A weekend of wellness and leisure at Punta Fuego

By Julie Cabatit-Alegre (The Philippine Star) | Updated June 22, 2013 – 12:00am

Punta Fuego, Landco Pacific’s ‘luxury seaside community’ is located at the tip of the flame-shaped peninsula on the northwestern coast of Batangas, south of Manila.

Even with the official end of summer, as declared by PAGASA, and the onset of the rainy season in early June, we saw the flame trees still all ablaze with their fiery scarlet flowers along the way to Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. In contrast to the heavy downpour that caused flooding in Metro Manila the past couple of days, we were blessed with fair weather that weekend we spent at Punta Fuego, Landco Pacific’s “luxury seaside community” located at the tip of the flame-shaped peninsula on the northwestern coast of Batangas, south of Manila.

After a comfortable two-hour drive from Makati, taking the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Tourism Highway, we arrived just in time for lunch at De Los Picos, the highest point in Terrazas de Punta Fuego. With the Batangas mountain range serving as a natural backdrop for the infinity pool that juts out from the open pavilion, we listened to a talk on wellness given by Pamela Bahre Ebensperger, a former model from Chile of German descent, and now a licensed Meta coach.

“In all areas of our lives, there are things that we can control and things we cannot   control,” Pamela noted. “The only thing that we actually can control is our own self, and that  just until a certain extent.”

She went on to say that “there is an unlimited amount of power in choosing living in the now. It means to become aware of who we are, where we are, what we are doing. It means to be mindful.”

“Nature is our best ally when it comes to knowing ourselves and managing stress,” Pamela remarked. “Nature is essential for our wellbeing. Nature is our portal to the realm of  our souls.”

Landco AVP for corporate communications, Maritess de Ocampo, noted, “We aim to offer our clients another way of experiencing Life at Your Leisure.”  This is the brand’s promise. Landco Pacific Corporation, “the developer of high-end leisure communities, resort-inspired condominiums and luxury home communities is widely acknowledged as the pioneer in delivering leisure living experiences and lifestyles,” de Ocampo shared.  “What truly differentiates Terrazas is the property attributes. Aside from near perfect sea views, the project is complemented with the best swimming beach cove in Nasugbu with a signature boardwalk unique only to Terrazas. The Punta Fuego brand, together with the membership at Club Punta Fuego further increases the sustainability of its market values and price appreciation.”

From De Los Picos, it was a short ride to the view deck at De La Cresta, “where a select few can still own the last available lots of the prime development facing the West Philippine Sea and gently sloping down to an 800-meter wide white beachfront,” de Ocampo noted.

Here, we enjoyed cocktails shortly before the sun started to set. Dinner was al fresco by the poolside at Terrazas, under the canopy of an ancient tree and a crescent moon peeping through gossamer clouds in the night sky.

Picking up on the theme on wellness, Club Punta Fuego general manager, Mikel Arriet, a former chef, gave a brief talk about “the benefits of healthy eating using delicious fresh organic and natural ingredients.”

And what could be fresher than freshly-caught lobsters peddled at the beach, charbroiled with roasted garlic, and served with “white snapper fillet popillote with asparagus and gnocchi pesto.”  The creamy soup of blended carrot and pumpkin was laced with a hint of truffle oil.

 Just 15 minutes away from Terrazas is Peninsula de Punta Fuego, where the main club is located, featuring a double infinity pool as well as a kiddie swimming pool. It also showcases a nine-hole executive golf course designed by Nelson & Haworth, with a commanding view of the West Philippine Sea. It has 12 beach coves, including Sunset Cove, as well as Crescent Beach and Long Beach, where members can enjoy numerous water sports such as jet ski, kayak, and banana boat. There are 33 casitas and 16 suites available for members who would want to stay overnight.This is where we spent the night. Our fully air-conditioned casita had two queen-sized beds, and a bathroom big enough to include a pocket garden. The bedroom opens to a private balcony overlooking a secluded cove caressed by the rhythmic waves from the open sea.

And so, to sleep. Pamela said, these are the keys to our well-being:  “Respect your body nature and signals. Eat well. Do not abuse drugs and alcohol. Rest well. Have enough sleep.”

Article taken from: http://www.philstar.com/modern-living/2013/06/22/956611/weekend-wellness-and-leisure-punta-fuego