NUVALI Grand Launch

Yesterday was the grand launch of NUVALI, the 1700 hectare property of the Yulo family that is being developed by Ayala Land Inc. They have a wonderful vision of making NUVALI a business, commercial and residential community that promotes green and healthy living where nature and technology meet.

A popular concept in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, Laguna is turning land into water - not by magic, but by engineering intervention to convert a piece of land into a man-made lake. Pramana Residential Park has a man-made lake. South Lake Village in Lucio Tan's Eton City also has a man-made lake with man-made islands where the houses are to be built. Cool. This is like what they have in Dubai. NUVALI also has a man-made lake and the area surrounding the 4 hectare lake is called the Lakeside Evozone - this is a PEZA zone so locators can enjoy the benefits of being in a PEZA zone. In the future, more buildings, shops and a central business district will be located here.

There are taxi boats that can be used to traverse the lake from one end to the other. The upper left end of the lake in the miniature model below is where One Evotech is located. By the way, Convergys is located in that building and they are now hiring. The Evoliving Center is in the other end of the lake.

This is us waiting at one of the taxi boat dock near One Evotech.

On our way!!!

Welcome to the Evoliving Center

One of the halls in the Evoliving Center explains the concept used by NUVALI to marry people, family, business, technology, health and nature to form what they call the evolved community of the future.

This explains how NUVALI uses two kinds of water as part of its water conservation effort - one kind of water for your plants and to wash your cars and stuffs, another kind of water for bathing, drinking, cooking and washing the dishes.

The miniature sailboat competition was just about to start when we got there.

One Evotech building as seen from the Evoliving Center.

Next was lunch in Treveia NUVALI exhibit hall where lunch was served by Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant.

This miniature model shows Treveia NUVALI on the lower part and Avida Settings NUVALI on the upper part. NUVALI is also the home to Ayala Land Premiere's high end residential developments Abrio and Montecito.

After lunch we went to the actual site of Treveia which is a 5 minute drive from the Evoliving Center. This is how the gate of Treveia looks like now.

The perimeter fence of Treveia is uniquely called the green perimeter fence. You know why?

It is made of alternate squares of concrete wall and squares of plastic plant boxes that gives life to the fence making it somewhat alive. Well, talking about being one with nature.

Treveia view of Tagaytay Highlands Peak (highest point on the left) and People's Park in the Sky (highest point on the right).

If you are interested in buying a residential property in Treveia NUVALI or Pramana Residential Park in Greenfield City, I can help. Text me at 09209137107.

Knowing Taal Volcano

Countless Pinoys and foreigners have been been to Tagaytay or Batangas, set their sight across Taal Lake and looked at Taal Volcano. But many may have actually missed Taal Volcano. Because this is not Taal Volcano. This is Binintiang Malaki.

Binintiang Malaki is just one of the 47 cones and craters of Taal Volcano. It is undoubtedly the prettiest, most photographed, most painted and most volcano-looking part of Taal Volcano Island so it is understandable that many think it is Taal Volcano.

So where is Taal Volcano?

If you are on Tagaytay Ridge, in Josephine's Reastaurant for example, Taal Volcano is the relatively flat land formation just behind Binintiang Malaki. Farther away you see Mount Maculot.

Shown below is another view where you see Binintiang Munti, Taal Volcano's main crater and Vulcan Point - fondly called the volcanic island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island. Let's state that again more clearly: A volcanic island (Vulcan Point) within a lake (Crater Lake) on an island (Taal Volcano Island) within a lake (Taal Lake) on an island (the Island of Luzon).

Here is how it looks like in Google Earth when simulating a view of Taal Volcano from high above Tagaytay. At this height you can see part of Mindoro at the far back.

History of Taal Volcano

In old books (such as the 1906 book of John Foreman), Taal Lake is called Bombon Lake. This lake was believed to have been created after the upheaval of the 7,000 to 8,000 feet high mountain in its center. In 1749 the same mountain had a great outburst that lasted for 6 months and 17 days which tore to pieces its coniform peak thus creating the flat Taal Volcano we see today. A volcano that is not much taller than one of its craters known as Binintiang Malaki. The same old book says that Taal is one of those places in the Philippines which takes its name from trees and plants - Taal being a tree more commonly known as Ipil.

