuvali, one can get off the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at the Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan and Canlubang exits. Nuvali is also accessible via public buses that ply to and from the estate from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Balibago.

Dirt Weekend will feature four MTB races, each requiring a unique set of mountain biking skills, throughout a three-day period of non-stop festivities revolving around the popular cycling sport. The main event is the UCI Cross Country Marathon (XCM) World Series qualifying race which enables top finishers to move up to the 2016 Cross Country Marathon World Championship in France. The XCM course on Nuvali runs for 70 kilometers and is riddled with technical descents as well as rocky paths and obstacles, designed to mimic a mountain terrain.

 The UCI Cross Country Olympic (XCO) is similar to the XCM but shorter at 35 kilometers. The XCO is a “Registered Class 3” UCI race that lets elite riders earn UCI points. The Four Cross Race is a gravity or downhill event that features four riders racing at the same time through a challenging BMX-like trail of jumps, drops and obstacles, with the top finisher proceeding to the next round. The Dirt Weekend Cross Country Race is Nuvali’s signature cycling event that draws over 1,000 riders yearly to the estate in an exhilarating dash around its 35-kilometer dirt trail.

 “This year, we are expecting over 5,000 visitors to Nuvali for the Dirt Weekend, including 1,500 riders. We strive to make Dirt Weekend an enjoyable gathering place for competitive bikers and fun riders by staging challenging races that cater to all skill levels, as well as entertaining fringe activities such as a bike expo and food fair for all,” said Estacio.

In the weeks leading up to Dirt Weekend, bike enthusiasts can participate in special activities designed to build the momentum for the grand three-day event. On October 17 and 18, Ayala Malls Solenad in Nuvali will hold a bike expo at the Solenad Activity Park. The outdoor-themed premium shopping complex is one of Nuvali’s newest leisure attractions featuring new dining and shopping spots, bike lanes, spacious walkways, a fully-packed playground and pocket gardens.
On the same weekend, Nuvali will also hold a bike clinic designed to introduce newbies to the sport of mountain biking.

Over the years, Dirt Weekend has created massive ripples across the MTB community as a leading pioneer in staging world-class cycling events, a testament of its enthusiasm and support to the Philippine cycling scene. In 2012, Dirt Weekend summoned hundreds of riders around the country with the staging of the first Enduro Race in the Philippines. The following year, it created another round of excitement among dirt riders when Nuvali became the venue for the first UCI Philippine MTB National Championship and the first Philippine MTB Marathon National Championship, garnering over 1,000 participants in attendance.

“As we all know motor vehicles account for a substantial portion of greenhouse gas emission. If we are to reverse or mitigate the effects of climate change, we must find an alternative and more sustainable means of transportation. That’s why in Nuvali, when we plan the whole estate, we made sure biking is a priority. We have put together infrastructure that will allow such. We have dedicated bike lanes, we are starting with our bike share program and we have also established dedicated off road biking and running trails.” concluded Estacio.

Nuvali is a complete self-supporting eco-community that is home to 12,000 residential units, two business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, a leisure shopping mall, and two prestigious schools. A world-class health facility is set to rise on the estate grounds by the second quarter of 2016.

Alviera Brightscape Campfest offers starlit weekend adventure

Experience the height of summer through the best and possibly most fun-tastic event of the season. Arts, music, and adventure come together in an unforgettable event at the Alviera Brightscape Campfest on May 30-31, 2015 at SandBox at Alviera in Porac, Pampanga.

Alviera, home of the great outdoor play park SandBox, hosts its first summer camp out in a weekend jampacked with activities you can enjoy with friends and family.

This unique camping experience provides guests with their own tents in an outdoor campsite, campfire treats, stargazing sessions with telescopes, comfort amenities, and fun field day events and activities at the SandBox. Evenings in Alviera are breezy and cool, marked by a beautiful night sky. To cap the night, the Brightscape Music Jam features a concert under the stars from some of the hottest names in music.



Packages to the Alviera Brightscape Campfest come in Day Adventurer and Weekend Camper variants. Day Adventurer, at P1,990 per person, comes with roundtrip transportation from Manila to Alviera (with travel insurance), free use of all SandBox thrills and attractions, access to all Brightscape Field Day Events, passes to the Brightscape Music Jam, as well as an event kit filled with surprise Brightscape Campfest freebies.


Weekend Camper tickets at P2,990 per person entitle participants to all Day Adventurer inclusions, plus overnight campsite stay, access to campsite-exclusive activities, free use of Coleman tents, exclusive use of SandBox and a hearty buffet breakfast on Sunday morning, May 31.

The Brightscape Field Day events start with kite-flying, drumming, basic survival skills, flow arts movement and a lot of SandBox action. Watch the skies for amazing kites then learn to make them and fly your own. Kite-flying and kite design are featured in Art in the Sky sessions. Wilder necessities takes you on a walk on the wild side to learn basic nature skills from local experts. Learn to drink water from bamboo stalks, kindle a small camp fire or pick out edibles from available plants around you. It’s fun field survival 101.

Ever marched to the beat of your own drum? Here’s a chance to find your rhythm and feel the beat at Pulses & Artbeats. Led by the high-energy Adinkra Lumads Djembe Community, join this community drum circle to experience pulsing drumbeats like no other. If you’re into moving with the beat, learn the basics of flow arts movement from the experts at Flow Arts Philippines. Swing and sway using poi, hoops and other props.

