Design by inspiration

A home is more than just a mere structure—it is a fitting testament to one’s success and accomplishments.

And this is why many homebuyers can be meticulous, taking into consideration a lot of factors before making that big ticket purchase. Such factors include the kind of lifestyle and environment that a development can provide, and how it can offer comfort and convenience to the residents.

Hence, it would be crucial for property developers to create projects that would deliver beyond the essentials, and provide a familiar, serene sanctuary amid a highly urbanized and, at times, chaotic urban jungle.

Creating an environment

This is something that trusted home developer Suntrust Properties has taken to heart.

Going beyond the usual practice of delivering cookie cutter developments, Suntrust Properties has spearheaded the creation and delivery of projects that allow residents to live the kind of life that they are used to.

“We don’t just construct houses but rather we create them according to our market’s needs. We try as much as we can to mirror the kind of community that most of our clients are accustomed to. In designing our projects, we always make it a point to provide and create an environment that would be comfortable for our residents,” said Suntrust Properties president Atty. Harry M. Paltongan.

Suntrust Properties Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of property giant Megaworld Corp., catering to the affordable market. In pursuit of its vision to be the yardstick in the affordable township development, Suntrust has relentlessly pursued to build products adaptive to the needs of its buyers.

Masterplanned communities

Paltongan noted that Suntrust Properties remains committed to offer superior yet affordable homes all of which are built within a masterplanned, self-contained community.

“We try as much as we can to deliver projects that make people immediately feel at home. Every Suntrust project serves as a sanctuary where people can experience the same quality of life that they used to enjoy while working in other countries,” Paltongan said.

“We have a number of overseas Filipino workers as residents and thus we make it a point to provide them the same environment and vibe that they’ve grown used to,” he explained.

To achieve this, Suntrust Properties has been going beyond the norm, implementing a number of innovations and design strategies that have since allowed it to gain the approval of the market and the respect of its peers.

“We want our residents, especially our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to live and retire in a place that would be similar to where they came from or where they used to work. With such themed developments, we are able to provide them not only a comfortable and familiar atmosphere but one that could uplift their way of life. We are giving them an extraordinary environemt at a fraction of a cost if you compare it to our competitors,” Paltongan explained.

Italian inspiration

Currently the company has three flagship developments all of which are designed to embody the feel and vibe of the famous destinations where most OFWs used to work.

One of these themed projects include Suntrust Verona, which is located along the Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa National Road, and with its namesake, the Italian city of Verona, serving as inspiration.

Suntrust designed Verona to be a community that encourages walking among residents.

The concept for the project was born out of one of the European travels of Paltongan, who observed that the locals preferred to walk rather than take motorized transportation. He also noted the “laid back” flavor of the city.

Suntrust Verona’s location, being near a leisure destination that is Tagaytay, along with its year-round cool weather, made the community highly conducive to a similar lifestyle.

Suntrust designed Verona to be a community that encourages walking among residents, especially with all the scenic amenities within the community. These include the Fontana di Venere at the Grand Arched Entrance, a replica of Casa di Guilietta, bridges and brick pathways, and other various edifices that depict the Renaissance era.

Singaporean concept

Suntrust Sentosa, located near Batino Exit in Calamba, Laguna, was born out of the company’s vision to provide affordable and elegant homes to the workers employed in the nearby manufacturing plants and industrial parks.

The project was conceptualized at a time when travel to various Asian countries especially Singapore, was also highly advertised. Suntrust decided to “bring Singapore to the Philippines” instead.

The community now features two replicas of the Merlion, which would greet homeowners as they enter the premises.

Houses at Suntrust Sentosa were also designed as Modern Asian, with wide windows that allow more natural light and ventilation. This provides more comfort for residents as well as a cost-saving factor.

European flair

Suntrust Sienna Hills, meanwhile, is located in Lipa, Batangas, whose OFWs are mostly employed in European countries, such as Italy.

Suntrust recognizes the need for these OFW families to be given homes inspired by the beautifully crafted houses they have been accustomed to during their stay in European countries.

With the creation of Sentosa, Suntrust was able to “bring Singapore to the Philippines

In Siena Hills, residents would find a grand façade, as well as the statues of Remus and Romulus and the She-Wolf,
depicting the founders of Rome. House models on offer were inspired by Italian architecture.

“But all these would not have been possible if not for the hard work that our employees and workers put in every project. At Suntrust, we make it a point to value the contribution of everyone that is involved in the project—from the masons to the carpenters. We make sure that we give them the credit that they deserve,” Paltongan said.

“As such, we give much credit to our workers. On our 20th year, we make sure that they get the recognition they deserve. We are putting the spotlight on them given the crucial role that they play. This is why we also launched early this year the Bentengkyu Suntrust campaign. Through these small acts of kindness, we hope to also inspire and uplift the lives of our workers,” he concluded.