by Jessica Pag-iwayan
Eastland Heights is known for its natural beauty surrounded by various trees, which is home to some wildlife species. Several studies have shown that spending time in nature positively impacts well-being. Then how much more if one lives and resides in a community surrounded by luscious greeneries and nature’s natural beauty?
That is why, guided by the idea of ecotherapy—a type of therapeutic treatment involving nature-based design to help improve mental and physical health—Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), capitalizes on the natural environment organic to the 640-hectare Eastland Heights in Antipolo Rizal. With proposed amenities, residences, and other developments all mindfully designed to promote healing and wellness, the developer aims to strengthen its claims to become the first ecotherapy lifestyle community in the Philippines.
“The demand for living spaces near or nestled within nature continues to grow, especially as the world recovers from a global pandemic that forced us all to reassess our way of life,” Karen Piolo-Arcilla, vice president for sales and marketing, Megaworld Global Estate, Inc. “We already have an abundance of green residential spaces at Eastland Heights, a mountainside sanctuary in Antipolo, and we intend to strengthen our identity as the country’s first and currently only ecotherapy lifestyle community as we plan to build carefully curated spaces such as gardens, cafes and wine cellars, pet parks, camping stations, outdoor sports areas, aeroponic farms, and more to encourage a lifestyle built around nature.”
Piolo-Arcilla also said that even though there are many facilities to build in the pipeline, 40 percent of the Eastland Heights area is dedicated to be an open space—this is to preserve and protect the natural habitat of wildlife animals spotted to be residing and migrating to this land annually.
Early this year, GERI launched its newest residential offering that hinges on this concept: The Daintree Residences, a 12.6-hectare residential village inspired by the Daintree Rainforest Park in Queensland, Australia, which is known for its biodiversity and rich ecosystem. The Daintree Residences will feature around 200 lots, with planned amenities including a village clubhouse, a pet park and playground, meditation and therapeutic gardens, medicinal plant gardens, and jogging and bike paths.
Also rising soon is the new campus of Bannister Academy, a private, co-ed international school open to learners from preschool to Grades 1 to 12. It is authorized as an IB (International Baccalaureate) World School offering the Diploma Program—it means that the academy provides a rigorous, two-year, globally recognized educational program from Grades 11 to 12 that allows students to attend top universities almost anywhere in the world.
Occupying a 1.1-hectare plot of land, Bannister Academy will feature state-of-the-art facilities, such as laboratories, a library, a music room, and a garden. It will also have sports facilities, including a football field and basketball court. There will also be an amphitheater at the top area of the campus is also part of the plan. In the meantime, a tropical-themed resort called The Springs will soon open in Eastland Heights, featuring swimming pools and other facilities.
A themed retail and lifestyle hub is also to be built. On top of these, while waiting for the completion of the project, the property is boasting its 2.5 hectares First Hills Golf Courses. Designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, it was named the Best Golf Course in the World by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) in 2000. This 36-hole golf course occupies 26 percent of the whole property development.
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