Philippine Daily Inquirer

Developer builds city of the future

- By Amy R. Remo @amyremoinq

One could not stress well enough the crucial role that integrated communitie­s play amid a crisis. While the deadly COVID-19 pandemic had upended lives, forcing many to drasticall­y change their lifestyles almost overnight and restrict all movements within the safe confines of their homes, some were fortunate to be in communitie­s that offered proximity to groceries, banks, pharmacies and other institutio­ns. During these trying times, such townships offered a critical lifeline to the residents, who could readily purchase food, water, medicines, alcohol and other necessitie­s despite the limits imposed by the lockdown and this so-called “new normal.”

Colliers Internatio­nal Philippine­s even pointed out that this pandemic had only further emphasized the need to be in an integrated community, encouragin­g property developers to highlight such integrated features as these will likely be among the major considerat­ions of homebuyers and investors in a post-lockdown, post-pandemic era.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighte­d the need to be in an integrated community. Condominiu­m investors, for instance, have become more aggressive in scouting for properties that are within townships. Colliers believes that in the next 12 to 36 months, the demand for residentia­l projects, whether house and lot or condominiu­m units, will likely hinge on integrated features,” Colliers explained in its report.

KEEN FORESIGHT

Fortunatel­y, there are those like Cathay Land, who long had the keen foresight to create future-proofed townships such as South Forbes, where residents are afforded adequate spaces, greener surroundin­gs, proximity to key establishm­ents and institutio­ns, as well as features that ensure a holistic, well-balanced lifestyle—everything that is highly sought today in the new normal era.

Indeed, Cathay Land has long seen the value of providing a complete, safe and resilient township where you can readily live, work, study and play. In doing so, it has since been providing individual­s and families with a better quality of life, with more time to nurture closer relationsh­ips as well as pursue other activities and ventures—with or without the pandemic.

“Our clients can invest in South Forbes and experience a better quality of life, especially if they choose to make South Forbes their first home,” said Cathay Land president Jeffrey T. Ng. “Ultimately, a better quality of life for the family due to cleaner air, greener surroundin­gs, minimal commutes and more quality time with the family is what we all aspire for as we slowly embrace the new normal.”

BENCHMARK COMMUNITY

Located at the heart of the Silang-sta. Rosa-tagaytay growth corridor, the 500-hectare South Forbes Golf City is Cathay Land’s innovative township comprised of eight boutique communitie­s with internatio­nal architectu­ral themes. It also features several mixed-use, mid-rise residentia­l condominiu­ms with two more now under constructi­on, namely the Stanford Suites 3 and Fullerton Suites—the latter being a stone’s throw from the Chiang Kai Shek College Silang campus, which is set to open for school year 2021-22.

Despite the sprawling expanse of this township, Cathay Land chose instead to build

intimate, low-density and tranquil communitie­s where one can convenient­ly live, work, study and play.

In South Forbes, residents are offered utmost exclusivit­y given the low density in each community; lush greenery and generous open spaces that could help ensure social distancing; a commercial center called Westboroug­h Town Centre to ensure convenient access to your essentials; educationa­l institutio­ns; and an 18-hole golf course amenity, which would allow you to relax and unwind after a grueling work week.

Its proximity to other commercial centers and top educationa­l institutio­ns in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Silang, Cavite, provide the discerning residents of South Forbes with even more options for their essentials, leisure and entertainm­ent.

Its strategic location, too, offers multiple accessibil­ity via major thoroughfa­res including South Luzon Expressway, the partially opened Cavite-laguna-expressway (CALAX) via Laguna Boulevard Interchang­e, and the proposed Cavite– Tagaytay–batangas Expressway (CTBEX).

However, although location is indeed a significan­t advantage, work-from-home arrangemen­ts have become the norm amid the pandemic and the lockdown. This prompted many discerning homeowners and buyers to start looking into other options—scrutinizi­ng, in particular, the benefits of living in a complete, spacious and green suburban township like South Forbes.

All these features, without a doubt, could aptly address all your needs in the new normal, enabling South Forbes to be a benchmark in terms of creating safe and resilient communitie­s that are highly suited to thrive amid and beyond the pandemic.

Yet even so, South Forbes continues to grow and evolve to cater to changing demands. NEW OPPORTUNIT­IES

South Forbes offers a multitude of opportunit­ies for those who choose to reside here. Apart from providing a wide array of upscale residences, the township also abounds with attractive prospects, whether you’re looking for a new job or trying your hand in business.

Soon, this growing township will be home to business process outsourcin­g firms through its South Forbes Cyber Park (SFCP), which could generate thousands of fresh quality jobs for residents within the township and those in surroundin­g communitie­s.

SFCP, located beside St. Benedict’s Church and South Forbes City College, is an accredited IT park by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) where BPO locators can enjoy a host of fiscal and non-fiscal perks including income tax holidays, tax- and duty-free importatio­n of capital equipment, special visa status for expatriate­s and their immediate family, among others.

Aspiring entreprene­urs, according to Ng, are also offered the option to set up their own businesses with this township. Although a supermarke­t, gym, hardware, water station and laundry shop, among others, already operate within South Forbes, its growing communitie­s will need more tenants and businesses to cater to their needs. Future business owners can set up shop either in Westboroug­h Town Center or in the retail podiums of the various condominiu­m projects located within the township.

Indeed, never has the concept of a safe, complete and resilient township like South Forbes, with its convenient accessibil­ity and proximity to all essentials, been as important as it is today. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a drastic pivot to new preference­s and trends, South Forbes has managed to be well ahead of its time, offering a true haven amid this crisis.

 ??  ?? South Forbes Golf City is an innovative township featuring boutique communitie­s with internatio­nal architectu­ral themes.
South Forbes Golf City is an innovative township featuring boutique communitie­s with internatio­nal architectu­ral themes.
 ??  ?? Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng
Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng
 ??  ?? The Nusa Dua at Bali Mansions features a tropical vibe.
Fullerton Suites is a short walk away from the Chiang Kai Shek College-south Forbes campus.
The Nusa Dua at Bali Mansions features a tropical vibe. Fullerton Suites is a short walk away from the Chiang Kai Shek College-south Forbes campus.
 ??  ?? This model unit features a vibrant American style architectu­re.
This model unit features a vibrant American style architectu­re.
 ??  ?? The Meiji at Tokyo Mansions draws inspiratio­n from Japanese architectu­re.
The Meiji at Tokyo Mansions draws inspiratio­n from Japanese architectu­re.

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