Handed the appellation Buntal Hat Capital of the Philippines, Baliwag is the leading commerce, education, entertainment, and transportation hub of Bulacan. Yet, despite its rapid growth, it has managed to keep a grasp on a heritage that goes back more than three centuries.
Founded by the Augustinian friars in 1733, the quiet town became one of the seats from which the Spanish chose to spread the faith throughout the region. Traveling through the city today, one spies this influence in its buildings and homes, churches, food, religion, and many of the families’ traditions.
Vista Land is recreating the Spanish region of Castilla y León on Baliwag soil through the sprawling
60-hectare estate called Castellana.
The people of Baliwag hold many traits similar to the denizens of Iberia. The Baliwageños are known for their passionate nature, akin to the fiery personality the Spanish are known for. This ardor is expressed in their music, dance, art, a zest for food and drink, and enthusiasm for their festivals. Family and community are essential in Spanish culture, as in Baliwag, where family values run deep. Here, there is a strong emphasis on relationships, neighborliness, loyalty, and religious heritage. Like the Spanish, the Catholic faith is more than a piece of history for the Baliwageño. It is an integral part of his day-to-day life and is important to who he is and how he lives.
Between today’s modern Baliwag and a lingering connection with Spain, Vista Land, through its collection of master planned developments called Vista Estates, recreates the region of Castilla y León on Baliwag soil through Castellana.
Spanish influence runs deep
More than revisiting the past, Castellaña is an exercise in bringing one of the beloved regions to the country. Here, Vista Land is building vertical homes, business hubs, commercial centers, parks, and service institutions inspired by one of the world’s most bewitching communities.
Vista Land is building vertical homes, business hubs, commercial centers, parks, and service institutions inspired by one of the world’s bewitching communities.
Castilla y León is Spain’s largest autonomous community. It was created in 1983 when the Kingdom of Castille formally merged with the historical region of León, a union that began in the 13th century. The area has preserved much of its glorious past, boasting 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most in any part of the globe.
The castles of Castilla y León and its cathedrals are exquisite examples of mostly Romanesque architecture––known for its copious use of arches on towering pillars, heavy-set walls, and small windows. Gothic towers dot the landscape, seamlessly blending in with Roman roads, aqueducts, and Moorish villas and courtyards that stand out in modern cities. This blending of the art and architecture of centuries past with the glass and stone of contemporary European design makes Castilla y León a captivating region—the inspiration for Castellana.
History will merge with present-day in Castellana
This first-class component city of Baliwag is about a 45-minute easy drive from Manila. Aside from the lechon and longganisa that Baliwag is loved for, it also offers a host of notable landmarks, including the Baliwag Clock Tower, Baliwag Museum, and the Baliwag Church, also known as the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church.
Castellana by Vista Land is master planned to bring one of the beloved regions of the world to the county.
In the early 19th century, Baliwag was already one of the wealthiest and most progressive towns in Bulacan. Aside from the world-famous buntal hat, the town was known for its artistry. It produced and exported silk, delicate piña cloth, cane furniture, and intricately decorated floor mats. Today, the Baliwageño design genius and enterprising temperament have allowed the new city to continue progressing, making it an ideal place to build a career and a family. This is why Vista Land has set down what promises to be a stunning Spanish community in Baliwag.
In Castellana, today and yesterday come together perfectly, to create the spaces where the best aspirations become real, and the most amazing lives are lived.
Castellana is a 60-hectare estate master planned into three zones that border residential communities, granting each access to work, leisure,
and service institutions. The three zones will come with a series of mid-rise residential towers, as well as mixed-use buildings. The estate will feature vast open areas linking the buildings and villages, filled with green spaces allowing the residents to enjoy the outdoors. The Paseo de Espolon will inspire the walkways in Burgos. The homes and open areas will take after the colorful facades and courtyards of Spanish plazas, sculpted fountains, and water elements, all girded by tropical landscaping.
Castellana will bring to Baliwag the enchantments of a magnificent historic region and synergize that with dynamism and smart tech. Today and yesterday come together perfectly to create spaces where the best aspirations become real, and the most amazing lives are lived.
Vista Land: Pioneering excellence in property development
As the holding company of the housing ventures of Vista Group, Vista Land is primarily engaged in building developing horizontal properties, master planned developments communities of vertical residences in the Philippines’ key growth areas.
Castellana Towers will bring to Baliwag the enchantments of a magnificent historic region and synergize that with dynamism and smart tech.
Filipinos deserve the best—this driving belief has been integral to Vista Land and its day-to-day operations and is the secret to its success. Creating better, expansive, and global-oriented offerings and experiences for its residents, as well as delivering excellent long-term investment growth for its stakeholders, has always been the impetus behind the conglomerate’s continuous evolution.
Learn more about Vista Land master planned developments nationwide. Visit www.vistaestates.vistaland.com.ph and follow @VistaEstatesOfficial for news and offerings.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by Vista Land through Philippine Daily Inquirer.