Imagine if today a volcano twice the height of Mount Makiling and almost next to Mount Mayon in height is in Taal Lake. Wow, what an awesome sight that must be.

So the next time you visit Tagaytay, take a photo with the whole Taal Volcano as your background and not only Binintiang Malaki. It's a fitting tribute to one of the most active volcanoes we have in the Philippines.

If you don't it is just like being given a photo op with president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo then taking a photo only of her mole.

Or taking a memorable photo with The Wizard of Enchanted Kingdom this way.

Wouldn't it be super nice and cool if you took The Wizard's whole photo? He'd be so much happier.
And I'm sure Taal Volcano will be too.

Earth Hour

March 28 (Saturday) at 8:30 PM, your local time wherever you live on planet Earth, is Earth Hour. Join the billions of people around the world in voting for mother Earth and voting against global warming.

Turn off your lights for one hour from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Big names joining the event include SM Malls, Shangri-La Hotels, Coke, Ayala Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Globe Telecoms.

A Subic Vacation

If a full Northern Luzon road trip is too far and too long for you, why not have a weekend road trip to Subic.

Here's a guide on some of the popular stuffs you can do in a Subic getaway.

1. Enjoy the smooth drive on NLEX and SCTEX. Follow speed limits or risk getting caught.

2. Quickly learn to obey Subic traffic rules. Subic is strict when it comes to motorist discipline so remember these road rules: Mandatory full stop when you see stop signs (on traffic posts and painted on the pavement) even if the road is clear. On intersections where all intersecting roads have stop signs, first to stop is first to go. Respect pedestrian lanes. Respect mandatory left or right turn lanes. If you get apprehended, you can settle your ticket on their 24-hour office before you leave Subic.

3. Get a hotel room so you can freshen up after the long drive, lighten your load, relax for a while and energize before you set off to your Subic experience. Select one of the many hotels along Waterfront Road if you want the water in front of you hehe.

The Lighthouse Marina Resort is a good pick (6,000 PhP and up) if you want that high end feel. If you are on a budget like us, choose other good hotels along the same road for 4,000 PhP or less. Reserve on-line a few days before you go there.

4. Head off to Ocean Adventure Subic to watch talented dolphins, false killer whales and sea lions. You can catch the morning show or afternoon show or both. Entrance fee is 450 PhP per adult, 370 PhP per child or senior citizen. They adjust show schedules depending on visitors volume.

Hannah on her toes while watching the dolphins pop in and out of the water.

Flying fishes... nope... dolphins are mammals.

The trainers, the trainees, small yummy fishes and squids.

Meet Tonka, a false killer whale. My daughter's favorite among the dolphins.

For a fee, you can get up close with the dolphins and become part of the show.

But only the trainers with belt pouches full of fishes and squids can dolphin surf like this

or be pushed up the water and do an Air Jordan pose like this.

The sea lion show is entertaining and fun to watch.

A "seal with a kiss."

Look at the happy faces of the audience.

After the show, a sea lion displays his adorable facial expression before leaving the stage. Beeeh!

5. In Tree Top Adventure (a.k.a. canopy ride, 350 PhP) you will ride in hanging chairs then travel to 10 aerial platforms with heights ranging from 18 to 100 feet.

For 200 PhP you can fly like superman in a 134-meter zip line back and forth. They also have rappelling and a soon to open ride known as Suicide. You can avail of the packages to save some money. Two activities will cost 500 PhP and 3 activities will will cost you 650 PhP. Other activities are trekking and jungle adventure.

6. Don't forget to eat at Meat Plus along Sampson Road.

New York steak, 325 PhP.

Tenderloin Salpicao, 225 PhP

Their banana fritters, 105 PhP, is a different twist to the native dessert maruya.

It's made of fried ripe Lakatan coated with flour then sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon then topped with vanilla ice cream. Sarap!

7. Pray and give thanks for a wonderful vacation. Attend mass in San Roque Chapel along Dewey Ave.

It's just the right ambiance for me with good audio to hear the ceremony clearly while you sit on foam cushioned wood benches in a fully air conditioned chapel. Its simple interior provides no distraction so you can focus more on the mass.

6. This concludes our 500-Km Valentines weekend getaway last month that started South of Manila, to Clark, to Subic and back home in a single tank of gasoline.

If we had one more day, Zoobic Safari would be in it. Well, next time na lang.