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Farm life goes luxe

By Maripet L. Poso, Staff Writer

05/22/2008

Who would have thought that farm life could look charming?

Just as it has made a seaside community look posh, Landco Pacific Corp. presents a farming residential community in the most dream-like manner, setting yet another breakthrough in the standard of living.

Ponderosa Leisure Farms, lusciously spread in a sprawling, 80-hectare terrain in Silang, Cavite, offers residents an authentic farming environment, but with the conveniences of a luxury resort, all amid the refreshing Tagaytay weather.

“Though our logo is a rose, Ponderosa is not a flower. It’s actually a pine tree,” Joby Xerex Burgos, Landco vice president for leisure and resorts, says.

Regardless of what the name stands for, however, Ponderosa abounds with both.

A terracotta gate reminiscent of rustic and luxurious Mexican haciendas opens to a driveway lined with colorful bougainvillas and lush pine trees. Inside the Ponderosa properties, one may enjoy a bounty of flora and fauna, which reflects what the residential resort stands for. “When we conceptualized this project, what we wanted was to do a farm-slash-garden-like environment,” Burgos explains. True enough, the beautiful villas are enhanced by landscaped, lush flower gardens.

A joint venture of the Ponderosa Farms and Landco, Ponderosa Leisure Farms is no doubt a residential paradise that offers the rusticity of a farm life, the hominess of a garden respite and the comforts of a luxury resort.

Mexican flavor

Take a stroll around the neighborhood and you might as well be walking in the heart of Acapulco. Yellow facades and red roofs, a dash of colors, arched doors, wooden beams, terracotta... the Ponderosa houses are no doubt inspired by Mexican villas.

“The theme that we chose was Spanish-Mexican,” explains Burgos. “It’s supposed to be reminiscent of the mission architecture in the Southern California,” he adds, referring to the architecture that was brought by the Spanish missionaries, who introduced Catholicism in the United States.

“So, if you notice, there are a lot of crosses in the architecture. That’s because most of the first buildings were churches. And these were adapted in the houses,” he adds, talking about the three model villas that Ponderosa is introducing to the market right now.

“We’ve made sure that all the houses in the area within the village follow the same theme,” admits Burgos. “We have a very strict architectural committee in the subdivision. All the houses here pass through the committee. Most of the houses are nice, and they all went through the committee.”

Undeniably, the three model villas—Villa Jasmina, Villa Althea and Villa Amaranta—are distinctly Mexican-inspired down to the last rug. The villas come fully furnished.

Rich details with a variety of colors evoke Mexican opulence. Earthy tones of terracotta, bright orange, red and mustard play a big part in the architecture, as well as the detailed tile work, the wrought iron grills and heavy carved wooden doors.

“Given the background of Ponderosa, we felt that there was already a market that wanted built-up houses,” explains Burgos. “People want to build their dream houses, as you can see. But some don’t need to build them anymore. We build it for them.”

The first model, Villa Jasmina, has a very warm and welcoming aura. It is an interesting fusion of the arts and culture of old Mexico and the vitality of modern luxury. Guests are greeted by an interior courtyard accented with a wall-hung water fountain by the main door, giving a feel of an extended garden inside. It also boasts of an elegant hexagonal living room enclosed in huge glass windows. It has three bedrooms, three full baths with pocket gardens, one powder room and one living room, a dining area, kitchen, service area and one-car garage.

“When we created these houses, they were not just to be lived in,” enthuses Burgos. “They’re not just simple houses. When we conceptualized these, we really thought of how the future owners will use them. Basically, they’re a little more than just houses. These are rest houses. And like I said, we’re building their dream houses for them. So, we sort of thought ahead and tried to see more of less what items in the house we thought they would really enjoy.”

In Villa Althea, on the other hand, a trellised courtyard takes centerstage. It is framed by the living room, dining room and the master bedroom, offering the view of the three-tiered water fountain at its center. Of the three model villas, Villa Althea is more subdued in color and interior.

“Although we are strict in terms of the exterior, they can have a modern interior, just like that of Villa Althea, if they want to,” Burgos adds.

Defining total Mexican affluence is the Villa Amaranta, the biggest model that boasts of an open-planned living and dining area characteristic of the Spanish penchant for entertaining big groups. A three-tiered wall fountain adds a dash of opulence to the villa. The three huge bedrooms each have full baths with pocket gardens as well.

All three model villas have swimming pools and lush, unobstructed gardens.

“These houses are not smaller than a thousand square meters,” says Burgos. “I don’t think you can buy this big in Metro Manila without spending a fortune. This is not that cheap either, but definitely more affordable. At the same time, it’s really nice.”

We’re talking about P15 to 20 million give or take for the house and lot. Beyond the posh exteriors and the well-thought out interiors, there’s a reason they’re called dream houses.

What sets the place apart, however, is its location and cool ambiance.

“The biggest advantage of Ponderosa is that it’s near Tagaytay,” he confirms. It’s a 45-minute ride from Makati as well. “When you go to Tagaytay, it takes you only about five to 10 minutes, depending on where in Tagaytay you’re going. And, of course, being five minutes away from Tagaytay, you have the weather.”

A Ponder-ful alliance

Getting to the next level of the development is one thing, starting it is another.

“Mrs. Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio has owned this property for a couple of decades now. She has always operated this as a rose farm,” Burgos retells how the wonderful partnership came to be. “In 2003, they were looking for a joint-venture partner. And Carlos Perez-Rubio, the son of Ma. Luisa, was my father’s classmate way back in grade school in La Salle. At that time, Landco was already more than mid-way through Punta Fuego (another Landco development project). So, Carlos said, it would be better if we work together because they could trust us, given the history.”

It was a classic case of old classmates, old friends for them, but the joint venture proved to be successful.

“Timing-wise, we jibed as well. Trust your partner; that’s one of the things we have, among others, trust,” enthuses Burgos.

With the foundation of a solid partnership and the growing number of residents, Ponderosa Leisure Farms is set to redefine the meaning of a farming life.

“We’re trying to bring the development of the community to the next level,” he adds. “We try to make a house they can consider a home. By yearend, we will have about 50 houses being built and growing.”

And to sustain the farm-like bounty of the community, Landco allots only 30 percent of each lot area for the house itself and the rest should be devoted to the garden, giving residents ample space to make their own little paradise.

“It’s a phenomenon actually, like in Punta Fuego, when someone starts to build a house, the neighbor says, ‘Hey, I can build a nicer house.’ And it’s always been like that. What happens is, it spirals into more houses being built. And that’s what’s happening here.”

Ponderosa residents also get to enjoy the amenities including the clubhouse, El Refugio Meditation Garden, Campo Verde Campsite, the Las Rosas outdoor dining restaurant and the Plaza Maravilla, among others.

For inquiries, call 809-5628 or 0920-9383564, email info@landcopacific.com or visit www.ponderosaleisurefarms.com or www.landcopacific.com.