There’s a whole day to enjoy all of SandBox’s attractions. Take in the Adventure Tower, the Avatar One rollercoaster zipline, Giant Swing, Aerial Walk and the 9-km Alviera-Columbia Bike Trail. Plus, there’s mini-golf, archery, children’s playground and ATV/UTV rides.

As the sun sets, the outdoor stage show opens with Ring of Fire, a sunset spin jam featuring the flow artists and Djembe musicians. Shadowtales follows suit, a silhouette puppet theater performance written and performed exclusively for the event. The evening culminates with the soundtrack to a sizzling summer with the Brightscape Music Jam starring Barbie Almalbis, Imago, Quest, The Ransom Collective, Chocolate Factory, Brisom, Absolute Play, and the Adinkra Lumads.

Simultaneously, Weekend Campers will be treated to exclusive Camper Field Day Events, such as tent-pitching 101 from Coleman’s camping pros, a bonfire session with s’mores treats provided, and stargazing and star-mapping sessions.

“Brightscape Campfest is an exclusive summer experience that only Alviera can provide. It’s a unique and great way to celebrate and crown the summer,” said John Estacio, Alviera General Manager. “Visitors will even have a choice between staying the whole day and taking in the breezy plains of Porac, or they can go weekend camping with us overnight.  We welcome everyone to enjoy the outdoors with us here.”

Brightscape Campfest packages are available at www.travelfactor.org/brightscape. Tickets only with prices of P1,000 for Day Adventurer and P1,500 for Weekend Camper can be purchased via www.ticketnet.com.ph.

Alviera Brightscape Campfest is an event presented by Ayala Land and Leonio Land in partnership with Travel Factor, Coleman, Alveo, Avida and Avida Settings Alviera, and Philippine Star. This is also brought to you by The North Face, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror, Widus Hotel, and Marquee Mall.

Get your bow and arrow at Oculus Archery, SandBox Alviera

Sandbox Alviera launched the Oculus Archery last February 1, Porac Mayor Condralito dela Cruz headed the ribbon cutting ceremony together with Krizia Chu-Tranquilino, General Manager of Oculus Archery and Ayala Land executives.

Oculus Archery partners with SandBox Alviera Pampanga to hone the archer in you, that one talent  you thought you never had. Channeling my inner Merida and Katniss  at Oculus Archery for 30 minutes has never been this easy. This was my first time to actually hold a bow and arrow. The coach at the Oculus patiently told me to target my aim by strong mental visualization, and practice pulling my right arm until it reach my shoulder then release  and pushing the left arm outward.  I should learn pulling and pushing with my arms. I hit my target the second try, and I know I had it in me, I will just try to practice more.

Mayor Condralito dela Cruz was trained by the Oculus crews on how to target his aim and surprisingly hit his balloon target several times.

Newbie archers as young as 7 years old, accompanied by an adult, or young at heart with senior cards, are welcome to experience Outdoor Archery at SandBox. The packages priced at P400 for a one-hour session or P250 for a 30-minute session include basic coaching, bow & arrows, quiver, chest and arm guards plus one balloon target. There are also various novelty targets available such as famous cartoon villains to make the activity more fun and interesting especially for kids.

“Our mission is to erase the notion that archery is an elite sport. Anyone can enjoy it from kids to adults as long as they have the upper body strength to pull the string and concentrate on their target,” said Krizia Chu-Tranquilino, General Manager of Oculus Archery.

The lessons conducted by expert archers are accessible and comprehensive, without removing fun in the equation. Archery helps clear the mind, and allows people to decompress when under stress. For kids, it will train their mind to focus, a very important skill at school.

The Aerial Walk, an obstacle course with horizontal and vertical elements, has also been expanded for a longer, more challenging, and exciting experience. From 17 activities, it now offers 28 activities with the addition of new tunnels, loops, beams, nets, and ziplines. Guests who will take the challenge to complete this pumped up Aerial Walk can expect a real workout.

Bikers, in the meantime, can get their hearts pumping in the 9-km Alviera-Columbia Bike Trail located adjacent to the park and within the perimeter of Alviera.  This is where guests can bring their own bikes and enjoy a ride with their families and friends while taking pleasure at the scenic views of the Porac mountain range.

Part of the initial phase of the Alviera development, SandBox has drawn almost a hundred thousand walk-in visitors for its outdoor adventure attractions since it opened in April last year. The Giant Swing, the country’s tallest at 10-meters high, provides riders an exhilarating swing through the air. Housing the Wall Climbing, Rappelling and Free Fall, there’s the 15-meter Adventure Tower, which also provides the best views within and around Alviera.

The adventure continues with the Avatar One, Asia’s first roller coaster zipline, which brings daring visitors 180-meters up and down through lines and curves. Guests can also drive the ATV and go through rough and plain terrain, rivers, mountains, and forests. Guests who are less active can enjoy the Mini Golf or play with their kids at the chidlren’s playground, SandBox also has an open field for sports, parties, and other outdoor activities. Everyone in the family can have fun in SandBox.

“SandBox has given visitors unique outdoor thrills built from the natural environment of Alviera.  We are excited to bring more fun attractions for the community as we continue with our development plans for Alviera,” said John Estacio, Alviera General Manager.


SandBox at Alviera is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  For booking guidelines, visit the Alviera webpage at www.alviera.ph and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at AlvieraPh.