Porac rises from ashes of Mt. Pinatubo

Alviera Country Club —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Almost obliterated when Mt. Pinatubo unleashed four centuries of pent-up fury in 1991, Porac, Pampanga, has emerged from the tons of lahar that fell on it and is putting on a happy face.

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and its partner Leonilo Land are turning Porac’s barren landscape into something more pleasant and fun-filled. Their 1,800-hectare master-planned Alviera estate is not just going to be a sustainable residential development but a destination for leisure, fun and games.

As lot buyers begin to lay the groundwork or build their dream houses in the designated residential enclaves—Ayala Land, Alveo and Avida—the Alviera Country Club has opened to offer its sports, gaming and fun activities to families and corporations on a membership basis.

Melanie B. Eugenio, project development manager of ALI’s strategic landbank management group, said the 5.6-hectare leisure club, which opened in March, had facilities and activities for young and old.

Designed by the architectural firm Leandro V. Locsin Partners with distinctive leaf-inspired roofs, the club has KTV rooms for those who enjoy karaoke singing and mini theater for film showings. The game console room features virtual and arcade games and other new technology facilities. Pools are available for people of all ages and swimming skills. They include lap, adult lounge, kiddie and splash pools.

Aside from the water park, children can also entertain themselves in the airconditioned indoor play area, with a nursery, changing room and lockers, and the outdoor playground.

The sports pavilion has multiple indoor and outdoor courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton, etc.  A fitness gym is next door to a dance studio for fitness classes, like zumba, Jazzercise, pilates or yoga.

The Inawan (meaning rest) spa offers different types of massage and relaxation treatments, as well as the use of a jacuzzi.

Veteran chef Rafael Borromeo Hubilla presides over the main dining area, Manyaman (delicious) restaurant, Sabyan (converse/talk) café and Galo (movement) sports bar. Manyaman has an international menu that also includes Kapampangan specialties. The coffee shop has freshly baked breads and pastries to go with freshly brewed coffee and other beverages. Galo is for the casual diner who may also have time for a game of billiards, darts or table tennis.

Swimming pools are available for people of all ages and swimming skills.

Eugenio said they planned to partner with local communities, particularly the Aetas, for their fresh produce requirements.

She said, aside from using the sports and fitness fixtures,  they also wanted members to avail themselves of the club’s facilities for social (celebrations and get-togethers) and corporate (meetings, seminars, conferences) events.

An added bonus to Alviera Country Club members and guests is its nearness to another ALI brainchild, the Sandbox outdoor adventure and urban karting park.

Although accommodations are not yet in place (a hotel is planned as part of the complex), the Alviera Country Club —almost midway between Metro Manila and Clark and Subic, former US Air Force and Navy bases, respectively, that have become commercial and industrial hubs—is only an hour and a half away from the metropolis.

With transport terminals completed by the third quarter of 2019, as gathered from Eugenio, even people without their own vehicles could easily plan a trip to the new Porac destination.

Eugenio stressed that only members could use the club’s facilities and amenities. They could, however, allow relatives and/or employees to enjoy the club’s various offerings as their guests.

Individual membership costs P630,000. It gives the member and his/her dependents—legitimate spouse and legitimate single children below 26 years old—the right to use the club’s facilities and amenities.

The corporate membership, at P1 million, includes two usage rights, with legitimate spouse and single children below 26 years old.

Members will also be charged monthly dues.

Eugenio said they planned to organize sports camps and tournaments, fitness and art classes and other activities to enhance further the value of club memberships. —CONTRIBUTED